Decorating Guides
What is Mid-Century Modern Decor Style?
This singular design style blends arresting shapes, graphic patterns and quirky accents. Here's how to make it yours
What it is
Mid-century modern style reappeared on our radar screens more than a decade ago, but the wildly popular show Mad Men has pushed it even farther into the limelight. Just as the name implies, it spanned a period of roughly two and a half decades in the middle of the 20th century, from the mid-1940s to 1970. Its uncomplicated, fresh aesthetic arose from a desire to propel postwar America into the modern era and recast design through a bold new lens.
Why it works
Midcentury modern’s emphasis on pared-down forms, contemporary patterns, natural materials and a seamless flow between indoors and out create a medley of functional comfort and chic style. The look bridges the organic and the man-made, with one foot in the natural world and the other in brave new territory that still has the power to surprise us today.
You’ll love it if
You miss your childhood home’s conversation pit. You’re impatient with people who take forever to get to the point. The old masters make you yawn – for you, it’s modern art all the way. You watch Pulp Fiction just to hear that Dick Dale – heavy soundtrack. You schedule Sunday nights around – what else? – Mad Men.
Mid-century modern style reappeared on our radar screens more than a decade ago, but the wildly popular show Mad Men has pushed it even farther into the limelight. Just as the name implies, it spanned a period of roughly two and a half decades in the middle of the 20th century, from the mid-1940s to 1970. Its uncomplicated, fresh aesthetic arose from a desire to propel postwar America into the modern era and recast design through a bold new lens.
Why it works
Midcentury modern’s emphasis on pared-down forms, contemporary patterns, natural materials and a seamless flow between indoors and out create a medley of functional comfort and chic style. The look bridges the organic and the man-made, with one foot in the natural world and the other in brave new territory that still has the power to surprise us today.
You’ll love it if
You miss your childhood home’s conversation pit. You’re impatient with people who take forever to get to the point. The old masters make you yawn – for you, it’s modern art all the way. You watch Pulp Fiction just to hear that Dick Dale – heavy soundtrack. You schedule Sunday nights around – what else? – Mad Men.
Style secret: Iconic furnishings
Mid-century style is unique in that it’s largely driven by innovative mass-produced furniture and accents. Perhaps no other period produced the same volume of household-name artists and designers as this era: George Nelson, Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen and dozens more. Their singular furnishings and accents drive and define the look, from Marshmallow sofas to sculptural Egg and Womb chairs.
Make it yours
These prizes come at a price, but you can find knockoffs and reinterpretations that will give you the look, if not the pedigree. Or invest in one authentic signature piece to anchor the space, then layer it with others that complement the look but aren’t necessarily true to the period.
Mid-century style is unique in that it’s largely driven by innovative mass-produced furniture and accents. Perhaps no other period produced the same volume of household-name artists and designers as this era: George Nelson, Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen and dozens more. Their singular furnishings and accents drive and define the look, from Marshmallow sofas to sculptural Egg and Womb chairs.
Make it yours
These prizes come at a price, but you can find knockoffs and reinterpretations that will give you the look, if not the pedigree. Or invest in one authentic signature piece to anchor the space, then layer it with others that complement the look but aren’t necessarily true to the period.
Style secret: Simple lines, pure forms
Mid-century interiors are all about organic style and ease of living, and that’s reflected in their structure and trappings. Furnishings and floor plans are stripped down to their essential forms, with no excess detailing or unnecessary flourishes.
Make it yours
Put furnishings and objects with striking form on display by making them them centrepieces of an otherwise simple room. These George Nelson Coconut chairs create a quietly stunning focal point, offset by the pop-art wall they face.
Browse through images of midcentury interiors
Mid-century interiors are all about organic style and ease of living, and that’s reflected in their structure and trappings. Furnishings and floor plans are stripped down to their essential forms, with no excess detailing or unnecessary flourishes.
Make it yours
Put furnishings and objects with striking form on display by making them them centrepieces of an otherwise simple room. These George Nelson Coconut chairs create a quietly stunning focal point, offset by the pop-art wall they face.
Browse through images of midcentury interiors
Style secret: Graphic patterns
There’s nothing shy about mid-century modern patterns. Bold geometrics, strong, sensuous curves and whimsical motifs give rooms a strong graphic punch. Heavy, textural fabrics, such as burlap or nubbly wool knits, give the patterns added weight.
Make it yours
Want the real deal? Many of the fabric-company stalwarts of the midcentury era, such as Maharam, Marimekko and Knoll, still produce classic patterns, or at least new takes on them. Or search for reclaimed midcentury fabrics online.
There’s nothing shy about mid-century modern patterns. Bold geometrics, strong, sensuous curves and whimsical motifs give rooms a strong graphic punch. Heavy, textural fabrics, such as burlap or nubbly wool knits, give the patterns added weight.
Make it yours
Want the real deal? Many of the fabric-company stalwarts of the midcentury era, such as Maharam, Marimekko and Knoll, still produce classic patterns, or at least new takes on them. Or search for reclaimed midcentury fabrics online.
Style secret: Statement lighting
Sputnik chandeliers, Bubble lights, Arco floor lamps – classic midcentury lighting pumps up a room’s drama. Although its forms are sculptural enough to double as art, function remains paramount. Yet lighting fixtures from this era are so striking that they’ve become design motifs all their own; the wallpaper in this dining area even features the PH Artichoke light.
Make it yours
These fixtures are so powerful that it’s best to let them have the spotlight – don’t force them to compete with each other in a single space. Three or four in one room is like adding too much vermouth to your martini.
Check out these statement lights perfect for living rooms
Sputnik chandeliers, Bubble lights, Arco floor lamps – classic midcentury lighting pumps up a room’s drama. Although its forms are sculptural enough to double as art, function remains paramount. Yet lighting fixtures from this era are so striking that they’ve become design motifs all their own; the wallpaper in this dining area even features the PH Artichoke light.
Make it yours
These fixtures are so powerful that it’s best to let them have the spotlight – don’t force them to compete with each other in a single space. Three or four in one room is like adding too much vermouth to your martini.
Check out these statement lights perfect for living rooms
Style secret: Sleek kitchens
Mid-century kitchens were intended to represent the wave of the future. Full of showy, shiny new appliances, bright colours and space-age surfaces, they’re designed to look streamlined and cutting edge – at least for their time. Simplicity rules: Slab cabinet doors, plain countertop edges, no-fuss materials.
Make it yours
Even if your kitchen looks like it came from a Tuscan villa, you can give it a midcentury spin without too much difficulty. Remove panelled cabinet doors and install frameless models, dress the floors with cork or linoleum, or choose a brightly patterned laminate and colourful backsplash tiles.
Mid-century kitchens were intended to represent the wave of the future. Full of showy, shiny new appliances, bright colours and space-age surfaces, they’re designed to look streamlined and cutting edge – at least for their time. Simplicity rules: Slab cabinet doors, plain countertop edges, no-fuss materials.
Make it yours
Even if your kitchen looks like it came from a Tuscan villa, you can give it a midcentury spin without too much difficulty. Remove panelled cabinet doors and install frameless models, dress the floors with cork or linoleum, or choose a brightly patterned laminate and colourful backsplash tiles.
Style secret: Period art and accents
We know – that’s a pretty broad umbrella. But the midcentury days were so rich with innovative and talented artists, from Hockney and Pollock to Calder and Lichtenstein, that you really have a lot of latitude. Their work reflected bold new territory in the art world, and it complements this groundbreaking style perfectly. Finish the room with classic mid-century accessories, such as an Eames Hang-It-All or a George Nelson clock.
Make it yours
If you happen to be sitting on a Warhol original, go pat yourself on the back and gloat. The other 99 percent of us can look for reproduction prints for works that reflect the style of mid-century masters. Museum shops, both in person and online, are terrific sources for affordable art inspired by the greats.
Here’s an essential guide for art lovers
We know – that’s a pretty broad umbrella. But the midcentury days were so rich with innovative and talented artists, from Hockney and Pollock to Calder and Lichtenstein, that you really have a lot of latitude. Their work reflected bold new territory in the art world, and it complements this groundbreaking style perfectly. Finish the room with classic mid-century accessories, such as an Eames Hang-It-All or a George Nelson clock.
Make it yours
If you happen to be sitting on a Warhol original, go pat yourself on the back and gloat. The other 99 percent of us can look for reproduction prints for works that reflect the style of mid-century masters. Museum shops, both in person and online, are terrific sources for affordable art inspired by the greats.
Here’s an essential guide for art lovers
Style secret: Neutrals paired with brights
Warm and earthy colours, largely through the natural woods that predominate, are central to the mid-century palette. Yet it wouldn’t do for this look to come across as too quiet, and a few strokes of rich, saturated colour give it strength and presence. You’ll probably want to skip the blushing pinks and pale lilacs, but the choice of saturated colours spans the spectrum.
Make it yours
The best thing about mid-century colours: There aren’t a lot of rules. Want to pair persimmon and plum? Go for it. Or bring in rich teal, avocado, oxblood red, gold or all of the above – unexpected colour combos suit this style.
Read more:
Houzz Quiz: What’s Your Decorating Style?
Tell us:
Do you have a mid-century modern home? Share images and your tips on how to get this look, in the Comments below.
Warm and earthy colours, largely through the natural woods that predominate, are central to the mid-century palette. Yet it wouldn’t do for this look to come across as too quiet, and a few strokes of rich, saturated colour give it strength and presence. You’ll probably want to skip the blushing pinks and pale lilacs, but the choice of saturated colours spans the spectrum.
Make it yours
The best thing about mid-century colours: There aren’t a lot of rules. Want to pair persimmon and plum? Go for it. Or bring in rich teal, avocado, oxblood red, gold or all of the above – unexpected colour combos suit this style.
Read more:
Houzz Quiz: What’s Your Decorating Style?
Tell us:
Do you have a mid-century modern home? Share images and your tips on how to get this look, in the Comments below.
It may sound quaint now, but back in the ‘50s, the idea of indoor-outdoor living was revolutionary for the average American. Mid-century modern homes took advantage of the new passion for bringing the indoors out and vice versa: Wide windows, sliding doors, patios. The idea was to create a connection with the natural world that worked equally well with a book in your lap during a quiet moment or a cocktail in your hand at a party.
Make it yours
If you have the means, space and ambition to knock out a wall or install a giant plate-glass window, don’t hold back. But you can still create an indoor-outdoor aesthetic without major demolition. Leave windows bare so as not to obscure the view or consider installing skylights. Or, at the very least, choose wallpaper and other accents with a natural motif.