Open living , dining and kitchen create a smooth flow. Photo by Scott Hargis
Large midcentury open concept living room in San Francisco with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

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.

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.

Axboe Residence

Zola European Windows

Large fixed windows offer beautiful views.
Design ideas for a large contemporary open concept living room in Salt Lake City with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and no tv.

House on a Marsh

Peter McDonald Architect

Photo Credit: Michael J Lee
This is an example of a mid-sized beach style formal open concept living room in Boston with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, beige floor, a concrete fireplace surround and no tv.

New construction Westport CT - Salem

Astele

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional formal enclosed living room in New York with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and light hardwood floors.

68 Oxford Street

Vaughan Building Projects

Design ideas for a mid-sized industrial open concept living room in Melbourne with white walls, light hardwood floors, a wood stove, a concrete fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Atherton Modern Residence

Swatt | Miers Architects

Russell Abraham
Inspiration for a large modern open concept living room in San Francisco with light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and no tv.

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.

Rock Ridge

Jacob Lilley Architects

wall covering lacquer paint
Inspiration for a contemporary open concept living room in Boston with a music area, grey walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and no tv.

House 206

Ryan Group Architects

Exterior from Terrace into Great Room with pocketing sliding doors and screens. Built by Crestwood Construction. Photo by Jeff Freeman.
Design ideas for a mid-sized modern open concept living room in Sacramento with white walls, light hardwood floors, a concrete fireplace surround, a concealed tv and beige floor.

Transitional Living Room

Large transitional open concept living room in Kansas City with white walls, light hardwood floors, a concrete fireplace surround, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and beige floor.

Fireplace

American Marble & Granite

Large contemporary formal open concept living room in Portland with light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and brown floor.

Mustang Circle

KA DesignWorks

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

Sleek Contemporary Kitchen and Bath Remodel

Fradkin Fine Construction, Inc.

A Venetian plaster mantel and blackened metal chimney chase update what was a out of place Craftsman style tiled fireplace surround. The fire place logs were replaced with a modern gas burner and glass pebble flame bed.

Dalling Road

De Rosee Sa

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary enclosed living room in London with a library, white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a concrete fireplace surround.

East Plains Drive

Maric Homes & Renovations

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Other with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, a concrete fireplace surround and beige floor.

Town & Country TC36 Arch Gas Fireplace

Home and Hearth Outfitters

Town & Country's TC36 Arch offers a timeless barrel arch face in the tradition of Rumford-style hearths found in historic homes. Without heavy, external trim or louvers to deal with, you will be free to tailor the front with your choice of stone, tile or other materials.

Dume Drive

Burdge & Associates Architects

Malibu, California traditional coastal home. Architecture by Burdge Architects. Recently reimagined by Saffron Case Homes.
Inspiration for a large beach style formal open concept living room in Los Angeles with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, no tv, brown floor and vaulted.

Sunset Residence

Hoke Ley

Blake Worthington, Rebecca Duke
Large contemporary formal open concept living room in Los Angeles with light hardwood floors, beige floor, white walls, 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.