This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary formal open concept living room in Geelong with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Transitional Living Room

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional formal enclosed living room in Kansas City with grey walls, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, light hardwood floors and no tv.

San Carlos Treetop

Cathie Hong Interiors

What started as a kitchen and two-bathroom remodel evolved into a full home renovation plus conversion of the downstairs unfinished basement into a permitted first story addition, complete with family room, guest suite, mudroom, and a new front entrance. We married the midcentury modern architecture with vintage, eclectic details and thoughtful materials.

Scandinavian Modern Living Room

10K Architecture

Scandinavian minimalist formal living room with floor to ceiling windows, black brick, and linear fireplace.
Photo of a large scandinavian formal open concept living room in Minneapolis with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

Three Arch Cottage

Nate Fischer Interiors

Bright and airy cottage living room with white washed brick and natural wood beam mantle.
Photo of a small beach style open concept living room in Orange County with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, no tv and vaulted.

Elegance Redefined - Uplands, Victoria BC

Jessica Velikovsky Interios

Vaulted 24' great room with shiplap ceiling, brick two story fireplace and lots of room to entertain!
Photo of a transitional formal open concept living room in Vancouver with white walls, light hardwood floors, a brick fireplace surround, a standard fireplace, no tv, brown floor, timber and panelled walls.

Living Room Remodel

Blueprint Dreams LLC

We refaced the old plain brick with a German Smear treatment and replace an old wood stove with a new one.
Inspiration for a mid-sized country enclosed living room in New York with a library, beige walls, light hardwood floors, a wood stove, a brick fireplace surround, a built-in media wall, brown floor and timber.

Modern Farmhouse | 2019 Dry Creek Parade

Solitude Homes

Photo of a large country open concept living room in Boise with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and beige floor.

Seattle Mid-Century Modern

ONE DAY DESIGN

Mid Century Modern living family great room in an open, spacious floor plan
This is an example of a large midcentury open concept living room in Seattle with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

STR8 Modern Residence

REHAU Cabinet Doors

Alyssa Lee Photography
This is an example of a contemporary formal living room in Minneapolis with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and no tv.

Deepwoods Living Room

Suzanna Santostefano

This is an example of a transitional living room in Austin with white walls, a brick fireplace surround, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and beige floor.

64th Place

Rafterhouse

Photo of a country formal open concept living room in Phoenix with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

Sonoma Farmhouse

Jennifer Tulley Architects

Photography by David Duncan Livingston
Design ideas for a country formal living room in San Francisco with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and beige floor.

Mid-Century Modern, Whole House Renovation in Spring Mill Indianapolis

WrightWorks, LLC

The original masonry fireplace, with brick veneer and floating steel framed hearth. The hearth was re-surfaced with a concrete, poured in place counter material. Low voltage, MR-16 recessed lights accent the fireplace and artwork. A small sidelight brings natural light in to wash the brick fireplace as well. Photo by Christopher Wright, CR

Projet séjours et salle à manger à Sillery

Claudia Bérubé

Photographie Atypic
Inspiration for a contemporary formal enclosed living room in Montreal with multi-coloured walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Benjamin Moore Line

Arte Bella Painting

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary enclosed living room in Other with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Downtown Modern Cottage

Hausmith Building Co.

photo: Zephyr McIntyre
Mid-sized modern open concept living room in Sacramento with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Chelsea Studio Apartment

14+CO Design Studio

Julie Florio Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in New York with white walls, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, light hardwood floors, a built-in media wall and beige floor.

Utah Modern Farmhouse Home

Kyle Aiken

Modern Farmhouse Designed Living Room Interior Photo - https://www.kaikenphotography.com/

COASTAL FARMHOUSE

Claridge Construction

Photo of a large open concept living room in Adelaide with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and brick walls.

Living Room Design Photos with Light Hardwood Floors and a Brick 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.