Nick Smith Photography
Large midcentury open concept living room in Other with a library, green walls and dark hardwood floors.

Projet Saint-Mandé

Karen Tinka Design Intérieur

Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury open concept living room in Paris with a library, white walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace, a concealed tv, brown floor and wallpaper.

Il rosso del corallo ed il turchese del mare - Progetto in corso

Liadesign

Liadesign
Small midcentury open concept living room in Milan with a library, multi-coloured walls, marble floors, a freestanding tv and red floor.

Eagle Mountain Refresh

Lyla Veinot Designs

A modern sofa covered in a fur throw and pillows is a comfy yet stylish focal point of the living room.
Large midcentury open concept living room in Vancouver with a library, grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

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.

Bellevue Midcentury Remodel

H2D Architecture + Design

H2D worked with the clients to update their Bellevue midcentury modern home. The living room was remodeled to accent the vaulted wood ceiling. A built-in office space was designed between the living room and kitchen areas. A see-thru fireplace and built-in bookcases provide connection between the living room and dining room. Design by; Heidi Helgeson, H2D Architecture + Design Built by: Harjo Construction

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.

Bridge House

HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles

Sunflowers highlight the east living/dining wall which includes a mix of antique and modern artifacts - Bridge House - Bridge House - Fenneville, Michigan - Lake Michigan - HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles, Christopher Short, Indianapolis Architect, Marika Designs, Marika Klemm, Interior Designer - Tom Rigney, TR Builders

Holley House - Berkeley Hills

u unlimited inc

Architect YamaMar Design Photo by Bruce Damonte
Design ideas for a midcentury living room in San Francisco with a library, white walls, dark hardwood floors and no tv.

Fineline Custom Home

Green Hammer

This LEED-H Platinum-certified custom luxury home in Oregon demonstrates an exceptional commitment to excellence. Designed by Green Hammer architect Jan Fillinger, the Fineline House was designed and built with unprecedented precision — from the interior finishes to the state-of-the-art lighting, ventilation, and built-in home energy-monitoring systems. It utilizes Passivhaus detailing and 100% of the lumber used for the structure and framing of the project was Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC)-certified.

Lakeside Modern #2

Cannarsa Structure and Design

Design ideas for a midcentury open concept living room with a library, beige walls, light hardwood floors and brown floor.

Le Salon de Jean-Claude et Dany

SanDesign

sandrine Godignon
This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury open concept living room in Clermont-Ferrand with a library, green walls, ceramic floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a freestanding tv and beige floor.

Kahrs Hardwood Flooring

Green Building Supply

Color:Spirit-Unity-Cliff-Oak
This is an example of a small midcentury living room in Chicago with a library, blue walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and no tv.

Fenton Midcentury Modern Inspired New Build Home

exactly.

Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury open concept living room in Detroit with a library, white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, vaulted and wood walls.

Home staging d'un appartement vide destiné à la vente dans le Marais- Paris 3ème

Marianne Cam décoration d'intérieur

By @AlexiaRhodier. Home-staging dans le Marais pour un appartement destiné à la vente. Mise en scène et décoration Collaboration avec @AlexiaRhodier pour @Sweethomestaging

Land Park, CA Contemporary/Mid-Century Modern Remodel

Kristen Elizabeth Design

The roller shade from carols roman shades and the fabric from pindler play of the neutral color finishes allowing for the wood surfaces to shine.
Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury open concept living room in Sacramento with a library, white walls, medium hardwood floors, a corner fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Salon rétro

Pinar Miró

Mosaico hidráulico personalizado para esta vivienda a mucho color.
This is an example of a midcentury living room in Paris with a library, white walls and ceramic floors.

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.

Upper West Side Penthouse

Minami Livingston Interior Design

This is an example of a small midcentury open concept living room in New York with a library, grey walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace and no tv.

Mid Century Modern Contemporary High Hairpin Leg Guitar Pick Side Table - Walnut

Walker Edison Furniture Company

Accentuate your living space with this trendy mid century modern side table. The wood guitar pick designed top made of high-grade MDF finished in a rich walnut color and metal hairpin legs are the perfect combination to create a stylish and minimalistic piece. Durably constructed of metal and wood veneer with a contemporary design, our hairpin side table is sure to be a favorite piece in your living room or bedroom. Use the guitar pick shaped surface to place anything from a lamp and alarm clock to a few artificial plants as décor.

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.