Mid-Century Modern Interior Design - PegandRail Design Ideas

Today is the day we explore Mid Century Modern (MCM) in great depth, getting to know its features and grasping how to design with MCM styling!

The mid-1900s were a period of tremendous transformation. The fashion originated in the middle of the 1900s following the conclusion of World War II. The utilization of sleek outlines, geometric designs, and vivid colors was an ideal solution to the mundane and dreary home décor from before the war.

It’s very chic, very streamlined, very elegant.

Despite mid-century modern style being more than seventy years old, it continues to be widely admired. Lots of the products created in the past are still being produced today!

Let’s have a seat in an Eames chair, grab a vodka martini, and investigate mid-century modern design together.

What are the characteristics of mid-century modern design, where can you purchase items to fit that style, and how can you include this classic look in your house?

Key Features Of The Mid-Century Modern Design

Have you ever seen Mad Men and been enamored by the cabinets and couches?

Do you appreciate classic, clean-lined furniture designs, artwork that celebrates the beauty of everyday objects and décor that combines functionality and fun? If so, you could be a fan of mid-century modern design, even if you may not realize it.

Below are some of the influential traits constituting the mid-century modern design aesthetic.

Warm Wood

Woods with warm hues such as walnut, mahogany and cherry are commonly seen in mid-century modern design. Wooden floors, pieces of furniture, and even walls are frequently encountered in this type of design.

Clean Lines

This design style requires basic shapes and crisp contours. The legs of chairs and sofas are usually tapered, and it is regular to find geometric patterns. You won’t find frills, bows and ribbons here!

Even though it has many simplicity and symmetry in its style, furniture from the mid-century modern period is still stunningly gorgeous… merging its purpose with its visual appeal!

Abstract Designs

Do you appreciate designs that are abstract, geometric, and asymmetrical? If you’re agreeing while looking at this digital display, mid-century modern is ideal for your domicile!

Taking this into consideration, you can increase the mid-century modern atmosphere of your home with the addition of many types of wallpapers, area rugs, and artwork.

Big Windows

Mid-century modern decor includes the use of expansive windows that grant admittance of natural light and visibility of the outside environment. Create the illusion of large windows in your home by hanging oversized mirrors!

Curtains and blinds need not apply!

Combinations Of Materials

Furniture from the mid-20th century frequently combines glass, timber, metal, and plastic to create an attractive appearance.

After World War Two, building materials were scarce. This prompted creators of furniture to mix up their materials and explore new options such as fibreglass and plywood. This led to an abundance of thrilling mixtures that have endured over time!

Bold pops of colour are also commonly seen. Let’s examine this further…

The Use Of Colour In Mid-Century Modern Décor

If you are passionate about hues, mid-century modern is the right choice for you! The focus of this design trend is to add warmth and depth to your space with vibrant hues that match your decor.

It is believed that individuals strived to bring more life into their houses after the harshness of the war years. Goodbye greys and beige, hello reds and yellows!

Here are some of the most popular mid-century modern colours:

Warm yellows and oranges: Gold, pumpkin and mustard
Earthy greens: Apple, olive and avocado
Teal
Reds and pinks
Brown

Interestingly pastel colours are also a popular choice! Think dusty pinks and baby blues.

Introducing color into our living space can be a challenge if we’re accustomed to more muted tones.

An excellent place to start is through accessories. A rug, cushion, or canvas that is colorful can make a big impact in bringing lightness to your living space. If you want to be bold, try adding a mid-century style couch in the hue of your liking.

Using a deep color on one wall can make a quiet yet powerful mid-century modern feeling in your home.

Are Scandinavian And Mid-Century Modern The Same?

The two décor styles share a lot of the same characteristics, such as lean lines and natural components. It makes perfect sense that both of these styles emerged at the same point in history.

However, there are subtle differences. I discovered that mid-century modern design usually has cheerful and inviting hues while Scandinavian decor typically sticks to calmer and subdued tints of grey and white. Interiors from Scandinavia tend to be lighter than those which were popular in mid-century modern style.

Using a white cotton bedspread on an ash-wood bedframe is a perfect example of Scandinavian décor, but it would not be representative of mid-century modern style.

In conclusion: consider the two as related and having a lot of time together!

Iconic Mid-Century Modern Pieces

Wishbone Chair

Hans J Wegner created the Wishbone Chair in 1949. The demand for it is so high that it has not stopped being made since it first came out!

This item is popular due to its modern look and basic design. It is available in more than 50 different colours and finishes.

Eames Lounge and Ottoman

The Eames husband and wife duo, Charles and Ray, crafted this well-known chair and ottoman set in 1964. It’s as comfortable as it is stylish!

Noguchi argued that art should serve a purpose, expressing that “Art should become fused with its environment.” He had a number of intriguing things to say.

Diamond Chair

During World War II, Harry Bertoia initially served as a teacher, but he decided to enlist in the army and use his skills as a welder to aid the war effort. During this period, he developed a passion for art and sculpting, and the rest is history!

This marvelous chair, which was designed in 1959, has been so well-received that it remains in production up to the present.

Tulip Table

In 1957, the architectural genius from Finland, Eero Saarinen, designed this exquisite table that is available in various sizes – from a coffee table to a dinner table capable of comfortably seating 12 people.

Nelson Saucer Bubble Lamp

One of the most recognizable designs featured on this list is the lampshade designed by George Nelson in 1952. It has a minimalistic vibe, yet there is a definite throwback feel!

Eames Moulded Plastic Chairs

Charles and Ray Eames provided an extensive number of additions to mid-century modern design, such as these magnificent chairs that come in an extensive array of different hues. There are a few varieties of legs available.

The chairs were initially created in 1950 and fabricated out of fibreglass. The chairs made a return in the beginning of the twentieth century, and are now constructed with polypropylene.

Tips For Designing a Mid-Century Modern Home

Go Minimal And Clean With The Mid Century Modern Paint Colors Interior

This particular style of mid-century modern architecture is characterized by its minimalistic and clean look, which presents a plentiful amount of possibilities for adding color. This mid-century modern style makes use of a wide array of colors and different hues, from light to bold, as well as a significant amount of black and white.

This would result in the area having an atmosphere reminiscent of the 1950s and 60s. Even though the mid-century modern design can be traced back to the 1950s and the 60s, the area can still have a current feeling to it. They create an atmosphere of relaxation and a cozy atmosphere throughout the room.

Be Mindful While Choosing Mid-Century Modern Paint Colors Exterior

When picking out colors for the outside of your mid-century modern abode, be aware of your choice. Paint colors for mid-century modern exteriors can vary from being vibrant or muted tones. It may be a mixture of both dark and light. It is prudent to pick a paint that creates an inviting appearance and is aesthetically pleasing for both the inside and outside of a home.

Simplistic And Functional Mid-Century Modern Style Furniture

Furniture from the mid-century modern era has a distinct and recognizable look. To recognize mid-century modern style furniture, look for pieces that have a simplistic design, strong purposeful use, combine natural and structured shapes, and exhibit a wide range of textures, hues, and materials. Furniture that is substantial in size not only provides an attractive look for your living room, but also contributes to environmental preservation.

Mid-century modern style furniture has a polished appearance. The colors present in mid-century modern style are diverse, and you can always find the right complementary colors to fit the colors of the area.

Mid Century Modern Theme Lighting

The lighting during the mid-century modern design period was a blend of traditional elements and recreations of old designs. Ground-mounted floor lamps didn’t just give off a glowing hue, but also offered adequate illumination, custom-crafted to suit the mid-century modern atmosphere of the home. Lighting was utilized as an additional factor that emphasized the basic characteristics of a usual mid-century modern house. Brass tubes, welded by hand, allowed light to shine upwards and create a sparkling effect, while table lamps, featuring dimmable opal blow glass, were also used. There is no comparison to the power of natural light when it comes to conserving energy.

Play With Mid-Century Modern Design Textures and Patterns

Mid-century modern interior design compensated for the absence of decoration through its investigation of various patterns and textures. This interest in spatial design emerged and increased to a degree that was visually attractive but not excessively ostentatious.

Bring In Nature with Greens In Mid-Century Modern Home

Mid-century modern homes were well-integrated with nature. The hue of the walls in the abode was intentionally selected to go with it. Architects of mid-century modern architecture took pains to ensure the use of things made of natural substances such as wood, leather, stone and the like in their internal areas. The mid-century modern home featured sizable windows to allow generous amounts of natural light and breeze to come in. Including a few green features lent a feeling of coziness to the area. Their soothing aura contrasted with the toned-down colors of the room, causing them to stand out in a typical mid-century modern dwelling.

Glam Quotient the Mid-Century Modern Home

The addition of sparkling metal and glossy elements together with the softer colors draws attention to the sparkle, captivating the one watching with just a slight glimmer. Mid-century modern style frequently involves the utilization of metal such as brass and bronze to create a unique look. This was exhibited as furniture pieces or lighting fixtures. No 50s-style residence is completely finished without a touch of sheen and elegance!

Mid-Century Modern Style Art

Mid-Century modern art is the epitome of simplicity. The uniqueness lies in its display of the mid-century modern style in its most raw form. Although there was great diversity in the style of art produced at this time, Pop art is thought to be the most widespread one which first appeared in the 1950s in combination with abstract expressionism. It was highly noticeable in mid-century households where art and other kinds of decorative pieces were put in the spotlight. Artistic expression of any kind, including paintings, sculptures, artifacts, and everyday objects, was an integral part of mid-century culture.

The use of art was extremely significant when new advertisements were appearing, and what superior approach to display the transformations, particularly of the post-WW2 era. Using geometric figures and strong hues appeared to be successful. Mid-century art became popular among people who were enthusiastic about modernism.

Now that you know what mid-century modern design is, we are certain that you will be eager to get some awesome tips on how to decorate your space to give it a luxurious feel.