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Mid-Century Modern Living Room Ideas For Functionality & Comfort

by June Steele | Published 12/1/20 (Updated 11/17/23)

When someone says that they’re looking for a modern home or redoing their kitchen in a modern style, a clear picture comes to mind of what the result will be. When it comes to mid-century modern, though, there’s some debate about what the term means or represents.

The “mid-century” aspect of this design style draws inspiration from trends and styles that were popular between the 1930s and 1960s, blending it with the modern, minimalist designs of the 21st century. Here are some mid-century modern living room ideas to explore and get inspired by!

Contemporary living room features a black picture ledge over a mid century modern TV console, a black accent chair with white faux fur and a round gold coffee table.
Photo Credit: Reena Sotropa – Contemporary living room features a black picture ledge over a mid-century modern TV console, a black accent chair with white faux fur, and a round gold coffee table.

Why Is Mid-Century Modern Design Popular?

Mid-century modern design encompasses a wide range of styles and elements, which is part of the reason it’s so popular; since there’s so much variety, there’s something for everyone.

Blue mid-century modern living room features deep blue walls positioned behind a wood and brass 3 piece styled shelving unit that faces a marble top mid-century modern coffee table flanked by a taupe sofa with a chaise lounge and two side by side blue mid-century modern chairs placed on a white wool rug.
Photo Credit: Lindye Galloway – Blue mid-century modern living room features deep blue walls positioned behind a wood and brass 3 piece styled shelving unit that faces a marble top mid-century modern coffee table flanked by a taupe sofa with a chaise lounge and two side-by-side blue mid-century modern chairs placed on a white wool rug.

It’s also a widely available style of design, which contributes to its popularity. You might not even realize that some of the pieces in your home would fall into the mid-century modern design category! Another reason it’s a popular design choice is that it values functionality.

A black ceiling fan cools an open living room featuring an oval wooden coffee table placed on a gray fringe rug and flanked by a pebble gray sofa topped with an emerald green velvet pillow and mid-century modern leather and wooden chairs.
Photo Credit: Jenna Sheingold – A black ceiling fan cools an open living room featuring an oval wooden coffee table placed on a gray fringe rug and flanked by a pebble gray sofa topped with an emerald green velvet pillow and mid-century modern leather and wooden chairs.

With more people moving to big cities and living in small spaces, they want a home that works for their needs without wasting space. A mid-century modern living room design optimizes the space no matter how small the square footage is while still appearing sleek and clean.

Blue sofa with a chaise lounge on a gray fringe rug in a transitional living room featuring mid-century modern accent chairs and a round marble top coffee table.
Photo Credit: Rosa Beltran Design – Blue sofa with a chaise lounge on a gray fringe rug in a transitional living room featuring mid-century modern accent chairs and a round marble-top coffee table.

Focus on Functionality

When it comes to mid-century modern design for your living room, functionality is the focus, allowing the form to follow. This style of design is not about excess. Every piece of furniture or element you have in your living room should serve a purpose with minimal accessories.

An ivory boucle sofa placed on a beige diamond pattern rug faces styled white pedestal bunched coffee tables matched with a mid-century modern leather bench draped in an orange Hermes throw blanket.
Photo Credit: Dunbar Road – An ivory boucle sofa placed on a beige diamond pattern rug faces styled white pedestal bunched coffee tables matched with a mid-century modern leather bench draped in an orange Hermes throw blanket.

The drive for this design style post-war was to focus on the needs of the average American family, which resulted in a lot of furniture being stackable, foldable, or interchangeable. It also meant that comfort is a major element of this design style. Mid-century modern means you have functionality and comfort, in whatever form that may be.

modern style living room with geometric bright wall art
Artwork is a great way to add color to a modern space. [From Wayfair]

The Juxtaposing of Elements

The most noticeable aspect of mid-century modern design is the juxtaposition of traditional and non-traditional materials, as well as clean lines against organic curves and shapes. When looking at a living room designed in a mid-century modern style, you can expect to see pieces such as chunky coffee tables with sleek, slim legs or chairs made of contrasting materials.

mid century modern living room with white couches and geometric console
The console on the back wall is a nod to the 50s style. [From Balodemas Architects]

Mixing the Materials

There is no one specific material that should be used when designing a living room in mid-century modern style, in fact, the more variety of materials you use, the better. The style encourages the mixing of traditional and non-traditional materials, resulting in a room that has metal, plywood, plexiglass, or lucite alongside the more traditional materials.

An Eames Lounger & Ottoman sits on a light gray rug in front of a mid-century modern TV console placed beside a fiddle leaf fig plant and under a flat panel TV.
Photo Credit: Joanna Parol – An Eames Lounger & Ottoman sits on a light gray rug in front of a mid-century modern TV console placed beside a fiddle leaf fig plant and under a flat panel TV.

Not only are more non-traditional materials used, but materials are used in unexpected ways. Plexiglass can become a clear geometric end table, or plywood can be molded to become a comfortable chair.

living room with floating metal fireplace
Floating furniture like this fireplace is a common design choice when melding modern with mid-century. [From Studio Aiko]

Trying Out New Textures

While you’re trying out a mix of furniture materials like plexiglass or lucite along with more traditional materials like wood, you can also play around with different fabrics. Raw materials such as wool, linen, and cotton are common in mid-century modern design, mixing with the less traditional furniture materials to have a juxtaposition between the frame and the upholstery. 

living room with marble table, metal chair, and leather couches
Mid-century modern style calls for a juxtaposition of textures, which you can see in the chairs, table, and couch. [From Federico Cedrone]

Throwing In Some Curves

The classic modern design calls for a straight-edged, sleek design to give it the clean, minimalistic aesthetic it’s known for. To transition your modern living room to mid-century modern, you can add a few pieces or elements that have curved lines or rounded edges to break up the straight edges. You can use curves in your living room by looking for kidney or boomerang-shaped pieces, couches with a slight curve to them, or coffee tables that are more rounded rather than a table with sharp corners and edges.

living room with sleek furniture and a variety of materials
This living room is the epitome of mid-century modern style with its variety of shapes and materials. [From Modsy]

If you’re looking for the perfect piece to start converting your home, check out these 5 mid-century modern accent chairs.

Incorporating Colors

While many homes or rooms designed in a modern style usually have a neutral palette, color, and mid-century interior design go hand in hand. Bold, saturated colors were popular during the time this style draws from, and they don’t need to go out of style! Vibrant shades of orange, earthy browns, mustard yellow, a pop of blue or teal, or soft pink are all possibilities when looking for some midcentury flair to add to your living room. If you feel like you’re walking into a time capsule and you’re transported back to the 60s when you look at the color palette, you’ve chosen correctly.

retro-style brightly colored living space resembling 30s design
This room uses the classic mid-century color palette well without looking dated. [From Jessica Brigham]
Wonderfully designed living room features a large blue abstract art piece hung above a gray shelter back sectional topped with blue pillows and placed facing a round brass coffee table positioned on a Moroccan trellis rug. A brown and blue mid-century modern chair is placed at an angle in front of a white brick mid-century modern fireplace finished with a stained wood mantel.
Photo Credit: Brown Design Inc – Wonderfully designed living room features a large blue abstract art piece hung above a gray shelter back sectional topped with blue pillows and placed facing a round brass coffee table positioned on a Moroccan trellis rug. A brown and blue mid-century modern chair is placed at an angle in front of a white brick mid-century modern fireplace finished with a stained wood mantel.

Playing with Prints

Not only can you incorporate color into your mid-century modern living room, but you also shouldn’t shy away from bold, geometric patterns or retro-style prints. Geometric patterns should be incorporated into your midcentury modern living room in elements like rugs or pillows, or you could opt for geometric designs for furniture pieces like credenzas, bookcases, or shelving units.

Bold, retro prints are another way to go for smaller elements like wall art or carpets. Intersecting lines and geometric shapes are major elements of midcentury interior design.

living room with large leather chairs and geometric bohemian rug
This living room mixes leather with wood and metal accents, allowing patterns to emerge in the rugs and pillows. [From AB Curated Interior Design]

Trying Out the Style with a Statement Piece

If you’re not ready to fully convert your living room to the midcentury modern style, you can start by using one or two pieces as a focal point. Having a brightly-colored sofa or geometric lighting and a set of unique, curved chairs adds drama to a room without having to invest in too many pieces before you determine how much of the style you want to incorporate in the living room or in other areas of your home. 

overhead shot of large geometric rug at center of living room
The unique geometric rug is the focal point of this living room. [From TeroDesign]

Lighting Up the Room

Choosing the right lighting is a crucial aspect of midcentury modern design. Adding lighting in a midcentury style to a modern room helps to soften it and add a unique element. In the 50s and 60s, dome lamps were a common sight, and in the 21st century, they can give a futuristic, sleek feel to an end table. You can even source era-inspired light fixtures at thrift hopes or estate sales for authenticity.

Light gray curtains cover windows located behind a dark gray sofa matched with a kidney shaped coffee table placed on a light gray rug in front of mid-century modern cane chairs.
Photo Credit: Kelly Martin Interiors – Light gray curtains cover windows located behind a dark gray sofa matched with a kidney-shaped coffee table placed on a light gray rug in front of mid-century modern cane chairs.

A bold industrial chandelier is a popular staple of midcentury modern design, as are lamps and light fixtures that are made of materials in their organic form. Geometric shapes often find their way into lighting elements in the midcentury style of design as well.

corner of mid century modern living space with carved credenza and low hanging light
Notice the credenza in this room has a subtle geometric pattern carved into it. [From Isabelle Feliu via Bed Threads]
Brown and blue mid century modern lounge chairs on gray tiles join a round wood and rope metal coffee table in a sunroom with glass doors and windows.
Photo Credit: Andrew J Howard – Brown and blue mid-century modern lounge chairs on gray tiles join a round wood and rope metal coffee table in a sunroom with glass doors and windows.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is mid-century modern design?

Mid-century modern design is a style that originated in the mid-20th century, characterized by clean lines, organic shapes, and a focus on functionality. It is a timeless and versatile design style that continues to be popular today.

What are some key elements of a mid-century modern living room design?

Some key elements of a mid-century modern living room design include clean lines, geometric shapes, bold colors, natural materials like wood and leather, and minimalistic decor.

How can I incorporate color into my mid-century modern living room design?

Mid-century modern design is known for bold, bright colors like mustard yellow, orange, and teal. Consider incorporating pops of color through accent pillows, artwork, or a statement piece of furniture.

What type of furniture should I choose for my mid-century modern living room design?

To shop for living room furniture that suits mid-century modern design, make sure to look for pieces made of natural materials like wood and leather and opt for furniture with legs that elevate the pieces off the ground.

How can I add texture to my mid-century modern living room design?

Texture is an important element in any design style, and mid-century modern is no exception. Consider incorporating texture through a shag rug, woven wall hanging, or a cozy knit throw blanket.

How can I mix mid-century modern design with other styles?

Mid-century modern design pairs well with other design styles like bohemian and industrial. Consider incorporating elements of these styles, like a rustic wood coffee table or a macrame wall hanging, to add visual interest to your living room.

How can I make my mid-century modern living room design feel cozy?

While mid-century modern design is often associated with minimalism, there are ways to make your living room feel cozy and inviting. Consider adding plush accent pillows, a soft throw blanket, and a warm area rug to create a comfortable and welcoming space.

June Steele

I write for decoist.

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