Winner of the 2018 Tour of Homes Best Remodel, this whole house re-design of a 1963 Bennet & Johnson mid-century raised ranch home is a beautiful example of the magic we can weave through the application of more sustainable modern design principles to existing spaces. We worked closely with our client on extensive updates to create a modernized MCM gem. Extensive alterations include: - a completely redesigned floor plan to promote a more intuitive flow throughout - vaulted the ceilings over the great room to create an amazing entrance and feeling of inspired openness - redesigned entry and driveway to be more inviting and welcoming as well as to experientially set the mid-century modern stage - the removal of a visually disruptive load bearing central wall and chimney system that formerly partitioned the homes’ entry, dining, kitchen and living rooms from each other - added clerestory windows above the new kitchen to accentuate the new vaulted ceiling line and create a greater visual continuation of indoor to outdoor space - drastically increased the access to natural light by increasing window sizes and opening up the floor plan - placed natural wood elements throughout to provide a calming palette and cohesive Pacific Northwest feel - incorporated Universal Design principles to make the home Aging In Place ready with wide hallways and accessible spaces, including single-floor living if needed - moved and completely redesigned the stairway to work for the home’s occupants and be a part of the cohesive design aesthetic - mixed custom tile layouts with more traditional tiling to create fun and playful visual experiences - custom designed and sourced MCM specific elements such as the entry screen, cabinetry and lighting - development of the downstairs for potential future use by an assisted living caretaker - energy efficiency upgrades seamlessly woven in with much improved insulation, ductless mini splits and solar gain

Windermere Waterfront

Joie Gowan | Windermere Real Estate Co.

Large midcentury open concept living room in Seattle with white walls, slate floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and black floor.

VISTA LAS PALMAS

User

Living Area, Lance Gerber Studios
Large midcentury formal open concept living room in Other with white walls, slate floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a freestanding tv and multi-coloured floor.

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MId-Century Modern

CT Design

Bright open space with a camel leather midcentury sofa, and marled grey wool chairs. Black marble coffee table with brass legs.
Mid-sized midcentury open concept living room in Denver with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and beige floor.

New York apartment - Online Design

Tamara Gavin Interior Design LLC

Simple updates to a living space made by following an e-design document. ©Tamara Gavin Interior Design LLC
Small midcentury enclosed living room in New York with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace and a freestanding tv.

Mid-Century Interior Remodel in El Segundo, CA.

Custom Design & Construction

Our homeowners approached us for design help shortly after purchasing a fixer upper. They wanted to redesign the home into an open concept plan. Their goal was something that would serve multiple functions: allow them to entertain small groups while accommodating their two small children not only now but into the future as they grow up and have social lives of their own. They wanted the kitchen opened up to the living room to create a Great Room. The living room was also in need of an update including the bulky, existing brick fireplace. They were interested in an aesthetic that would have a mid-century flair with a modern layout. We added built-in cabinetry on either side of the fireplace mimicking the wood and stain color true to the era. The adjacent Family Room, needed minor updates to carry the mid-century flavor throughout.

Pugh Project // Living Room

Andrew Heiser

Inspiration for a midcentury formal open concept living room in San Diego with multi-coloured walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a freestanding tv and beige floor.

Skye in Palm Springs, California

Woodbridge Pacific Group

Residence One Great Room at Skye in Palm Springs, California
Design ideas for a midcentury open concept living room in Los Angeles with a ribbon fireplace and a wall-mounted tv.

Shaw Flooring Gallery

Ambrose Carpets

Design ideas for a large midcentury formal open concept living room in Denver with beige walls, carpet, no fireplace and no tv.

Mid Century Apartment in the City of London

Black and Milk | Interior Design | London

This apartment is designed by Black and Milk Interior Design. They specialise in Modern Interiors for Modern London Homes. https://blackandmilk.co.uk

Midcentury Gallery Wall Collection

Target Home

Set the tone for serious style with the Majestics Gallery Wall Collection. Giant framed feathers as if from a prehistoric bird meet a ram head sculpture on textured driftwood wallpaper to give this home collection an enveloping air of modern mystery. http://www.target.com/p/rustic-wall-d-cor-collection/-/A-51529485 http://www.target.com/p/majestic-gallery-wall-collection/-/A-50725217

Mid Century Ranch in Whittier

Steven Dewall Photography

Crouch End Living Room

Uncommon Projects Ltd

Jocelyn Low
Midcentury living room in London.

Una villetta anni '60 in stile Le Corbusier immersa nel verde dell'Eur.

Beatrice Nalin fotografa

Beatrice Nalin © 2016 Houzz
Design ideas for a midcentury living room in Rome.

Montclair: California Modern Love

The Home Co.

Marcell Puzsar Bright Room SF
Midcentury open concept living room in San Francisco with dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a concrete fireplace surround.

Brown Jackson House

Flavin Architects

Mid-Century Remodel on Tabor Hill This sensitively sited house was designed by Robert Coolidge, a renowned architect and grandson of President Calvin Coolidge. The house features a symmetrical gable roof and beautiful floor to ceiling glass facing due south, smartly oriented for passive solar heating. Situated on a steep lot, the house is primarily a single story that steps down to a family room. This lower level opens to a New England exterior. Our goals for this project were to maintain the integrity of the original design while creating more modern spaces. Our design team worked to envision what Coolidge himself might have designed if he'd had access to modern materials and fixtures. With the aim of creating a signature space that ties together the living, dining, and kitchen areas, we designed a variation on the 1950's "floating kitchen." In this inviting assembly, the kitchen is located away from exterior walls, which allows views from the floor-to-ceiling glass to remain uninterrupted by cabinetry. We updated rooms throughout the house; installing modern features that pay homage to the fine, sleek lines of the original design. Finally, we opened the family room to a terrace featuring a fire pit. Since a hallmark of our design is the diminishment of the hard line between interior and exterior, we were especially pleased for the opportunity to update this classic work.

Mid-Century Modern HGTV

The Ransom Company

Design ideas for a midcentury living room in DC Metro with medium hardwood floors.

Westdale Dr

Vanillawood

This is an example of a midcentury living room in Portland with a music area.

Midcentury modern {Staging}

Avenue A Interiors

Photo of a mid-sized midcentury formal enclosed living room in Orange County with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace, no tv and brown floor.

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.

Interior

Putragraphy

Putra Indrawan
Photo of a mid-sized midcentury formal open concept living room in Perth with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.