Mid-century modern interior design with a contemporary feel is always on-trend. Dive into this comprehensive guide to understanding, identifying, and styling mid-century modern furniture in your interiors.
The term “mid-century modern furniture” conjures myriad images: lights by Isamu Noguchi, chairs by Ray and Charles Eames, Shaker-style interiors, Richard Neutra-designed Kaufmann House in Palm Springs, or the iconic LCW molded-plywood lounge chair.
What is mid-century modern furniture?
Mid-century modern furniture is a style of furniture, but also interior design and architecture, from the middle of the 20th century that creates elegant and cosy spaces without feeling cold, stark or boring.
The key characteristics of mid-century modern furniture
Furniture pieces from the mid-1940s until the late 1960s have sleek designs, emphasise function and form, are an innovative use of modern materials, and are deeply connected to nature.
These characteristics continue popular and relevant nowadays, being appealing and relatable today. This is a timeless style that has never gone out of favour while most design trends are cyclical and time-specific. These are the four main characteristics of mid-century design:
-
Simple forms
-
Organic influences
-
Design for everybody: democratic access to design
-
Emphasis on function
How to identify mid-century modern interior design projects?
Consider the following 17 aspects to identify mid-century modern interior design spaces:
-
Wooden details, including wall panelling
-
Natural materials
-
Earthy-coloured palette
-
Floor-to-ceiling windows
-
Polished wood floors
-
Glass walls
-
The mix of forms and dimensions
-
Symmetrical lines
-
Clean functionalism and practicality with a pleasing aesthetic
-
Strong retro flavour with a contemporary feel
-
Tactile surfaces
-
Verdant gardens
-
Vintage furniture and colourful patterned surfaces
-
Cosy rugs and lush carpets
-
Tactile upholstery
-
Sleek, functional, and nostalgic mid-century modern lighting.
-
Innovative materials
What’s the best for a furniture collector to purchase mid-century items
Collecting furniture is an art. To incorporate mid-century furniture into your home or interior projects, we suggest building piece by piece in the room. Mid-century rare items can make or break the space and set. You can go from an armchair to an iconic lamp. The challenge is to be brave and mix mid-century with pieces from other periods, including contemporary designs, as mid-century tends to become classic luxury aesthetics very easily.
Purchasing mid-century items is choosing pieces with stories, from fun late-night dinner parties to Sunday family launches at the dining table on grandmother's cherished china.
Six timeless mid-century modern furniture pieces
In this quick shopping guide, we identify six popular mid-century modern furniture pieces to incorporate into your home or interior design project.
Grashoppa Lamp by Great Grossman
Image credits: H. Gallery
Eames Hang It All by Charles and Ray Eames
Image credits: Herman Miller
Saarinen Dining Table by Eero Saarinen
Image credits: Nest
Wire Chairs by Harry Bertoia
Image credits: Houzz UK
Lounge Chair by Charles and Ray Eames
Image credits: hive
Lights by Isamu Noguchi
Image credits: Vitra
What are the colours that work well with mid-century items?
The best day of our lives is one the furniture we love blends perfectly with the colours we also love. Muted colours and pastels seamlessly work with mid-century furniture pieces.
Think about earthy colours and bright hues (for example: a neutral cream-coloured palette). The motto is to always say yes to colour. Strong or light painting colours, when balanced with iconic designs, work wonderfully to add an extra layer of timeless, deep, and dramatic soul to the room.
How to complete a mid-century-inspired room?
It’s in the accessorising, darling! Mid-century interior design projects are made of stylish touches and details, from furniture of different heights to mixing forms and shapes.
Conclusion
Let’s fall in with luxury timeless styles as mid-century modern furniture and forget cyclical trends! Whether you’re a vintage furniture collector, an interior designer, a homeowner, or someone passionate about home decor and treasure hunting, you must understand that mid-century modern furniture can transform your space and furniture collection from ordinary to extraordinary.
