Contemporary living room in Boston with beige walls and a ribbon fireplace.

This is an example of a modern living room in San Francisco with a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and bamboo floors.

Wohnen und Essen im Boho Stil

Anna Bergner Interior Design

Photo of an expansive country open concept living room in Leipzig with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a wood stove, brown floor, wallpaper and a wall-mounted tv.

Maryland Drive

Joseph Spierer Architects, Inc.

Redefined interiors, bringing the outside in.
Large mediterranean open concept living room in Los Angeles with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, no tv, beige floor and vaulted.

Indian Rd

Lighthaus Built

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary living room in Toronto with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

Beach House Living Room - Watch Hill, RI

Burrow & Nest

The room is designed with the palette of a Conch shell in mind. Pale pink silk-look wallpaper lines the walls, while a Florentine inspired watercolor mural adorns the ceiling and backsplash of the custom built bookcases. A French caned daybed centers the room-- a place to relax and take an afternoon nap, while a silk velvet clad chaise is ideal for reading. Books of natural wonders adorn the lacquered oak table in the corner. A vintage mirror coffee table reflects the light. Shagreen end tables add a bit of texture befitting the coastal atmosphere.

Barrington Retreat

KED Interiors

The perfect spot for any occasion. Whether it's a family movie night or a quick nap, this neutral chaise sectional accompanied by the stone fireplace makes the best area.

Great Room

Blue Willow Designs Inc.

20' tall great room w/wall of windows
Large modern open concept living room in Atlanta with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and coffered.

Zilker Residence

Franke:Franke, Inc.

Design ideas for a midcentury open concept living room in Austin with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

Lloyd Park Extension

Studio Fabbri

Inspiration for a contemporary living room in London with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

NW Idea House 2023

Space Lab Design Services LLC

Photo of a contemporary open concept living room in Seattle with light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and beige floor.

Rosewood Living Room

Carole Berryman Design

Snug
This is an example of a modern enclosed living room in Other with pink walls, carpet, a wood stove, a wood fireplace surround, a corner tv and beige floor.

Яркая квартира с классическими элементами

Вероника Князева/Дизайнер интерьера

Design ideas for a transitional living room in Moscow with green walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Palisades Mid-Century Remodel

Sato Architects, Inc.

Mid-sized modern formal open concept living room in Los Angeles with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, brown floor and vaulted.

Great Hills Remodel

Kelley Design Group

Beautiful open living room with ceiling beams and fireplace.
Photo of a transitional open concept living room in Austin with light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and exposed beam.

Stone Fireplace

Square Peg Audio/Video

Samsung 77" TV over stone fireplace
Inspiration for a country open concept living room in New York with medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and vaulted.

DHH GRB 2022

Stefan Reiser

Design ideas for a large contemporary open concept living room in Munich with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a corner fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Grade II* Listed Medieval Barn Conversion, Cornwall

The Bazeley Partnership

One of the only surviving examples of a 14thC agricultural building of this type in Cornwall, the ancient Grade II*Listed Medieval Tithe Barn had fallen into dereliction and was on the National Buildings at Risk Register. Numerous previous attempts to obtain planning consent had been unsuccessful, but a detailed and sympathetic approach by The Bazeley Partnership secured the support of English Heritage, thereby enabling this important building to begin a new chapter as a stunning, unique home designed for modern-day living. A key element of the conversion was the insertion of a contemporary glazed extension which provides a bridge between the older and newer parts of the building. The finished accommodation includes bespoke features such as a new staircase and kitchen and offers an extraordinary blend of old and new in an idyllic location overlooking the Cornish coast. This complex project required working with traditional building materials and the majority of the stone, timber and slate found on site was utilised in the reconstruction of the barn. Since completion, the project has been featured in various national and local magazines, as well as being shown on Homes by the Sea on More4. The project won the prestigious Cornish Buildings Group Main Award for ‘Maer Barn, 14th Century Grade II* Listed Tithe Barn Conversion to Family Dwelling’.

Delightful Dual Aspect Drawing Room

Willow & Bert Interiors

This rooms dual aspect and perfect proportions were a delight to plan. My client was keen that the room didn’t feel stuffy and so we set out to plan and style a child-free space that would be the perfect backdrop for elegant entertaining.

Victorian Double Fronted Villa in Brighton

Bean Interiors

This formal Living Room was inspired by the Sussex Downs, countryside and artists. The ribbed detailing which runs throughout this room, from the shutters, to the handmade rug, central feature chandelier, the feature mirror, table lamp and fireplace tiles, all inspired by the doric columns and regency architecture of Brighton & Hove.

All Fireplaces 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.