Design ideas for a country living room in Burlington with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, exposed beam and timber.

Contemporary Living Room

Inspiration for a contemporary open concept living room in Houston with grey walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, grey floor and timber.

Lodge Meets Cottage

Marty Rhein, CKD, CBD - BAC Design Group

Design ideas for a transitional formal open concept living room in Other with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv, brown floor, exposed beam, timber and vaulted.

A Stunning Wiedenman Arch. Project

Kingston Ko Photography

Inspiration for an expansive transitional open concept living room in Philadelphia with beige walls, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a built-in media wall, white floor and timber.

Anchor Watch

Crosby Creations Drafting & Design Services, LLC

Inspiration for a transitional open concept living room in Charleston with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, exposed beam, timber and planked wall panelling.

White Seems Right, Living Room

LORRAINE G VALE, Allied ASID

We were tasked with a house done completely in all white. Shades of white. In the end, it just seemed right. This living room might look formal, but the fabrics combines with the window and floor coverings say-please come in and stay awhile. Home to a mom and dad with 3 active teens, this room gets plenty of use.

The Rambler

George Pendleton & Co., Inc.

Rustic Hoopers Creek stone fireplace, post and beam construction, vaulted shiplap ceiling, massive White Oak scissior trusses, a touch of reclaimed, mule deer antler chandelier, with large widows giving abundant natural light, all work together to make this a special one-of-a-kind space.

Florida Coastal Contemporary

MHK Architecture & Planning

Inspiration for a beach style formal open concept living room in Miami with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv, brown floor, coffered, timber, wood and panelled walls.

Weston Manor

Cummings Architecture + Interiors

This is an example of a large country open concept living room in Boston with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a built-in media wall and timber.

Kitchen/Living Room Remodel

Sherrie Stewart

Living room with stone fireplace, Frame TV and wood ceiling.
Large transitional open concept living room in San Diego with white walls, ceramic floors, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor, vaulted, exposed beam, timber and a standard fireplace.

Flinders Flair

Let's Talk Kitchens & Interiors

A contemporary holiday home located on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula featuring rammed earth walls, timber lined ceilings and flagstone floors. This home incorporates strong, natural elements and the joinery throughout features custom, stained oak timber cabinetry and natural limestone benchtops. With a nod to the mid century modern era and a balance of natural, warm elements this home displays a uniquely Australian design style. This home is a cocoon like sanctuary for rejuvenation and relaxation with all the modern conveniences one could wish for thoughtfully integrated.

Full Remodel | Los Angeles

Amorphous Studio

Contemporary open concept living room in Los Angeles with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor, exposed beam, timber and vaulted.

Westport, CT Home

Beth Krupa Interiors

Jewel Toned Family Room Featuring an artisan-made steel cocktail table, curated original acrylic resin art, custom designed hand knotted wool silk rug from Nepal, leather ottoman.

Maison en Blanc New Build

JDL Homes Vancouver

Design ideas for a large country formal open concept living room in Vancouver with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a built-in media wall, beige floor and timber.

Lake Breeze Trail

ID Studio Interiors

Inspiration for a transitional open concept living room in Other with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, exposed beam, timber, vaulted and panelled walls.

Livingston Woods Residence

CGU Homes

This is an example of a tropical living room in Other with carpet, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and timber.

Contemporary Farmhouse

KGA Studio Architects, PC

Photo of a large country open concept living room in Denver with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv, brown floor and timber.

The Oliver

Hearth Homes

Inspiration for an expansive country open concept living room in Other with a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and timber.

Eagle Park Circle Addition

Sky House Company

This is an example of a country open concept living room in Charlotte with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a freestanding tv and timber.

Mountainside View

Backdrop Interior Design

Mid-sized country open concept living room with a stone fireplace surround and timber.

Living Room Design Photos with a Stone Fireplace Surround and Timber

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.