Architect: Brett Ettinger Photo Credit: Jim Bartsch Photography Award Winner: Master Design Award
Photo of a midcentury living room in Santa Barbara with a concrete fireplace surround and white walls.

Woodside House 2

Dotter & Solfjeld Architecture + Design

Large midcentury open concept living room in San Francisco with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

midcentury in greenbrae, marin county

building Lab, inc.

Open living , dining and kitchen create a smooth flow. Nelson Bubble Lamp. Walnut accent wall. Photo by Scott Hargis building Lab is a design build firm specialized in modern architecture.

Mid Century Modern ADA Remodel

Corinthian Fine Homes

We designed and renovated a Mid-Century Modern home into an ADA compliant home with an open floor plan and updated feel. We incorporated many of the homes original details while modernizing them. We converted the existing two car garage into a master suite and walk in closet, designing a master bathroom with an ADA vanity and curb-less shower. We redesigned the existing living room fireplace creating an artistic focal point in the room. The project came with its share of challenges which we were able to creatively solve, resulting in what our homeowners feel is their first and forever home. This beautiful home won three design awards: • Pro Remodeler Design Award – 2019 Platinum Award for Universal/Better Living Design • Chrysalis Award – 2019 Regional Award for Residential Universal Design • Qualified Remodeler Master Design Awards – 2019 Bronze Award for Universal Design

Mid-Century Remodel

David Henig, Architect

Eric Rorer
Mid-sized midcentury formal enclosed living room in San Francisco with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, no tv and a concrete fireplace surround.

Palm Springs Outdoor Oasis

Southwest Boulder & Stone

This nearly 3,000 square foot mid-century modern home captures the essence of Palm Springs indoor/outdoor lifestyle. Desert landscaping juxtaposing greys and reds complement and accentuate the pool, spa and large outdoor fire pit. Arizona Fisheye 1/8" pebble, though becoming more popular in desert areas, is a rarer stone choice and was a special order for this project. Just inside behind full-length windows, a stylish fireplace filled with Irish Green reflective fire glass sets the tone for quintessential Palm Springs luxury.

Midcentury Modern in Mill Valley

Floyd Construction Inc.

This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury formal open concept living room in San Francisco with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and no tv.

Californian Mid-Century House

Oneshot Design

This is an example of a large midcentury formal open concept living room in San Francisco with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, a concealed tv, exposed beam and panelled walls.

Silvertop

Jamie Bush & Co.

Tim Street-Porter
Inspiration for a midcentury open concept living room in Los Angeles with a concrete fireplace surround and brown floor.

Pratt & Lambert

Stephen Pappas Interiors

Photo of a mid-sized midcentury formal open concept living room in Los Angeles with green walls, porcelain floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

Los Angeles Mid-Century Modern Home

Alexander Gorlin Architects

This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury open concept living room in Los Angeles with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, white floor and exposed beam.

Mid-Century Remodel

Joel Reis Architecture and Real Estate Photography

Inspiration for an expansive midcentury formal open concept living room in Los Angeles with white walls, a two-sided fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, no tv and white floor.

Living Room

Rock Paper Hammer

Photo by Andrew Hyslop
This is an example of a small midcentury open concept living room in Louisville with a concrete fireplace surround.

Inspired Mid-Century Modern Home for Pardee Homes Las Vegas

Bobby Berk

This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury open concept living room in Los Angeles with a home bar, white walls, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and a built-in media wall.

Midcentury Modern in Mill Valley

Floyd Construction Inc.

This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury formal open concept living room in San Francisco with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and no tv.

Kingsridge

Studio Jhoiey Inc.

http://www.brandonvphoto.com/
This is an example of a large midcentury open concept living room in Los Angeles with white walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and a freestanding tv.

Mesa Mid Century Modern

Bildsten Architecture and Planning

Photo of a midcentury living room in Santa Barbara with medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and exposed beam.

Woodside House 2

Dotter & Solfjeld Architecture + Design

Design ideas for a large midcentury open concept living room in San Francisco with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

Jordan Rd Whole House

CERULEAN CONSTRUCTION INC

Design ideas for a midcentury living room in San Francisco with brown walls, light hardwood floors, a concrete fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, vaulted and panelled walls.

Black Butte Ranch Remodel

User

Design ideas for a midcentury formal open concept living room in Portland with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Midcentury Living Room Design Photos with a Concrete Fireplace Surround

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.