Interior addition with custom windows in this contemporary remodel by Meadowlark Builders
Mid-sized contemporary formal open concept living room in Detroit with light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, no tv and red walls.

Living Spaces

Sean Clemons Painting, LLC

Design ideas for a mid-sized eclectic formal enclosed living room in Louisville with red walls, a standard fireplace, no tv, medium hardwood floors and a concrete fireplace surround.

Woodley Park Residence - Red Library

Annie Elliott Design

Red built-in bookcases, layered Persian rugs, and a concrete fireplace enliven this eclectic Library/Famiy room. Photo credit: Angie Seckinger
Inspiration for a large transitional open concept living room in DC Metro with a library, red walls, a standard fireplace, light hardwood floors, a concrete fireplace surround and no tv.

Post Fire Modern

BARRETT STUDIO architects

Following the Four Mile Fire, these clients sought to start anew on land with spectacular views down valley and to Sugarloaf. A low slung form hugs the hills, while opening to a generous deck in back. Primarily one level living, a lofted model plane workshop overlooks a dramatic triangular skylight.

Modern Wood Accent Chair with Geometric Fabric

Adam Zollinger Interiors

With 2 small children, my clients wanted a bold, yet simple and contemporary room where they could retreat from all the toys and mess to "unwind" after a busy day of work and family. A large modern sectional upholstered in a neutral textured fabric gives them both room to spread out and watch television or just relax and enjoy a roaring fire, and a large scaled coffee table keeps all the large furniture in proper proportion.

Mantels

Shews Design

Impressions Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized country formal enclosed living room in Chicago with red walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Inwood

Cusimano Architect

Inspiration for a large transitional formal living room in Houston with red walls, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, no tv, grey floor, coffered, wood and brick walls.

Washington

Sarah Buxton Design

This is an example of a large midcentury open concept living room in Los Angeles with medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, brown floor, a home bar, red walls, a concrete fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Mendota Hearth Product Gallery

Fireplace Re-Fitter

Mid-sized contemporary formal enclosed living room in Boston with red walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Modern Minimalist Great Room

Lifespan Construction

Chris McDonald
This is an example of a contemporary open concept living room in Seattle with red walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

Wohnbereich

Neptune Tegernsee

neptune.com
Design ideas for an expansive country open concept living room in Other with a library, red walls, light hardwood floors, a wood stove, a concrete fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

Designerwohnung im alten Schloß

VerWANDlung remmers Malerwerkstätten

Julika Hardegen
This is an example of a mid-sized eclectic formal enclosed living room in Cologne with red walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, a freestanding tv and brown floor.

Mayr Residence

Lightwave International

The internal living areas would need to be open to sun in winter, and to also retain heat and allow it to reradiate in the cool nights. Summer days would require cross flow ventilation controlled by manually adjustable louvres. The prevention of bird collisions into the glass was a priority. While some adhesive devices were available, louvres became the most viable option due to their visibility to birds and their versatility in controlling weather conditions. A modification of the traditional Arabic solar chimney was used in the living area. The masonry structure, dense and heat retentive, stores winter heat from the sun, and re-radiates it at night when the air temperature is cooler. Similarly the solar chimney, housing a modern day wood heater, utilizes the masonry structure to store the heat generated by the fire. During the summer months, the masonry is shaded by the roof overhangs. Vents are opened at both the top and bottom of the chimney. As the portion of the wall facing the daylight heats, the hot air rises and creates breeze through the chimney. The breeze cools the internal facing wall. The cooler wall then absorbs heat from the internal living space and provides a passive cooling device to the interior of the house.

NW Traditional Update

Martha Berndt Design Studio, LLC

This is an example of an open concept living room in Portland with red walls, concrete floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and grey floor.

Washington

Sarah Buxton Design

Large midcentury open concept living room in Los Angeles with a home bar, red walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Heatilator Design Gallery

Fireside Stone & Patio

Large transitional formal enclosed living room in Baltimore with red walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Mission Hills Modern

Poolehaus Residential Design

Kitchen, Living and Dining Room remodel for a ranch with great "bones" but badly in need of a facelift. Photos by Alistair Tutton Photography. Boxer painting study by Gregory Eltringham. Area Rug by Delinear Rugs.

Close up of the wall colour

Leigh Holt

Oxide used to render the walls Queensland Homes
Design ideas for a large country formal living room in Brisbane with red walls, concrete floors, a wood stove, a concrete fireplace surround and no tv.

Modern Minimalist Great Room

Lifespan Construction

Chris McDonald
Photo of a contemporary open concept living room in Seattle with red walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Contemporary Bold Abstract Foyer Artwork

Adam Zollinger Interiors

Living Room Design Photos with Red Walls 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.