How to Get the Mid-Century Modern Look
Words by Michaela Quinn
January 24, 2017
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3m
If you keep up with interior trends at all, you may be asking yourself, “What is mid-century modern design?” This craze has swept the space off its feet in the last few years. While it may seem like a difficult look to pull off at first, don’t worry, as this style is surprisingly easy to add to your own home.
Our guide will explain the trend and show you how to incorporate it into your own home. We’ve put together some of our favourite mid-century modern design tips to help you nail the aesthetic in your décor. Read on to learn more about the style taking the world by storm.
What is mid-century modern design?
Mid-century modern interior design combines influences of the mid-1900s with a modern 21st-century twist, offering a unique balance of eras.
From classic art-deco influences to vintage 60s posters and art prints, mid-century modern décor provides a throwback to a time of excitement and innovation. By mixing these touches with clean lines and contemporary design elements, you can create a trendy look to make your home the envy of your guests.
Mid-century modern furniture is typically characterised by its clean edges, simple and natural shapes, and its emphasis on function rather than form. Its designs are typically minimalist, with tapered legs and natural materials giving pieces in the style a versatile appeal.
Ready to learn more about how to apply the look to your home? Here are six ways you can create the mid-century modern design of your dreams...
1. Add natural wooden touches
Mid-century modern furniture typically used solid wood as its primary material, with warm shades like teak, walnut, and oak proving particularly popular in the post-war 1950s. This was a time before the flat-pack furniture of the Nordic look took over, so a high-quality build was the absolute priority.
To transform your home into a mid-century modern design marvel, consider well-built pieces with a natural wooden finish, as a high-quality wood grain will add life to your room. Try adding a wooden table to your seating area to lend a natural touch to your design, or add some sleek storage to your space with a wooden sideboard.
2. Look for retro shapes
It’s easy to identify mid-century modern furniture today, as it features a distinct style that stands out from the crowd. Straight lines and architectural influences are paired with smooth curves to give even the most standard pieces of furniture an eye-catching appeal. Rather than featuring ornate detailing or ornaments, mid-century modern design prioritises functionality over flair.
Look for tables and chairs with splayed legs or rounded corners, and choose minimalist designs with retro angles. Nesting tables are an easy way to incorporate some mid-century modern influences into your space, as they’re space-efficient and stylish.
3. Stand out with a statement sofa
No mid-century modern interior design is complete without a bold statement piece, so if you’re looking to apply this style to your living room, an accent sofa is a must. Choose a colour that will stand out from the rest of your space to draw your guests in and add some character to your design. Bright blues and warm reds are perfect for punching through a neutral colour scheme and demanding attention.
You can also incorporate other mid-century modern décor elements into your choice by opting for a curved sofa or looking for designs with smooth edges and angles.
4. Nailing your colour combination
Mid-century modern designs typically use simple colour palettes, with neutral shades like off-whites and greys dominating the walls. To give your room an authentic mid-century modern look, though, you’ll need to choose an accent colour to focus your design around.
This can be incorporated through eye-catching furniture or decorative objects, adding unique focal points to the layout of your room and giving your design some extra depth. Try accessorising with wall art, or choose soft furnishings that will help give your space a touch of character. Your accent shade should stand out, but not overwhelm your design, as it works best when used in moderation.
5. Let there be light
It’s important to consider your lighting when styling a mid-century modern interior design, as it was employed in a very particular manner during the period that inspired the look. Rather than flooding your room with as much light as possible, try creating drama with sculpted shapes that double as art forms.
Curved floor lamps, bubble lights, and starburst pendants can all help to illuminate your space while fleshing out your mid-century modern style. Think about the focal points of your design, and position your lights accordingly to draw more attention to these, where possible. By giving your room’s lighting setup a layered and textured look, you can add a whole lot of gravitas to even the most basic mid-century modern designs.
6. Think about your textures and patterns
Shapes aren’t the only important part of a mid-century modern style to focus on in your design – the patterns and textures used in your pieces are just as important. If you’re looking to vary your aesthetic with some patterned wallpaper or soft furnishings, pay attention to your choice of print.
The Art Deco designs of the 1950s often featured geometric patterns in their wallpaper, artworks, and accessories. These look perfect with the clean edges of mid-century furniture, so try experimenting with your patterns to give your design some flair.
Conclusion
You should now have all you need to give your home a mid-century modern twist that will stun your guests. If you’re looking for pieces to start incorporating the look in your own home, Barker and Stonehouse’s range of mid-century modern furniture is the perfect place to begin your search.
Want some more style inspiration? You can read our guides to plenty of other looks for your home, whether you'd like to incorporate quiet luxury into your space, or opt for a nautical style.