How to Style in Mid-Century Modern?

Mid-century modern is a timeless interior design style that fuses together elements of traditional design with contemporary aspects through the use of iconic pieces. This design style didn’t emerge into popularity during the late 20th century but has now made a comeback. Its charm and personality never fail to stun the most prominent of designers which is the reason why the design is adored and loved by many. What is mid-century modern? And how can you achieve the style in your own home? We’re going to talk about that in this blog. Read on to find out how you can style your space in mid-century modern.

What is mid-century modern interior design?

Mid-century modern follows the concept of form-follows-function. This leads to the creation of an interior design concept that focuses primarily on practicality and function. After post-World War-I modern and practical design became popular due to the demand for more functional and affordable home products. Hence, iconic and functional furniture was created which until today is widely used in almost any kind of interior style. The 1930s through the 1960s are considered to be the height of mid-century modern architecture and art.

Frank Lloyd Wright's designs for mid-century modern homes, for example, are characterized by their flat roofs, huge rectangular windows, and sometimes even cylindrical structures. These towering constructions may also loom above nearby residences and workplaces. Modernism, in all its manifestations, including what is now known as skyscrapers transformed the private and public worlds profoundly.

Ready to design your home in mid-century modern style? Here are several tips on how.

1. Pick a strong color scheme

A neutral and a strong color palette are two opposing color schemes that can be used to create a mid-century modern interior. There is no definite rule that says you should stick to neutrals or to something colorful. You can even blend the two together and still pull off the look. The most important thing to remember, however, is to visually balance the use of color. For achieving a more elegant and classical look, opt for a color scheme with a stronger color set such as tangerine, avocado, ochre, orange, brown, mustard yellow, and other dark pastels.

2. Integrate iconic furniture

It’s not mid-century modern without the iconic furniture like Cesca chairs, wishbone chairs, the Barcelona chair, and of course, the Eames lounge chair. These furniture pieces are the hallmarks of the mid-century modern style. When designing your spaces in this style, add iconic furniture pieces to completely make it look mid-century modern.

3. Style with rugs

Rugs are the perfect accent to complement your iconic furniture pieces. They help define your space and make it look cozy and warm. Mid-century modern is also about styling in geometric motifs. So, place rugs with geometric colorful patterns to add a subtle pop of color. You can either go for a subtle or bold color depending on the concept of the artistic expression you want to convey. Be creative when choosing your rugs and add a bit of your personal style.

4. Hang a modern chandelier

Unlike other interior design styles, mid-century modern puts great emphasis on its lighting design. Windows and other fenestrations are designed and placed architecturally in a way that allows natural light to effortlessly stream throughout the room. The lighting design of a mid-century modern space is elegant but not pretentious. Chandeliers add glamour and elegance to any space. Mid-century modern chandeliers and pendant lights can act as statement pieces and it has a visually interesting shape and style that seems to tie the look of the room together at one single glance.

5. Decorate your bookshelves

Another trademark of mid-century modern interiors is bookshelves and bookcases. Any house would benefit greatly from having a mid-century modern bookshelf. It enhances the look of your home's interior and brings a touch of heritage and elegance. Additionally, it tells visitors a lot about your preferences and outlook on life.

6. Accentuate with a lounge chair

Lounge chairs are one feature of a mid-century modern home. Invest in one and accentuate the rest of your living room’s furniture with it. Lounge chairs especially the iconic Eames, can instantly transform a room and make it look sophisticated and elegant. You can always opt to place other mid-century iconic accent chairs but it is always a good idea to have a statement piece in the corner to make your living room a mid-century modern paradise.

7. Decorate walls with mirrors

Mirrors are the ideal decorative accent for any kind of décor. Any space in your house gains a fresh, breezy sense from them. A mirror, when strategically positioned, may accentuate a stunning outdoor scene by being placed opposite a garden entrance or window, or it can enlarge a space by reflecting light into the space. The mid-century modern era utilizes like artworks on walls. One of the most popular and widely used mirror designs is the sunburst mirror. It is usually placed in living rooms, above fireplace mantels, near the entryway, and sometimes in hallways.

8. Don’t forget wood elements

The Scandinavian influence on mid-century modern design still makes use of wood features as a unifying factor. Wood in both finished and unfinished forms is utilized for storage, doors, knobs, shelves, flooring, ceiling, and other decorative elements and interior architectural features. A contemporary light fixture may include wooden accents as well, while a chair made of molded plastic may have wooden legs.

It's simple to become enamored with mid-century modern interior design concepts, but making them work is another thing. If you are planning to design your home’s interior in mid-century modern, plan your strategy, look for inspirations and ideas, create a mood board with your initial idea, or better yet, seek the advice and help of a professional to help you out.

Designing in mid-century modern style is challenging but fun nonetheless. Remember the design tips we mentioned above when you start planning on your interior design project and don’t forget to have fun in the process.