Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional formal open concept living room in Detroit with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, no tv, brown floor, vaulted and decorative wall panelling.

PROJECT: KENSINGTON

Harper Designs

Gorgeous bright and airy family room featuring a large shiplap fireplace and feature wall into vaulted ceilings. Several tones and textures make this a cozy space for this family of 3. Custom draperies, a recliner sofa, large area rug and a touch of leather complete the space.

Double Ridge Residence

Rain City Architecture

Two story Living Room space open to the Kitchen and the Dining rooms. The ceiling is covered in acoustic panels to accommodate the owners love of music in high fidelity.

Modern Spanish

Julie Bertok Designs

A mixture of California coastal and modern Spanish style in this fireplace mantel setting. Hand painted ocean scene mixed with pottery and wrought iron candle sticks. Dried floral adds a touch of nature from the coast. House plants give a touch of modern design yet adding a natural living element.

Tiburon Re-Style

Marracar Design

Client wanted to freshen up their living room space to make it feel contemporary with a coastal flare
Inspiration for a large beach style formal open concept living room in Sacramento with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, no tv, grey floor, vaulted and wallpaper.

Library House

Hsu McCullough

Built-ins and open shelves of books divide the Living Room from Reading Room entrance beyond. A dramatic ceiling of layered beams is revealed.
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional formal open concept living room in Los Angeles with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, no tv, brown floor and vaulted.

Bow Tie House

John Patrick Cunningham / Architect

The public area is split into 4 overlapping spaces, centrally separated by the kitchen. Here is a view of the lounge and hearth.
Design ideas for a large contemporary living room in New York with white walls, concrete floors, grey floor, vaulted, wood walls, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and a concealed tv.

Back40House

HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles

Living space is a convergence of color and eclectic modern furnishings - Architect: HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles - Builder: WERK | Building Modern - Photo: HAUS

Transitional Lake Waconia

Randolph Interior Design

Interior Designer - Randolph Interior Design Builder: Mathews Vasek Construction⁠ Architect: Sharratt Design & Company Photo: Spacecrafting Photography

Ranch House Great Room

Marin Design Co.

Living room and sitting room. This picture displays the wall casings and room divide between living and sitting room.
Photo of a large traditional open concept living room in Sacramento with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a built-in media wall, brown floor, vaulted and decorative wall panelling.

French oak flooring Industrial Farmhouse style

Jan Neiges, CMKBD with NKBA

This is the AFTER picture of the living room as viewed from the loft. We had removed ALL the carpet through out this town home and replaced with solid hard wood flooring.

Beachlands House

Jessica Chloe Photography

A sun drenched open living space that flows out to the sea views and outdoor entertaining
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Auckland with white walls, ceramic floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, white floor and vaulted.

Best of Big Sur | Alta Vista Collection

Hallmark Floors

Cozy living room/kitchen area with a traditional design.
This is an example of a small modern formal open concept living room in Los Angeles with white walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, no tv, multi-coloured floor, vaulted and panelled walls.

BDC Homes Showhome

Lucy Furniss Design

Here we have the main lounge featuring a built-in gas fireplace, floating cabinetry and a bespoke ply grid feature wall.
This is an example of a large contemporary open concept living room in Hamilton with white walls, concrete floors, a ribbon fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, black floor, vaulted and panelled walls.

Plantation Shutters

Best Buy Blinds Shutters and Shades

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Salt Lake City with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, brown floor and vaulted.

Modern Spanish

Julie Bertok Designs

Currant Ave Whole Home Remodel

FBC Remodel

This beautiful home in Boulder, Colorado got a full two-story remodel. Their remodel included a new kitchen and dining area, living room, entry way, staircase, lofted area, bedroom, bathroom and office. Check out this client's new beautiful home

French Remodel

Pillar & Perch: Architects + Builders

Cast stone fireplace surround and chimney with built in wood and tv center.
Photo of a large formal open concept living room in Other with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a wood stove, a wood fireplace surround, brown floor and vaulted.

Contemporary Home, Ingatestone

NB Interiors UK

A colourful living room with pops of yellow and blue
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Essex with grey walls, vinyl floors, a hanging fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a built-in media wall, grey floor and vaulted.

Accent Walls

Susan Semmelmann Interiors- Award Winning Designer

This is an example of an expansive transitional open concept living room in Dallas with multi-coloured walls, travertine floors, a ribbon fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, beige floor and vaulted.

Living Room Design Photos with a Wood Fireplace Surround and Vaulted

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.