William Mallat Photo 2022©
Photo of a contemporary open concept living room in Sydney with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and beige floor.

Craftsman Rebuild - Alameda, CA

Saikley Architects

This project is the rebuild of a classic Craftsman bungalow that had been destroyed in a fire. Throughout the design process we balanced the creation of a house that would feel like a true home, to replace the one that had been lost, while managing a budget with challenges from the insurance company, and navigating through a complex approval process. Photography by Phil Bond and Artisan Home Builders. Tiles by Motawai Tileworks. https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/craftsman-rebuild/

Craftsman Manor Resurrection

Board & Vellum

Photograph by Travis Peterson.
Large transitional formal open concept living room in Seattle with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

HAUTE HIGHRISE

Lissa Lee Hickman

Large contemporary open concept living room in Phoenix with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a built-in media wall and beige floor.

Timberwood Craftsman Livingroom Remodel

Nathan Taylor for Obelisk Home

This newly built Old Mission style home gave little in concessions in regards to historical accuracies. To create a usable space for the family, Obelisk Home provided finish work and furnishings but in needed to keep with the feeling of the home. The coffee tables bunched together allow flexibility and hard surfaces for the girls to play games on. New paint in historical sage, window treatments in crushed velvet with hand-forged rods, leather swivel chairs to allow “bird watching” and conversation, clean lined sofa, rug and classic carved chairs in a heavy tapestry to bring out the love of the American Indian style and tradition. Original Artwork by Jane Troup Photos by Jeremy Mason McGraw

Beverly Hills Modern

Lori Dennis, ASID, LEED AP

Large modern style Living Room featuring a black tile, floor to ceiling fireplace. Plenty of seating on this white sectional sofa and 2 side chairs. Two pairs of floor to ceiling sliding glass doors open onto the back patio and pool area for the ultimate indoor outdoor lifestyle.

Lincoln Park Renovation

Devon Grace Interiors

In the living room, floor to ceiling windows frame the space and create a bright and inviting feel. We introduced a palette of deep grey, blue, and rich cognac furniture that maintain a modern feel with their low profiles and clean lines.

Reggie Award Winner 2018 - Transitional Two Story

David Charlez Designs

Space Crafting
This is an example of a transitional living room in Minneapolis with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Main Street Condo - Unit 3

Natural Instincts Interior Design

Rocky Maloney
Design ideas for a small contemporary open concept living room in Salt Lake City with light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Piermont Beach House

Janelle Interiors

two fish digital
Mid-sized beach style open concept living room in Los Angeles with white walls, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, beige floor and light hardwood floors.

Asheville Retreat

B.O.B. - Beyond Ordinary Boundaries Architecture

Inspiration for a large contemporary open concept living room in Richmond with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Contemporary Living Room

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Denver with light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, white walls, a tile fireplace surround and beige floor.

Elbow Park Residence

Rochelle Cote Interior Design

Modern Living Room
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary formal open concept living room in Calgary with white walls, light hardwood floors, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and beige floor.

Family Home

Wynd Design

Mid-sized traditional open concept living room in London with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Potomac Mid-Century

Balodemas Architects

Design ideas for a midcentury living room in DC Metro with light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Transitional Glam, Los Altos

AK Design

Living room - large transitional living room with modern gas fireplace, Porcelanosa tiles, white flat panel cabinets in Los Altos.
Design ideas for a large transitional formal open concept living room in San Francisco with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a built-in media wall and white floor.

Kent

Ilya's Quality Carpentry

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

Perfect Balance

Steinhafels

Designer: Jenii Kluver | Photographer: Sarah Utech
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional open concept living room in Chicago with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Fillmore Street Cottage

David Heide Design Studio

Inspiration for an arts and crafts enclosed living room in Minneapolis with a library, grey walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and no tv.

Farmhouse Living Room

This is an example of a large country open concept living room in Denver with a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, white walls, brown floor and light hardwood floors.

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