Design ideas for a midcentury open concept living room in New York with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, vaulted and wallpaper.

Salón Amazing por Marisa Gallo

Antigua Real Fábrica de Cera la Palma

Real Fábrica de Cera
This is an example of a large midcentury formal open concept living room in Madrid with medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, no tv and beige walls.

The Victorian House - 1960s Inspired Living Room

User

The living room was tired and gloomy, sue to the shady aspect of the street. The client wanted the space to have a mid-century feel to it and have less of the children's stuff visible so that the room could feel more sophisticated and relaxing. We made alterations to the fireplace, to simplify the opening around the wood burning stove. We stripped the wallpaper and re-skimmed the walls, removed the old carpet and sanded the original one floorboards, bringing them back to their former glory. We then worked closely with the client to incorporate his vintage mid-century furniture into the room, whilst ensuring the space still complemented the Victorian features of the room. By painting the walls a soft cream, we have brightened up the room, and changing the layout of the space allows the room to feel more open and welcoming. Storage for children's toys was relocated into the kitchen, allowing the living room space to be kept tidier. The mid-century sideboard acts as a TV unit, whilst providing ample storage.

Braeburn Mid Century Modern, Houston, TX

Victoria Sheffield

Midcentury modern living room with leather sofa, cream rug, and walnut coffee table. The brick accent wall is furnished with a vintage hanging wall unit. The floors are solid walnut.

Colorful Mid-century Modern

Nathan Taylor for Obelisk Home

Photo of a large midcentury enclosed living room in Other with brown walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and yellow floor.

1950's Mid-Century Modern Beach House

Rollins Andrew Interiors

1950's mid-century modern beach house built by architect Richard Leitch in Carpinteria, California. Leitch built two one-story adjacent homes on the property which made for the perfect space to share seaside with family. In 2016, Emily restored the homes with a goal of melding past and present. Emily kept the beloved simple mid-century atmosphere while enhancing it with interiors that were beachy and fun yet durable and practical. The project also required complete re-landscaping by adding a variety of beautiful grasses and drought tolerant plants, extensive decking, fire pits, and repaving the driveway with cement and brick.

Palm Springs Residence

RDK Design

Living Room looking towards Courtyard Mike Schwartz Photo
This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury open concept living room in Chicago with a library, beige walls, porcelain floors, no fireplace, no tv and brown floor.

Mid Century - Indoor/Outdoor living

Melinamade - Residential Design + Interiors

New indoor/outdoor living room with limestone floor tile, claro solid walnut mantel and cabinets, Heath ceramics Diamond & Bowtie fireplace tile. Bernard Andre Photography

Ranch 55

Catherine Garrison Architect, Inc

Photo of a large midcentury formal open concept living room in Los Angeles with green walls, concrete floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, grey floor and exposed beam.

Juniper Street Residence (Mid-Century Modern)

Workshop90, LLC

Design ideas for a large midcentury formal open concept living room in Kansas City with grey walls, ceramic floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Glen Ellen Residence

Knock Architecture and Design

Photo of a mid-sized midcentury open concept living room in San Francisco with concrete floors, a two-sided fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, grey floor, wood and wood walls.

Novella

Haus Foto

Adam Peter
Mid-sized midcentury enclosed living room in Phoenix with white walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and multi-coloured floor.

Upper West Side Residence

Ann Baumgartner Design

Marco Ricca
Photo of a mid-sized midcentury enclosed living room in Denver with white walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Midcentury Glass Jewelbox

Chimera Interior Design

A wheat colored sectional provides contrast with the neutral porcelain tile floor and white walls. Natural stone columns and a toungue in groove wood ceiling bring the mountain landscape to the interior.

Mid Century Chic

NUMI Build

Mid-sized midcentury open concept living room in Los Angeles with white walls, light hardwood floors, a corner fireplace, grey floor and exposed beam.

1212 Downtown Nashville Condo

User

Kristi Irving
Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury open concept living room in Nashville with white walls, dark hardwood floors and a freestanding tv.

1951 mid-century modern home remodel Before & After

Michelle Lord Interiors

Mid- century living room with Unique wall shelving
Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury living room in Los Angeles.

St. Charles

Walter Studio Interior Design

Photography: Christina Wedge
Mid-sized midcentury open concept living room in Atlanta with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a freestanding tv.

Split Level Whole Home Reno

RIC design build

This midcentury split level needed an entire gut renovation to bring it into the current century. Keeping the design simple and modern, we updated every inch of this house, inside and out, holding true to era appropriate touches.

ALDER RETREAT

ORIJIN STONE, LLC

ORIJIN STONE'S Alder™ Limestone veneer adds organic texture to this modern - yet cozy - northern lake retreat. Designed with layered neutral materials and refreshing design, the substantial stone element adds dimension and timeless character. Architect: Peterssen Keller Builder: Elevation Homes Designer: Studio McGee Photographer: Lucy Call

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.