Concrete block walls provide thermal mass for heating and defence agains hot summer. The subdued colours create a quiet and cosy space focussed around the fire. Timber joinery adds warmth and texture , framing the collections of books and collected objects.

Weather House

Mihaly Slocombe

Weather House is a bespoke home for a young, nature-loving family on a quintessentially compact Northcote block. Our clients Claire and Brent cherished the character of their century-old worker's cottage but required more considered space and flexibility in their home. Claire and Brent are camping enthusiasts, and in response their house is a love letter to the outdoors: a rich, durable environment infused with the grounded ambience of being in nature. From the street, the dark cladding of the sensitive rear extension echoes the existing cottage!s roofline, becoming a subtle shadow of the original house in both form and tone. As you move through the home, the double-height extension invites the climate and native landscaping inside at every turn. The light-bathed lounge, dining room and kitchen are anchored around, and seamlessly connected to, a versatile outdoor living area. A double-sided fireplace embedded into the house’s rear wall brings warmth and ambience to the lounge, and inspires a campfire atmosphere in the back yard. Championing tactility and durability, the material palette features polished concrete floors, blackbutt timber joinery and concrete brick walls. Peach and sage tones are employed as accents throughout the lower level, and amplified upstairs where sage forms the tonal base for the moody main bedroom. An adjacent private deck creates an additional tether to the outdoors, and houses planters and trellises that will decorate the home’s exterior with greenery. From the tactile and textured finishes of the interior to the surrounding Australian native garden that you just want to touch, the house encapsulates the feeling of being part of the outdoors; like Claire and Brent are camping at home. It is a tribute to Mother Nature, Weather House’s muse.

Alameda Mid Century Modern

Maxwell & Kennedy Staging + Interiors

We had a big, bright open space to work with. We went with neutral colors, a statement leather couch and a wool rug from CB2 with colors that tie in the other colors in the room. The fireplace mantel is custom from Sawtooth Ridge on Etsy. More art from Lost Art Salon in San Francisco and accessories from the clients travels on the bookshelf from S=CB2.

Braeside

Lush Interiors Inc.

Photo of a small midcentury enclosed living room in Calgary with a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, wallpaper, white walls, dark hardwood floors, no tv and brown floor.

Colorful Mid-century Modern

Nathan Taylor for Obelisk Home

Large midcentury enclosed living room in Other with brown walls, light hardwood floors, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, a corner fireplace and beige floor.

Magnolia

Heidi Caillier Design

Haris Kenjar
Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury formal enclosed living room in Seattle with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and beige floor.

Living Room

Deering Design Studio, Inc.

Deering Design Studio, Inc.
Design ideas for a midcentury open concept living room in Seattle with light hardwood floors, a tile fireplace surround, a standard fireplace, no tv and beige walls.

Complete Home Remodel, San Diego CA

Bayside Home Improvement

An inviting living space that seamlessly integrates luxury with comfort. The room is characterized by its elegant marble fireplace, which anchors the space and provides a sophisticated focal point. The dark grey walls offer a dramatic contrast, while the expansive windows frame a breathtaking ocean view, infusing the room with natural light and a sense of openness. The modern furniture, including a plush curved sofa and stylish metallic coffee tables, enhances the contemporary feel. The room is a thoughtful blend of high-end design and homely warmth, designed to offer a tranquil retreat from the outside world.

San Carlos Treetop

Cathie Hong Interiors

What started as a kitchen and two-bathroom remodel evolved into a full home renovation plus conversion of the downstairs unfinished basement into a permitted first story addition, complete with family room, guest suite, mudroom, and a new front entrance. We married the midcentury modern architecture with vintage, eclectic details and thoughtful materials.

California Style Mid Century Modern

JuniperOats Studio

A reimagined empty and dark corner, adding 3 windows and a large corner window seat that connects with the harp of the renovated brick fireplace, while adding ample of storage and an opportunity to gather with friends and family. We also added a small partition that functions as a small bar area serving the dining space.

Mid-Century Modern Vancouver Special

PlaidFox Studio

Repainting the fireplace, installing a new linear terrazzo bench and then creating a unique wood-slat feature wall in the dining area were just a few ways we updated this 1980s Vancouver Special.

50's ITALIAN LAKE HOUSE

Tommaso Giunchi Architetti

Living: pavimento originale in quadrotti di rovere massello; arredo vintage unito ad arredi disegnati su misura (panca e mobile bar) Tavolo in vetro con gambe anni 50; sedie da regista; divano anni 50 con nuovo tessuto blu/verde in armonia con il colore blu/verde delle pareti. Poltroncine anni 50 danesi; camino originale. Lampada tavolo originale Albini.

Modern Period Family Home

NB Interiors UK

A country cottage large open plan living room was given a modern makeover with a mid century twist. Now a relaxed and stylish space for the owners.
Large midcentury open concept living room in Other with a library, beige walls, carpet, a wood stove, a brick fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

Wayzata Mid-Century Modern Whole Home Restoration

Thompson Construction

Mid-Century Modern Restoration
Mid-sized midcentury open concept living room in Minneapolis with white walls, a corner fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, white floor, exposed beam and wood walls.

Modern Brazilian

Jefferson Street Designs

Inspiration for a small midcentury open concept living room in DC Metro with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

Urban refresh

Usable Space Interiors, LLC

Photo of a small midcentury open concept living room in Nashville with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

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.

Midcentury Influenced Contemporary Condo

Degnan Design-Build-Remodel

Floating shelves hold photos, artwork and mementos.
Small midcentury enclosed living room in Other with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

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

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.

All Fireplace Surrounds Midcentury Living Room Design Photos

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.