Mid-century style is a timeless design aesthetic that has its roots in the modernist architecture and design movement of the mid-20th century. It typically features a stripped-down and minimalist aesthetic, which is achieved through use of angular lines, clean silhouettes, and geometric shapes.
Some classic elements of this style include thin, tapered furniture legs, atomic and boomerang-shaped accents, and pops of bright colors. Mid-century style is also known for its focus on functionality and blending organic elements with modern touches.
Wood, with either its natural grain or mid-century-inspired finishes, is an important part of the style, while plastic and metal-based pieces, such as stools, chairs, and tables, are also popular. Mid-century style often exudes a sense of elegance, warmth, and vibrancy that can easily make any home feel more inviting and captivating.
What are the characteristics of mid-century design?
Mid-century design is a style that emerged in the middle of 20th century and drew heavily from the modernist art movement of the same time. Characteristic features of mid-century design style include clean lines, natural materials, bright colors, minimalistic shapes and sleek silhouettes.
The focus is on function as much as form and furniture pieces are typically organic shapes and natural materials, often created with an emphasis on craftsmanship. Mid-century design has made a huge comeback in modern interior design.
With its vibrant colors and unique design elements, this style is perfect for creating an inviting and inviting living space. Mid-century designs often feature curved corners and lines, paired with vibrant colors, rich textures, and abstract shapes.
Natural materials are often used in furniture pieces in this style, often highlighted with metal accents or upholstery. Modernist themes typically include abstract wall art, crisp whites, and dark neutral tones.
One of the most recognizable mid-century design pieces is the Eames Lounge Chair, an iconic design that has been faithfully re-produced. Mid-century design is perfect for creating a light and airy feel in a living space, while still maintaining an inviting atmosphere.
What is the difference between mid-century and modern?
The terms mid-century and modern both refer to a design style, however, there is a distinct difference between them. Mid-century design dates back to the 1940s to the 1960s, and is a combination of modern and classic design elements.
It typically involves both organic shapes, such as rounded edges and curves, as well as geometric shapes, such as lines and sharp, angular shapes. The furniture is often made from sleek, polished woods, like oak and walnut, and metal accents like brass are common.
Mid-century design often includes bright colors and bold patterns, like those seen in popular designs from this era.
Modern design emerged in the late 1920s and early 1930s and focuses on the idea of minimalism. This style is marked by simple, clean lines and forms, emphasizing function over ornamentation. Materials used in modern designs are often geometric, such as steel, glass, and concrete.
Modern furniture often has a light and airy look, as pieces are designed to appear as though they are floating rather than grounded. Neutral colors are common in this style, as are touches of bold colors to provide contrast.
What is a mid-century home look like?
A mid-century home typically has a streamlined, modern design in a minimalist style. It typically features large windows to let in natural light, open layouts that blur the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces, and a focus on simple geometric shapes and forms.
Colors are often muted earth tones, such as brown, beige, and tan, with periodic pops of bright colors. Mid-century homes also often have unique features such as open-space floor plans, fireplaces, built-in furniture, and large outdoor spaces with outdoor kitchens.
Furniture is often mid-century modern, with metal and wood combined in clean, global shapes, low profile, and smooth metal legs. Flooring is often ceramic tile, terrazzo, or polished concrete, and wall treatments commonly feature large-scale abstract art and wallpapers with bold designs and geometric shapes.
How do I know if my house is mid-century modern?
If your house was built between 1945 and 1975, it’s a good sign that it is mid-century modern. Look out for certain architectural elements including flat planes, large windows and open floor plans, to ensure that it fits in this style.
You may also want to look at decorative elements in the home such as furniture, wallpapers, fabrics and lighting; these should also be in line with this style. If you want to confirm, you can find an expert in mid-century modern architecture who can accurately identify if your house is mid-century modern or not.
Why do Millennials like mid-century modern?
Millennials, who generally refer to individuals born between 1981 and 1996, are drawn to mid-century modern for a variety of reasons. Mid-century modern design is sleek, sophisticated, and timeless – giving it a broad appeal to Millennials who value simplicity, minimalism and functionality.
Mid-century modern is often associated with the atomic age, which may draw Millennials looking to add a sense of nostalgia to their homes.
It is also important to note that mid-century modern furniture is often affordable, which is ideal for Millennials who are often on a budget. The connection between affordability and mid-century modern is highlighted through the popularity of online furniture retailers, such as Wayfair and Ikea, specializing in products inspired by the 1960s and 1970s style.
Additionally, through Pinterest, Millennials have access to endless images of mid-century modern decor for inspiration. Finally, mid-century modern can easily be blended with other styles in the modern home, making it a versatile and attractive choice for Millennials.
How do you make furniture look mid-century modern?
Making furniture look mid-century modern is a relatively simple process of transforming a piece of furniture to give it a vintage feel. First, it is important to choose the right pieces of furniture that have potential to be made mid-century modern.
Look for pieces with simple lines, non-excessive details, wood construction and a clean finish.
Once you have chosen the piece of furniture, you may want to refinish it to make it look more authentic. You can create a distressed look by sanding it down and using a wire brush to give it texture.
For an aged look, you can use a stain or paint to give it an aged patina, and you can use a glaze to give it an aged effect.
In terms of accessories, create an eclectic area by adding simple and modern features, such as colors from the mid-century era, like shades of blue and orange, mustard yellow, soft green, and white. Think about using pieces such as classic chairs with interesting patterns, bright colored throws for couches, simple lamps or wall sconces, and textured artwork.
Finally, the key to making any furniture look mid-century modern is in the styling. Trays, books and plants can be used to create depth and texture, and subtle colors will give the space a unique and inviting look.
With these styling tips, you can easily make any piece of furniture look like it just stepped out of the 1950s.
Are arches mid-century modern?
The mid-century modern style of architecture and design was popular from 1933 to 1965 and includes iconic elements such as flat roofs, low-slung furniture, and natural textures. While arches aren’t necessarily seen as a signature element of the mid-century modern look, they could certainly be included in a mid-century modern architecture and design.
As a form of expression, arches were popular among mid-century modern architects who employed them to link indoor and outdoor spaces, create cantilevers, and provide structural support. Arches can provide an aesthetically pleasing and efficient way to open up small interior spaces while also creating a sense of drama, which is an effect that mid-century modern designers often sought to achieve.
Furthermore, organic shapes like arches can be used to denote a kind of nature-inspired minimalism, as opposed to the rigid lines and hard materials often associated with modernism. Thus, arches can be seen as complementary to mid-century modern design, though this does not necessarily make them a defining feature of the style.
Is mid-century modern going out of style?
No, mid-century modern is not going out of style. Mid-century modern initially emerged in the 1940s and gained immense popularity in the 1950s and 1960s. It has remained an ever-present trend in the design world due to its functional yet stylish nature that appeals to a wide audience.
Mid-century modern furniture typically features minimalist shapes and clean lines, so it works well with a variety of home designs and can easily be combined with other aesthetics. It is designed to give homeowners a feeling of spaciousness and open-concept living due to its emphasis on geometric forms and its rejection of bulky Victorian-era pieces.
Additionally, mid-century modern is incredibly versatile since it can be updated with a variety of colors and materials to create a new look. This helps to ensure that the look never gets outdated and makes it perfect for homeowners who want something timeless yet intriguing.
What qualifies as mid-century furniture?
Mid-century furniture refers to designs and materials used in the mid-20th century, typically between the years 1933 to 1965. This style was a reaction to the harsh lines and ornamental influences of the Edwardian and Art Deco periods.
Characteristics of mid-century furniture include clean lines, geometric shapes, and natural materials like wood, metal, vinyl, and rattan. It typically features minimal details with a focus on functionality and minimalism.
Key pieces of mid-century furniture include the Eames Lounge Chair, the Saarinen Tulip Chair, the Nelson Platform Bench, and the Noguchi Coffee Table. Common colors and patterns used in this period are bold, geometric shapes in colors like teal, orange, and mustard, as well as more muted colors like gray and beige.
The style heavily featured organic forms, curved lines, and an effort to bring in nature with furniture pieces.
How do you mix mid-century modern and traditional?
Mixing mid-century modern with traditional style often begins with simple color choices. Think of classic, muted colors like deep navy, soft greens, and various shades of grey. Finding pieces with a similar color palette will help create a cohesive look.
Mid-century modern items typically have a more angular, simplistic shape, while traditional items usually have more curves and embellishments. Combining the two styles can mean finding striking contrasts, like a mid-century modern coffee table with a traditional sofa, or a mid-century modern light fixture with a traditional rug.
With furniture and decor, play around with size, shape, and texture to create balance. For example, pair a mid-century modern, low-profile sofa with a traditional-style chair with added softness and curves.
Lastly, include a few extra details that tie the look together, like a statement accent wall with vintage wallpaper, a patterned quilt, or unique pieces of art.
How do you make a mid-century coffee table?
Making a mid-century coffee table is relatively easy, especially if you want to replicate the classic design. First, determine the size you want your table to be. Then, purchase the necessary materials, such as wood, screws, hinges, and any decorative elements.
To construct the base of your table, use wood of your choice. For the legs, use two longer pieces of wood, cut to the desired height of your table. Secure two shorter pieces of wood in between the two longer pieces to create the frame of the base.
Secure these pieces together with screws and hinges. You can also make your own table with a single board cut to the desired size.
Next, attach the top to the frame. You can use a piece of plywood or other hardwood for the top part. Secure this with screws to create a strong table— make sure to use the right screws and appropriate strength.
Also, make sure to clean the wood before you start assembling, as any dirt and dust can affect the strength.
Finally, you can add decorative elements such as painted legs and decorative pieces of wood. Make sure to finish this off with some varnish or look down to create a unique look. You can also add brass details such as handles and hinges for a more polished appearance.
With the right materials and a few hours of hard work, you can create your own mid-century coffee table.