Large contemporary open concept living room in Adelaide with white walls, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and vaulted.

Central Residence

Dylan Barber Building Design

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary formal open concept living room in Geelong with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

The Mountain Green Modern Farmhouse

Habitations Residential Design Group

Design ideas for a mid-sized country formal open concept living room in Salt Lake City with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Living Room

GreenRose Design

Design ideas for a country living room in New York with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and brown floor.

Modern Functionality With Custom-Made White Oak Bookshelf in Cottage Living Room

Chervin Kitchen & Bath Inc.

An elevated modern cottage living room with a custom-built wall unit featuring a sleek bookshelf. Crafted with a keen eye for contemporary design, this project seamlessly blends functionality and style. The unit boasts clean lines and a minimalist aesthetic, perfectly complementing the cozy charm of the cottage space. With ample shelving for favourite reads and display items, this bespoke addition transforms the living room into a curated haven of sophistication and comfort.

Magnolia

Heidi Caillier Design

Haris Kenjar
Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury formal enclosed living room in Seattle with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and beige floor.

Westhampton Beach Playhouse

Chango

Interior Design, Interior Architecture, Custom Millwork Design, Furniture Design, Art Curation, & AV Design by Chango & Co. Photography by Sean Litchfield See the feature in Domino Magazine

Small Stage

Alison Damonte Design

Photo © Bruce Damonte
Design ideas for a contemporary living room in San Francisco with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Florida Beach Cottage

Village Architects AIA, Inc.

Ron Rosenzweig
Inspiration for a large beach style living room in Miami with white walls, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and no tv.

Massachusetts Farm House

Crisp Architects

Rob Karosis
Inspiration for a country living room in New York with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

San Carlos Treetop

Cathie Hong Interiors

What started as a kitchen and two-bathroom remodel evolved into a full home renovation plus conversion of the downstairs unfinished basement into a permitted first story addition, complete with family room, guest suite, mudroom, and a new front entrance. We married the midcentury modern architecture with vintage, eclectic details and thoughtful materials.

Historical Oceanfront

Studio H Design Group

This is an example of a large beach style open concept living room in San Diego with a home bar, white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and exposed beam.

Rustic Lindberg Custom Home

Narrow Gate Developments

Mid-sized country open concept living room in Vancouver with white walls, vinyl floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and beige floor.

Organic & Modern Nashville Family Home

Kathy Kuo Designs Inc

Styling details in this modern living room design.
Inspiration for a large transitional open concept living room in Nashville with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

East Quogue Residence

Alicia Horvath Interiors

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional open concept living room in New York with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and beige floor.

Victorian Residence

Chloe Boyd & Co.

Our Cheshire based Client’s came to us for an inviting yet industrial look and feel with a focus on cool tones. We helped to introduce this through our Interior Design and Styling knowledge. They had felt previously that they had purchased pieces that they weren’t exactly what they were looking for once they had arrived. Finding themselves making expensive mistakes and replacing items over time. They wanted to nail the process first time around on their Victorian Property which they had recently moved to. During our extensive discovery and design process, we took the time to get to know our Clients taste’s and what they were looking to achieve. After showing them some initial timeless ideas, they were really pleased with the initial proposal. We introduced our Client’s desired look and feel, whilst really considering pieces that really started to make the house feel like home which are also based on their interests. The handover to our Client was a great success and was really well received. They have requested us to help out with another space within their home as a total surprise, we are really honoured and looking forward to starting!

Pan Zen

Colossus Mfg.

Eclectic bohemian living room ties multiple patterns and bright colors together while focused on a brick fireplace with a fresh coat of paint and custom built bookshelves.

Wayzata Mid-Century Modern Whole Home Restoration

Thompson Construction

Mid-Century Modern Restoration
Mid-sized midcentury open concept living room in Minneapolis with white walls, a corner fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, white floor, exposed beam and wood walls.

Private Waterfront Residence on the Chester River

Purple Cherry Architects

Extensive custom millwork can be seen throughout the entire home, but especially in the living room.
This is an example of an expansive traditional formal open concept living room in Baltimore with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, brown floor, coffered and panelled walls.

Modern Brazilian

Jefferson Street Designs

Inspiration for a small midcentury open concept living room in DC Metro with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

Living Room Design Photos with White Walls and a Brick 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.