Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in New York with yellow walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Stonebrook Road Home

Dianne Wallis Designs

Empirical Photographic Arts
Design ideas for a large transitional formal open concept living room in Toronto with yellow walls, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Lakeview Residence

Lush Interiors Inc.

Custom Living Room Design
Large transitional formal open concept living room in Calgary with yellow walls, carpet, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and a freestanding tv.

Adams Mill, Stowe, VT

Christian C. Carey, Architect, P.C.

Carolyn Bates
Inspiration for a large traditional open concept living room in Burlington with yellow walls, dark hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Tradition Meets Modern - Canfield, OH

Master Plan Builders & Master Plan Design

Adam Campesi
This is an example of a large contemporary open concept living room in Other with yellow walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv and multi-coloured floor.

35th Ct East Vacant Staging Project

Home Styling by Denise

Photo of a mid-sized traditional formal enclosed living room in Tampa with yellow walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

Appartamento in giallo

Chiara Bevegni Design

Design ideas for a contemporary living room in Other with yellow walls, a two-sided fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and recessed.

Annapolis, MD

Kelley Astore Interiors

Sitting room of our most recent project in Annapolis, MD.
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional formal open concept living room in DC Metro with yellow walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a built-in media wall and beige floor.

The Hemlock

Alair Homes - Salt Lake

This is an example of a large traditional open concept living room in Salt Lake City with yellow walls, carpet, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Raumtiefe durch Farbakzente

R A U M A N S I C H T E N : Einrichtungsberatung

Die junge Familie baute ein Haus nach ihren Bedürfnissen um. Die gewünschte Gemütlich- und Geborgenheit ergab sich durch farbliche Akzentwände auf Malervlies. Der Kamin als Raumteiler wirkt ebenfalls grau abgesetzt gut als Gestaltungselement.

Before and After

Trans-Pacific Design

This renovated space provides seating in front of the two sided fireplace as well as a sectional seating area to share puzzles in the sunny side of the home. Photo by Karen Anderson

Bogenschutz Mountain Retreat

Evok Design Co

Evok Design Co.
Large transitional formal open concept living room in Other with yellow walls, ceramic floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and no tv.

Dockside Home

Royal Homes

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional open concept living room in Toronto with yellow walls, dark hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a freestanding tv and brown floor.

Stearling Valley, Stowe Vermont

Beacon Hill Builders

Carolyn Bates, Beacon Hill Builders & Assoc.
Photo of a large transitional formal open concept living room in Burlington with yellow walls, dark hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and a freestanding tv.

Northern Michigan Residence

Sidock Group

Photo of a traditional open concept living room in Other with yellow walls, dark hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

The Hamptons

Alsans LONDON

Beautiful Alsans upholstered couches in the main living area
Design ideas for a contemporary open concept living room in London with a two-sided fireplace, yellow walls, light hardwood floors and a brick fireplace surround.

Coastal Bathroom Renovation

Guest Interiors, LLC

This is an example of a large mediterranean formal enclosed living room in Charlotte with yellow walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Red oak refinishing project

Artistic Floors by Design, Inc.

These homeowners wanted to add to their existing wood floor and refinish everything to a darker, richer brown with a lower sheen of finish. Accomplished!

Annapolis, MD

Kelley Astore Interiors

Living room of our most recent project in Annapolis, MD.
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional formal open concept living room in DC Metro with yellow walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a built-in media wall and beige floor.

Upper West Side

User

Photo Credit - Nikola Strbac Photography
Mid-sized transitional formal open concept living room in New York with yellow walls, a two-sided fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and no tv.

Living Room Design Photos with Yellow Walls and a Two-sided Fireplace

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.