Small traditional open concept living room in Toronto with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and coffered.

A Water's Edge Retreat

Amazing Spaces

Design ideas for a large beach style formal open concept living room in New York with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a wood fireplace surround, a built-in media wall, grey floor, coffered and a two-sided fireplace.

Truly Great Upper Saddle River Great Room

Laurie DiGiacomo Interiors

Inspiration for a large transitional formal open concept living room in New York with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and coffered.

Sophisticated Glamour

RLH Studio

Spacecrafting Photography
Inspiration for a large traditional formal open concept living room in Minneapolis with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor, coffered and panelled walls.

Estate - Utah County - (44)

Magleby Construction

This is an example of an expansive asian formal open concept living room in Salt Lake City with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, coffered and wood walls.

Henley on the Hudson - Weehawken

Platinum Construction LLC

Large transitional formal open concept living room in New York with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a built-in media wall, brown floor, coffered and decorative wall panelling.

Boca Dreamy Oasisl

Nikki Levy Interiors

Gorgouse open plan living area, ideal for large gatherings or just snuggling up and reading a book
Photo of a large contemporary formal open concept living room in Miami with white walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, beige floor and coffered.

Transitional Lake Cottage

Lenox House Design

The centerpiece of this living room is the 2 sided fireplace, shared with the Sunroom. The coffered ceilings help define the space within the Great Room concept and the neutral furniture with pops of color help give the area texture and character. The stone on the fireplace is called Blue Mountain and was over-grouted in white. The concealed fireplace rises from inside the floor to fill in the space on the left of the fireplace while in use.

Gull Lake- Breezes

Glas Associates

Large white media wall built-in provides ample storage and familiar comfort to this beachy family gathering space. Photo by Ashley Avila Photography

04 - 9th Street Craftsman Transitional Living Room

Aspire Fine Homes

Large transitional enclosed living room in Houston with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, brown floor and coffered.

Surrey Home

Litchfield Design

Inspiration for an expansive contemporary open concept living room in Other with a home bar, white walls, porcelain floors, a two-sided fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a built-in media wall, white floor and coffered.

Farmhouse

Innovative Design + Build

New Construction project.
Mid-sized country open concept living room in Austin with white walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, white floor, coffered and planked wall panelling.

Formal Living Room

Tollgard Design Group

This expansive living area can host a variety of functions from a few guests to a huge party. Vast, floor to ceiling, glass doors slide across to open one side into the garden.

California Mediterranean

Orange Moon Interiors

Den
Expansive mediterranean formal open concept living room in Tampa with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a freestanding tv, brown floor, coffered and brick walls.

Coral Ridge Modern Residence

The Benedict Bullock Group PA

Design ideas for a large modern open concept living room in Miami with brown walls, marble floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a built-in media wall, beige floor, coffered and decorative wall panelling.

Truly Great Upper Saddle River Great Room

Laurie DiGiacomo Interiors

This is an example of a large transitional formal open concept living room in New York with grey walls, laminate floors, a two-sided fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and coffered.

Timeless Traditional Lake House

Lowell Custom Homes

Lake home in Lake Geneva Wisconsin built by Lowell Custom Homes. Living Room of open concept floor plan. Room is large and open with the ability for flexible arrangements to suite todays lifestyle. Quiet reading in front of fireplace next to library wall.

The Royal Oakville Club

Khachi Design + Build

Large transitional open concept living room in Toronto with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, coffered and panelled walls.

Estate - Utah County - (44)

Magleby Construction

Expansive asian formal open concept living room in Salt Lake City with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, coffered and wood walls.

Pretty in Pink

Endless Ideas Interiors Inc.

Photo of a small traditional open concept living room in Toronto with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and coffered.

Living Room Design Photos with a Two-sided Fireplace and Coffered

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.