A large concrete chimney projects from the foundations through the center of the house, serving as a centerpiece of design while separating public and private spaces.

winter park mountain home

jennifer rhode design

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

Tresco

Visbeen Architects

Design ideas for a large contemporary open concept living room in Grand Rapids with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and vaulted.

Living Room

Johnston Design Group

Mid-sized beach style open concept living room in Other with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and grey floor.

216 33rd Street - Balboa Peninsula

SAILHOUSE

Design ideas for a mid-sized beach style formal open concept living room in Orange County with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, no tv and grey floor.

Martis Camp Mountain Contemporary

SANDBOX

Photo by Vance Fox showing the dramatic Great Room, which is open to the Kitchen and Dining (not shown) & Rec Loft above. A large sliding glass door wall spills out onto both covered and uncovered terrace areas, for dining, relaxing by the fire or in the sunken spa.

Modern Suburban Home

Patrick Farley Architect

Large contemporary formal open concept living room in Richmond with white walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and beige floor.

Alturas Homes - Spring Parade 2017

Lauren Smyth

This is an example of a scandinavian formal enclosed living room in Boise with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Lake House V (The Reserve)

MHK Architecture & Planning

This is an example of a country enclosed living room in Other with a home bar, blue walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and beige floor.

Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA: Luxury Home

Bella B Home Designs

Our client wanted this room to be to formal yet fun! The additions of black to add a pop of color makes this room sophisticated and chic!
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional formal open concept living room in Philadelphia with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, a concrete fireplace surround and brown floor.

Dafna Zilafro

spfa

This is an example of an expansive modern formal living room in Los Angeles with a two-sided fireplace, light hardwood floors and a concrete fireplace surround.

Forever Farmhouse

GLDESIGN

Photo of a large beach style open concept living room in Other with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, exposed beam and planked wall panelling.

Memorial Park

MMI Design

This is an example of a small transitional open concept living room in Houston with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Palomino Modern Home

Realm Architecture + Design

Photo of a large contemporary formal open concept living room with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

Rivetta

April Balliette

Ryan Gamma
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Tampa with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Vale Court - Modern Farmhouse

E2 Homes Ltd

Custom Montigo fireplace with summer kit embedded in a custom concrete ship lap wall. Sub woofer, speakers, and all technology is fully integrated into the design.

Contemporary Farm House

Natural Instincts Interior Design

Rocky Maloney
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Salt Lake City with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Indianapolis Home of Distinction-16'

Whittney Parkinson Design

Jen Driscoll Photography
Expansive transitional open concept living room in Indianapolis with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Florida

Sherri Spykerman Interiors

Mitered stone fireplace surround with media art roller screen creates focal wall flanked by tall turquoise vases in Florida beach home.
Photo of a large beach style enclosed living room in Denver with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, brown floor, a concrete fireplace surround and no tv.

Menlo Oaks 3 Residence

Ana Williamson Architect

Paul Dyer
This is an example of a large country formal open concept living room in San Francisco with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and no tv.

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