This is an example of a contemporary open concept living room in Sydney with beige walls, a ribbon fireplace, beige floor, panelled walls and a plaster fireplace surround.

Grant St

Rounded Edge Style

Tones of olive green and brass accents add warmth to this timeless space.
Photo of a mid-sized transitional open concept living room in Perth with porcelain floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, no tv, beige floor, decorative wall panelling and white walls.

Living Room

Arch Studio, Inc.

Light and Airy! Fresh and Modern Architecture by Arch Studio, Inc. 2021
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional formal open concept living room in San Francisco with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, no tv and grey floor.

Tall Timbers, WaterColor

Anthony J. Vallée

Inspiration for a mid-sized beach style open concept living room in Other with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, no tv, beige floor and planked wall panelling.

Flower Mound Transitional Modern

Urbanology Designs

Large transitional open concept living room with white walls, light hardwood floors, a plaster fireplace surround, beige floor and a ribbon fireplace.

Modern Silverleaf Estate

Cosan Studio

This is an example of a modern open concept living room in Phoenix with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, beige floor and exposed beam.

Happy Valley Residence in Lafayette, CA

Melanie Stewart Designs

This living room received a refresh when the outdated corner fireplace was removed, which opened up the room and allowed for a more flexible layout. A new gas fireplace was installed, along with two sidelight windows to enhance the natural light and exterior landscaping. The walls and ceilings were smoothed, and crown molding and trim was added to give the room a clean, but polished look. The palette were kept neutral so the room would have a cohesive feel throughout, while the textures add interest.

MODERN COTTAGE

Lissa Lee Hickman

This is an example of a large transitional formal open concept living room in Phoenix with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, no tv, beige floor and coffered.

Fireplaces

Henges Insulation, Fireplaces, & Outdoor Kitchens

Overland Park KS fireplace installed by Henges Insulation give home a makeover.
Photo of a mid-sized transitional enclosed living room in Kansas City with a standard fireplace, white walls, dark hardwood floors and a plaster fireplace surround.

Grand House Belgravia

Helen Green Design

Photo of a large midcentury formal enclosed living room in London with beige walls, carpet, a standard fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

Brant Point

Chip Webster Architecture

Terry Pommet
Photo of a mid-sized traditional enclosed living room in Boston with white walls, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and a concealed tv.

Classic Beauty

Jennifer Taylor Studio

Photographer: Beth Singer
Mid-sized traditional formal enclosed living room in Detroit with a standard fireplace, no tv, beige walls, carpet and a plaster fireplace surround.

Wohnen | Hummelsbüttel

gärtner Büro und Wohnen GmbH

Inspiration for a large scandinavian open concept living room in Hamburg with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

Roger That

SGDI - Sarah Gallop Design Inc.

Mid-sized midcentury open concept living room in Vancouver with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and beige floor.

Montjoie

Marion Boinot SARL

Réhabilitation d'une ferme dans l'ouest parisien
Large modern formal loft-style living room in Paris with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and exposed beam.

Union Pier Lakehouse

Devon Grace Interiors

Large modern living room in Chicago with white walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Oakwood, Joshua Tree

Interior Particulier

Inspiration for a mid-sized eclectic formal open concept living room in Los Angeles with white walls, ceramic floors, a corner fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and beige floor.

Echo Park Spanish Renovation

Julia Chasman Design

A stunning Heriz rug was added to existing furnishings to pull the room together, along with colorful designer pillows and a Spanish bench, using fabrics from Schumacher and Kathryn M. Ireland collections.

Greener Pastures | Oregon City Home Addition

Mountainwood Homes

Living to the kitchen to dining room view.
Design ideas for an expansive country open concept living room in Portland with a library, white walls, vinyl floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a freestanding tv, brown floor and exposed beam.

Modern Plaster Firplace - Portland OR

AAHC

Lime plaster fireplace, clean shadow line transitions with hardwood floors and cast mantel.
Midcentury living room in Portland with a standard fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

All Fireplaces Living Room Design Photos with a Plaster 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.