Modern Living Rooms That Stand The Test Of Time

Open space

The living room exemplifies the condo’s slightly industrial minimalist look, with its soaring 12-foot-high ceilings, bright white walls and concrete floors. Patti designed the simple yet impactful light fixture.

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Modern eclectic

A contemporary pale orange sofa pops against the white panelling and dark grey walls. The Mid-Century Modern desk was a lucky find at an antiques store a few years back, as was the Tolix chair.

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Contemporary townhouse

Homeowner Patricia Lau's coveted chartreuse Womb chair merits a prime spot in the living room. 

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Chic family haven

Denise had the family room’s fireplace surround finished with concrete that was custom-coloured to match the walls. 

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Masculine accents

Modern heritage

High contrast black and white looks classy and cosmopolitan in the living room. Sylvie eschewed drapery for a barely-there roller shade to let the industrial-style window shine.

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Cali-inspired home

A daybed separates the space without causing a disconnect. “You can sit facing either way, and the low profile means sightlines remain open,” says Ali. The faceted side tables in this sitting zone are a balancing foil for the chunky coffee table in the other one.

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Minimalist decor

Wing swapped the condo’s living and dining areas to create a larger and more functional living room. After all, it has to handle the couple’s two dogs and, at some point, kids. 

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Bright accents

Designer Kate Davidson knows that sleek, contemporary architecture can be compatible with family living (would you have guessed a couple with two young children and a dog live here?). To achieve a comfy yet functional home, she relied on ample smart storage, complementary colours and warm textural materials.

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Feminine minimalism

A minimalist furniture arrangement shouldn’t mean a space is unfriendly – so the huge living room sofa is pillowy perfection with its overstuffed cushions. 

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Modern farmhouse

Envisioned by the home’s architect, Linda Chapman, the fireplace is sculptural and contemporary. “Clad in slate, it connects to the flooring in the front of the house and lends weight to the living room, which was important to balance the space,” says Irene.

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High-contrast

The high-contrast black, white and cream palette is both dramatic and practical in the family room, where a black-painted wall camouflages the TV. 

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Serene retreat

“Since my daytime life revolves around television, I wanted to be able to step away from it when I get home in the evening,” says Muriel. “I want my house to be a retreat for reading, playing, chatting and listening to music.”

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Open design

The living room’s clean-lined modern furnishings, such as the Montreal-made coffee table, keep the focus on the architectural design. The home’s traditional windows were replaced with black-framed ones in the same style.

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Contrasting tones

The bluish grey tones in the peacock feather drapery fabric tie in with the dark blue linen lampshade, the tall blue vase and the grey-and-beige stylish area rug.

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Small space ideas

The rug's neutral colour picks up on the tone of the sofa and walls, defining the space without becoming the focal point. "I didn't want to distract the eye," Jessica says.

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Kid-friendly and clutter-free

A soft clean-lined sofa provides comfy seating without crowding the living room of this Toronto home. The round table is a safe choice in a house with kids, and its curves balance the lines of the fireplace and sofa. 

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Modern luxury

The gas fireplace and flat-screen TV are recessed into an enormous slab of Statuario marble. “There was debate about whether we should put the TV in here. I wanted the room strictly for entertaining, but my family overruled me,” says homeowner and designer Jill Woolley. “In the end, I’m glad. It’s a multi-purpose space that works well.”

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Playful interior

Lisa helped Seri shop for major pieces that are durable enough for two boys but still sophisticated for adult entertaining. 

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