Timeless Lessons: 15 Midcentury Modern Living Rooms That Inspire

The design world has seen a resurgence of midcentury modern design, characterized by clean lines, organic forms, simplicity, and functionality. Despite being popularized in the 1940s and experiencing a second wave of interest in the late 1990s, the staying power of this aesthetic remains unmatched. While some designers debate its relevancy and advocate for moving on, others attest to its timeless appeal.

Regardless of which side you fall on, midcentury modern design has undoubtedly made a lasting impact on the design world, and its form and function offer valuable lessons. From full home renovations to simple living room tweaks, the following 15 midcentury modern living rooms from Shiny Eve are sure to inspire and transport you back in time. Warning: you may not want to return to the present.

#1: Velvet Revelry

The Goldwyn house in Los Angeles features a living room with a jewel-toned lounge swathed in velvet and a handwoven rattan chandelier.
Despite mixing eras, the clean lines and dark stained wood evoke a distinctly midcentury feel.

#2: Ethereal Details

This New York apartment features subtle nods to midcentury modern design through organic and geometric shapes in lighting fixtures and seating arrangements.
The warm ivory color and parquet wood flooring create a calming atmosphere in a small space where form and function are balanced.

#3: Harmonious Hues

Frank Gehry's early home showcases his signature Deconstructivist style, with spare palette that works in harmony with neutral tones, luxurious materials, and rounded contours.
The living room features a lush Mario Bellini mohair sofa, a handwoven Scandinavian wool rug, and a concrete fireplace counteracted with warm woodgrain patterns.

#4: Vintage finds and vibrant art

In the Goldwyn house, now the Future Perfect gallery in LA, a Pierre Jeanneret office chair pays homage to midcentury modern design, while Robert Loughlin’s colorful painting adds a lively touch.

#5: A natural progression

This Johannesburg home, designed by architects Silvio Rech and Lesley Carstens, takes midcentury design into the present day with a mix of vintage and modern pieces, including a leather sofa by Flexform and a playful leaf chandelier by Xavier Clarisse.

#6: Mix it up

Designer Pamela Shamshiri adds her own twist to the midcentury aesthetic in this Pacific Palisades home, combining blocky burl-wood and plush L-shaped sofas and a jewel-like custom tiled bar cabinet.

#7: Historic and contemporary

In the same Pacific Palisades living room, Shamshiri creates two seating areas that flank the original midcentury fireplace and look out onto the Pacific, with tinted mirrors reflecting garden views.

#8: Draw the eye upward

Add some vertical vibes to a low-slung tufted couch with repurposed vintage objects, such as this Eames screen and tall floor lamps, as seen in Sophia Bush’s retro Hollywood home.

#9: BRINGING BACK GREEN VIBES

Designer Pamela Shamshiri infuses the quintessential midcentury green vibes into this Pacific Palisades den. The space features vintage furniture with curvy lines alongside contemporary artwork and light fixtures.

#10: COLORFUL AND BOLD

Contrary to popular belief, midcentury design doesn't have to consist only of earth tones. This colorful Long Island home features graphic pops of bright green and bold yellow hues, creating a playful interplay between organic and splashy. According to homeowner Linda Rodin, “The house reminded me of a place that Joni Mitchell would have lived in in Laurel Canyon in the '70s, and that was my fantasy.”

#11: THE CRESCENT-SHAPED COUCH

The crescent-shaped couch is the crowning jewel of midcentury design, and for a good reason. This Lejeune sofa, upholstered in Dedar velvet with Scalamandre's Maquis Tapestry Agave on the back, is the charming and functional centerpiece of this stunning tropical retreat.

#12: SEAMLESS INTEGRATION

Timeless Lessons: 15 Midcentury Modern Living Rooms That Inspire

Indoor-outdoor living is a current trend, but it's nothing new. This Malibu home's formal family gathering spot features sliding doors that open to the backyard, creating a seamless integration of the indoors and outdoors. Wooden oak accents and lush foliage further soften the space, making it a soothing and relaxing retreat.

#13: INDOOR OR OUTDOOR LIVING?

Timeless Lessons: 15 Midcentury Modern Living Rooms That Inspire

This three-bedroom Beverly Hills house is a midcentury architectural marvel that effortlessly merges indoor and outdoor living. With its sleek architectural lines and arched lighting fixture, the living room is flooded with natural light. Choosing between breakfast in the living or basking in the sun outside may be the most difficult decision of the day.

#14: AHEAD OF ITS TIME

Timeless Lessons: 15 Midcentury Modern Living Rooms That Inspire

Midcentury architecture was ahead of its time, and this Beverly Hills home is proof of that. The low, hovering proportions of the living were designed to blend into nature and promote minimalism. The owner notes the importance of sustainable architecture and the need to insert oneself into the landscape without taking over. The living room features a marble cocktail table by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia and a quartzite wall above the original brass fireplace.

#15: SIMPLICITY IS KEY

Timeless Lessons: 15 Midcentury Modern Living Rooms That Inspire

Kovac Design Studio takes a streamlined approach to design in Todd Feldman's La Quinta retreat in California. The great room features neutral furnishings and Warren Platner chairs that complement the home's wooden accents. The muted color scheme allows for the eye to be drawn to the house's stunning roof line.

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