How To Create A Beautiful Mid Century Modern Living Room

If you’ve been dreaming about creating a stylish and timeless living room, a mid century modern living room style is exactly what you need. It’s a blend of clean lines, organic shapes and functional yet beautiful furniture pieces that never goes out of style. Having recently transformed my own living room into more of a cozy mid century modern style, I can tell you – it’s all about finding that perfect balance between style and function.

So, if you’re ready to dive into this design trend, here’s everything you need to know to create your own mid century modern living room.

And don’t forget to save any of these ideas to a relevant Pinterest board! Just click on the Pinterest logo!

Mid century modern living room pinterest pin.

What is Mid Century Modern Design And What Defines It?

So, before we jump right into the furniture choises and layouts, let’s take a step back and explore exactly what makes a mid century modern living room – yeah, a mid century modern living room.

At its core, this style is all about clean lines, minimalism and a strong connection with nature. You will see all of these trending natural materials such as wood, leather and metals, but also bold accent colors such as mustard yellow and turquoise. This is the most perfect mix of form and function. I mean – everything you use in your space has a purpose, but also looks great.

I remember the first time I walked into a mid century modern home, I LOVED the blend of simplicity and elegance. I immediately knew I had to bring that vibe into my own home. So, let’s dive into how you can make this style work for you!

Step 1. Create a Moodboard

A mid century modern dining room with a glass table and beautiful chairs. A vase with flowers in the middle of the table. Scaled.

A moodboard is very important if you want your mid century modern living room to feel cohesive and well-planned. I have always been a big fan of moodboards since it’s such an easy way to plan and visualize your design – before actually buying new decor. Plus, they also makes it so much easier to see how well colors and textures will work together.

When I created my moodboard, I pulled inspiration from Pinterest (of course!) and added elements that I persoanlly loved such as clean lines, a mix of wood and metal, but also a color palette of warm neutrals with pops of bold colors.

Mid century modern living room with.a teal sofa and wooden floor. Scaled.

Colors and Patterns

For a mid century modern living room, the color palette is key. You want to focus on warm, earhty tones such as beige, brown and grey. However, it’s important not to be afraid of adding accent colors to make the space pop even more. I can tell you that I was afraid of this for soo many years, but now I love it! You just have try it! It could be colors such as mustard yellow, teal or even burnt orange.

Also, when choosing patterns – keep it simple. Go for geometric shapes or abstract designs that add interest without overwhelming the space. It’s always about finding that perfect balance!

Step 2. Shop for Furniture and Decor

Pinterest moodboard mid century modern living room.

Okay, so now comes the fun part – shopping. If you want to stick to the mid century modern living room vibe, you should look for picees with clean lines and natural materials. Also, since this style is all about function, choose furniture that’s not only beautiful, but also practical.

When I was looking for a couch for my living room, I knew I wanted something that was sleek but also comfortable. I actaully ended up with a dark blue sofa with simple wooden legs that screamed mid century modern. When you’re shopping, make sure the furniture has a vintage or retro feel but is still functional and fits your lifestyle.

A mid century modern living room with a dark wooden stool and wooden piedestals.

Key Furniture Pieces:

Sofa: Look for one with a low profile and clean lines. Leather is a great material to go for and don’t forget the wooden legs!
Armchairs: I found a couple of mid century modern armchairs that perfectly complemented my sofa. The key is to keep the legs slim and the seat simple.
Coffee Table: A wooden coffee table with simple, geometric lines is the perfect addition to your mid century modern living room.
Storage Pieces: Mid century design is known for its innovative storage solutions, so look for pieces that combine style and practicality, like a sleek media console or sideboard.

Step 3: Choose the Right Layout

A clean mid century mdoern living room with a white sofa and a wound coffee table with a candle holder on it. Scaled.

At this point, you have your furnitures picked out and your moodboard done – so now it’s time for the layout. Here, it’s important to remember that the layout should promote a flow and functionality to the space. One thing I learned through trial and error is that it’s easy to overcrowd a room. When you’re deisgning a mid century modern living room, less is more. Keep the space open and airy so it feels inviting and spacious.

Well, how do you do this? Start by positioning your sofa at the focal point of the room. I found that placing it against a wall with an open layout around it made the space feel bigger. Another important thing to consider is that you want to make sure there is room for conversations – so don’t place it all against the wall. You can try floating furniture pieces in the middle of the room if possible.

A white armchair with a stool and a coffee table. A floor lamp and a wall art on the panel wall.

Lighting

Another important thing I always talk about is lighting – but it’s because it makes the whole room! The right lighting can completely transform the whole atmosphere in a room. I added a statement floor lamp next to my sofa and used smaller table lamps to create a soft, cozy ambiance in the evening – and let me tell you, it gets cozzyyy!

When deocrating a mid century modern living room, you’ll want to use simple, geometric lampshades and opt for clean curtains that let in plenty of natural light. I chose sheer, white curtains that help to create a light and airy feel.

Step 4: Add the Final Details

Moid century modern living room with a patterened wall-paper, a ceiling lamp, an arm chair, a coffee table with decorations on it. Scaled.

It’s almost done! Once both your furniture and layout is done, it’s time for the finishing touches that makes the room. This is also where your mid century modern living room comes to life. For me, it was the art, accessories and plants that made the space feel like home.

Wall Art

Mid century modern art is all about abstract and geometric shapes. I love adding large, bold art pieces to make a statement on the walls. Actually, I made mine myself as well. Since it’s abstract – it’s actually pretty easy, try it youself! Think oversized abstract paintings or prints in bold colors like mustard yellow or teal. If you’re not into big pieces, you can always create a gallery wall of smaller frames.

A mid century modern living room with a leather brown sofa, a floor lamp, a large rug and a coffee table with decorative items on it.

Plants

Don’t forget the greenery! By adding plants to your mid century modern living room – you create a sense of calm and warmth to the space. My favorite plant to include in a mid century modern home is a mostera. I actually have two in my pretty small apartment, but you can also go for a fiddle leaf fig. As for the planters, look for clean lines again!

Textiles

Finally, add a few cozy textiles to soften the room. This is actually so important to create a welcoming feel to the room! Opt for throw pillows in geometric patterns, a plush rug and soft blankets on the couch since these will create a truly inviting environment. I love adding contrasting textures, like a smooth leather sofa paired with a soft, textured throw blanket.

Final Thoughts

A beautiful mid century modern living room with wooden details, white armchairs and a large rug.

So, creating a mid century modern living room is actually all about blending timeless design with practical comfort. Plan carefully, select the right furniture and pay attention to the layout and details – and you will see a space that’s both beautiufl and funcitonal.

So, take your time and enjoy the process. Remember, your mid century modern living room doesn’t have to be perfect – it just needs to reflect your personality and lifestyle.

If you’ve ever created a mid century modern space, I’d love to hear about your experience! What’s your favorite piece in your living room? Let me know in the comments below!

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