Plant life, pretty prints, symmetrical setups and masterful mixes are all key to creating spaces with staying power. We’ve rounded up our favourite modern living rooms that encompass all of that and more. Which one is your favourite?
Ravishing Mix
We love this living room by the Property Brothers because it doesn’t feel like it was air-lifted from a furniture showroom, where all of the pieces are boringly uniform. Strapped in snappy fabric, the shapely wing chair plays off the button-tufted sofa, which is at a similar height and shape. Meanwhile, the rug’s pattern is a fun counterpoint to the chic marble fireplace surround and its matching table. And that abstract? Swoon!
Bright Idea
Bathed in brilliant light, this groovy setup is the work of designers Mickey and Sebastian of HGTV Canada’s Worst to First. A pink and blue palette pops against the crisp backdrop. Hint: If you’ve got lots of disparate pieces, keep the walls white. Another tip: Stay cohesive by choosing a furniture style and sticking with it, like these mid-century modern pieces. Tour the rest of this masterfully adorned space here.
Balancing Act
Symmetry rules in this living room, which has all the hallmarks of Fixer Upper‘s Joanna Gaines: panelled walls, wrought-iron shelving, exposed wood beams and plants in clay pots. Check, check, check, check!
Unvarnished Views
With a view like this it’s almost – almost – impossible to mess up. Designed by Joanna Gaines, low-slung furniture and carefully curated accessories keep the sightlines open. The shiny brass kitchen shelving is an unusual and super cool idea. Here’s a look back at more of the designer’s gorgeous living room designs.
Sophisticated Style
Monochromatic rooms are immediately restful. If you’re after serenity, take a page from this modern bungalow featured on Worst to First, and maintain fidelity to a singular hue: in this case, grey. Also, bring in brilliance with mirrored surfaces, so the space doesn’t feel flat.
Statement Wall
Oh, that wallpaper that looks like someone skillfully doodled it with a Sharpie – my heart, is it good. The takeaway tip here: If your living room falls flat, shop for wallpaper. Designed by Jacquelyn Clark of Lark & Linen, this condo now has a certain je ne sais quoi. The spiky light fixture co-exists beautifully with the sunburst pieces. Here’s a look inside the stylishly small space.
Contemporary Taste
Crisp, modern and airy, this bold and beautiful home by Calgary designer Katie Rioux of Decorate With Kate features juicy hits of colour throughout and an interesting material palette. In the living room, balanced built-ins showcase sparse accessories, while patterned curtains offer oomph.
Blue Velvet
A modish, masculine mix of blue, white and black has glamorous appeal in this Calgary bachelor pad designed by Jenn MacDonald of Decorate With Kate. We love how the statement seats are tied together with a striped rug.
Double the Fun
The trend of doubling up on the coffee table is showcased in this stunning space designed by Jillian Harris. (It’s a great trend – more room for drinks and tech toys!) And while the room may be neutral, the curves and finish on the tables as well as the patterned rug keep it from feeling too bland.
Condo Cool on a Budget
A clean-lined sofa, simple chair and glass-fronted cabinet lend quiet elegance to this condo. And it’s all IKEA! Toronto designer Natalie Chong, of Nest Design Studio, furnished the space from scratch for under $10,000. Want more? See the entire chill condo here.
Spunky Fireplace
Designers Kyla Bidgood and Kristine Hageland of design firm Bidgood & Co Interiors created a modern-meets-playful home for one young family in Victoria, B.C. So much Scandinavian beauty: from the padded chairs with geometric bases to the linear fireplace mantle for propping artwork. And can we talk about that tile? It’s perfection.
Friendly Country
These youthful digs prove that a few pieces have lots of power – just remember to layer. The Eames rockers get comfy with the addition of playful throws, while piles of assorted pillows bring brightness to the space. Step inside the rest of this Ontario vacation property here.
Seaside Vibes
Winter or summer, a home inspired by coastal living is always an inviting idea. This one, showcased on season two of Home to Win, has all the elements you need: blues and creams, rattan, sisal, wood and tropical foliage.
Handsome Heritage
Most designers agree: black grounds a room, adding that something-something. As the chief colour in this living room, it feels elegant, masculine and a smidge serious. Paint out the fireplace, the window frames and bring in furniture and accessories in the sultry hue and all you’ll need is a pipe and cognac to complete the look.
A Clean Slate
Restraint is key to this once-basic living space designed by Vancouver-based Gillian Segal of Gillian Segal Design. The backdrop is white, but a few important pieces evoke glamour, such as the velvet chair and shaggy ottoman. The built-in also shows that springing for a carpenter can pay off big time!
Modern Meets ’70s
An avocado-green-brown scheme theoretically doesn’t sound modern or stylish, until you take a gander at this brilliant farmhouse makeover from Love it or List it Vacation Homes. Dan Vickery and his team turned up the cozy factor with exposed brick walls and lots of plants (a no-brainer way to inject a little green and a lotta life into a room).
Slew of Blue
Blue, that timeless hue, struts its stuff in this space designed by Samantha Pynn. The designer also layered in glam gold to break up the palette. And how nice that the sofa and armchairs – armless to keep sightlines open – are arranged to generate conversation, instead of facing the TV.
Rustic and Refined
Large, open-concept living rooms can be difficult to put together. Where should the furniture go? That question is answered in this space designed by Kortney Wilson of Masters of Flip. She demarcated the space using two rugs for a layered, interesting look and then faced all of the furniture towards the coffee table. The room also has a whitewashed wood treatment to keep it distinct from the dining room beyond.
Neutral Backdrop Rocks
After a modern, playful look but not crazy about colour? Then steal inspiration from this living room designed by Jillian Harris. The all-white backdrop super-punctuates the patterned drapes and pillows. We also like the pleasing symmetry on show: from the bookshelves to the twin chairs and cushions.
Mix Master
This living room, designed by Scott McGillivray, proves that a mashup is so satisfying to the eye. From the waterfall wood coffee table to the windsor chairs around the dining table and kick-up-your-feet cushy velvet couch, there’s no chance of getting bored in this cozy pad.
HGTV your inbox.
By clicking "SIGN UP” you agree to receive emails from HGTV and accept Corus' Terms of Use and Corus' Privacy Policy.