Photo of a mid-sized formal open concept living room in Albuquerque with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Reconfiguration et mise en harmonie d’un appartement

Mélanie Gonin Architecte d'Intérieur

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary enclosed living room in Nice with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and brown floor.

Rush Creek

Rosenfeld Construction

Mid-sized country living room in Other with light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, multi-coloured floor and wood walls.

Modern Living Room 3D Rendering

Rendernode

This 3D rendering was created for a client to present an initial design concept to a property owner. We were instructed to keep details to a minimum to limit overall project cost.

Notting Hill Refurbishment

Pia Design

Photography by Richard Chivers. Project copyright to Ardesia Design.
Small scandinavian open concept living room in London with white walls, light hardwood floors, a concrete fireplace surround and a freestanding tv.

Beach Style Living Room

Beach style open concept living room in Los Angeles with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and beige floor.

Gas Fireplaces

Woodstove & Fireplace Shop

This is an example of a mid-sized modern formal living room in Boston with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Sinclaire - Contemporary Lakefront Home

Visbeen Architects

Builder: Mike Schaap Builders Photographer: Visbeen Architects, Inc. Strikingly modern, this dramatic design draws inspiration from the Prairie school as well as the “less-is-more” philosophy. With more than 2,500 square feet of living space spread out on three levels and walls of windows throughout, the design makes the most of the view. A contemporary-inspired floor plan revolves round a central living room with a dining, sitting and kitchen area to the left and study/office to the right. The second level is anchored by a central loft living area flanked by a master bedroom and two additional family rooms. The lower level houses a family room, exercise room and two additional bedrooms.

West Plains 2018

Maric Homes & Renovations

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Other with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and grey floor.

Loomis Custom Home

SD Olsen Construction Inc.

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary formal open concept living room in Sacramento with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and beige floor.

Johnson Residence

MacPherson Construction and Design

This is an example of a large contemporary formal open concept living room in Seattle with light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and a built-in media wall.

Milwaukee Bluff House

Karen Kempf Interiors

With a complete gut and remodel, this home was taken from a dated, traditional style to a contemporary home with a lighter and fresher aesthetic. The interior space was organized to take better advantage of the sweeping views of Lake Michigan. Existing exterior elements were mixed with newer materials to create the unique design of the façade. Photos done by Brian Fussell at Rangeline Real Estate Photography

In The Spotlight

Morrison Interiors

This expansive living and dining room has a comfortable stylish feel suitable for entertaining and relaxing. Photos by: Rod Foster
Expansive transitional open concept living room in Orange County with a home bar, white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and no tv.

Sandalwood transitional

Jamestown Estate Homes

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

Hummingbird Haus

K2 Signature Homes

Living room and views to the McDowell Mtns
Inspiration for a large modern open concept living room in Phoenix with white walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace and a concrete fireplace surround.

Forever Farmhouse

GLDESIGN

This is an example 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.

Tresco

Visbeen Architects

Large contemporary open concept living room in Grand Rapids with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and exposed beam.

Minecraft House

Board & Vellum

Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary formal open concept living room in Seattle with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and beige floor.

Woodside House 2

Dotter & Solfjeld Architecture + Design

Large midcentury open concept living room in San Francisco with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

Lake Independence Homestead

Aspect Design Build

Douglas Fir tongue and groove + beams and two sided fireplace highlight this cozy, livable great room
Mid-sized country open concept living room in Minneapolis with white walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, a corner tv and brown floor.

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.