Calvin Klein's '70s Living Room Embodies Chic Modernism

calvin klein in his living room in the '90s — (Image credit: Thomas Iannaccone / Contributor via Getty Images)

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Recreate Calvin's Look at Home

Modern farmhouse minimalism is dead, but what's next? If you're a staunch lover of understated interiors, you might be feeling a little lost right now, but never fear: '70s style modernism is on its way. The pared-back, curved silhouettes of this style have more personality than previous minimalisms, while maintaining simplicity. Calvin Klein's '70s living room is the perfect example.

An archival image of the fashion designer's New York living room from 1975 captures the mid-century modern style replacing minimalism this year. Designed by the famed interior designer Joseph D'Urso, Calvin's Manhattan pad is a masterpiece in leather and chrome. Full of metal tubular chairs and tables by Marcel Breuer (like this one from 1stDibs, or this affordable alternative from IKEA), each piece is carefully chosen for its stylish curved silhouette. The black leather sofa stands out against the white walls, while a towering houseplant in the corner adds a touch of organicness to the modern scheme.

As 2026 marches onward, Calvin's design style will only grow increasingly popular as homeowners seek out characterful minimalism. To explore, we'll start with a look into Calvin Klein's home. Then, Homes & Gardens curated an edit of products seen in his space, and interviewed designers about how they're recreating the look this year.

Recreate Calvin's Look at Home

Exact Match

Marcel Breuer Black Tubular Chairs

Own a piece of design history with these gorgeous bauhaus chairs, which are an exact match to those in Calvin Klein's '70s living room. Made of faux leather and chrome, their curved design brings elegance to any room.

Contemporary lighting

Spotlight Led Ceiling Light

The simple, modern spotlights help to maintain the overall minimalist look of the New York Apartment, whilst they can be angled to create pockets of interest and depth within a space for a more dramatic effect.

Mid-Century Style

Latitude Run Cerellia Leather Sofa

A study in modern sophistication, this sofa merges mid-century elegance with a clean, contemporary silhouette. Its black top-grain leather seating is accented with refined stitched detailing, while the sides and back feature complementary leather-match upholstery.

Affordable Pick

Albers Table

This chrome metal side table feels unexpectedly modern in any living room, creating a striking contrast that instantly elevates the space. Its sculptural form and reflective finish make it feel more like an art piece than furniture, adding a contemporary edge without clashing with classic interiors.

Unique Texture

Jabas Black Woven Leather Throw Pillow

Inspired by Jamaica’s rich weaving traditions, this throw pillow by Studio ANANSI features strips of buttery-soft black leather, masterfully woven across the front to create a striking textured design. It's a stunning way to get Calvin's look without a big investment.

Contrast Pick

Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree

Adding a touch of greenery is the perfect way to add warmth to a modern, industrial space. This pretty fiddleleaf fig is a designer pick for elevating the room with little effort.

Mid-century modern looks like Calvin Klein's is one of the biggest interior design trends of 2026. Sofology experts explain: 'Working leather pieces in low-slung, cozy shapes alongside more mid-century styles are set to continue in popularity for the year ahead.'

Experts at Sofology explain that a leather living room couch is the perfect place to start recreating this modernist look. You can opt for black, like Calvin, or try a more modern brown. They state: 'Known for elegance and versatility, leather sofas have remained a popular choice in our living rooms for decades. Brown is undeniably making a comeback in our homes, with leather pieces in low-slung cosy shapes alongside more mid-century styles set to continue in popularity for those searching for more design-led pieces.'

Furthermore, this look can be executed in black and white, like in Calvin's apartment, or you can try a more colorful iteration. The Sofology team suggests: 'Energize a timeless espresso or caramel leather sofa with terracotta, oyster, pink, and mustard accessories for a fresh take on the look. Introduce forest greens and soft sandy neutrals as a backdrop and keep window treatments light and airy to ensure your leather look works hard all year round.'

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Sophie is a writer and News Editor on the Celebrity Style team at Homes & Gardens. She is fascinated by the intersection of design and popular culture and is particularly passionate about researching trends and interior history. She is an avid pop culture fan and has interviewed Martha Stewart and Hillary Duff.

In her free time, Sophie freelances on design news for Westport Magazine and Livingetc. She also has a newsletter, My Friend's Art, in which she covers music, culture, and fine art through a personal lens. Her fiction has appeared in Love & Squalor and The Isis Magazine.

Before joining Future, Sophie worked in editorial at Fig Linens and Home, a boutique luxury linens brand. She has an MSc from Oxford University and a BA in Creative Writing and Sociology from Sarah Lawrence College.