Large midcentury open concept living room in Houston with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a corner fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Tailored Industrial

Kenneth Brown Design

This modern loft living room is the ultimate example of "bringing the outdoors in." Mid-century modern furniture contrasts nicely with the organic, burl maple coffee table. By Kenneth Brown Design.

Tarrytown Residence

Studio Steinbomer

Photo Credit: Coles Hairston
Photo of a large midcentury formal open concept living room in Austin with a standard fireplace, grey walls, concrete floors, a metal fireplace surround and no tv.

Normandie

Jubilee Interiors

This is an example of a large midcentury enclosed living room in Los Angeles with white walls, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Woodland Hills Residence

Mahle Design LLC

Living Room
Design ideas for a large midcentury open concept living room in Los Angeles with white walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, beige floor and exposed beam.

Eichler - Inspired Home

Carmit Oron Interior Design

Photo of a large midcentury open concept living room in San Francisco with white walls, porcelain floors, no fireplace, a built-in media wall, grey floor and exposed beam.

Hollywood Hills Mid-Century Modern

Joel Reis Architecture and Real Estate Photography

Inspiration for a large midcentury open concept living room in Los Angeles with white walls, a corner fireplace, no tv and medium hardwood floors.

Accent Wall Fireplace

Peninsula Building Materials

Ammirato Construction Fireplace accent wall allows the room to feel open with being able to see through it and walk around it.
Design ideas for a large midcentury formal open concept living room in San Francisco with orange walls, a two-sided fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and light hardwood floors.

Teddington Town House

London Design Collaborative

The sitting/breakfast room was originally separate dining and boot rooms. We adjusted the space and refurbished it entirely, cleaning up the floor, designing and picking the lighting and hanging the artwork. Creating a lovely light and airy finish.

Pacific NW Modern Dwelling

User

Honey stained oak flooring gives way to flagstone in this modern sunken den, a space capped in fine fashion by an ever-growing square pattern of stained alder. Coordinating stained trim punctuates the ivory ceiling and walls that provide a warm backdrop for a contemporary artwork in shades of red and gold. A modern brass floor lamp stands to the side of the almond chenille sofa that sports graphic print pillows in chocolate and orange. Resting on an off-white and gray Moroccan rug is an acacia root cocktail table that displays a large knotted accessory made of graphite stained wood. A glass side table with gold base is home to a c.1960s lamp with an orange pouring glaze. A faux fur throw pillow is tucked into a side chair stained dark walnut and upholstered in tone on tone stripes. Across the way is an acacia root ball alongside a lounge chair and ottoman upholstered in rust chenille. Hanging above the chair is a contemporary piece of artwork in autumnal shades. The fireplace an Ortal Space Creator 120 is surrounded in cream concrete and serves to divide the den from the dining area while allowing light to filter through. Bronze metal sliding doors open wide to allow easy access to the covered porch while creating a great space for indoor/outdoor entertaining.

m house

Arch4

Design ideas for a large midcentury open concept living room in San Francisco with dark hardwood floors, a built-in media wall and brown floor.

Interior Photos

Architects Unlimited

Large midcentury enclosed living room in Miami with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace, no tv and brown floor.

Ring Fish

ARTO

Big Room with a lot of windows. Some how the elements make this place sweet
Inspiration for a large midcentury formal open concept living room in Los Angeles with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and no tv.

Presidio Heights

User

Photo of a large midcentury open concept living room in San Francisco with dark hardwood floors and no fireplace.

Pemberton

Haynsworth Custom Homes

Stunning midcentury-inspired custom home in Dallas.
Inspiration for a large midcentury open concept living room in Dallas with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, brown floor and vaulted.

Sherman Oaks

CC interior design

Inspiration for a large midcentury enclosed living room in Los Angeles with blue walls and a wall-mounted tv.

Maple Leaf Residence

Click Architects

This is an example of a large midcentury open concept living room in Seattle with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, no tv and vaulted.

Edgemont | North Vancouver

Hasler Homes Ltd

This is an example of a large midcentury formal living room in Vancouver with white walls, no tv, concrete floors, a metal fireplace surround and a ribbon fireplace.

Mid-Century Ranch

Niche Interiors

R. Brad Knipstein
Design ideas for a large midcentury living room in San Francisco with white walls, light hardwood floors and a tile fireplace surround.

Midcentury Modern

ASHLEY ROI JENKINS DESIGN

Large midcentury enclosed living room in Dallas with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, no tv and white floor.

Large Midcentury 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 midcentury 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 midcentury living room ideas, check out the Stories section on Houzz.

Which midcentury 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 midcentury 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 midcentury 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 midcentury 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.