Living room with fireplace
Inspiration for a large contemporary open concept living room in Sydney with green walls, dark hardwood floors and a tile fireplace surround.

Brighton East Coastal Style Kitchen & Bathroom Renovation

Ultimate Kitchens & Bathrooms

Whilst the main focus for this renovation was the kitchen and bathrooms, the clients used the opportunity to instil some better functionality and modern influences in some adjoining rooms. This bespoke entertainment unit was designed and built to house a new gas fireplace, with the tv wall mounted above. Once again, the stunning porcelain in the cladding of this fireplace, makes for a real focal point in the living room.

School House Eclectic

Third Coast Interiors

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional open concept living room in Chicago with grey walls, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, dark hardwood floors, no tv and brown floor.

Chevron Shiplap Fireplace with Custom Wood Mantel

CJC Interiors

This modern farmhouse living room features a custom shiplap fireplace by Stonegate Builders, with custom-painted cabinetry by Carver Junk Company. The large rug pattern is mirrored in the handcrafted coffee and end tables, made just for this space.

Somerset - Transitional Living and Family Rooms

In the Deets

A transitional living space filled with natural light, contemporary furnishings with blue accent accessories. The focal point in the room features a custom fireplace with a marble, herringbone tile surround, marble hearth, custom white built-ins with floating shelves. Photo by Exceptional Frames.

Modern Townhome Transformation

Bobbi Alderfer/Lifestyle Design

Photo Credit: Ryan Ocasio
This is an example of a large contemporary open concept living room in Chicago with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and a music area.

Piermont Beach House

Janelle Interiors

two fish digital
Mid-sized beach style open concept living room in Los Angeles with white walls, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, beige floor and light hardwood floors.

Asheville Retreat

B.O.B. - Beyond Ordinary Boundaries Architecture

Inspiration for a large contemporary open concept living room in Richmond with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Lounge 14, Marazzi

The Masonry Center, Inc.

Marazzi Lounge14 Cosmopolitan 9 x 36 field tile and 12 x 24 Decorative Inlay on floor with 12 x 24 Strip Mosaic on wall. New from Marazzi 2014 and in stock at The Masonry Center. Photo courtesy of Marazzi USA.

Ladera Ranch Traditional

Avenue A Interiors

Designed by Alison Royer Photos: Ashlee Raubach
This is an example of a small eclectic formal enclosed living room in Los Angeles with beige walls, porcelain floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

Townhouse Renovation in Dundalk

Hestia

The brief for this project involved a full house renovation, and extension to reconfigure the ground floor layout. To maximise the untapped potential and make the most out of the existing space for a busy family home. When we spoke with the homeowner about their project, it was clear that for them, this wasn’t just about a renovation or extension. It was about creating a home that really worked for them and their lifestyle. We built in plenty of storage, a large dining area so they could entertain family and friends easily. And instead of treating each space as a box with no connections between them, we designed a space to create a seamless flow throughout. A complete refurbishment and interior design project, for this bold and brave colourful client. The kitchen was designed and all finishes were specified to create a warm modern take on a classic kitchen. Layered lighting was used in all the rooms to create a moody atmosphere. We designed fitted seating in the dining area and bespoke joinery to complete the look. We created a light filled dining space extension full of personality, with black glazing to connect to the garden and outdoor living.

Lillian

Kelly Martin Interiors

Eclectic and airy living room in a historic Los Angeles home.
Small eclectic formal enclosed living room in San Francisco with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Modern Farmhouse New Build in Vienna

Olamar Interiors

A modern farmhouse living room designed for a new construction home in Vienna, VA.
Design ideas for a large country open concept living room in DC Metro with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, beige floor, exposed beam and planked wall panelling.

Salón con techo bóveda catalana

Sincro

This is an example of a large industrial open concept living room in Other with grey walls, porcelain floors, a two-sided fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, grey floor, vaulted and brick walls.

The living room showing the new tile fireplace and the new windows.

Mark Brand Architecture

For our client, who had previous experience working with architects, we enlarged, completely gutted and remodeled this Twin Peaks diamond in the rough. The top floor had a rear-sloping ceiling that cut off the amazing view, so our first task was to raise the roof so the great room had a uniformly high ceiling. Clerestory windows bring in light from all directions. In addition, we removed walls, combined rooms, and installed floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall sliding doors in sleek black aluminum at each floor to create generous rooms with expansive views. At the basement, we created a full-floor art studio flooded with light and with an en-suite bathroom for the artist-owner. New exterior decks, stairs and glass railings create outdoor living opportunities at three of the four levels. We designed modern open-riser stairs with glass railings to replace the existing cramped interior stairs. The kitchen features a 16 foot long island which also functions as a dining table. We designed a custom wall-to-wall bookcase in the family room as well as three sleek tiled fireplaces with integrated bookcases. The bathrooms are entirely new and feature floating vanities and a modern freestanding tub in the master. Clean detailing and luxurious, contemporary finishes complete the look.

Gillespie Park

Cairn

Peter Landers
Mid-sized transitional living room in London with pink walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Midlothian

Le Belle Maison Interiors Inc.

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Dallas with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

CARLING RESIDENCE

User

Open concept living room with built-ins and wood burning fireplace. Walnut, teak and warm antiques create an inviting space with a bright airy feel. The grey blues, echo the waterfront lake property outside. Sisal rug helps anchor the space in a cohesive look.

Porcupine

328 Design Group

Photo of a mid-sized transitional formal open concept living room in Denver with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Open Concept Modern Farmhouse Main Level

CJC Interiors

Living Room Design Photos with a Tile Fireplace Surround

A living room, often referred to as a lounge room in Australia and New Zealand, is the hub of the home. If you only have one living room in the house, it’s likely to serve multiple purposes: be it a place to watch TV, play games, spend quality time with family or hang out with friends. If you have the luxury of two living areas, one is usually a formal living room or lounge room, reserved for reading, relaxing and entertaining. A successful living room design is inviting, has enough seating for the whole clan – a comfortable couch is a must – and encourages conversation. Browse photos on Houzz for living room layouts, furniture and decor, and strike up a conversation with the interior designers or architects of your favourite picks. For even more living room ideas, check out the Stories section on Houzz.

Which living room layouts will work best for you?

Every living area will have design challenges. A long, narrow lounge room, for example, risks looking like a hallway if furniture is lined up against the walls. Instead, opt for small furniture items, like a cosy two-seater couch, and create various focal points throughout the space. In square living rooms, a symmetrical layout encourages a formal setting. Place seating on either side of the room, with a focal point in the middle to pull the room together. For a truly intimate vibe, replace your couch with some occasional chairs positioned around a coffee table or ottoman. This will make the main focus conversation. An open-plan home – one where the lines are blurred between kitchen, dining and living – may require a layout that focuses on definition. You’ll want to make sure furniture doesn’t block the flow between spaces, and instead use something like an area rug to create zones.

How can you decorate your living room?

The living room can be a place in which to show off your personality, but if you want a timeless living room scheme, stick to neutral walls, couches and ottomans. Colour can be added through accessories, and is a lot more interchangeable! Rugs, cushions and throws are great for adding colour, while mirrors, lamps and ceiling lights will set the mood. Make your living room unique by including family heirlooms and photos. For a polished look, try creating a coffee table vignette – you could use books as pedestals or group items together on a tray. Try adding a vase, a mixture of round and rectangular objects and some books.

What are some small living room ideas?

Small living room designs can be tricky to work with, but aren’t doomed to fail. Often, you just have to get creative with furniture. An open-back chaise can create a sense of spaciousness, while small side tables paired together can substitute a coffee table. Even better, an ottoman can be used as a footrest, coffee table or extra seating. Big furniture items like the couch are best kept in light colours, and if there’s room for a coffee table, a glass-top one is best. If you have two spaces in one – perhaps your living room sits in front of a single-wall kitchen – make sure they are connected by decor, colour and style. For definition, just add area rugs, or use your couch as a dividing wall. It’s worth having a few furniture pieces, whether a bookshelf, couch or entertainment unit, in the same colour as the walls, too, so they blend into the room and visually expand the space.

Is open-plan living for you?

Today’s homes often embrace open-plan living, whereby the living room runs off the kitchen and/or dining areas. Open-plan living allows greater functionality, but can risk creating a vast, soulless space if not done right. To avoid a cavernous feel in an open-plan design, define areas with furniture, rugs and lighting, or consider using a wall divider. Also be sure to keep flooring, lighting and materials consistent throughout, for cohesiveness. Noise may be an issue – someone banging pots and pans while you’re watching TV, for example – so include lots of soft furnishings, such as rugs, curtains and couches to help absorb the noise. You will also need to factor in plenty of storage, so mess is kept at bay.