Alan Jackson, Jackson Studios
Design ideas for a transitional open concept living room in Other with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Old Irving

Elizabeth Krueger Design

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional formal open concept living room with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

City of Boulder Custom home

Whitten Design Group

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary formal open concept living room in Denver with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and no tv.

Coastal Style West Seattle Beach Cottage

Seattle Staged to Sell and Design LLC

HD Estates
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional formal living room in Seattle with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Boulder Ridge

Mann Customs, Inc.

This is an example of a mid-sized modern open concept living room in Other with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Beyond the Gates

Eckard Photographic

Eckard Photographic
Photo of an expansive traditional formal living room in Charlotte with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Custom Homes

Nash and Associates Architects

Photo of a large contemporary open concept living room in Seattle with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Downtown Lafayette Remodel & Addition

Hampton Architecture

James Ray Spahn
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Denver with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and a tile fireplace surround.

Fireplaces

Tithof Tile and Marble Inc.

Design ideas for an eclectic formal living room in Chicago with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Lillian

Kelly Martin Interiors

Eclectic and airy living room in a historic Los Angeles home.
Small eclectic formal enclosed living room in San Francisco with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Living Room

Shop sKout

Inspiration for a beach style enclosed living room in Other with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

Menlo Park VI

Zaharias Design

Vaulted coffered ceiling and refaced fireplace adds height and elegance to living room. Photo by Bernard Andre
Traditional formal open concept living room in San Francisco with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, brown floor and no tv.

Spice Wood at Bull Creek Fireplace

New Creations Custom Kitchen and Bath

Contemporary living room in Austin with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Glen Ellyn New Construction

Jillian Richey Design

This is an example of a large transitional open concept living room in Chicago with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Lomond || Coquitlam

Hasler Homes Ltd

Interior Design by Karly Kristina Design Photography by SnowChimp Creative
Large contemporary open concept living room in Vancouver with grey walls, a ribbon fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, dark hardwood floors and a tile fireplace surround.

River Bluff Drive

Studio M Interiors

Mid-sized transitional formal enclosed living room in Minneapolis with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

Charlpotte Fireplace Mantel and Over Mantel

IMPACT design Resources

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional formal enclosed living room in Charlotte with dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and grey walls.

Eccleston

Paradigm Building

Photo of a mid-sized transitional formal enclosed living room in San Francisco with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and no tv.

Modern Castle in Glencoe, IL

NEWLOOK Development

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional formal open concept living room in Chicago with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Contemporary Fireplace Wall

J. Jilich Design & Associates

Photography by Chenita Kinloch
Mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Charleston with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a hanging fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and a built-in media wall.

Living Room Design Photos with Dark Hardwood Floors and a Tile 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.