A fireplace face lift, a continuous wall of custom cabinetry, plus a lot of symmetry & rhythm helped to tie the existing living room (right of center) in with the new expanded living space (left of center).

Eclectic Modern Home Remodel

Mc Construction Design Build

Photo of an expansive contemporary open concept living room in San Diego with a home bar, white walls, vinyl floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, beige floor and exposed beam.

Ashdale Great Room

John Merrill Homes, LLC

Design ideas for a large country open concept living room in Jacksonville with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and exposed beam.

SD Modern

aaNovo

Design ideas for a modern living room in Indianapolis with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor and exposed beam.

Extensión y reforma integral en Sag Harbor

Donaire Milans Arquitectos

fotografía © Montse Zamorano
Design ideas for a mid-sized open concept living room in New York with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and exposed beam.

Cape Code Modern in Encino, CA

Sean Perkin & Associates

Photo of a transitional formal open concept living room in Los Angeles with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, no tv, brown floor, exposed beam, timber and panelled walls.

Cohen’s Family room!

The Home Experience by Malika

Design ideas for a traditional open concept living room in Raleigh with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a built-in media wall, beige floor and exposed beam.

Granada Modern Home

H. Customs Audio Video

Large and spacious living room/family room with modern styled chandeliers, hardwood flooring, wood beam ceilings, and large windows.
Photo of a large modern formal open concept living room in Dallas with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and exposed beam.

Living Room

Lauren Allyn Interiors

Inspiration for a large transitional open concept living room in Austin with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a built-in media wall and exposed beam.

Great Rooms

Norman Design Group, Inc.

Expansive transitional open concept living room in Los Angeles with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and exposed beam.

Redlands

Keystone Custom Builders, Inc.

The fireplace mantel is made from the same materials as the exposed ceiling beams and wooden support posts. Custom niches and display lighting were built specifically for owners art collection.

New construction-Modern Home

Archstone Home Builders

high ceilings, interior design details,
Inspiration for a contemporary living room in Los Angeles with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, brown floor and exposed beam.

Wayzata Mid-Century Modern Whole Home Restoration

Thompson Construction

Mid-Century Modern Restoration
Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury open concept living room in Minneapolis with white walls, a corner fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, white floor, exposed beam and wood walls.

Edina Elegance

RLH Studio

Spacecrafting Photography
Large traditional formal enclosed living room in Minneapolis with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, no tv, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor and exposed beam.

1041 EL

Weaver Custom Homes

Design ideas for a contemporary open concept living room in Columbus with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, no tv and exposed beam.

Quail Ridge

CRC Builders Inc.

This is an example of a large country open concept living room in San Francisco with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, grey floor and exposed beam.

Real Estate Q4 2023

TNHometour.com

Photo of a transitional open concept living room in Nashville with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, exposed beam and vaulted.

COZY CITY HOME

HARRISON FAE DESIGN

Photo of a large country open concept living room in Toronto with pink walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a built-in media wall, brown floor, vaulted, exposed beam and wood.

Under the Yew Tree

Unique Homestays

Design ideas for a large country formal enclosed living room in Gloucestershire with beige walls, painted wood floors, a wood stove, a brick fireplace surround, brown floor, exposed beam and brick walls.

San Juan Capistrano

James David Custom Homes

Transitional living room in Orange County with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, brown floor, exposed beam, timber and vaulted.

All Fireplaces Living Room Design Photos with Exposed Beam

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.