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Mid-century modern design is ubiquitous for good reason: it celebrates simple forms and natural shapes, making for rooms that feel airy and inviting. The key with this look, popularized from about 1933 to 1965, is not to over-stuff it, but to let each stick of furniture stand on its own. To really go retro, opt for throwback hues such as olive green and dirty orange. Need inspiration? Keep clicking!
Living Rooms
10 Mid-Century Modern Living Room Designs You'll Want to Copy
September 16, 2019
Mid-century modern design is ubiquitous for good reason: it celebrates simple forms and natural shapes, making for rooms that feel airy and inviting. The key with this look, popularized from about 1933 to 1965, is not to over-stuff it, but to let each stick of furniture stand on its own. To really go retro, opt for throwback hues such as olive green and dirty orange. Need inspiration? Keep clicking!
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The Highs of Being Low
1/10The Highs of Being Low
1/10Photo Credit: Tracey AytonSource: www.traceyaytonphotography.com
Low furniture is a trademark of mid-century modern sofas. Here, a low <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/living-rooms/photos/sarah-baeumler-coffee-table-tips-1918465/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">coffee table</a> — almost Japanese in feel — and a stash of pillows is the epitome of relaxation.Living Rooms10 Mid-Century Modern Living Room Designs You'll Want to CopyThe Highs of Being Low
PHOTO 1 of 10READ LESS -Low furniture is a trademark of mid-century modern sofas. Here, a low <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/living-rooms/photos/sarah-baeumler-coffee-table-tips-1918465/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">coffee table</a> — almost Japanese in feel — and a stash of pillows is the epitome of relaxation.Photo Credit: Tracey AytonSource: www.traceyaytonphotography.com
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Tuft Love
2/10Tuft Love
2/10Photo Credit: WayfairSource: www.wayfair.ca
Want to get that MCM flair? Check out <a href="https://www.wayfair.ca/furniture/pdp/langley-street-rachelle-coffee-table-lgly5044.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">this combo from Wayfair</a>. Blue and chartreuse makes an alluring combo. The dapper sofa is perfectly paired against the coffee table with its chrome hairpin-style legs — not too matchy-matchy! <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/living-rooms/photos/living-room-design-secrets-1919733/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">12 Designer Secrets for Making Your Living Room Look Collected (Not Cluttered)</a>Living Rooms10 Mid-Century Modern Living Room Designs You'll Want to CopyTuft Love
PHOTO 2 of 10READ LESS -Want to get that MCM flair? Check out <a href="https://www.wayfair.ca/furniture/pdp/langley-street-rachelle-coffee-table-lgly5044.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">this combo from Wayfair</a>. Blue and chartreuse makes an alluring combo. The dapper sofa is perfectly paired against the coffee table with its chrome hairpin-style legs — not too matchy-matchy! <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/living-rooms/photos/living-room-design-secrets-1919733/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">12 Designer Secrets for Making Your Living Room Look Collected (Not Cluttered)</a>Photo Credit: WayfairSource: www.wayfair.ca
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Pastel Palette
3/10Pastel Palette
3/10Photo Credit: OverstockSource: www.overstock.com
Orange crush, alert! Layering the peachy hue throughout this charming space from Overstock — the rugs and the <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/diy/blog/tiffany-pratts-diy-heart-pillow-is-the-cutest-and-easiest-valentines-day-gift-1912849/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">pillows</a> and the books — are totally on point. We love the dainty peg legs on the couch and the way they're echoed in the Noguchi-esque coffee table and armchair. Talk about cohesion!Living Rooms10 Mid-Century Modern Living Room Designs You'll Want to CopyPastel Palette
PHOTO 3 of 10READ LESS -Orange crush, alert! Layering the peachy hue throughout this charming space from Overstock — the rugs and the <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/diy/blog/tiffany-pratts-diy-heart-pillow-is-the-cutest-and-easiest-valentines-day-gift-1912849/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">pillows</a> and the books — are totally on point. We love the dainty peg legs on the couch and the way they're echoed in the Noguchi-esque coffee table and armchair. Talk about cohesion!Photo Credit: OverstockSource: www.overstock.com
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Natural Selection
4/10Natural Selection
4/10Photo Credit: Twenty20Source: www.twenty20.com
Bertoia and Eames were stalwarts of MCM design. Here, the Diamond chairs are iconic Bertoias and the lounger is an Eames. The forest setting is fitting for the era that celebrates <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/home-tours/photos/a-designer-converts-a-dated-bc-home-into-a-nature-inspired-haven-1904620/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">nature</a>.Living Rooms10 Mid-Century Modern Living Room Designs You'll Want to CopyNatural Selection
PHOTO 4 of 10READ LESS -Bertoia and Eames were stalwarts of MCM design. Here, the Diamond chairs are iconic Bertoias and the lounger is an Eames. The forest setting is fitting for the era that celebrates <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/home-tours/photos/a-designer-converts-a-dated-bc-home-into-a-nature-inspired-haven-1904620/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">nature</a>.Photo Credit: Twenty20Source: www.twenty20.com
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Unimpeded Flow
5/10Unimpeded Flow
5/10Photo Credit: Getty Images
Mid-century modern design champions introverted interiors, so to speak. Rooms like this one, where a rustic stone <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/www.greatcanadianhomes.ca/photos/the-gorgeous-fireplace-in-this-tiny-heritage-bungalow-will-have-you-saying-wait-what-1911220/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">fireplace</a>, simple furniture and unadorned book shelves don't call attention to themselves. It's all about the view beyond the windows and the sight lines. Doesn't this room make you want to do a digital detox?Living Rooms10 Mid-Century Modern Living Room Designs You'll Want to CopyUnimpeded Flow
PHOTO 5 of 10READ LESS -Mid-century modern design champions introverted interiors, so to speak. Rooms like this one, where a rustic stone <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/www.greatcanadianhomes.ca/photos/the-gorgeous-fireplace-in-this-tiny-heritage-bungalow-will-have-you-saying-wait-what-1911220/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">fireplace</a>, simple furniture and unadorned book shelves don't call attention to themselves. It's all about the view beyond the windows and the sight lines. Doesn't this room make you want to do a digital detox?Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Think Walnut (or Teak)
6/10Think Walnut (or Teak)
6/10Photo Credit: WayfairSource: www.wayfair.ca
After that MCM look? You'll need to bring boatloads of walnut wood into your home. Case in point: this <a href="https://www.wayfair.ca/furniture/pdp/corrigan-studio-bustamante-chesterfield-sofa-c001900241.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">fun scooped sofa from Wayfair</a> that's perched on walnut legs. Side it with a walnut table and credenza and you're good to go! <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/living-rooms/photos/living-room-makeover-less-than-100-1923555/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">How to Give Your Living Room a Makeover for Less Than $100</a>Living Rooms10 Mid-Century Modern Living Room Designs You'll Want to CopyThink Walnut (or Teak)
PHOTO 6 of 10READ LESS -After that MCM look? You'll need to bring boatloads of walnut wood into your home. Case in point: this <a href="https://www.wayfair.ca/furniture/pdp/corrigan-studio-bustamante-chesterfield-sofa-c001900241.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">fun scooped sofa from Wayfair</a> that's perched on walnut legs. Side it with a walnut table and credenza and you're good to go! <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/living-rooms/photos/living-room-makeover-less-than-100-1923555/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">How to Give Your Living Room a Makeover for Less Than $100</a>Photo Credit: WayfairSource: www.wayfair.ca
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Laid-Back Vibes
7/10Laid-Back Vibes
7/10Photo Credit: ArticleSource: www.article.com
Low-to-the-floor <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/decorating/photos/14-tips-on-buying-pet-friendly-furniture-thatll-stand-up-to-your-furry-friends-1914524/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">furniture</a> evokes an uncluttered feel — nothing gets in the way of the sight lines. If you're after this vibe, Article's <a href="https://www.article.com/product/3225/sven-birch-ivory-left-sectional-sofa" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">birch sectional</a> may do the trick. A modern take on a mid-century classic, the sofa features gentle tufting, crisp lines and bolster pillows.Living Rooms10 Mid-Century Modern Living Room Designs You'll Want to CopyLaid-Back Vibes
PHOTO 7 of 10READ LESS -Low-to-the-floor <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/decorating/photos/14-tips-on-buying-pet-friendly-furniture-thatll-stand-up-to-your-furry-friends-1914524/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">furniture</a> evokes an uncluttered feel — nothing gets in the way of the sight lines. If you're after this vibe, Article's <a href="https://www.article.com/product/3225/sven-birch-ivory-left-sectional-sofa" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">birch sectional</a> may do the trick. A modern take on a mid-century classic, the sofa features gentle tufting, crisp lines and bolster pillows.Photo Credit: ArticleSource: www.article.com
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Room With a View
8/10Room With a View
8/10Photo Credit: HGTV
<a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/search/?q=joanna%20gaines" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Joanna Gaines</a> doesn't disappoint in this living room, which has a decidedly mid-century modern feel, from the side table to the sofa. We like the designer's use of restraint when accessorizing so the focus is on the view.Living Rooms10 Mid-Century Modern Living Room Designs You'll Want to CopyRoom With a View
PHOTO 8 of 10READ LESS -<a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/search/?q=joanna%20gaines" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Joanna Gaines</a> doesn't disappoint in this living room, which has a decidedly mid-century modern feel, from the side table to the sofa. We like the designer's use of restraint when accessorizing so the focus is on the view.Photo Credit: HGTV
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The Real McCoy
9/10The Real McCoy
9/10Photo Credit: DWRSource: www.dwr.com
If you're a mid-century modern enthusiast with a decent budget, then you'll need the gold standard in your living room: count those iconic pieces! Congregating here are the Platner table, the Swan chair, Eames walnut stool and Serge Mouille floor lamp from Design Within Reach. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/living-rooms/photos/minimalist-living-room-ideas-that-prove-less-is-more-1924527/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">15 Minimalist Living Room Ideas That Prove Less is More</a>Living Rooms10 Mid-Century Modern Living Room Designs You'll Want to CopyThe Real McCoy
PHOTO 9 of 10READ LESS -If you're a mid-century modern enthusiast with a decent budget, then you'll need the gold standard in your living room: count those iconic pieces! Congregating here are the Platner table, the Swan chair, Eames walnut stool and Serge Mouille floor lamp from Design Within Reach. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/living-rooms/photos/minimalist-living-room-ideas-that-prove-less-is-more-1924527/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">15 Minimalist Living Room Ideas That Prove Less is More</a>Photo Credit: DWRSource: www.dwr.com
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Sleek and Simple
10/10Sleek and Simple
10/10Photo Credit: HGTV
This living room from the <em>Extreme Makeover</em> team is part of an entire home designed in the <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/extreme-makeover-home-edition/photos/uninhabitable-home-transforms-into-mid-century-modern-masterpiece-1936873/#" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">mid-century modern style</a>. From the furniture to the architecture to the decor, it all feels like a gorgeous throwback to the <em>Mad Men</em> era.Living Rooms10 Mid-Century Modern Living Room Designs You'll Want to CopySleek and Simple
PHOTO 10 of 10READ LESS -This living room from the <em>Extreme Makeover</em> team is part of an entire home designed in the <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/extreme-makeover-home-edition/photos/uninhabitable-home-transforms-into-mid-century-modern-masterpiece-1936873/#" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">mid-century modern style</a>. From the furniture to the architecture to the decor, it all feels like a gorgeous throwback to the <em>Mad Men</em> era.Photo Credit: HGTV
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