What Is Mid-Century Modern Decor Style?
Mid-century modern is a design movement that became well-known in the middle of the 20th century (the 50s and 60s). During that time, the North American economy was booming, and so was the population. New homes were being constructed in designs that reflected optimism for the future. Families wanted more efficiency and functionality in their homes, and the population was brimming with excitement for new technology (this was around the time when people got their first television sets!)
Post-war development, the Space Race, the International and Bauhaus movements; the key events during this iconic time period reflected how people designed their homes. Mid-century modern style is characterized by clean lines, muted tones, graphic shapes, and other unique elements that you won’t find in other interior design styles.
Minimalist
People in this era wanted to move on from the war, so they loved what was new and modern. Mid-century modern rooms are uncluttered and understated, with furniture that focuses on functionality and simplicity.
Elements of Mid-Century Modern
To adequately answer the question, “what is mid-century modern decor?”, we must dig deep into the core elements that make up this interior design style. Here are the key characteristics that you might find in a mid-century modern home.
Combination of materials and aesthetics
Mid-century modern furniture is often made from a combination of man-made materials (e.g. plastic, fiberglass, vinyl) and natural materials (e.g. wood, glass, marble). Some great examples include chairs made with bent plexiglass and wood, fiberglass tables held by metal legs, cantilevered tables combining tubular steel and leather, and much more.
Mid-century design aims to create a somewhat seamless flow from indoor to outdoor. So, it is not uncommon for mid-century modern designers to use plants as decor, emphasize the use of natural light, and incorporate natural materials in almost every design element.
Natural tones with vibrant accents
The mid-century modern color palette often consists of colors from nature, such as bright oranges, muddy browns, and forest greens, which are used as accents against neutral shades like black, white, and wood tones. In this design style, it is common to see bright-colored upholstery (e.g. a Mars orange couch) matched with dark accents (a dark walnut frame) to create a balance in the space.
