Mid-Century Modern Style

A Mid-Century Modern style wooden ceiling in a living room.

Go back to the future with mid-century modern style.  Evocative of the post-war era where the need for fresh change was strong, the years between the mid-40s and 1970’s captured the essence of what we now know as mid-century modern.  This is a style that epitomizes organic form and an uncomplicated design aesthetic.  Explore these mid-century interiors and appreciate the flow and simplicity of this trending design era.

A Mid-Century Modern living room with wooden ceilings.
Open space and simple furnishings mark this mid-century home (decoist)
A Mid-Century Modern style living room with black and grey walls and furniture.
Stylish midcentury modern interior (nicety-livejournal)

Simple, clean lines and organic shapes dominate the mid-century design style.  Warm woods and nature-inspired silhouettes showed an appreciation for a less complicated and excessive décor, allowing space to breath.

A white living room with wooden furniture and a coffee table in Mid-Century Modern Style.
Mid-century living room (Pinterest)
A mid-century modern dining room with a table and chairs.
Bright midcentury modern style (BHG)
A living room with a green couch and a blue chair, showcasing Mid-Century Modern style.
Turquoise and avocado green are mainstays of midcentury modern design (BHG)
A living room with a Mid-Century Modern style couch, chairs, and a coffee table.
Class midcentury style in this bright room (decozt)
A mid-century modern living room with hardwood floors and a white couch.
Flowing mid-century design (HGTV)
A living room with white walls and wooden floors styled in Mid-Century Modern.
Laid back mid-century modern style (2014interiordesignarticle)

Lighting of the mid-century was crafted to take center stage as well as to be functional.  In essence, mid-century lighting is functional art.  Starburst designs, large globes and fun geometric shapes highlight this style.

A Mid-Century Modern style dining room with a white table and chairs.
Midcentury lighting is functional art (interiorsbystudiom)
A Mid-Century Modern style dining room with a wooden table and chairs.
Unique midcentury lighting fixture highlights this dining area (HGTV)
A mid-century modern dining room featuring a wooden table and chairs.
Midcentury style (eatwell101)
A mid-century modern dining room with a wooden table and chairs.
Midcentury light fixture is a statement piece (Pinterest)
A Mid-Century Modern style living room with black furniture and wooden floors.
Pendant lights enhance mid-century living room (rilane)
A Mid-Century Modern living room with a table and chairs.
Bright green seating enhances this mid-century modern home (kuaibozz)
A Mid-Century Modern style dining room with a wooden floor.
Beautiful mid-century design (HGTV)
A Mid-Century Modern style living room with a blue cowhide rug and wooden paneling.
Starburst light fixture is a statement in the mid-century living room (digsdigs)

Mid-century furniture creates an open flow to match the spaces that architects were producing in this era, where the blending of outdoor space with indoor played a large role.  Homes were designed with large windows and those windows were most often left unadorned.

A living room with large windows and wooden walls in Mid-Century Modern Style.
Merging the outdoors with indoors is a trademark of mid-century design (redeggdesigngroup)
A Mid-Century Modern style living room with hardwood floors and a fireplace.
Modern mid-century design style (Zillow)
A Mid-Century Modern living room with green chairs and a large mirror.
Bright and beautiful midcentury living area (homedit)
A mid-century modern living room with large windows and a fireplace.
Modern mid-century design style (interiordesign2014)

The open plan home was a popular choice in the mid-century.  Architects were designing homes that flowed smoothly, much like the desired style of homes we see today.  Large windows and light were a priority and space was utilized more fully.

A Mid-Century Modern living room with a dining table and chairs.
Warm tones in this mid-century modern space (materialgirlsblog)
A Mid-Century Modern living room with a black fireplace.
Sleek lines of mid-century design (oregonlive)
A Mid-Century Modern living room with a blue couch and chairs.
Very stylish mid century modern design (digsdigs)
A living room with mid-century modern style and wooden beams.
Mid-century design (decoist)
A Mid-Century Modern living room with green walls and wooden floors.
Color dominates in this midcentury style home (homeadore)

Comfort is key in the mid-century modern home.  Upholstery fabrics were heavier and more substantial, boasting durability.  Large sofas that conformed to body and room were placed center stage, while separate seating options surrounded the living area.

A living room with blue walls and a wooden floor showcasing a Mid-Century Modern style.
Sleek mid-century design (decoder)
A Mid-Century Modern living room with a tv and a coffee table.
Clean mid-century style (yacineaziz)
A Mid-Century Modern living room with a fireplace and a tv.
Warm tones enhance this midcentury living room (jg188)
A mid-century modern living room with a gray couch and red accents.
Stylish mid-century living area (stylemotivation)
A living room with Mid-Century Modern style couches, chairs, and a coffee table.
A blast from the past with mid-century design (Wayfair)
A mid-century modern living room with a tv on the wall.
Mid-century modern living area (curedesigngroup)

Colors ran the range from simple neutrals to bold.  Popular mid-century colors are avocado green, oxblood red, aqua and gold.  Combinations of colors were embraced and freely used throughout.  Warm and earthy is the preferred color palette, which enhances the warm woods of mid-century furniture.

Related:
Unique Ceiling Treatments for Your Home
A Mid-Century Modern style living room with a stone fireplace.
Midcentury modern design (design-milk)
A Mid-Century Modern living room with a fireplace.
Mid-century modern living area (uwimages.org)
A living room with mid-century modern style furniture and a brick wall.
Mid-century modern style (decorationrend)
A mid-century modern green couch in a living room.
Typical mid-century color palette (HGTV)

To truly capture the essence of mid-century modern, examine the sleek lines and organic shapes of the furniture.  Open up your living space and let in the light or merge the indoors with outdoors.  With mid-century modern in the spotlight these days, many authentic pieces are available but the demand is high.  You may want to purchase one item, perhaps a significant statement chandelier, and use reproductions to fill the balance.  Mid-century modern is a design style that takes you back to the future.

 

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