This is an example of a midcentury living room in Boston with a library and a stone fireplace surround.

Terrell Hills Mid Century Modern Project

The cantilevered living room of this incredible mid century modern home still features the original wood wall paneling and brick floors. We were so fortunate to have these amazing original features to work with. Our design team brought in a new modern light fixture, MCM furnishings, lamps and accessories. We utilized the client's existing rug and pulled our room's inspiration colors from it. Bright citron yellow accents add a punch of color to the room. The surrounding built-in bookcases are also original to the room.

San Carlos Treetop

Cathie Hong Interiors

What started as a kitchen and two-bathroom remodel evolved into a full home renovation plus conversion of the downstairs unfinished basement into a permitted first story addition, complete with family room, guest suite, mudroom, and a new front entrance. We married the midcentury modern architecture with vintage, eclectic details and thoughtful materials.

50's ITALIAN LAKE HOUSE

Tommaso Giunchi Architetti

Living: pavimento originale in quadrotti di rovere massello; arredo vintage unito ad arredi disegnati su misura (panca e mobile bar) Tavolo in vetro con gambe anni 50; sedie da regista; divano anni 50 con nuovo tessuto blu/verde in armonia con il colore blu/verde delle pareti. Poltroncine anni 50 danesi; camino originale. Lampada tavolo originale Albini.

Daugaard

Lumara Homes Inc.

Mid-sized midcentury formal living room in Toronto with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, beige floor and coffered.

Modern Period Family Home

NB Interiors UK

A country cottage large open plan living room was given a modern makeover with a mid century twist. Now a relaxed and stylish space for the owners.
This is an example of a large midcentury open concept living room in Other with a music area, beige walls, carpet, a wood stove, a brick fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

Palka Signature | Modin Rigid LVP Collection Customer Space | Lebanon, Ohio

Flooret

Warm, light, and inviting with characteristic knot vinyl floors that bring a touch of wabi-sabi to every room. This rustic maple style is ideal for Japanese and Scandinavian-inspired spaces.

Midtown Midmod

Hammersmith Structures

Design ideas for a midcentury open concept living room in Denver with white walls, light hardwood floors, a corner fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a freestanding tv, wood and wallpaper.

Magnolia Journal A frame

AHG Interiors

Photo of a mid-sized midcentury living room in New York with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, beige floor and exposed beam.

Mandy Moore's White Brick Fireplace

Fireclay Tile

Paying homage to her Pasadena home's midcentury modern roots, Mandy Moore and interior designer Sarah Sherman Samuel resurfaced the fireplace with a sustainable white glazed thin Brick surround from Fireclay Tile and added a terrazzo floating bench to make it the focal point of the family room. Sample Fireclay's glazed thin brick colors and more at fireclaytile.com/samples Glazed Thin Brick Shown 2.5x8 Thin Brick in Lewis Range

Orchard Hills - Late Brigham MidCentury Modern Whole House

Custom Design/Build, Inc.

This is an example of a midcentury formal open concept living room in Detroit with a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and beige floor.

Mid-Century Modern, Whole House Renovation in Spring Mill Indianapolis

WrightWorks, LLC

The original masonry fireplace, with brick veneer and floating steel framed hearth. The hearth was re-surfaced with a concrete, poured in place counter material. Low voltage, MR-16 recessed lights accent the fireplace and artwork. A small sidelight brings natural light in to wash the brick fireplace as well. Photo by Christopher Wright, CR

Mid-Century Modern Mountain Home

ID Studio Interiors

This is an example of an expansive midcentury open concept living room in Other with a library, grey walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and a concealed tv.

Mid Century Modern

Elevation

This is an example of a midcentury enclosed living room in Minneapolis with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Edgemont Project

Trademark Renovations Ltd.

Large midcentury formal enclosed living room in Calgary with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

South Austin Home

Kristen James, AIA, WELL AP + LEED AP

The large living room had dark false beams and a beige popcorn ceiling that was removed and changed to a light and bright slatted ceiling with white semigloss beams for added reflectivity from the large windows on either side of the room. The original whitewashed brick fireplace was a key element we wanted to keep and enhance. A large 80's style mantle was removed from the face and two modern bookcases were installed

Staging for Real Estate Sale

DeniseGiannaDesigns

This is the post-staging photo of a living room that was totally empty and in need of paint, furniture and decor to match it's mod century architectural style.

OAKLAND Luxe Mid-Century Living Room

Relocated Living

Relocated Living
Design ideas for a large midcentury formal open concept living room in San Francisco with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and no tv.

Open Plan Living/Dining

De Mattei Construction

Large sliding glass door opens onto an attached deck to maximize indoor-outdoor living. Photographer: Tyler Chartier
Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury open concept living room in San Francisco with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and a built-in media wall.

Olathe MCM

Stumpff HomeWorks, LLC

Design ideas for a large midcentury open concept living room in Kansas City with white walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and vaulted.

All Fireplace Surrounds 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.