Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional formal living room in Minneapolis with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Lauren Kay Sims Lakehouse - Office and Lounge, Curved Sofa

Urbanology Designs

This well-appointed lounge area is situated just adjacent to the study, in a grand, open-concept room. Intricate detailing on the fireplace, vintage books and floral prints all pull from traditional design style, and are nicely harmonized with the modern shapes of the accent chairs and sofa, and the small bust on the mantle.

Union Pier Lakehouse

Devon Grace Interiors

Design ideas for a large contemporary open concept living room in Chicago with white walls, light hardwood floors, a plaster fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, a corner fireplace and beige floor.

The Branches

Elle Du Monde LLC

Large contemporary open concept living room in Atlanta with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, exposed beam and planked wall panelling.

Project 45

The Main Company

We also designed a bespoke fire place for the home.
Design ideas for a contemporary living room in London with a standard fireplace, brown walls, light hardwood floors, a wood fireplace surround and beige floor.

Linden Heights Home Remodel & Addition

Crose & Lemke Construction

Custom-made rift-sawn white oak cabinet fronts feature gas fireplace with concealed vent in mantel.
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Other with light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

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.

House on the Lake- Shorewood

Mark D. Williams Custom Homes, Inc.

Cozy bright greatroom with coffered ceiling detail. Beautiful south facing light comes through Pella Reserve Windows (screens roll out of bottom of window sash). This room is bright and cheery and very inviting. We even hid a remote shade in the beam closest to the windows for privacy at night and shade if too bright.

Midtown Midmod

Hammersmith Structures

Design ideas for a midcentury open concept living room in Denver with white walls, light hardwood floors, a corner fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a freestanding tv, wood and wallpaper.

Tucked In Cottage On Bunker Hill

S.Flynn Design + Build

Open Living Room with Fireplace Storage, Wood Burning Stove and Book Shelf.
Photo of a small contemporary formal open concept living room in Cleveland with white walls, light hardwood floors, a wood stove, a wall-mounted tv and vaulted.

Silver Summit

Imbue Design

An open living plan creates a light airy space that is connected to nature on all sides through large ribbons of glass.
Inspiration for a modern open concept living room in Salt Lake City with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, grey floor, wood and wood walls.

Living Room

Beth Howley Creative LLC

Design ideas for a beach style living room in Grand Rapids with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and exposed beam.

Marina Bay Drive

Tamara Rene Designs

Inspiration for a transitional living room in Orange County with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and beige floor.

Posh and Neutral Living Room

Henck Design LLC

While every stitch of furniture was kept neutral, Henck Design layered textures to maintain a chic quality and specified only the finest of furnishings and home decor for this client’s interior design project.

Minneapolis Condo Remodel

Design Filter

Photo of a small contemporary formal open concept living room in Minneapolis with light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

The Goat Shed - Devon

TFQ Architects

The Goat Shed, Devon. The interior complements our design beautifully, with light, bright finishes to create a calm country feel, mixed contemporary materials and tones with country rustic textures.

Project Dover Shores

Mark Design Co.

Design ideas for a mid-sized scandinavian open concept living room in Orange County with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and vaulted.

Bright and Airy Living Room Design

Boxwood Avenue

This beautiful custom home built by Bowlin Built and designed by Boxwood Avenue in the Reno Tahoe area features creamy walls painted with Benjamin Moore's Swiss Coffee and white oak custom cabinetry. With beautiful granite and marble countertops and handmade backsplash. The dark stained island creates a two-toned kitchen with lovely European oak wood flooring and a large double oven range with a custom hood above!

French Modern Spec Home-Living room

Studio Shelter

French modern home, featuring living, stone fireplace, and sliding glass doors.
Design ideas for a large contemporary formal open concept living room in Denver with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

Modern Farmhouse New Build in Vienna

Olamar Interiors

A modern farmhouse living room designed for a new construction home in Vienna, VA.
Design ideas for a large country open concept living room in DC Metro with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, beige floor, exposed beam and planked wall panelling.

All Fireplaces Living Room Design Photos with Light Hardwood Floors

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.