Starting Fresh: MCM Living Room Design Plans
I know, I know…I still haven’t finished my office, and none of the rooms in the addition are finished and blog-ready yet. So naturally, it makes total sense that I’ve decided to start fresh with another room, right? Clearly, focusing on a brand-new space is exactly what I need right now.
I’m tempted to call this a “redo” of the living room, but if I’m being honest… I never actually did it in the first place. It’s been functional, sure, but finished? Not even close. Actually, it’s not even that functional, since there isn’t nearly enough seating for our family.
So here I am, selling everything in the room and starting from scratch.
Let’s start with some before photos, and then I’ll walk you through the plan. Oh, and the goal is to have this room done by Thanksgiving, which is about six weeks away. Nothing like a deadline to light a fire under me!
The living room looks deceivingly decent in that photo…here it is from another angle.
This photo is more true to life since it shows the view from the kitchen, which is where I always am when I’m looking at it. Despite having some colorful and quirky things, the space feels sad and empty, like we never really moved in. Honestly, I’m tired of looking at it and want to see it from the kitchen and smile.
I went back and found a picture from the week I did move in though, and found this.
So a little bit of change, but not much. Flooring definitely helps.
In case you do see something you like, here are links for everything in the room.
Living Room Links
- Wall Color – BM Wickham Gray
- Trim Color – SW Pure White
- Fireplace tile
- Fireplace insert
- LVP flooring
- Faux leather sofa
- Rug
- Green Chair – vintage
- Coffee Table – DIY
- TV
- Curtains
- Wood stool/end table
The Plan
Like I said, I’m selling everything in the room and starting over.
We need a larger and more comfortable sofa, flexible extra seating, a slightly smaller and cozier rug, and some freaking decor on the walls already. I want to keep the mid-century vibe going and make it colorful.
Here’s is what I’m thinking –
I look at that and can’t help but smile. Let’s get it in the living room already!
Living Room Mood Board Breakdown
The Sofa
Alright, let’s break it down, starting with the sofa.
This is the Burrard sectional from Article in Forest Green. I’ve been casually perusing Facebook marketplace for cool vintage sofas for months, looking for something unique that will work in our living room. I’ve found some amazing stuff, but nothing that quite fits the bill. Then, one day, this exact sofa popped up, and I – weary from couch hunting – looked up dimensions, saw it fit perfectly, decided vintage is overrated (it’s not, but I was really over shopping), and messaged the seller immediately. Unfortunately, someone else beat me to it, so my couch hunt continued. But this one was stuck in my head, because it’s the perfect size, the color is awesome, it’s green but not velvet (SO hard to find!) and I could just buy it instantly.
So I did… I bought it this morning, like 20 minutes ago. If you’ve been around for a while, you might remember that I used to work with Article often, and I own quite a few pieces of their furniture. I’ve owned the leather timber sectional, a leather headboard and walnut bed frame, a velvet matrix chair, an outdoor furniture set, and various other small items. Some of them I still have, and some of them live at my ex-husband’s house. All of them I loved. All were very comfortable, of great quality, and fair price, and the customer service was top-notch. Which is exactly why, even though I’m no longer working with Article and scoring free furniture, I’m still here, pulling out my wallet and paying full price.
Fingers crossed that this sectional is as comfortable as their other furniture, because buying furniture without ever seeing it in person is always scary. Also, I much prefer leather sofas (hello, wipeable), but the kids say it’s too cold and want something more “lounge-y.” So, promises have been made that no food or drink will go in the living room, and we’re giving fabric a try.
The Rug
I’ve never bought anything quicker than I bought this rug.
This is the Elements Calliope Rug from Rugs Direct. I love the colors SO MUCH, it’s like it was made for my house. The muted blues, greens, and oranges, how it’s super colorful but also neutral, modern but in an organic way…she’s absolute perfection. This got delivered last week, and I’ve peeked at the corner but haven’t unpacked it yet, because I don’t wan’t it to get jacked up before everything else arrives. I’m actually pretty amazed at my own patience here.
The Wall Decor
Fretwork
As you probably noticed, the wall behind the sofa is very tall…16 feet to be exact. A big piece of art is obviously needed, but I want something more than that, something that will take the interest all the way up to the ceiling and give the space a bit more personality.
The solution I came up with is to add fretwork. Fretwork is an interlacing ornamental design, usually made of wood. It was popular in the mid-1900’s, and I love the idea of running a couple of rows up the wall.
I found that you can buy individual fretwork pieces on Amazon, so I ordered one as a sample. This is the “Hastings” design in walnut.
I love them, but the problem is that they’re not cheap. It would be about $800 to run three rows up to the ceiling. I’m still debating my options and haven’t pulled the trigger in ordering them yet.
Art
I know what I want for the art, but am still a little less decided than the first two items. I need something really large that goes with my color scheme, and I know I want it to be of Big Bend National Park. I know that sound weirdly specific, but I love desert landscapes, and Beau and I went to Big Bend this summer for our one-year anniversary. We slept in a bubble under the stars (stayed HERE), hiked through the Mountains, he listened to me ooh and ahh over all the plants, and it was just so beautiful, fun, and relaxing. And QUIET. I’ve never heard quiet like I heard there.
Anyway, I’ve been looking for the perfect Big Bend art with a retro vibe on Etsy, and here are some of my favorites.
Most of them are vertical or don’t come quite large enough, so here is is another idea, which would also save a ton of money on the fretwork.
I don’t love this option as much, but it’s still good. We will see where we end up with this one.
Accent Chairs
Originally I had decided that I wanted the Lento tan leather lounge chairs from Article. I think these are super sexy and would look great flanking the fireplace.
They are visually light, reviews say they are comfortable, and they are brown leather, which is non-negotiable. (I know, brown leather chairs with a green fabric couch…I’m really just swapping the locations of the green and leather this room, but hey…I like what I like.)
But….I didn’t order them when I ordered the sofa this morning. They are $450 each, and I feel like for that price (or less) I can find a quirky pair of legit vintage chairs. If it comes down to the wire though, I’m just going to snag these and not drag out the chair hunt.
Also, if you have these (or any “can still buy them at the store” retro style accent chair), I’m all ears. Comfort? Would you buy them again?
Coffee Table
The current cypress trunk coffee table is the only thing I’m not selling (it’s basically and heirloom), but I’m going to find a new place for it, because I’m ready for a change. I’m going to pull the trigger on a classic mid-century piece – the Noguchi coffee table.
An authentic Noguchi table from Herman Miller is a cool $2,600, so that won’t be happening. But you can find knockoffs all over the place, for a variety of prices. I really like the triangle shape, it should fit nicely tucked into the L made by the sectional, and the glass top will keep it from looking too heavy.
Here is a handful of knockoffs you can buy (the price shows if you hover over the image) –
Those are all the big items, here are the other items on the living room to-do list –
Other to-do list items
- Buy a simple gold frame for the TV (We just bought this TV, it’s a Samsung frame. It’s supposed to lay flat and look like art (it does), but it doesn’t actually come with a frame.)
- Style the double-sided shelves. Honestly, I have no idea how to do this, but I’ll figure it out.
- Take down the curtains and rod and add woven wood roman shades instead.
- Build a console table for behind the couch. Something simple that can be used for lamps and whatnot, since there isn’t any room for side tables.
- Buy lamps for the console table
- Maybe find a floor lamp for between the open shelving and the window?
So that’s the plan. If all goes well, the room will be done by Thanksgiving, just in time for the chaos of the holidays. It’s been neglected for far too long, and I’m excited to finally give it the attention it deserves. Stay tuned for updates!
It looks great! I can’t wait to see the smaller styling with decor and lamps as well. :) I’ve been considering one of those knockoff coffee tables, so curious to see which one you pick and how it goes.
How about this idea for fretwork? https://www.etsy.com/listing/1716507831/art-deco-milworks-fretwork-wooden-wall?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=fretwork&ref=sr_gallery-1-2&pro=1&frs=1&content_source=7fa7e1f686c19ca25f1065706d9238c386c38f46%253A1716507831&organic_search_click=1&variation0=4434598932
You have 192″ for the wall, so if you get the 4″, you’d need 48 for each column, which is around $130. If you do three columns, that ends up “only” being $390, as opposed to $800. Around half the cost, and I think the rounded element would look good with the coffee table and break up some of the rectangles around the couch and frame. :)
Can’t wait to see what you do!
Oh my gosh, I love you for the fretwork idea and all the money math! That is a great option. I wish they were wood and not MDF, but that’s why it is so much cheaper than the fretwork. I like the roundness too….decisions, decisions…
I just bought this knock-off Noguchi table in light walnut; it has great reviews and is on sale!
Target actually has a bunch of brown leather-look chairs! So maybe take a look there? They’re cute but more budget friendly. Love the plan!
Hi, I love your style. Good luck with a glass table with all those kiddos ;). One thing you might consider adding to your living room would be floor cushions–I bought a few that I stack in the living room and they are used ALL the time–when we have company over, when the kids are playing cards at the living room coffee table, etc. I got them in a muted green, navy and grey, but of course they come in a million colours–and if you get ones with the tufted buttons, I will say from experience that the buttons go back on with not too much work, ha! I’d leave a photo, but the option is not available, unfortunately. I look forward to seeing more of your lovely house. And I’d love to see the kids’ rooms (sans kids, of course), but I totally understand if you are not willing to share those photos.
I love the idea of floor cushions! Honestly, the kids are on the floor most of the time, so this would just make it a bit more comfortable. I bet they would get used more than the couch actually – for sitting and for beating each other, haha.
I plan to show the kids rooms eventually, they just aren’t there yet. My oldest son and youngest stepdaughter will be first, since their rooms are the most interesting and closest to being finished.
Love it! I super love the horizontal artwork with the fretwork! Could you just go up to the height of the windows? Maybe that would keep the cost lower? I think some lamps and woven blinds would look awesome to round it all out! My only hesitation is the side chairs…don’t seem very comfortable for kids and lounging. Could you find some leather swivel chairs? Love the overall direction!
Thank you! I thought about stopping the fretwork a 8ft, but I think it would look…unfinished? If I don’t put fretwork behind the couch or artwork that would make it less expensive, I estimated it floor to ceiling. There are some great suggestions in some of the other comments…not sure where I will land with this yet.
I love the look of the chairs but haven’t pulled the trigger for the same reason. I’ve found quite a few retro-style leather swivel chairs that would look great, but they are SO expensive. Hoping to hit the jackpot on marketplace 🤞
I love the overall concept. A few considerations:
Do you need a larger sofa given the number of family members? Like a sectional (not sure if that will even fit in the space)?
With the fretwork, I actually love the idea of one column off center, plus artwork.. Fills the space but keeps visual interest. Or, what about stenciling that pattern? You could add a very subtle drop shadow to the edge to create some dimension.
I loooove the rugs and chairs!
We need a huge sofa to fit all of us, but the room just won’t allow it. The sofa I ordered is 112 inches wide, the wall is 116. The chaise part adds a bit more room without covering the window or blocking the walkway. Another commenter suggested floor cushions, and I love that idea…everyone currently seems to prefer the floor anyway, and then we could make a comfortable conversation circle.
I swore I would never stencil another wall in my life…but it is tempting since it’s almost the same look, but basically free. I think I’m going to get everything else in place and make a decision on that last.
https://www.decorativeceilingtiles.net/fretwork-wall-panels/
I saw someone online who collaborated with Decorative Ceiling Tiles. They have some cool designs. I think theirs are a wood veneer, so you do get that wood look you are looking for. Maybe you can work with them.
Those are literally the exact tiles I have been looking at. Okay, I’m emailing them right now…thank you!
Starting fresh with a Mid-Century Modern living room design is such an exciting journey! I love how MCM combines clean lines, organic shapes, and minimalistic aesthetics to create a timeless space. One of the key elements that can tie the whole look together is the choice of coffee tables. A sleek, modern coffee table can add both functionality and a stylish focal point to the room, perfectly complementing the MCM vibe. Looking forward to seeing how your design evolves!
Juniper Print Shop has some nice desert scene type artwork that you can get in very large sizes. I love the idea of floor cushions too. They can get pricey but I see them at TJ Maxx/Home Goods pretty frequently.
I’ve never heard of this shop, but her stuff is beautiful! I already bought my living room art piece, but I’m going to bookmark this for future projects.
I love the direction that you are going except for the chairs. Think family movie night and two people having to sit in those chairs. I know that my kids wouldn’t like them and there would be a fight over who would sit on the sofa.