Today we’re diving into the world of mid-century modern, so let’s hop to it!
First things first, what exactly does mid-century modern mean? We’re glad you asked! Mid-century modern refers to interior design, graphic design, and architecture that was popular from roughly 1945 – 1969, during the United State’s post-WWII period. Elements of MCM include, but aren’t limited to muted tones, clean lines, graphic shapes, and vibrant colors.
Characteristics of mid-century modern include minimalist furniture that is very simple complete with clean, sleek lines. Mixing materials and aesthetics are common among mid-century modern pieces, think manmade materials such as vinyl and/or plastic used with natural materials such as wood and/or marble. Fusions of indoor and outdoor pieces are another common characteristic, and this could be done simply by adding plants to a room. And last but not least, natural hues with pops of color.
If we have your attention and you’re loving what you’re seeing, here are some design tips to get you started.
Get Some Wood
Throughout the 50s and 60s, wood furniture meant high-end, so anybody who was anybody had it in their homes. Whether you plan on scouring thrift stores for the perfect pieces, of your Amazon delivery guy is about to curse your name, to achieve the mid-century modern look, you’ll have to incorporate wood.
Light Bright
As you’re on the hunt for some inspiration, you’ll notice that no mid-century home was complete without unique light pendants or light fixtures. You’ll want to find pieces that are both functional and art.
Funky Town Furniture
Something we love about mid-century modern is that none of it’s going to match, but it will all go together. With that being said, we highly recommend skipping the brand-new stuff and encourage you to head to your favorite thrift stores and flea markets to find some furniture. New furniture is okay and some of it encapsulates the look you’re going for, but you won’t get the colors, texture, and quality of the real stuff that way.
Bougie and Boozy
You simply must include a bar cart to your living space, even if it just houses books, vinyl records, and a small turntable. If you do fancy a cocktail every now and again, deck your bar cart out with glass decanters, a vintage shaker set, and a set of mid-century glasses.
Wallpaperpalooza
If you’re really going for the look and if you’ve got a blank wall, or two or three, consider wallpaper with an allover graphic print. If permanent wallpaper feels like too much of a commitment, you can always give the peel-and-stick stuff a try. Just remember, the bolder, the better.