Living room ideas – modern living room decor is a healthy mix of timeless design and humour

The key to a contemporary living room decor is to choose timeless, high-quality furniture. Surprising details add character and keep the conversation going. Take a look at our six picks for the modern living room and find your favorite!

1. HAY: Can sofa

HAY's Can sofa is revolutionarily uncomplicated, making it perfect for all kinds of living room decors. Designed by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, the sofa is simultaneously irresistibly elegant and unapologetically relaxed. Even if modern to the last detail, the considered design of the Can sofa will stand the test of time.

• HAY's Can sofa >
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2. Muuto: Reflect sideboard

Searching for a stylish TV-stand to your living room? Look no further! Muuto's Reflect sideboard is a charming combination of traditional Scandinavian design and alluring details. Created by Søren Rose Studio, Reflect draws inspiration from the pure Nordic light and skillfully lures it to play on its rounded surfaces and asymmetric edges.

• Muuto's Reflect sideboard >
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3. Audo Copenhagen: Turning Table 

Audo Copenhagen's (previously Menu) Turning Table is an unparalleled pick for a beautiful living room centerpiece but in the end, it's not its beauty but its functionality that truly takes the cake. The tray-like lid turns swiftly to the side revealing a capacious storage compartment, perfect for hiding all loose items from remote controls to movie-night snacks.

• Audo Copenhagen's Turning Table >
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4. Artek: A201 pendant

Paying attention to the lighting of the living room is certainly worthwhile – a cozy atmosphere is created through versatile lighting. Alvar Aalto designed the A201 pendant in 1952 for a small communal library in Säynätsalo, Finland. The undeniable appeal of Aalto's luminaires has stayed unchanged for decades upon decades: it seems to be impossible to get enough of his clean-lined design language and considered details.

• Artek's A201 pendant >
• All lighting >

5. Marimekko: Tiiliskivi cushion cover

Marimekko's Tiiliskivi print is an iconic classic designed by Armi Ratia in 1952. The minimalistic design is an easy fit for many different styles and its brisk pattern brings delightful rhythm to the living room decor, both solo and in mixed groups. The fresh combination of juicy orange and turquoise gives the Pieni Tiiliskivi cushion cover a contemporary touch.

• Marimekko's Pieni Tiiliskivi cushion cover > 
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6. Woud: Arkiv bookend

Woud's jovial Arkiv bookend creates quite the architectural ensemble together with columnlike books. The sculptural bookend designed by Ella Shegai is simultaneously bare and expressive, making it equally charming as a decorative stand-alone piece in the living room.

• Woud's Arkiv bookend >
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More inspiration for living room decor:

• Rugs and carpets at Finnish Design Shop >
• Armchairs at Finnish Design Shop >

Text: Mira Ahola Images: Manufacturers