Large contemporary open concept living room in Adelaide with white walls, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and vaulted.

Point Lonsdale II

Stonehouse + Irons Architecture

Concrete block walls provide thermal mass for heating and defence agains hot summer. The subdued colours create a quiet and cosy space focussed around the fire. Timber joinery adds warmth and texture , framing the collections of books and collected objects.

Central Residence

Dylan Barber Building Design

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary formal open concept living room in Geelong with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Durham NC Home

Dhinoy Studios

Warm white living room accented with natural jute rug and linen furniture. White brick fireplace with wood mantle compliments light tone wood floors.

Living Room with Fireplace

Allison Ramsey Architects

This is an example of a country open concept living room in Atlanta with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and brown floor.

The Evans Floor Plan as a Model Home

Bercher Homes

Open concept floor plan. Painted bookcases.
Large transitional open concept living room in Atlanta with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, no tv, brown floor and vaulted.

Modern Bay Area Home

Will Wick

Modern Living Room
This is an example of a transitional formal enclosed living room in San Francisco with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a brick fireplace surround and a standard fireplace.

Waterfront Residence in Darien

Thompson Raissis Architects

Design ideas for a large traditional formal open concept living room in New York with a standard fireplace, beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a brick fireplace surround and no tv.

Cape Cod classic contemporary

Carolyn Thayer interiors

Cary Hazlegrove
Design ideas for a beach style formal living room in Boston with grey walls, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

East Cobb Modern Makeover Kitchen Sunroom and Living Room

Atlanta Curb Appeal

Sunroom in East Cobb Modern Home. Interior design credit: Design & Curations Photo by Elizabeth Lauren Granger Photography
Mid-sized transitional open concept living room in Atlanta with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, beige floor and exposed beam.

Family House Restructure

barkerdesign

Using natural finishes and textures throughout and up-cycling existing pieces where possible
Photo of a mid-sized scandinavian living room in Kent with light hardwood floors, a wood stove, a brick fireplace surround and white floor.

Cliff Classic

BPC Architecture + Interior Design

Inspiration for a traditional open concept living room in Boston with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a built-in media wall, brown floor, exposed beam, panelled walls, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Bernese Farmhouse

Colossus Mfg.

Living room fireplace with floor to ceiling two toned white brick, and custom reclaimed wood mantel. A 90" white couch and tan leather accent chairs surrounds it.

Hudson House

JPO Interiors

Photo of a transitional living room in Atlanta with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Hargrave

Jubilee Interiors

Living room furnishing and remodel
Inspiration for a small midcentury open concept living room in Los Angeles with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a corner fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a corner tv, brown floor and timber.

Zig Zag Roof House

Henry Woide

Photographer: Henry Woide - www.henrywoide.co.uk Architecture: 4SArchitecture
Small contemporary formal enclosed living room in London with blue walls, light hardwood floors, a wood stove, a brick fireplace surround and a corner tv.

Living / Family Room

Kris Lindahl Team

Photo of a mid-sized country enclosed living room in Minneapolis with light hardwood floors, a wood stove, a brick fireplace surround, no tv, brown floor and red walls.

Great Room 3

Gruebmeyer Builders

Design ideas for a large transitional open concept living room in Columbus with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a built-in media wall, vaulted, panelled walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Our Projects

Ashley Elliot Design

Modern Farmhouse living space with shadow box molding and neutral decor.
This is an example of a mid-sized country enclosed living room in Bridgeport with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Stunning Fairfax, CA Remodel

Craig O'Connell Architecture

The new bright and air family room includes a connection to the kitchen and features mid-century touches.
Midcentury living room in San Francisco with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and brown floor.

All Fireplaces Living Room Design Photos with a Brick 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.