It could be the photo, but the furniture set up looks askew. Is the sofa on the long wall across from the windows?

The shelving would have more of an impact if it were on the wall to the left of the windows.

Don't consider the floor space in front of the t v/console part of the living room when measuring for the rug.

You need a rug, tables, lamps, and accent pieces.

I think your layout needs to be addressed first. None of the seating is facing the TV. This guide shows the optimum placement for your TV size.

Helpful Info · More Info

Have you tried a layout with the TV on the wall where you currently have the starburst mirror?

You are going too brown/1980s with the upholstered pieces.

You can look at Design Within Reach for some ideas https://www.dwr.com/

No, haven’t tried

Try a couple of different furniture arrangements before you settle on the rug size..BTW, what it the measurement of the living area? I'm talking from the wall next to the chair as your starting point.

Mid century is fun, but how do you parents feel about it? I am younger than your parents, but not so much that I don't remember neighbors' homes with mid century furniture. Not everyone from that era liked it.

So, I'm going to suggest a rug something like this one. It has the style, but not wild colors and shapes.

Machine Woven Fowler Rectangle Area Rug FOW-1000, 4'x6' · More Info

If you move the shelving to the left of the chair, but the starburst mirror over it.

My dad like modern an mom likes Victorian antiques. We sold a lot of antiques. She’s ok with the mid century look. I’m looking for something easy to clean. Dad is in a walker and mom has dimentia. I’m taking care of them

Do you think a rug will be safe? You could leave the floor bare and add other fabrics to warm up the space.

Would the t v be better on the short wall where one love seat is?

Consider this arrangement. With window behind, face the love seats. Where the fireplace is in this photo is where the t v/console would go, then two chairs facing t v.

No rug is easy to clean, and no trip hazard for walker or impaired cognition. Colorful washable throws for the seating.

This layout will work for the room better IMO.

No problem with the new seating. Just select an MCM rug with geometric shapes and bright colors Place the TV on the far wall as shown in the floor plan. You might want to take one of the colors of the rug and use in as paint on the wall.

I like the design

You have two loveseats and not a sofa and loveseat.

A rich red oriental style rug looks great with MCM furnishings. I agree that the dark brown furniture is dragging things down. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/581527370603787477/

Funky - fine-lined canvas, and a fuzzy patterned rug.
Tables that are colorful, have the vibe you want.

Retro Space Cat Boomerang Lemonlime Wall Art Print, 30"x40" Canvas · More Info

Linon Evolution Trellis Zigzag Power Loomed Polyester 8'x10'3" Rug in Beige · More Info

Design From "Nouvelles Compositions Decoratives", Late 1920s IV, 24"x32" · More Info

I think there are 60's enlarged wild floral canvas pieces for the wall. Maybe they could look at photos and choose.

I don't mean this, necessarily....

Serene Petals of Life Floral Nature Photo Canvas Wall Art Print, 18" X 24" · More Info

Safavieh Courtyard Cy6015-241 Terracotta, Beige Area Rug · More Info

Eating Utensils Wall Art Print, 20"x24", Canvas · More Info

In your circumstances i might consider putting the tv in front of the window…so that all the seating can face the tv…your furniture choices look good for comfort…unless there is a need for higher head/back support for the conditions they are challenged with…seniors usually like a type of seating that allows a reclined…feet up seating position so ottomans are a good idea…and lastly it is worth it to find individual tables that can slide into a position so that they eat meals or snacks…on trays… while comfortably seated…

As to rugs ..paintings…art work…i would look for colorful renditions of scenes that may stimulate good memories…as just color itself can be more stimulating when in confined living…i may add a accent wall in a favorite color as well…i do think your furniture choices are great ..the darker colors ..contrast…and simplicity are lovely

If either parent has memorabilia..it could be fun for them…for you to rotate new things into the display spots..now and then…see how much that is noticed or appreciated…then maybe put something silly out every once in a while…. to get a reaction. 🤗

Well said by btydrvn...If a liked image, it can be soothing, etc. I looked at era pieces in my search. As with usual family interviews, helpers can know or find out what a parent has enjoyed.

Seriously consider leaving the floors bare. Although they look good, rugs aren't great for elder's mobility.

P.S. You are a good person, Viper17.

Thank you einportlandor. I actually just bought the house right behind my parents! I want to keep my parents in their home but still be around to take care of them.

Not a design pro, but a now retired nurse-last RN job was as a wellness nurse in an independent living retirement condo community. Remove the throw rug in front of the couch. Definite trip/fall hazard. Allow enough space around furnishings-walk around holding a yardstick at hip/waist level and you shouldn't bump into things or have to side step with it around objects-wide, spacious pathways. Good lighting in all rooms especially in the pathway from bedroom to bathroom. Looks like seating height is pretty good (easier to get from seating that's not too low) and the arms of the seats look easy to grab and use to push up if your parents can't rise off the seat without using their arms. Aim for some familiar decor items, but overall less clutter is safer.

I hope there's some of your mother's favorite furnishings somewhere in the home whether they sync with the new design style or not. Familiar objects are comforting to people with dementia (they aren't just objects to the elderly-they are part of a life's story and they are memories).

I agree with leaving the floors bare. I would add warmth with curtains and pillows. I also agree with adding art or photos that appeal to your parents. I would move the mirror to another wall (maybe left of the window) or incorporate it into a gallery.

Perhaps a comfortable small table and chair set in the corner somewhere that a puzzle could be set up (if they are into that?) or a card game could be played. A waist high work space is what I am thinking about. I love the idea of folding tray tables or C tables that they could eat off of while watching tv.

If you want this room to look mid century, you need to replace the couch, and preferably the armchairs as well. The architecture of this room doesn't have a single MCM "bone" to it, so the furniture is going to need to do all the work. This brown leather couch is too off the mark.

You don't need to go full MCM either. Modern / Scandinavian pieces will work too. For high end, look at Room and Board. For more affordable, look at Ikea. Mid-range: West Elm and CB2. When I was a struggling young 20something, all of my big pieces were Ikea or consgnment, and then I would comb thrift stores, etc, for good vintage pieces to mix in.

For inspiration: Modernous. They're my favorite home staging / interior design studio. Some of it is bright and fun w/o being too cartoonish, other projects are more subdued.

Here's an example of a room where they managed to incorporate older style armchairs. The thing is, the room itself has MCM architecture so it works.

Here's are some other rooms where the architecture is not MCM at all. So they didn't mix in any traditional pieces.

One other thing: you don't need to go all crazy "Atomic" in order to achieve MCM. If you like subdued colors, earth tones, that works very well too. Not every MCM house has to look like it was staged by the Jetsons.

If you want more subdued, google "Organic Modern" or "Scandinavian Decor" for good, neutral colored inspo.

This is not true MCM, but it has the feeling:

Given your parents’ health, your furniture choices are good ones. You could add color with two throw pillows or an afghan. Orange??? Bright and fun! Does your mum knit or crochet? Perhaps she would like to make an afghan. A book shelf for reading materials. A radio or DVD player for music? Or a record player if they still enjoy their vinyl? If you want a low, flat rug to soften the space, look at Ruggables. Less of a trip hazard…

I love these ideas. Unfortunately, we just bought these couches to replace some Victorian furniture. I love vinyl and play records for my mom. Dad is a lot more tech savvy and has Alexa.

Keeping the couches is going to make it a bit more tricky. You're gonna need a lot more accessories, this room looks pretty bare! Since the couches are brown, I would maybe lean more towards "organic modern" (google it). It has a MCM ish feel, but will work better with what you already have.

Get a very large area rug-- big enough for the front legs of the couch and chairs to set on it. Not bold colors, instead look for something that has an interesting pattern or rich texture.

Also look for an interesting coffee table. This could be the "statement piece" of the room, so shop around for something really interesting!

Accessories: notice in these photos below -- pillow and throws that have nice texture to them. A sheepskin thrown over one of the chairs. Lots of house plants. Some interesting floor and/or plug-in swag pendant lamps.

(I like this rug below, but I think the coffee table could be more interesting)

Accessories: consider soft color drapes that have a noticeable "linen" looking texture to them. Not to replace the shades, but to trim the window (hang them on either side, not inside the bay). I got these from amazon and was quite pleased with how they look.

Now, to address the couch one more time: if you find you really can't make them work, sell them! (or see what the return policy is, maybe it's not too late? some stores will offer credit if you're outside the window for a refund.) If the budget is tight, I've found some really great MCM style furniture at consignment stores. I have a flawless Joybird that was only $700! It was practically new.

One other thing: you mentioned loving records. That's great! I would recommend re-arranging: swap where the small sofa and the TV are. Find an MCM style record cabinet and wall mount the TV above it. Make sure the cabinet is fairly wide. Set the speakers on either side, and if it still looks bare, add a big plant to both corners.

The reason I recommend the far wall is so you can also make it a feature wall. Maybe with bold wallpaper?