If you have recently noticed the revival of modern mid century interior, you’re not alone. From walnut-toned buffets and sideboards to long, suede blush pink couches, mid-century modern interior is certainly having a moment in the spotlight and influencing home interiors across the globe.
As the name suggests, mid century design refers to the dominant style of the mid-20th century. Ultimately, mid century modern interior is all about form and functionality. From artwork to architecture to interior style, mid century design is defined by purpose, simplicity and innovation, embodying the optimism and needs of the population post-World War II.
Sleek, minimal and timeless, mid century modern interiors are easily recognised, with distinguishing features that make up this timeless, understated look. You’ll find open spaces, natural light, wooden furniture finished in warm tones, both geometric and curved shapes and a strong connection to nature.
There’s a fine line between the stylish mid century modern look and designing a space that looks a little like your grandma’s living room. To achieve this interior style, with your own unique and modern flair, you’ll need to know the basics and add your own modern touch.
Key Characteristics of Mid Century Modern Home Interior
Mid century modern interior captures the retro style of the 1950s and 60s. Think of the interior style in the series Mad Men–or even the Jetsons–with a modern twist. Simple forms, functional pieces, a mix of both curved and geometric shapes, plenty of greenery, and neutrals paired with splashes of bold colours define mid century modern interior design. The mid-century modern interior emphasises the juxtaposition of geometric lines with curved, organic shapes, in bold colours and rich neutrals. Furniture made from warm teak, rosewood and oak is favoured, as well as metal, glass and vinyl.
Master Mid Century Modern Basics
First thing is first–how do you master mid century modern interior? Start with the basics: furniture, arrangement, colours and home decor.
Furniture
Darker, natural timber finishes in warm tones like walnut make up mid century furniture, usually featuring slayed and tapered legs. Furniture from this interior style can be both angular and curved, or a combination of both.
Placement and Arrangement
Balance is important to achieve in any interior style. To achieve this, you need to pay close attention to the size, placement and arrangement of your furniture. Balance the room by teaming low with high–for example, pair a low armchair and ottoman with a tall floor lamp. On a similar note, if you have a bulky couch that reaches the floor, pair it with a thinner coffee table with long legs that keep it above ground level.
Choose furniture in different sizes, colours and shapes for a proportional look. If you have a small space, get creative by using room dividers, which will make the space feel larger.
Colours
Mid century interior is all about contrast and juxtaposition. Colour is an essential element of mid century modern design and marks the start of bold colours being used in the home more often. The mid century modern colour palette includes bright colours that were popular in the 1950s, as well as the colours from the early 60s. Traditionally, olive green, teal, dark red, terracotta and mustard yellow are popular in mid century modern homes. For a brighter, more contemporary colour palette, try pairing neutral tones like cream, beige and white with navy or pastel tones.
Decor
To achieve a mid century modern home, the right decor is key. Your home decor should be functional yet look more like a work of art. Accessorise your home with curved floor lamps, pendant lighting, rounded mirrors, candlesticks, vintage-style drink trolleys and bar carts, indoor plants, patterned rugs and cushions and ceramics.
Create Your Own Mid Century Modern Home
Keep it Minimal
Mid century modern furniture is all about functionality. Straightforward, simple and timeless, mid century modern furniture is a stark contrast to the frilly, ornate, traditional furniture that came before it. This interior style was a way for families to embrace a new modern life, focused on linear and organic ways of living.
Go For Both Curved and Geometric Lines
Mid century modern interior influenced some pretty crafty and innovative furniture, from unique, geometric silhouettes to curves and contours made to make a statement. Mix it up by pairing organically shaped and curved home decor like candlesticks and ceramics with geometric furniture. Choose a couple of curved furniture pieces, like a rounded coffee table, armchair, dining chair or couch.
Patterned cushions, rugs and wall art are also distinct features of mid century modern interiors. Look for patterns with vibrant colours and fun, innovative geometric shapes.
Use a Mix of Materials
Rich, warm wooden pieces are the stars in mid century modern homes, but glass and mixed metals like chrome, brass and gold give this style so much class.
Don’t be afraid of texture. For a traditional mid century modern look and cosy feel, go for velvet, suede and leather materials. Balance the room with plenty of natural light and greenery.
Opt for Dark Wooden Furniture
Warm, chestnut tones define mid century modern style. Unlike Scandinavian interior, which embraces light wooden furniture, mid century modern focuses on darker, warm wooden pieces, floors and walls. Think rich, warm-toned wooden sideboards and buffets, dining tables and chairs and side tables styled with tall, glass candlesticks and vases, trailing plants or ceramics.
Bring the Outdoors Inside
Mid century modern design has a strong connection to nature and aims for the natural flow between indoors and outdoors. Houseplants are a must in mid century modern interior design. Creeping plants like devil’s ivy, pothos and monstera plants are popular choices, as well as large, statement plants.
Go For a Statement Piece
To set the tone of a room, design the room around a statement piece of furniture. Statement pieces are usually organically shaped to break up the geometric shapes and structure of the room, like a curved accent chair or couch, or even a unique sideboard.
Get Creative With Lighting
In mid century modern interior, lighting is not only practical and essential but a bold and creative expression. Don’t shy away from tall floor lamps in brass, gold or metal, mushroom lamps, and table lamps with pleated lampshades and curved, rounded bodies. Hanging pendant lights are commonly used as opposed to wall-mounted lights. Lamps are encouraged in mid century modern interior design. Not only will they help create a relaxed atmosphere, but they’re the perfect way to accessorise a room.
Spring for Mid Century Artwork
Mid century interior favours big, bold statement artworks to be the focal point of a room. If that’s not your style (or in the budget), framed mid-century style artwork will look great in any space. Wall art is a chance to add a pop of colour to your space, too.
