40 Midcentury Modern Living Rooms That Get the Retro Balance Right
Pro tip: Keep the wood paneling.
Every item on this page was hand-picked by a House Beautiful editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
There's a reason why midcentury modern design is perhaps even more more popular today than it was when it emerged in the late 1940s. It's a hodgepodge of other design styles: Take the warmth of Scandinavian design and the industrial materials of modernism, infuse them with a fascination in the space age and the optimism of the postwar boom, and you've got it. In its heyday, from the late 1940s to the 1960s, the midcentury modern design style turned out unique silhouettes and hopeful, futuristic concepts for interiors and architecture that people still covet. If you want your home to capture the era, we think the room you likely spend the most time in—your living room—is the best place to start. Plus, some of the most iconic midcentury modern pieces are sofas and seating. To help you kick off your decorating project, we've compiled a list of some of our favorite midcentury modern living rooms for inspiration.
Thankfully, finding affordable midcentury modern furniture isn't too difficult. Many items from the period are still in production, and you can find good-quality pieces in the style of the originals. Browse estate sales and online auctions, and you can score vintage gems that will make you the envy of your design-loving friends. Besides specific pieces, which are usually organic in shape with sharp details, there are certain colors and accents—like martini olive green and wood paneling—that scream midcentury modern and will look great in your living room.
If names like Eames and Bertoia and Wegner get you excited, scroll on to see designer midcentury modern living rooms that will persuade you to give in and fully embrace the aesthetic. There's no reason not to—this design style isn't going anywhere.
Install a Unique Light Fixture
A large, geometric light fixture is the perfect main light source for a midcentury modern living room. Nina Garbiras drew attention to the industrial elements of this New York City loft with the ceiling light, then brought in contemporary furniture to complement it.
Embrace Contrasts
Midcentury modern design is all about geometric patterns and shapes, so pairing curved details, like this table lamp, with crisp lines, like those of this couch, is a way to capture the style without being too on the nose. Here, Nina Garbiras chose neutral furnishings "to highlight the architectural details and the view," she says, and brought in the aesthetic in subtler ways.
Balance Modern and Traditional
Dane Austin's more contemporary take on midcentury modern, seen here in the couch, side table, and stool, balances the more traditional aspects of this 19th-century home. Their soft, organic shapes also make the space feel more livable and inviting.
Take Inspiration From the Greats
When in doubt, look to the past. This kidney-shaped couch was inspired by furniture designer Vladimir Kagan, who focused on contemporary styles like these starting in the 1940s. They do say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and Dane Austin's intentions by including this mohair velvet sofa are clear.
Choose an Earthy Color Palette
It's easy for midcentury modern items to feel like untouchable pieces of art because they're so sculptural, but you can make them more approachable by sticking to an earthy color palette. Blair Moore of Moore House Design had custom furnishings made for this home so her clients could get their desired styles in their desired color scheme.
Display Your Vinyl
A vast record collection is only appropriate for someone who loves midcentury modern, so be sure to own it and put your records on display. Moore called this room a "disco library lounge" and had it double as a lively, music-filled family room.
Keep the Decorations Simple
Sometimes a piece of decor is so good you can let it carry the whole room. Such is the case with this fireplace cover, with its soft curves and minimalist shape. Moore didn't need to add much else.
Mix Midcentury With Rustic
You might not think the classic log cabin look and midcentury modern aesthetic can work together, but Thom Filicia proves they do renovation. The cluster of midcentury coffee tables don't compete with the warm wood and stone textures in the space. Instead, it's a cozy escape that feels clean and playful.
Bring in Bold Patterns
The curved shapes of a lot of midcentury modern furniture pair extremely well with bold patterns. Simply look at this space by Filicia: The curvy, wooden chair next to the heavily patterned sofa looks extremely warm and stylish.
Use Unexpected Materials
Revive your love of midcentury modern design by sourcing pieces with those classic, geometric silhouettes but are made from unexpected materials. Filicia perfectly captured a "midcentury cabin" aesthetic with these matching, light-wood coffee tables using that same philosophy.
Embrace Avocado Green
The light green color of these living room walls by Ashley Maddox bring in the midcentury modern spirit. It's a classic hue of the time, and paired with the same era furniture in this room, it really brings the whole space together.
Make It Cozy
Use plush textures and soft colors in combination with geometric midcentury modern furniture for a cozy balance. Susannah Charbin created this ideal napping space in her midcentury home using neutral tones that work with its clean lines.
Encourage Conversations
The conversation pit is a fixture in midcentury design, so adding in a space to your living room that encourages human connection is essential to truly capture the aesthetic. This isn't technically a pit, but Rodney Lawrence mimicked one with this oversize sectional.
Layer Intriguing Pieces
Though it's a more modern interpretation, this part of the home still shows Robert Lawrence's midcentury inspiration in its layering of clean lines, from the hanging shelves to the geometric shapes of the side table.
Bring in Era-Appropriate Art
In this essentially wall-free living room, Raji Radhakrishnan brought in midcentury sculptural art to help capture the aesthetic. The pop art Brillo boxes on the floor are at least heavily inspired by Andy Warhol, if not actual vintage pieces.
Bring in Some Humor
You wouldn't expect to see a 19th-century mural paired with a doghouse-shaped midcentury chair, but Raji Radhakrishnan wanted to bring in a little humor. "It's funny, a little off, but it puts a smile on your face," she explains. "It's the good kind of tension. If everything was the same, it would be so boring!"
Go for Luxury
Pair midcentury shapes with luxe finishes to make a more glamorous and dramatic living room. Cecilia Casagrande chose a dark green wall to contrast the bright gold velvet on the chairs to make the room feel moodier, then balanced out the heaviness of the finishings with lighter midcentury accessories.
Embrace Your Quirkiness
If you want to add a little bit of quirk, pair midcentury modern with an unexpected aesthetic. Casagrande's use of midcentury modern furniture combined with "unexpected nature motifs like bugs and birds in fabrics and wallpapers," says Liza Hunter, Casagrande's client, "lends a dignified quirkiness to her style." Sometimes things you think wouldn't work so well together can come in and add an eclectic quality to your home.
Choose a Monochromatic Color Scheme
On the sexier side of midcentury modern, a monochromatic color scheme can really create a dramatic lounging experience. Summer Thornton used this yellow, asymmetrical midcentury sofa in her clients' over-the-top gold room for the ideal hanging out vibes: artistic, swanky, and completely decadent.
Pick a Statement Chair
If you're searching for a good way to start your style journey, add an iconic piece of midcentury modern furniture. Summer Thornton chose this vintage leather chair, and you can tell immediately by looking at it what era it comes from thanks to the clean lines and interesting stitching.
Watch Next
35 Super Fun Playroom Ideas Your Kids Will Love
How to Get the Nancy Meyers Living Room Look
Is Open-Concept Living Finally Over?
25 Under-Stair Storage Ideas
