As major hosting zones, living rooms should be welcoming and cozy—but that doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice style. Here, over two dozen modern living room ideas prove you can have it all: one room that could be your easy-breezy reading nook, a cozy corner for family game night, and also a chic retreat for cocktails and conversation. Among them you’ll find spaces from the AD archives—including a São Paulo living room by the Campana Brothers that features a cloud-shaped, light-reflecting mirror; and an Aspen getaway by Atelier AM that showcases a custom-made sectional sofa covered in a brick-red cotton—as well as fresh inspiration from design experts across the country. It’s time to mix a martini, sit down, and stay awhile.
What is a modern living room design style?
You may catch on to a few similarities in the below living room ideas. Common denominators include clean lines and contemporary furnishings warmed up with ever-so-subtle touches like luxurious upholstery, colorful artwork, and fresh greenery. Or, as Joey Conicella of Soco Interiors in Winter Park and Naples, Florida, puts it, “Achieving a modern aesthetic is about neutralizing the overall style of the room. Lean into simple and minimal details and functional furniture pieces. Play with natural light and shadows. Instead of adding furniture pieces and accessories, create more negative space by removing things from the room.”
How do you accessorize a modern living room?
“Accessorizing a modern living room can be a delicate balance between simplicity and impactful statement pieces,” says Jamie Young of home decor brand Jamie Young Co. “Choose sleek, modern lighting fixtures that can double as art. Pendants, floor lamps, and chandeliers can be both functional and decorative with a minimalist feel.”
What is a timeless living room?
Withstanding the test of time usually involves a neutral color palette that provides a versatile backdrop for room decor and well-made furnishings that last—both elements that can be incorporated into modern living room design. Linda Hayslett of LH.Designs in Los Angeles adds, “A timeless living room is one that functions well and has a flow, but also has pieces that last for years in look and comfort. Nothing is too trendy, and lines in furniture and decor are more streamlined and clean.”
Modern living room ideas
Ready to incorporate these designers’ expert advice into your own home? Consider the following 26 modern living room ideas.
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Set the stage for conversation
If you envision your living area being more about cocktails and conversation than movie night, go for individual seating rather than a sectional sofa. Designer Jeff Andrews of Jeff Andrews Design in Los Angeles says, “A modern living room embraces the lifestyle of the homeowners and embodies the way that they want to use the space.”
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Invite nature in
Accentuate your surroundings by including nods to nature in the living room, like a floral arrangement that matches the foliage outside. In this space designed by Poonam Khanna and set in a house in New York’s Hudson Valley, the surrounding forest views take priority over window treatments. The furniture includes BDDW sofas, a cocktail table from Ralph Pucci International, and a David Weeks Studio light fixture; the fireplace is by Fireorb.
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Add an eye-catching installation
Desai/Chia Architecture is behind the design of media executive Nick Lehman and his wife Tracy’s New York City apartment. The living room’s Algue wall installation—which is made of plastic elements meant to resemble plants—was created by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec for Vitra and assembled by the Lehman family with the help of artist Jason Grunwald. The Swept sofas are by Blu Dot, and the shag rug is from ABC Carpet & Home.
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Lean in to geometry
“Modern living rooms are airy, bright, and include a balanced mix of lines and curves,” says Emilie Munroe of San Francisco’s Studio Munroe. This room does exactly that, showcasing a variety of shapes, including angular molding and artwork above the fireplace, as well as a curvy couch and coffee tables.
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Mix up your seating
Why stop at a couch when you can have a daybed and accent chairs too? A variety of seating options makes for a more versatile space, as seen here in architect and designer Daniel Romualdez’s Los Angeles living room. Romualdez designed the sofa and daybed, both upholstered in a raw silk. The vintage acrylic armchairs are by Paul Rudolph, the painting on the far wall is by Sarah Morris, and the white sculpture is by Alessandro Twombly.
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