Mid century living room ideas
For a look that has a fresh and contemporary feel yet works beautifully with modern design classics, decorate your home in mid-century modern style.
The modern take on 20th-century design has a fresh Scandi feel and a cool colour palette. When choosing paint shades, fabrics and furnishings, go for an understated palette of greys and blues for a mid-century style living room.
If you really want to complete the mid-century look, seek out design classics. Whether it’s a beautiful leather Eames chair, an original Ercol sofa or a sleek sideboard – make this statement piece your focal point. You’ll find original furniture in antiques and second-hand shops, at vintage fairs and online auctions.
But if your budget won’t stretch to these investment pieces, you’ll be pleased to hear that the high street offers plenty of mid-century inspired pieces. Look for white and wood furniture, such as warm wood sideboards with white doors, or cute little nests of tables similar to the classic Ercol pebble designs.
If replacing your sofa, choose a shapely design in a timeless colour, such as pale grey, with tapered wooden legs and dress with geometric-print cushions. Alternatively, go for an armchair and footstool in a classic shape and recover in a retro fabric design.
It’s easy to add a little vintage style with more affordable accessories, too. Opt for Scandinavian-inspired prints and ceramics such as a simple white vase, or stylish printed cushions.
In the kitchen get the mid-century look with colourful retro-style prints on tablecloths, tableware, serving dishes and kitchen storage such as tins. For a finishing touch, opt for a stylish retro radio.
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Mid-century modern living room
Team mid-century-inspired furniture with a super-subtle palette of greys and blues, but add pattern and texture to give the scheme depth and interest.
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Introduce warm woods
The warm woods and muted palette make this trend ideal for a calm, contemporary living room or elegant dining room.
Design a cabinet from more than 30 modular pieces with this contemporary shelving system.
Bocksey modular shelving system in oak and white, £670, Habitat
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Add signature furniture pieces
A boxy or curved sofa, low-reclining armchair and solid-wood coffee table - slender, tapered legs mandatory for all. Combine Scandinavian-inspired prints and ceramics, while a funky floor lamp and a nest of tables won't go astray, either.
The flowing curves are refreshingly different - contemporary but with a retro feel. A single seat cushion and integrated back keep the look clean, while slim legs create a sense of lightness.
James Harrison Jonah three-seater sofa, £599, Made.com
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Go for a cool colour palette
Dusty greys, light teal and duck egg and Nordic blues beautifully balance warm and light-coloured wood. Clean, crisp white is the perfect accent.
Geometric cushions are an easy way to add 1950s flair.
Geometric Remix cushion in blue, £59.95, Ferm Living, 95% Danish
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Opt for natural materials
Choose blonde, teak and rose wood, ceramic and natural upholstery - the last thing we need is a revival in synthetics.
This simple, two-tone bottle is the perfect example of the trend.
Bottle, £20, John Lewis
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Stylist’s top tip
Go for natural textured finishes such as wood, linen and felt - there is to be no high-gloss or sparkle here.
Fjord armchair, £549, Marks & Spencer
