This is an example of a mid-sized country formal open concept living room in Oxfordshire with green walls, carpet, a wood stove, a stone fireplace surround and beige floor.

Rustic Revised

Foss by Design LLC

Mid-sized country open concept living room in Minneapolis with grey walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and beige floor.

The Richmond (2016 Fall Parade of Homes - Lakeville)

Country Joe Homes

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary formal enclosed living room in Minneapolis with grey walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Wood Fireplace Inserts

Hearth Haven

Pro-Series CI2600 Large Wood Insert
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary formal enclosed living room in New York with beige walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Brand New 2016 Kootenia Model Home

Eibensteiner Real Estate Group - ReMax Results

Inspiration for a transitional formal open concept living room in Minneapolis with carpet, a standard fireplace, no tv, grey walls and a stone fireplace surround.

Redcliffe Square

Cullum Design

Transitional formal living room in London with beige walls, carpet, a standard fireplace and no tv.

Pimlico Townhouse

Lisette Voute Designs

Duck-egg and pale blue living room scheme - a small duck-egg sofa (on view) with a larger sofa along the back wall (to the right of the shot) in a soft pale blue linen. This London townhouse benefits from beautiful original mouldings around the high ceilings, and a stunning marble fireplace surround. We put antique brass wall lights over the fireplace, and modernised the room a little by fitting sisal herringbone carpet; keeping it both fresh and a bit more casual. Styling the bookcases was such a part of decorating this room, as was choosing all the fun but soft fabrics; including all the cushions on that back sofa you can't see here! I love this little antique desk and chair in the desk space between the two high sash windows. We covered the desk chair's seat in a Romo linen (the same as one of the sofas) - in a pale dusty blue colour. The curtains are more duck-egg green in colour, and such a fun but soft pattern. The celadon gourd lamp ties it all together. I also love a bit of embroidery in my fabrics, which we get with that cushion you can see on the armchair.

Overton Woods

SAJ Designs, LLC

Design ideas for a large traditional formal enclosed living room in Dallas with brown walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and no tv.

Beach Style Living Room

This is an example of a mid-sized beach style formal living room in New York with red walls, carpet and a standard fireplace.

Contemporary Bay Area Residence

Kriste Michelini Interiors

Phillip Harvey
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary formal enclosed living room in San Francisco with white walls, a standard fireplace, no tv, carpet and a wood fireplace surround.

Gas Burning Fireplaces

Hearth & Home

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional enclosed living room in New York with white walls, carpet, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Whole House Remodel - Town & Country, MO

Marcia Moore Design

A very beige, very boring living room was transformed with paint, artwork and furniture. The inspiration came from the existing painting, seen above the fireplace. The backs of two large bookcases were painted gold in order to display unique and interesting sculptural objects. More texture was added through the use of silk florals and a "popcorn" area rug. Michael Jacob Photography

Chestnut House

Hub Architects and Designers ltd

Beautiful lacquered units disguising a music centre and media unit with fan cooling system integrated.
Design ideas for a large contemporary enclosed living room in London with a library, grey walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and a concealed tv.

Fresh & Smart Redo

Buckingham Interiors + Design LTD

This is an example of a transitional living room in Chicago with a library, blue walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and no tv.

San Francisco Mediterranean

Lorin Hill, Architect

John Bedell Photography, Interiors by Angela Free Design
Inspiration for a large mediterranean formal enclosed living room in San Francisco with beige walls, carpet, a corner fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and no tv.

Tewksbury Farmhouse

Dan Ruhland Designs LLC

This is an example of a large country formal enclosed living room in New York with a brick fireplace surround, white walls, carpet, a standard fireplace and no tv.

Pebble Beach Residence

Daniel Ruark, Architect

This is an example of a large traditional formal open concept living room in San Francisco with white walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and no tv.

8 - Portola Valley Residence

Stoecker and Northway Architects, Inc.

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary formal enclosed living room in San Francisco with yellow walls, a standard fireplace, carpet, a metal fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

Sail Bay

CM Natural Designs

The goal for this project was to create a space that felt “beachy” for the Lewis’ who moved from Utah to San Diego last year. These recent retirees needed a casual living room for everyday use and to handle the wear and tear of grandchildren. They also wanted a sophisticated environment to reflect this point in their lives and to have a welcoming atmosphere for guests. Photos courtesy of Ramon C Purcell

LIVING ROOM - LA JOLLA CONDO REMODEL

Alpha Design Group

Mid-sized contemporary formal enclosed living room in San Diego with beige walls, carpet, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

All Fireplaces Living Room Design Photos with Carpet

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.