An LCD device includes lower and upper substrates facing each other, a liquid crystal layer between the lower and upper substrates, a first polarizing plate on the upper substrate, a second polarizing plate below the lower substrate, and a backlight unit below the second polarizing plate. The second polarizing plate has a light-diffusion layer that is proximate to the backlight unit. The light-diffusion layer has projections that project towards and contact the backlight unit. These projections are smooth curves that do not damage the surface of the backlight unit. The total of the Haze formed by the first and second polarizing plates is at least 40%.