This is an example of a large transitional open concept living room in Sussex with a music area, pink walls, light hardwood floors, a wood stove, a stone fireplace surround, beige floor and vaulted.

Wimbledon Townhouse

Kia Designs

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary enclosed living room in London with a music area, grey walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a metal fireplace surround.

Berkeley Hall Renovation

H2 Builders

Photo of a large transitional open concept living room in Atlanta with a music area, blue walls, travertine floors, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and beige floor.

Martis Camp Mountain Contemporary

SANDBOX

Photo by Vance Fox showing the dramatic Great Room, which is open to the Kitchen and Dining (not shown) & Rec Loft above. A large sliding glass door wall spills out onto both covered and uncovered terrace areas, for dining, relaxing by the fire or in the sunken spa.

Seaside Living: Corona del Mar, California

Western Window Systems

When a soft contemporary style meets artistic-minded homeowners, the result is this exquisite dwelling in Corona del Mar from Brandon Architects and Patterson Custom Homes. Complete with curated paintings and an art studio, the 4,300-square-foot residence utilizes Western Window Systems’ Series 600 Multi-Slide doors and windows to blur the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces. In one instance, the retractable doors open to an outdoor courtyard. In another, they lead to a spa and views of the setting sun. Photos by Jeri Koegel.

GRIFFIN ENRIGHT ARCHITECTS: Mandeville Canyon Residence

Griffin Enright Architects

The living room is connected to the outdoors by telescoping doors that fold into deep pockets.
Mid-sized modern open concept living room in Los Angeles with a music area, no tv, white walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

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.

Bright Harmony

Colossus Mfg.

This bright and airy living room was created through pastel pops of pink and blue and natural elements of greenery, lots of light, and a sleek caramel leather couch all focused around the red brick fireplace.

Modern French Country

B Fein Interiors LLC

Inspiration for a small enclosed living room in New York with a music area, yellow walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

City Chic

Sornell Design and Development

This is an example of a small transitional open concept living room with a music area, beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Livingston Oasis, Livingston NJ

Clear Home Design

open to the game room is this sophisticated black and blush pink living room. the book matched granite fireplace was the launching point for the colors that make up the upholstered curved back sofa and swivel chair.

Classic Victorian - Ascot Vale

White Pebble Interiors

Inspiration for a traditional enclosed living room in Melbourne with a music area, red walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Living Room, Industrial Update

Videre Decor

New flooring and paint open the living room to pops of orange.
This is an example of a mid-sized industrial open concept living room in Omaha with dark hardwood floors, grey floor, a music area, beige walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Louisville Abode

Dragonfly Designs

Susie Brenner Photography
Photo of a mid-sized transitional living room in Denver with a music area, grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and no tv.

Holmby Hills Residence

lauri morrison studio

Design ideas for an expansive traditional living room in Los Angeles with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv and a music area.

8106 Chalk Knoll Drive

Julie Mack Realtor

Listen to the crackle of a fire and the keys of a piano.
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional open concept living room in Austin with a music area, beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and no tv.

Musicians Getaway

Davishire

Large traditional open concept living room in Nashville with a music area, white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and no tv.

Arabesque Fireplace

Tami Smight Interiors

Deep gray and eggplant combine beautifully to create drama and elegance in the entry/living room. The fireplace was updated with ceramic arabesque tile and the wall sconces provide an added Moroccan touch.

Greenwich, CT

Valerie Grant Interiors

Peter Rymwid
This is an example of a mid-sized traditional enclosed living room in New York with a music area, beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, no tv and a stone fireplace surround.

Balcones Modern Residence - After

Studio Steinbomer

View of the living room after a modern renovation and 2nd story addition to the Balcones Modern Residence in Austin, TX. Photo Credit: Coles Hairston

All Fireplace Surrounds Living Room Design Photos with a Music Area

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.