Brad Miller Photography
Inspiration for a contemporary formal open concept living room in Albuquerque with yellow walls, terra-cotta floors, a built-in media wall, a corner fireplace and a concrete fireplace surround.

Artsy + Airy Open Concept Living

Cure Design Group

Artsy + Airy Open Concept Living - Working with an open concept space can have its advantages...spaces often appear larger, lots of natural sunlight, great for entertaining. However, often times, the caviot is that you have to commit to a concept and keep it cohesive throughout, which can present some challenges when it comes to design. Collectively, the entry, dining, living and kitchen were all open to the centered stairwell that somewhat divided the spaces. Creating a color palette that could work throughout the main floor was simple once the window treatment fabric was discovered and locked down. Golds, purples and accent of turquoise in the chairs the homeowner already owned, creating an interesting color way the moment you entered through the front door. Infusing texture with the citron sea grass-grass cloth wall covering, consistent with the fireplace/TV combo, creating one focal point in each space is key to your survival with an open floor plan. [if you would like 4 Simple tips on creating one focal point with a fireplace and TV click here!] A great layout and spacial plan will create an even flow between spaces, creating a space within a space. Create small interesting and beautifully styled spaces to inspire conversation and invite guests in. Here are our favorite project images!

Pullman

J Jorgensen - Architectural Photographer

J Jorgensen - Architectural Photographer
Design ideas for a small mediterranean open concept living room in Los Angeles with yellow walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Chain Bridge

Lucas Eilers Design Associates, LLP

Gordon Beall Photography
Design ideas for a traditional formal living room in DC Metro with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and no tv.

Davis Ranch- Comfort Texas

User

Large country open concept living room in Austin with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Refreshed Living Room | Marietta, GA

Meriwether Design Group

Large traditional open concept living room in Atlanta with yellow walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Afton Living Room

Bliss Interior Design

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional enclosed living room in Minneapolis with beige walls, carpet, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and a built-in media wall.

Craftsman Fireplace

Motawi Tileworks

Tile fireplace featuring Motawi’s Sunflower, Carnation and Tudor Rose art tiles in Gold Salmon. Photo: Justin Maconochie.
Photo of an arts and crafts living room in Detroit with a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Lake Lugano Residence

Winter Park Design

This is an example of a mid-sized mediterranean open concept living room in Orlando with a music area, yellow walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

Pure Chiddingfold Chic

April Hamilton Interiors LLP

The cream and stone colour palette remained clean and warm, whilst chrome and glass accessories from Andrew Martin and Ralph Lauren lifted the scheme by injecting light and reflection.

Portfolio

TAO Architecture + Design

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional formal enclosed living room in Philadelphia with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Southold

Yankee Barn Homes

Living Room Fireplace Chris Foster Photography
Inspiration for a large country open concept living room in Burlington with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Completed Projects

Kathcon Development

This is an example of a mid-sized arts and crafts formal open concept living room in Chicago with yellow walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

East Hampton Edit

Jill Howard Design Studio

In collaboration with Sandra Forman Architect. Photo by Yuriy Mizrakhi.
Design ideas for a large contemporary formal open concept living room in New York with white walls, a standard fireplace, carpet, a metal fireplace surround and beige floor.

Interior Design with Feng Shui - Modern

Shambhalla Institute

Mid Century Home Remodel By Kim Colwell Design with an affiliation with Shambhalla Institute.
This is an example of a large midcentury open concept living room in Los Angeles with green walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Hubbard Woods Colonial

Jeannie Balsam Interiors

Living Room
This is an example of a large traditional formal enclosed living room in Chicago with yellow walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and no tv.

Spanish home in Glendale, CA

MDB Design Group

James Patric
Design ideas for a large mediterranean formal enclosed living room in Los Angeles with green walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

The Ledges Fireplace

Marcus Gleysteen Architects

Photo by Marcus Gleysteen
Design ideas for a transitional living room in Boston with beige walls, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Formal Living Room Custom Home

Lili Fleming-Nieri, ASID

High Res Media
Mid-sized traditional open concept living room in Phoenix with beige walls, carpet, a standard fireplace and a concrete fireplace surround.

Villanova Residence - living room

Archer & Buchanan Architecture, Ltd.

Photographer: Tom Crane
Design ideas for a large traditional formal open concept living room in Philadelphia with beige walls, no tv, carpet, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

All Fireplace Surrounds Yellow Living Room Design Photos

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.