This modern farmhouse located outside of Spokane, Washington, creates a prominent focal point among the landscape of rolling plains. The composition of the home is dominated by three steep gable rooflines linked together by a central spine. This unique design evokes a sense of expansion and contraction from one space to the next. Vertical cedar siding, poured concrete, and zinc gray metal elements clad the modern farmhouse, which, combined with a shop that has the aesthetic of a weathered barn, creates a sense of modernity that remains rooted to the surrounding environment. The Glo double pane A5 Series windows and doors were selected for the project because of their sleek, modern aesthetic and advanced thermal technology over traditional aluminum windows. High performance spacers, low iron glass, larger continuous thermal breaks, and multiple air seals allows the A5 Series to deliver high performance values and cost effective durability while remaining a sophisticated and stylish design choice. Strategically placed operable windows paired with large expanses of fixed picture windows provide natural ventilation and a visual connection to the outdoors.

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.

Lincoln Park Single Family Home

Gemma Parker Design, LLC

Photography: Dustin Halleck, Home Builder: Middlefork Development, LLC, Architect: Burns + Beyerl Architects
Mid-sized traditional formal open concept living room in Chicago with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Pinehurst Residence

Anthony Concrete Design Inc

A full height concrete fireplace surround expanded with a bench. Large panels to make the fireplace surround a real eye catcher in this modern living room. The grey color creates a beautiful contrast with the dark hardwood floor.

Dogtrot

Matarozzi Pelsinger Builders

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.

Floating Mezzanine Game Room

Lasley Brahaney Architecture + Construction

Floating above the kitchen and family room, a mezzanine offers elevated views to the lake. It features a fireplace with cozy seating and a game table for family gatherings. Architecture and interior design by Pierre Hoppenot, Studio PHH Architects.

Complete Renovation - Hollywood Hills

Regal Construction & Remodeling Inc.

beam ceiling
Photo of a large transitional open concept living room in Los Angeles with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, no tv, a concrete fireplace surround, brown floor and exposed beam.

Contemporary Living Room

Mid-sized contemporary formal open concept living room in Seattle with a two-sided fireplace, no tv, concrete floors, a concrete fireplace surround and black 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.

New York Reclaimed Wood Feature Wall

CENTENNIAL WOODS

Room designed by Debra Geller Interior Design in East Hampton, NY features a large accent wall clad with reclaimed Wyoming snow fence planks from Centennial Woods.

Napoleon Fireplace Design Gallery

National Home Comfort Center

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary formal enclosed living room in Toronto with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, no tv and brown 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.

Kalamalka Lake Home

BLDG Workshop Inc.

Corner fireplace set into board formed concrete with walnut Interior Design by Adrianne Bailie Design and BLDG Workshop Erin Bailie Photography
This is an example of a large modern formal enclosed living room in Toronto with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a corner fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and no tv.

West Elm

Contemporary formal living room in New York with a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and no tv.

Los Altos Hills - Traditional Elegance

Spectrum Interior Design, Inc.

Large traditional formal enclosed living room in San Francisco with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and no tv.

Limestone Fireplaces Collection.

R&W Stone, Inc.

R&W Stone. Inc
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional formal open concept living room in Houston with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

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.

San Marino Southern Belle Interior

Courtney Thomas Design

The existing makeup of this living room was enhanced with the infusion of eye-catching colors, fabrics, texture, and patterns. Project designed by Courtney Thomas Design in La Cañada. Serving Pasadena, Glendale, Monrovia, San Marino, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, and Altadena. For more about Courtney Thomas Design, click here: https://www.courtneythomasdesign.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.courtneythomasdesign.com/portfolio/southern-belle-interior-san-marino/

Dixie Pkwy Great Room

I & I Homes, Home Staging and Redesign

Design ideas for a large transitional formal enclosed living room in Orlando with white walls, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, no tv and medium hardwood floors.

Farmhouse Living Room

Country formal living room in Other with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Living Room Design Photos with a Concrete Fireplace Surround and No TV

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.