10 Contemporary Living Room Designs for a Stylish and Welcome Social Area

Article By: Tania Mukherjee

Living rooms are important spaces for entertaining, so they should be warm and inviting without sacrificing style. Here are more than twenty-twelve modern living room ideas that show you can have it all: a space that can serve as your casual reading nook, a warm spot for family game night, and a stylish haven for conversation and cocktails. Among them are rooms from the AD archives, such as a living room by the Campana Brothers in São Paulo with a cloud-shaped mirror that reflects light, and an Aspen retreat designed by Atelier AM with a brick-red cotton sectional sofa that is custom-made, along with new ideas from national design experts. It's time to stir up a martini, take a seat, and hang out.

What is the style of modern living room design?

Are you prepared to implement these designers' wise counsel in your own house? Take a look at these 26 contemporary living room designs.
The New York City apartment of media executive Nick Lehman and his spouse Tracy was designed by Desai/Chia Architecture. The Algue wall installation in the living room, which is composed of plastic components shaped like plants and was designed by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec for Vitra, was put together by the Lehman family with assistance from artist Jason Grunwald. The shag rug is by ABC Carpet & Home, and the Swept sofas are by Blu Dot.

In a contemporary room, minimalism is key when it comes to choosing furniture and accent pieces. According to Jamie Young, "a color scheme of warm beige tones, crisp whites, and blacks provides a serene backdrop for adding pops of color with eye-catching accessories."
This Brazilian home's design firm, Estudio Campana, created a cloud-shaped mirror that mirrors the garden and living area. The bamboo-shade lamp and side table in the corner were also designed by the same company. The armchairs are by Poltrona Frau, the black lamp is by Oluce, and the sofa and daybed are by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia. The Maxalto cocktail table is also by Citterio.

The living room designs below may have some similarities that you might identify. Simple, modern furniture warmed up with ever-so-subtle accents like plush upholstery, vibrant artwork, and fresh greenery are common denominators. Alternatively, as Joey Conicella of Soco Interiors in Winter Park and Naples, Florida, states, "Neutralizing the room's overall style is the first step toward achieving a modern aesthetic." Opt for furniture with practical designs and few, basic features. Play with the shadows and natural light. Increase the amount of negative space in the area by clearing out items rather than adding furniture and accessories.

 How should a contemporary living room be accessorized?

According to Jamie Young of the home décor company Jamie Young Co., "accessorizing a modern living room can be a delicate balance between simplicity and impactful statement pieces." Sleek, contemporary lighting fixtures that double as artwork should be chosen. Chandeliers, floor lamps, and pendant lights may all have a minimalist aesthetic while still being useful and ornamental.

What makes a living room classic?

Generally speaking, timeless design entails well-made, long-lasting furniture and a neutral color scheme that can be used to create a variety of looks for room décor. These components can be included into contemporary living room designs. "A timeless living room is one that functions well and has a flow, but also has pieces that last for years in terms of look and comfort," says Linda Hayslett of LH.Designs in Los Angeles. The lines in furniture and décor are more streamlined and clean, and nothing is overly contemporary.

Ideas for a modern living room

Prepare the ground for talk

Choose individual sitting over a sectional sofa if your living room is more about conversation and cocktails than movie night. "A modern living room embraces the lifestyle of the homeowners and embodies the way that they want to use the space," says Los Angeles designer Jeff Andrews of Jeff Andrews Design.

 Bring in the natural world

Incorporate natural elements into your living area, such as a flower arrangement that complements the surrounding vegetation, to accentuate your surroundings. The interior design by Poonam Khanna, located in a Hudson Valley home in New York, prioritizes the views of the surrounding forest over window decorations. The fireplace is made by Fireorb, and the furniture includes BDDW sofas, a cocktail table by Ralph Pucci International, and a light fixture by David Weeks Studio.

 Include a striking installation

Change change the way you sit.

When you can have a daybed and accent chairs in addition to a couch, why stop there? A more versatile space benefits from a range of seating alternatives, as demonstrated in this Los Angeles living room designed and built by architect Daniel Romualdez. The daybed and sofa were created by Romualdez and were both covered in raw silk. The white sculpture is by Alessandro Twombly; the artwork on the distant wall is by Sarah Morris; and the antique acrylic armchairs are by Paul Rudolph.

Use vibrant colors.

Modern design doesn't necessarily mean a white living room, despite what some people may believe. Aim for simple vibes while incorporating a strong color and one or more complementary shades. "Bringing in some complementary layers and warmth, but ensuring that the overall minimalist aesthetic is adhered to," advises Berkeley, California's Banner Day Interiors' Clara Jung.

Select a muted color scheme.

Strive for straight lines.

This living space, which is a portion of the main bedroom, was designed by Arielle Rosenblatt for Instagram user Esther Coco Berg. "We wanted to emphasize simplicity, clean lines, and a modern look," adds Rosenblatt. For a little more flair, we added stunning modern moldings to the wall and a stunning mirror to the panels that flank the fireplace. From there, we only used neutral hues that complemented her home's black and white theme to keep the furnishings and décor basic.

Mix modern and ancient items.

Decorator Laura Santos's Manhattan townhouse features a double-height living room with a curving Vladimir Kagan sofa paired with a vintage cocktail table from Galerie Van den Akker, a floor light from the 1940s, and a Dune seat covered with Mongolian lamb; the diptych is by Mark Francis.

Use mirrors in inventive ways.

Include lighting that is abstract.

Other statement design ideas can be used once you've established "a soft color palette," which Farinas recommended as the perfect color scheme for a modern living space. Here, the focal points consist of a vividly colored picture and a chandelier composed of floating orbs.