Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury formal open concept living room in San Diego with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, no tv, brown floor and exposed beam.

Midcentury Living Room

Design ideas for a midcentury open concept living room in Phoenix with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and exposed beam.

Mid-century modern apartment

TAAT Design Studio

Mid-century modern living room with neutral colors.
Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury open concept living room in Los Angeles with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and brown floor.

San Elijo - Project

ProPacific Builders, Inc.

Mid-sized midcentury formal open concept living room in San Diego with green walls, laminate floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a corner tv, brown floor and wood walls.

Modern Ranch House

Ashby Collective

Photo of an expansive midcentury formal open concept living room in Austin with white walls, a plaster fireplace surround, a ribbon fireplace, exposed beam and vaulted.

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Parlor Interiors

Zachary Balber
This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury formal open concept living room in Miami with white walls, travertine floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and white floor.

Wenham Ranch-House Renovation/Addition

Katie Hutchison Studio

Constructed in two phases, this renovation, with a few small additions, touched nearly every room in this late ‘50’s ranch house. The owners raised their family within the original walls and love the house’s location, which is not far from town and also borders conservation land. But they didn’t love how chopped up the house was and the lack of exposure to natural daylight and views of the lush rear woods. Plus, they were ready to de-clutter for a more stream-lined look. As a result, KHS collaborated with them to create a quiet, clean design to support the lifestyle they aspire to in retirement. To transform the original ranch house, KHS proposed several significant changes that would make way for a number of related improvements. Proposed changes included the removal of the attached enclosed breezeway (which had included a stair to the basement living space) and the two-car garage it partially wrapped, which had blocked vital eastern daylight from accessing the interior. Together the breezeway and garage had also contributed to a long, flush front façade. In its stead, KHS proposed a new two-car carport, attached storage shed, and exterior basement stair in a new location. The carport is bumped closer to the street to relieve the flush front facade and to allow access behind it to eastern daylight in a relocated rear kitchen. KHS also proposed a new, single, more prominent front entry, closer to the driveway to replace the former secondary entrance into the dark breezeway and a more formal main entrance that had been located much farther down the facade and curiously bordered the bedroom wing. Inside, low ceilings and soffits in the primary family common areas were removed to create a cathedral ceiling (with rod ties) over a reconfigured semi-open living, dining, and kitchen space. A new gas fireplace serving the relocated dining area -- defined by a new built-in banquette in a new bay window -- was designed to back up on the existing wood-burning fireplace that continues to serve the living area. A shared full bath, serving two guest bedrooms on the main level, was reconfigured, and additional square footage was captured for a reconfigured master bathroom off the existing master bedroom. A new whole-house color palette, including new finishes and new cabinetry, complete the transformation. Today, the owners enjoy a fresh and airy re-imagining of their familiar ranch house. Photos by Katie Hutchison

Elegant Collection

Carlisle Wide Plank Floors

The ultimate choice for gracious living featuring Quartersawn White Oak flooring with a rich smooth look that is impeccably fashionable.
This is an example of a large midcentury enclosed living room in Boston with green walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and no tv.

Stark Knoll Place

ODS Architecture

Midcentury living room in San Francisco with a plaster fireplace surround and vaulted.

Laidlaw

House of Milo

Photo of a large midcentury open concept living room in Portland with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and vaulted.

Modern Home - Maple Ridge

Old Town Design Group

This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury open concept living room in Indianapolis with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Living Room

Adolfo Perez, Architect

View of double height Living Room
Photo of a mid-sized midcentury formal open concept living room in Boston with light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a built-in media wall, beige floor and beige walls.

Trisore 140 MKII

European Home

The Trisore by Element4 is a three-sided bay fireplace and comes in 3 sizes: the 95, the 100H, and the 140 (as seen here). Design options are endless. Here the hearth goes organic modern with the combination of wood and concrete.

Glenalbyn

ESV Prime Construction Specialists, Inc.

Mid-sized midcentury open concept living room in Los Angeles with a home bar, white walls, concrete floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Home Depot

The Home Depot

This is an example of a large midcentury formal open concept living room in Atlanta with white walls, concrete floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and no tv.

Grand House Belgravia

Helen Green Design

Photo of a large midcentury formal enclosed living room in London with beige walls, carpet, a standard fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

Roger That

SGDI - Sarah Gallop Design Inc.

Mid-sized midcentury open concept living room in Vancouver with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and beige floor.

Modern Plaster Firplace - Portland OR

AAHC

Lime plaster fireplace, clean shadow line transitions with hardwood floors and cast mantel.
Midcentury living room in Portland with a standard fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

Mid Century Remodel

VFLA Architecture + Interiors

This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury open concept living room in Denver with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

Midcentury Modern Home Addition

Normandy Remodeling

The new living space reflects the homeowners personality, with a mid century modern aesthetic. The artistic divider between the foyer and living room was an original part of the home that the owners decided to keep.

Midcentury Living Room Design Photos with a Plaster 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.