Mid-sized contemporary enclosed living room in Los Angeles with black walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

Atherton Residence

Lexie Saine Design

Large country formal open concept living room in San Francisco with black walls, light hardwood floors, a plaster fireplace surround, no tv and vaulted.

Vienna Way

MK Properties

This is an example of a modern formal living room in Los Angeles with black walls, a standard fireplace, no tv and a plaster fireplace surround.

Living Room

SF Modern

The living room looks upon a grand fireplace with a surround of black plaster and stone hearth bench
Photo of a contemporary living room in San Francisco with black walls, dark hardwood floors, a plaster fireplace surround and brown floor.

Open Concept Fireplace Feature Wall | Fonthill, ON

The One Stop Fireplace Shop

Large modern open concept living room in Toronto with black walls, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and beige floor.

Living Room Refresh

Making Spaces

Making Spaces
Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury enclosed living room in Other with black walls, carpet, a wood stove, a plaster fireplace surround and a freestanding tv.

Urban Manor

U31 Inc.

Design ideas for an eclectic enclosed living room in Toronto with black walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and brown floor.

Fletcher Hills Home Remodel

M Prevost Design

Fireplace remodel with santa barbara stucco finish, white oak shelf
Inspiration for a beach style living room in San Diego with black walls, a standard fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

Raven Way Project

Lace and Grace Interiors

Custom Fireplace Built In in Front Entry Room. Photos by: @lifecreated
This is an example of a mid-sized modern formal open concept living room in Phoenix with black walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

Agorafocus 850

European Home

The Agorafocus 850 by Focus Fires is a suspended, wood-burning fireplace. It is perfect for larger spaces and tall ceilings, and can be viewed from 360 degrees.

BRONTE HOUSE

The Designory

Tom Ferguson
This is an example of a large beach style open concept living room in Sydney with black walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

bijoux london apartment

Mrs Louise Interiors

glamorous compact living area
Inspiration for a small traditional enclosed living room in London with black walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Contemporary Living Room

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Toronto with black walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

leeson Park

MSVI Building Contractors

Inspiration for a contemporary living room in Dublin with a library, black walls, concrete floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and black floor.

Warm Fusions

BRANA Designs

Design ideas for an expansive modern formal open concept living room in Los Angeles with black walls, slate floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and beige floor.

Warm Fusions

BRANA Designs

Inspiration for an expansive modern formal living room in Los Angeles with black walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and beige floor.

Palm House

Kirsten Johnstone Architecture

This is an example of a mid-sized modern open concept living room in Melbourne with black walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and a built-in media wall.

Art Deco pops in Kew

Camilla Molders Design

Inspiration for an expansive contemporary open concept living room in Melbourne with black walls, concrete floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and grey floor.

17 Rutland Apartments

Jeffreys Interiors

ZAC and ZAC
Large transitional open concept living room in Edinburgh with black walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Richmond, TW10

TOTUS

Corner fireplace
Design ideas for a contemporary living room in Surrey with black walls, light hardwood floors, a corner fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

Living Room Design Photos with Black Walls and 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.