What Is Mid-Century Modern Style

It's not unusual for styles from another era to make a comeback, and this is certainly true of mid-century modern. Learn where this iconic style came from and why it's still so influential in home design.

The Origins of Mid-Century Modern

The century referred to in mid-century modern is the 20th, specifically the years immediately following the Second World War, from the mid-1940s to the late 1960s. During this time, North America enjoyed a booming real estate economy and a booming population.

With WWII over and so many young families buying and furnishing their first homes, suburbs grew with newly constructed homes that reflected new building and graphic design techniques and the populace's desire for features that reflected their optimistic outlook.

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They wanted their homes to be different from those built a century before; they wanted more windows, more family-oriented gathering spaces, more efficient and functional designs. Parallel advances in science and technology brought new materials, textures, effects and forms to these homes. The resulting aesthetic is what we now call mid-century modern – and it’s a style you can’t miss. Despite being named in industry trend reports, year after year, as a fad that surely isn’t here to stay, mid-century modern has shown up diligently, year after year and even now into 2024, as one of the most beloved and secure styles in the U.S. Perhaps its persistence is due to a collective reverence for that time period when the television, microwaves and Barbie dolls were all the rage. Today, the style is like a living time capsule that captures both the simplicity and excitement of decades past. It’s iconic, focused and specific: a fresh alternative to the vaguer forms of modern and contemporary design in the 21st century.

3 Distinguishing Features of Mid-Century Modern

Even if you don’t know the names of its features, mid-century modern is one of the easier styles to identify. This is because it’s both unique and popular: the features aren’t found in any other style of design (so there’s no mistaking it), and, since it’s ubiquitous in many public spaces like restaurants and hotels, you are given, in a sense, many chances to observe and study it. While looking at images of the style – and, better yet, experiencing it in person – is the best way to familiarize yourself with it, knowing the terms of some of the key elements can help solidify your understanding of some of the subtler nuances.

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To meet the desires of new home buyers, builders and designers experimented with form and materials. Because new homes were generally small, it was a necessity that space be used wisely and efficiently. Designers such as Charles and Ray Eames, Arne Jacobsen, George Nelson and Harry Bertoia created iconic furniture and lighting that are easily recognizable even today.

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Mid-Century modern is understated

People wanted to put the war years behind them, and they embraced the new and modern. Gone were the overstuffed, overfilled rooms they grew up in, replaced by decor with clean lines and minimal fuss.

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Forms are organic and geometric

Houses with lots of windows invite the outside in, and mid-century modern style reflected this in organic and geometric patterns. Natural materials like wood, metal and leather were in demand. Bold patterns brought visual focus to lean, uncomplicated rooms.

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Functionality is paramount

Floor plans were designed so that every room had a purpose and anything unnecessary was omitted. Multipurpose furniture was sought after because it conserved space. Retro MCM furniture pieces stacked, folded or nested.

Materials are used in unexpected ways

This was the period when new materials like plexiglass and fiberglass found their way into home furnishings. Fiberglass and plywood were molded and bent to fit the curve of the body. Tubular steel and leather strapping were used to create comfortable cantilevered chairs. Plexiglass was formed into clear organic shapes such as coffee and end tables and floor lamps.

Outside Influences

Ever look at pictures of mid century modern and Scandinavian styles and find it hard to discern the difference between the two? You can stop kicking yourself – there’s actually a reason for it, and it has nothing to do with how well-versed you are in design. Scandinavian design, which is marked by simplicity and practicality, saw a growth spurt in the 1950s – the same exact time that American mid-century modern rose to fame.

The influence of American design on Scandinavian and vice versa, though gradual and lacking a concrete “point” at which it came about, is undeniable. While each carries its own spin on modernism (Scandinavian, in particular, favoring brighter colors and lighting and American favoring a darker palette). The two, however, also share an abundance of similarities – from warm tones, modular lines and “futuristic” materials like plastic and steel.

Even the Architecture Reflects It

mid century modern furniture archicture 2023

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Mid-century modern style wasn’t – and isn’t – limited to home decor. Not only is it found in the design of the homes themselves, it also plays a crucial role in the history of American architecture. (It is often considered that architecture came first – and the decor and design trends followed.) Homes everywhere were being built with lower roofs, bigger windows and more open floor plans – influencing and being influenced by the sleek, practical furniture designs within them.

Movies and TV shows are two of the great promoters and mobilizers of the architecture, and perhaps the most well-known example of mid-century architecture comes from The Brady Bunch – the establishing shot of the outside of the Bradys’ low-roofed, split-level, stone-speckled home is all but burned into our conscious, whether we grew up with the show or not. Less well-known (but still important) examples of mid-century architecture in movies include establishing shots in The Big Lebowski, North by Northwest and The Graduate. If you are at all interested in mid-century design, watch these movies for the loads of visual design inspiration.

Ranch Fever

Because low roofs and multipurpose, open floor plans boomed at the same time as mid century modern style, it is often assumed that the former magically sprung from the latter. But the evolution of the style wasn’t quite so simple. To trace the roots of the mid-century aesthetic, you have to backpedal a little further down the timeline – in particular, to the early 1930s, when ranch houses lined the west coast. With their low roofs and multipurpose, open floor plans (sound familiar?), ranch homes were in high demand due to their ability to help keep heat out – a coveted trait for those living in farms, deserts and other wide open spaces in California. Itself influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie Style Homes of the early 20th century, the ranch style house would soon weave its way into the fabric of California society – going on to pave the way for the coming mid century madness across the nation.

How to Use Mid-Century Modern Style in Your Space

If you want to bring the mid century modern style into your home, try not to go all-out, all at once (as tempting as it may be!). Many pieces of mid-century modern tend to be bright and bold, so a space decked out in the full aesthetic may feel a little overpowering. This is especially true if you’re buying pieces just to buy them; as with other styles, make sure to build your vision slowly and steadily.

Bringing home mid-century modern style is easy, but as with any style, can seem daunting. With all the reverence for the style, all the ways the style has been lovingly tributed in movies and TV, all the style’s books and photography written and published (by some of the world’s most influential scholars, no less), can make it easy to feel like you’re missing something or not doing it justice, especially if you’re starting from scratch. The key, as always, is balance; incorporate a few iconic elements, and balance the rest in color, size and texture. When in doubt, go softer – mid-century modern is more neutral than it is bright.

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Why Mid-Century Modern Is Still Popular Today

Today, people move more frequently than in the past and often live in small urban condos or apartments. The clean lines, organic curves, mix-and-match materials and multifunctional designs of mid-century modern are the perfect match for this lifestyle. These simple, well-designed objects are timeless, and they still feel fresh.

The Furniture

While you can seek out authentic mid-century modern pieces, it isn't necessary to spend tons of money to get this look. Current manufacturers have adapted the most sought-after mid-century modern furniture and design elements to suit contemporary life by updating fabric and material, and new manufacturing techniques help make these pieces very affordable. Look for sectionals, sideboards and other furniture pieces that has geometric, curving lines and multiple uses.

The Colors

mid century modern yellow bench style inspiration guide

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Midcentury modern colors were often bright or saturated and emphasized certain design elements. These colors aren't as popular today, but you can still achieve this look by tempering one colorful statement piece with more neutral or muted colors.

The key to bringing midcentury modern style into your home is not trying to replicate it exactly. This will only look outdated. Start with basic, iconic midcentury modern side tables, table lamps or a sectional, and work out from there. Avoid clutter and, instead, embrace negative space.

Key colors of this modern home look include anything warm: oranges, reds, yellows, greens and teals. Key colored pieces of the look include major upholstery staples: try a chrome floor lamp, an avocado-green dining room bench, a mustard home office sofa, a tangerine headboard and a teal kitchen chair cushion. For balance, incorporate wood furniture and accents – black walnut (which has a naturally dark finish) was an especially popular parameter of the style, as were variations of teak and mahogany. Exact types of wood aren’t as important as the color; as long as the wood is naturally brown, rich and warm, it will fit into a mid-century space.

4 Ways to Bring Mid-Century Modern Decor Home

Each of these living room, dining room and office aesthetics has a mid-century interior design touch – whether it's tapered legs, low profiles or a pop of color. Here, see for yourself up-close how the design styles are brought to life with just a few key details in dining tables, coffee tables, lounge chairs, credenza and more

Mid-century decor: Mustard yellow + neutral wood. Here, colors pop and don't compete, and details like a tufted back and sculptural legs take the stage.

Mid-century decor: Sculptural decor. In modern design, simple, sculptural lines don't just take up space – they define it.

Mid-century home bar: Tapered legs. When the furniture legs look like they want to run away, you're doing mid-century right.

Mid-century dining room: Neutral colors. Here, the natural wood color and grain speak for themselves

A Futuristic Look

One of the best ways to understand the force behind the sudden surge that was mid century modern in the ‘50s and ‘60s is by taking a closer look at the global Space Race that was happening at the same time. When it came to space, and in particular successfully sending off an orbiting shuttle, the Soviet Union and the United States were in a head-to-head battle to see who could do it first.

The effects of America’s obsession with the future – and the science and tech associated with it – rippled onto a domestic level. Objects, clothes, homes and even TV shows (we’re looking at you, Jetsons!) took on a new, more futuristic life.

Rooted in Palm Springs

Just a couple hours’ drive from the bustling hub that is Los Angeles, Palm Springs quickly became the getaway spot for celebrities as showbiz boomed in mid-century Hollywood. As more and more vacation homes for the stars were built in the area, what was once an overlooked desert city grew to become one of the most luxe resorts in America. To this day, Palm Springs has not lost its “mid-century magic”; turn any corner to find an iconic low roof home here, a vibrant orange-and-brown color palette there and charming, 1950s-inspired, Warholesque wall art – everywhere!

Stuck in the Middle

How Mid-Century Compares to Styles of the 1800s and 2000s

	Also Known As	Key Elements
1880 – 1930	Victorian	Opulence, plush textures, wrought-iron lighting
1930-1970	Mid-Century	Warm colors, minimalist, function over form, tapered legs, Danish inspired, Bauhaus inspired
1970-2020	Contemporary	Neutral colors, soft lines + comfy textures, natural elements