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.

Brentwood - Sullivan Canyon

Susan Jay Design

Tom Bonner Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury enclosed living room in Los Angeles with a library, dark hardwood floors, white walls, no fireplace and no tv.

Stunning Mid-Century Remodel

Brad Cox, Architect, Inc.

The L-shaped sofa offers tv watching from one side, backyard watching from the other. The rear corner has shelves built to allow a cat to climb and perch. The Mondrian cabinet adds a warm vertical element to a largely white room. Plants do well with all of the natural light provided by windows, doors and skylights.

Palm Springs Residence

RDK Design

Living Room Mike Schwartz Photo
Photo 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.

Jaswig Home Office

Jaswig

This is an example of a small midcentury loft-style living room in Cleveland with a library, green walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace and no tv.

New Home in Windsor

RCL Development

Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury enclosed living room in Miami with a library, white walls, porcelain floors, no fireplace, no tv and white floor.

Galena Usonian

Genesis Architecture, LLC.

Stained and sealed (Cherokee Red) concrete floor- concconcretefloors with s
Photo of a midcentury enclosed living room in Chicago with a library and brown walls.

Midcentury Beach House

Stratos Form

Photography by Aidin Mariscal
Mid-sized midcentury open concept living room in Orange County with a library, white walls, medium hardwood floors, a built-in media wall and grey floor.

Zilker Park MCM

Ashby Collective

Photo of a mid-sized midcentury open concept living room in Austin with a library, white walls, no fireplace, no tv and white floor.

Quimby

BMA Architects

Mick Hales
Photo of a midcentury open concept living room in New York with a library, white walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace, no tv and beige floor.

Appartamento TR

StudioVert

studiovert
Mid-sized midcentury open concept living room in Milan with a library, white walls, light hardwood floors and a built-in media wall.

West Village Pied-à-Terre

Studioteka Design, LLC

Located in Manhattan, this beautiful three-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath apartment incorporates elements of mid-century modern, including soft greys, subtle textures, punchy metals, and natural wood finishes. Throughout the space in the living, dining, kitchen, and bedroom areas are custom red oak shutters that softly filter the natural light through this sun-drenched residence. Louis Poulsen recessed fixtures were placed in newly built soffits along the beams of the historic barrel-vaulted ceiling, illuminating the exquisite décor, furnishings, and herringbone-patterned white oak floors. Two custom built-ins were designed for the living room and dining area: both with painted-white wainscoting details to complement the white walls, forest green accents, and the warmth of the oak floors. In the living room, a floor-to-ceiling piece was designed around a seating area with a painting as backdrop to accommodate illuminated display for design books and art pieces. While in the dining area, a full height piece incorporates a flat screen within a custom felt scrim, with integrated storage drawers and cabinets beneath. In the kitchen, gray cabinetry complements the metal fixtures and herringbone-patterned flooring, with antique copper light fixtures installed above the marble island to complete the look. Custom closets were also designed by Studioteka for the space including the laundry room.

Deloache Ave Residence

Mohment

Living room with built in bar.
Design ideas for a large midcentury open concept living room in Dallas with a library, white walls, porcelain floors, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a built-in media wall and beige floor.

Commonwealth

cityhomeCOLLECTIVE

Photo: Kerri Fukui
This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury loft-style living room in Salt Lake City with a library, white walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and beige floor.

Sagaponack, NY

Jamie Nesbitt-Weber Interior Design

Tim Williams
Design ideas for a large midcentury living room in New York with a library, dark hardwood floors, no tv, white walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Classic Lounge Chair & Ottoman by Manhattan Home Design

Manhattan Home Design

The Manhattan Home Design Lounge Chair and Ottoman is one of the most famous mid-century modern pieces. Its form and functionality have made it one of the most sought after pieces in modern history. This iconic design can be found in popular films, television shows, businesses and in thousands of residences across the globe. Its designers, Charles and ray Eames, had originally intended to give it the look and feel of a well worn first Baseball mitt. It led to the creation of the Manhattan Home Design Lounge Chair and Ottoman, featuring your choice of multiple leather finishes, high density cushions and imported veneers. Whether you are craving that Mad Men look, or are looking to outfit your living room with a modern design, the Manhattan Home Design Lounge Chair is the right choice for you. Specifications: What makes the Manhattan Home Design Lounge Chair so special? This premium Manhattan Home Design Lounge Chair is the creme de la creme when it comes to style and comfort. Each of our leather options offer an incredibly supple texture, and develops a wonderful softness over time. Knowing that it will only age, like wine makes the lounge chair a brilliant investment for your home or office.

Reading corner

Balance Interior Design

Occasional seating is added to the living space to offer a calm reading corner. Mid-century furniture is partnered with period herringbone flooring.
Midcentury living room in London with white walls, a library and medium hardwood floors.

Little Stacy Park

Cuppett Kilpatrick Architecture + Interior Design

Living room with Screened Porch beyond. Kitchen and banquette seating to the right. TV floats in front of book case. Photo by Whit Preston
Photo of a mid-sized midcentury open concept living room in Austin with a library, white walls, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and dark hardwood floors.

Balcones House

Pollen Architecture & Design

Credit: Design Within Reach
Design ideas for a midcentury open concept living room in Austin with a library, brown walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Butternut Library

Jaeger & Ernst Custom Cabinetmakers

The Arts & Crafts Movement encompasses the work of the Greene Brothers, Gustav Stickley, and notably, the genius of Rene Mackintosh and his wife, M. McDonald. Their art informed and invigorated the spiritual and contemplative aspects of the movement. For this design our client imposed no boundaries on the project, except that the room serve as both library and guest room. The existing fireplace, squeezed into a corner, posed an initial challenge, but now appears well intended for the space. Warm butternut was used to soften the room. Organic details appoint the bookcase columns and the surrounding passages of paneling. Windows were framed with angled panels, and sills were deepened to invite a relaxed view of the yard. The bed is tucked in its own niche, limiting its intrusion upon the room’s other uses. Multi-function rooms require deft design, and exceptional craftsmanship. The art of renowned glass artisan, Wayne Cain, contributed masterfully to this room’s appeal. Design and detail are hallmarks of the craftsmanship from Jaeger and Ernst.

Midcentury Living Room Design Photos with a Library

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.