Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury formal open concept living room in Seattle with green walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and no tv.

Green Lake Remodel

SHED Architecture & Design

Large midcentury open concept living room in Seattle with white walls, a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, no tv and cork floors.

White Living Room with Fireplace + Colorful Glass Art

Jennifer Gustafson Interior Design

• Custom designed living room • Coffee table - provided by client • Commissioned Art - Klari Reis • Decorative accessory styling
Photo of a mid-sized midcentury open concept living room in San Francisco with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and brown floor.

Lakota House

Drawing Dept

Inspiration for a midcentury open concept living room in Cincinnati with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and brown floor.

Ravenna Art Deco Dwelling

Workshop Estates

This is an example of a large midcentury formal open concept living room in Denver with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a metal fireplace surround, a built-in media wall, brown floor and exposed beam.

Fireplace

Scott Edwards Architecture

Pete Eckert
Inspiration for a large midcentury formal open concept living room in Portland with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and brown floor.

Villa in Potsdam

Erika Radev Interiors

Inspiration for an expansive midcentury formal open concept living room in Berlin with green walls, medium hardwood floors, a hanging fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and no tv.

Summit Haus - Park City Passive House

Zola European Windows

Located in, Summit Park, Park City UT lies one of the most efficient houses in the country. The Summit Haus – designed and built by Chris Price of PCD+B, is an exploration in design and construction of advanced high performance housing. Seeing a rising demand for sustainable housing along with rising Carbon emissions leading to global warming, this house strives to show that sensible, good design can create spaces adequate for today’s housing demands while adhering to strict standards. The house was designed to meet the very rigid Passiv House rating system – 90% more efficient than a typical home in the area. The house itself was intended to nestle neatly into the 45 degree sloped site and to take full advantage of the limited solar access and views. The views range from short, highly wooded views to a long corridor out towards the Uinta Mountain range towards the east. The house was designed and built based off Passiv Haus standards, and the framing and ventilation became critical elements to maintain such minimal energy requirements. Zola triple-pane, tilt-and-turn Thermo uPVC windows contribute substantially to the home’s energy efficiency, and takes advantage of the beautiful surrounding of the location, including forrest views from the deck off of the kitchen. Photographer: City Home Collective

Modern Living Room

KMAC Design

Mid-sized midcentury open concept living room in DC Metro with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and a built-in media wall.

Mid-Century Mountain Home

Bauer Clifton Interiors

BAUER/CLIFTON INTERIORS
Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury open concept living room in Other with grey walls, bamboo floors, a wood stove, a metal fireplace surround and a freestanding tv.

Mid century Hollywood Hills

Modiano Design

Midcentury living room in Los Angeles with grey walls, a standard fireplace and a metal fireplace surround.

Maison Rennes

User

Création d'un meuble de vidéo-projection comprenant une partie bar + des rangements pour la box et les DVD.
Inspiration for a small midcentury enclosed living room in Rennes with a home bar, beige walls, light hardwood floors, a wood stove, a metal fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

Notting Hill Pied a Terre

Imperfect Interiors

The open plan living room in this flat is light and bright, and the contemporary walnut sideboard sits happily next to the mid-century armchair & original Georgian fire surround. Plaster wall lights, a large table lamp and a multi bulb pendant provide layers of light when required.

Hudson Rental Residence

Bespoke Decor

This blank-slate ranch house gets a lively, era-appropriate update for short term rental. Vintage albums, an original mid--century coffee table and a retro lamp pair with modern reproductions to create modern, livable, pet-friendly space.

Modern Midcentury Home Staging

SK Fresh Perspective Home Designs, LLC

Mid-sized midcentury formal open concept living room in Oklahoma City with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and brown floor.

Whole House Renovation

Main Street Renovations

In the living area, we mixed industrial and midcentury modern to create a relaxing area to watch our favorite shows.
Design ideas for a midcentury open concept living room in Other with white walls, ceramic floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and grey floor.

Mid-Century Modern Living Room

Ashley Urban Designs LLC

Photo of a large midcentury open concept living room in Dallas with a home bar, beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, vaulted and planked wall panelling.

Metropolitan Rowhome

Kathy Ann Abell Interiors

Megan Meek
Mid-sized midcentury open concept living room in San Diego with a home bar, blue walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Great Room

Dordevic Architecture + Construction

john unrue
Inspiration for a large midcentury open concept living room in New York with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and a built-in media wall.

Elegant Minimalistic Approach to Drapes in a Mid-Century Living Room

Allure Window Treatments

Allure WT A simple, yet calculated touch for window treatments in this mid-century living room. Pinch pleat solid colored drapes hang on a petite iron rod and hooks, separating windows covered by screen shades to keep the room bright and elegant.

Midcentury Living Room Design Photos with a Metal 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.