The original wood paneling and coffered ceiling in the living room was gorgeous, but the hero of the room was the brass and glass light fixture that the previous owner installed. We created a seating area around it with comfy chairs perfectly placed for conversation. Being eco-minded in our approach, we love to re-use items whenever possible. The nesting tables and pale blue storage cabinet are from our client’s previous home, which we also had the privilege to decorate. We supplemented these existing pieces with a new rug, pillow and throw blanket to infuse the space with personality and link the colors of the room together.

90's Townhome Makeover

1st Impressions Design, LLC

Black and white trim and warm gray walls create transitional style in a small-space living room.
Small transitional living room in Minneapolis with grey walls, laminate floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

Memorial Park

MMI Design

This is an example of a small transitional open concept living room in Houston with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Crouch End Apartment

A New Day - Interior Design Studio

The living room at our Crouch End apartment project, creating a chic, cosy space to relax and entertain. A soft powder blue adorns the walls in a room that is flooded with natural light. Brass clad shelves bring a considered attention to detail, with contemporary fixtures contrasted with a traditional sofa shape.

58th Street

K&L Interiors

Living room with original craftsman elements and updated furniture
Inspiration for a small transitional formal open concept living room in Seattle with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

AVONDALE BUNGALOW

Gordon and Johnson Design

JESSIE PREZA PHOTOGRAPHY
Inspiration for a small traditional formal living room in Jacksonville with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Milgard

Hardy Windows

Inspiration for a small traditional living room in Orange County with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

Purple Accent Design

Freestyle Interiors

Small contemporary formal living room in Miami with black walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Upper Brockley Road - Victorian Townhouse

2LG Studio

Megan Taylor
This is an example of a small contemporary enclosed living room in London with pink walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and beige floor.

Cary Project

Interiors With A View

Taking a small living room and make it a room with a purpose. With the addition of a ventless fireplace flanked by a custom bookcase this seldom used living room has become a quite space for conversation, reading and listening to music.

905 Parkland Circle NE Home Staging Photos

MAP Consultants, LLC

Brandon Banes, 360StyleTours.com
Small open concept living room in Albuquerque with brown walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and no tv.

Coral & Grey Living Room

AJX Design Co.

W H EARLE PHOTOGRAPHY
This is an example of a small transitional enclosed living room in Seattle with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, a plaster fireplace surround and brown floor.

Bonnet Shores Beach House

Red House Design Build

A successful design build project by Red House. This home underwent a complete interior and exterior renovation including a shed dormer addition on the rear. All new finishes, windows, cabinets, insulation, and mechanical systems. Photo by Nat Rea Instagram: @redhousedesignbuild

My Houzz: Creativity Flows in a New Hampshire Cottage

Rikki Snyder

Photo: Rikki Snyder © 2014 Houzz
Design ideas for a small country enclosed living room in New York with green walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Martin Living Room

Bolen Designs

Contemporary Victorian Charm. Inspired by the client's 1938 bungalow and love of Victorian era décor, this project merged period pieces with contemporary colors and accessories, creating a cozy, inviting space - perfect for relaxing or entertaining. A beautiful inverted camel back sofa tufted in peacock blue pays homage to the old, while a sleek, glass waterfall table and zigzag multi-colored drapery panels add a sophisticated, modern flare. Round leather ottomans double as additional seating and a multi-color oriental rug ties it all together. Bright pink custom florals lend a touch whimsy to this adorable, eclectic living area.

New York linear fireplace mantel

Omega Stone Mantels

"custom fireplace mantel" "custom fireplace overmantel" "omega cast stone mantel" "omega cast stone fireplace mantle" "fireplace design idea" Mantel. Fireplace. Omega. Mantel Design. "custom cast stone mantel" "linear fireplace mantle" "linear cast stone fireplace mantel" "linear fireplace design" "linear fireplace overmantle" "fireplace surround" "carved fireplace mantle"

Design-Build Row House Renovation in Washington, DC

Four Brothers Design + Build

Greg Hadley
This is an example of a small transitional formal open concept living room in DC Metro with brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, no tv and a concrete fireplace surround.

LIVING ROOM

Sheila Rich Interiors, LLC

A crisp and consistent color scheme and composition creates an airy, unified mood throughout the diminutive 13' x 13' living room. Dark hardwood floors add warmth and contrast. We added thick moldings to architecturally enhance the house. Gauzy cotton Roman shades dress new hurricane-proof windows and coax additional natural light into the home. Because of their versatility, pairs of furniture instead of single larger pieces are used throughout the home. This helps solve the space problem because these smaller pieces can be moved and stored easily.

Modern Farmhouse: Spring Parade of Homes House

Judith Balis Interiors

Photo of a small country open concept living room in Boise with white walls and a standard fireplace.

Wayne Condo

Eye For Decorating

Inspiration for a small transitional formal enclosed living room in Philadelphia with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and no tv.

Small Living Room Design Photos with a Standard 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.