Contemporary Living Room Fireplace
JULIE SOEFER
A fireplace creates a natural focal point in a living room, and to give it a contemporary feel, skip a cluttered mantel. Streamline the fireplace wall with a single piece of statement art and a pair of modern sconces for a clean and simple finish.
Layered Vignette
DAVID LAND
A beautifully layered vignette on a sofa table adds a stylish moment and an opportunity to personalize your living room. Create a contemporary look with framed black and white photos, add height through a stack of books topped with a table lamp, and complete the vignette with a sculptural element such as this white coral.
Contemporary Neutrals
JAMES NATHAN SCHRODER
Opt for a neutral color palette to infuse your living room with contemporary style and sophistication. A tonal color palette has a calming effect and is anything but boring when done right—focus on quality materials, layered textures, and furniture with unique shapes to add visual interest.
Modern Wall Paneling
JULIE SOEFER
Add depth, texture, and extra visual interest with wall paneling. To maintain a contemporary aesthetic, keep paneling streamlined and simple, such as this square grid wall that's stained a rich shade of brown for a striking contrast with a curved white armchair.
Painted Brick Wall
JAY WILDE
Give your living room a contemporary makeover and refresh old exposed brick with a fresh coat of white paint. It's a much faster, easier, and less expensive than covering it with drywall, plus it adds a textural element and character. The white paint will instantly brighten the room, create a blank canvas for modern furniture, and bounce light around for an open and airy space.
All-Black Living Room
LANGO WORKS LLC
Go bold and color drench your living room with black paint for a stunning contemporary statement. Color drenching means painting the walls, ceiling, and trim in the same color for a more immersive experience. Contrast and brighten the dark paint color with layers of textured neutrals and multiple sources of light including oversized windows, a ceiling fixture, and a stylish table lamp.
Modern Accent Lighting
KIM CORNELISON
Install chic accent lighting such as this contemporary wall sconce to add a stylish touch and extra sources of light. Overhead light fixtures provide plenty of flood lighting, but can be harsh and overpowering. Include multiple sources of light, such as wall sconces, table lamps, and floor lamps to provide ample task and mood lighting.
Statement Lighting
JOHN GRANEN
Make a statement with oversized pendant lights that draw the eyes up, fill negative space, and incorporate a stunning sculptural element. While living room lighting is a practical feature, it's also a great way to add a contemporary touch with an unexpected light fixture choice.
Contemporary Aesthetic
WERNER STRAUBE
Opt for a light and bright contemporary aesthetic in your living room. Here, a deep white sectional and pillows create a modern yet comfortable base layer for the rest of the space. A faded area rug and light wood coffee table warm up the room, an abstract triptych in black frames add contrast, and brass floor lamps and accessories bring in a subtle shine.
Statement Fireplace
CHAD R. MELLON
Highlight a fireplace as the room's focal point with a cool and contemporary accent wall such as this gray and white tile wall. The small-scale pattern and glossy sheen are in stark contrast with the room's white walls and painted shiplap to the right, adding a mid-tone neutral that balances the two out.
Built-In Bookshelves
ALI HARPER
Paint built-in bookshelves a dark shade to give the traditional living room feature a contemporary upgrade. The moody paint color serves as a dramatic backdrop for books, framed pictures, and decorative accents. Elevate the built-ins with modern hardware, picture lights, or wireless puck lights for sleek evening lighting.
Statement Doors
JAY WILDE
Make a contemporary statement with unique living room doors, such as this black sliding barn door. A patterned detail adds a decorative edge while an oversized wood handle is a nod to a wood chair and shelves in the room. The deep black door color contrasts the soft woods and bright white accents in the space, and the custom door is a stylish upgrade from a builder-grade door.
Mixed Seating Arrangement
JOYELLE WEST
Instead of a matching sofa-and-armchairs set that tends to look dated, give your living room a contemporary refresh with a mixed seating arrangement. This modern furniture layout includes a comfy slipcovered sofa and armchair, as well as more compact side chairs and a pair of textured stools that provide plenty of space to sit, while creating a layered design.
Monochromatic Living Room
CHAD R. MELLON
A monochromatic black and white color scheme makes for a clean, crisp, and contemporary finish in this stunning living room. To avoid a limited color palette from looking flat and boring, use colors in a variety of ways: through upholstery, decorative textiles, and coffee table books, as well as through solid and patterned surfaces.
Moody Living Room Walls
ADAM ALBRIGHT
Instead of light and bright, go dark and moody with a deep paint color on the walls. Add an extra layer of detail with a wall covering such as shiplap, and hang a statement piece of art that stands out against the dark wall color. Highlight—literally!—the artwork with a picture light that adds a touch of classic style while also providing ambient lighting.
White Living Room
ZEKE RUELAS
Choose furniture with clean lines and simple silhouettes when furnishing a contemporary living room. Skip any accents that are overly ornate and decorative, and focus on quality materials and timeless classics that won't force you to redecorate in a couple of months.
Picture Ledge Displays
DYLAN CHANDLER
Utilize picture ledges as an inexpensive and space-saving alternative to bookshelves and floating shelves. Take cues from this contemporary living room and create a built-in effect around a wall-mounted TV with the picture ledges. Layer them with framed art, photos, and typography, and you'll also save yourself from having to patch up countless holes when it's time to redecorate or move!
Mix Old and New
ANNIE SCHLECHTER
For a thoughtfully designed contemporary living room, mix the old with the new. Here, a traditional fireplace with a herringbone interior is juxtaposed with modern furniture and decor for a timeless atmosphere that transcends disposable trends.
Contrasting Patterns
EMILY J FOLLOWILL
Don't be afraid to mix contrasting patterns for a living room that feels fresh and contemporary. Take inspiration from this living room corner which seamlessly blends five large and small-scale patterns in the form of throw pillows, window treatments, and an area rug. When mixing contrasting patterns, tie them together through one unifying element, whether that's a color or a particular texture, in order to create a cohesive design.
Mixed Materials
DANE TASHIMA
Mix a variety of natural materials for a contemporary space with a neutral color palette. This open living room features a mix of chrome, leather, wood, jute, upholstery, and brick for a space that's modern and streamlined, yet cozy and comfortable.
Open Shelving
JOHN BESSLER
Open shelving in the form of cubed built-in nooks puts a contemporary twist on living room storage. Treat every open surface as an opportunity to showcase your personal style, whether it's through a collection of books or things you picked up while traveling. Keep open shelves streamlined and clutter-free to avoid a busy look.
Modern Mantel Decor
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS
A mantel is the perfect spot to display a beautiful vignette of art and decorative accessories. Instead of a traditional set-up, go contemporary with asymmetrical mantel decor. Layer framed pieces off-center, then balance out their visual weight with a large collection of candlesticks or vases on the other side of the mantel.
Curved Edges
MEREDITH CORPORATION
Arched wall nooks, plush rounded seating, and an oval coffee table soften this contemporary living room with their curved edges. A muted color palette of whites, creams, and greens gives the room a fresh and clean feel, while a more traditional charcoal Chesterfield sofa introduces a timeless depth and contrast.
Mix Warm and Cool Tones
SETH SMOOT
Mix warm and cool tones for a contemporary living room that's as stylish as it is inviting. Bring in the cool tones with a gray sofa, marble accents, and pops of blue, then warm them up with wood furniture and leather pieces. Drive home the contrast with black and white elements throughout the living room, and liven up the space with a couple of potted plants that also serve as great sculptural additions.