Even after all these years, mid-century modern living rooms are still trending. The interior design style is popular today for its timeless and adaptable nature, but it actually rose to prominence in the mid-20th century. Known as an understated and minimalist design style, a mid-century modern living room is a great choice for anyone who wants to balance functionality with elegance. Think geometric shapes, warm colors, natural materials and clean lines that move the eye through the space. Here you’ll find 17 mid-century modern living rooms that will inspire you to renovate your own home, as well as answers to common questions about the design period. So sit back and stay a while – you’re about to have an uncluttered living room that will make you feel calm and at ease.
What is a mid-century modern living room?
Mid-century modern design is based on simplicity and functionality. That’s why you should maintain a stylish and practical living room, according to Susan Klimala, principal designer and owner of TKS Design Group in Illinois and Florida. “Think oversized, low-slung furniture with clean lines punctuated with stylized wood accents and colorful, geometric accents,” she says.
Lead designer Mary Lambrakos of Lambrakos Studio agrees: “A mid-century modern living room is deep, storied and moody, defined by stylistic clarity and streamlined shapes where every piece is carefully considered.” Opt for a base of warm colors like deep browns and greens and raw, natural materials like wool, solid wood and leather. “[This] it evokes tawny elegance and casual sophistication,” adds Lambrakos.
How to design a mid-century modern living room?
Every mid-century modern living room design has a purpose, whether it’s to inspire gatherings or relaxation. This simplicity sets the stage for endless styling opportunities.
“Mid-century style is rooted in the natural,” says Lambrakos. Accentuate elegant lines and curved pieces with wood moldings, stone surfaces and metal frames combined with ovoid shapes. It’s also about selecting the right color palette, he adds, like “chartreuse over yellow, tan over khaki, forest green over jade and brown over charcoal.”
Vintage pieces like unique light fixtures or period furniture can also help ground a mid-century modern design plan. “These choices infuse the space with richness,” explains Lambrakos.
Why is mid-century modern design so timeless?
Mid-century modern furniture, with its warm woods, sleek shapes, and retro patterns, looks as fresh now as it did in the 1940s and 1950s. It could be argued that the design movement’s focus on functionality is even more welcome today, when we’re always looking for ways to simplify our busy lives a little.
In addition to being comfortable and unfussy, mid-century modern design also feels timeless because it’s easily “upgradable,” Klimala adds. You can make simple design changes or add new pieces of art to infuse a new perspective into a mid-century modern living room. Because of this, the design style has stood the test of time and remains popular today.
