15 Useful Tips to Create Mid Century Interior in Your Home

Mid century interior style teaches to appreciate the purity of forms, and simplicity.

Maybe this style is not as widespread as, for example, Scandinavian, but it is gradually getting more and more popular.

Trends tend to come back, and a new burst of fashion for mid century interior design appears not only at exhibitions but also in private interiors.

The love for the style of mid century interior design is quite natural: clear lines, functionality, deep colors, and a fresh mix of various materials.

Simple, aesthetic, very comfortable – mid century modern interior design fits into the modern lifestyle like no other.

Origins of Mid Century Interior Design

Imagine: The Second World War has just ended, the leading designers and architects of Europe have emigrated to America, and people want only one thing – for everything to work out.

Under these circumstances, in the 1950s and 1960s, furniture, patterns, and colors emerged that were life-affirming, ergonomic, and comfortable. Modernism, with its functionalism and its claim to discover universal forms, was not forgotten.

Objects had lost their angularity, acquired softness, taking organic forms as a sample. This became possible thanks to artificial materials.

And with all the irrepressibility of that time, the culture of everyday life influenced the concept of housing and furniture. Perhaps the sensuality of objects of that time is what captivates us to this day in this style.

Mid Century Modern Interior Design Style: Closer to Nature

Let’s start with architecture. The idea of an open plan in the 1950s was no longer new. In any case, for the avant-garde, because the concept of open spaces dates back to classical modernism, i.e. by the 1920s.

However, the incorporation of outdoor space into the concept of housing in those days was revolutionary for many who built residential buildings.

Large panoramic windows and sliding doors that turned the terrace into an extension of mid century living room – they loved it in those days. This continues to this day.

How Do You Get the Mid Century Modern Look?

Clean, smooth lines of simple geometric shapes. The clean and modern look of mid century home interior design comes from simple lines and smooth surfaces.

Geometric minimalism is important for the style, each detail of which serves a specific function and is in its place.

Large and heavy furniture has been replaced by light and airy spaces with neat proportions.

Contrasting Materials

The post-war surge in new materials, especially plastics and organic glass, inspired designers to experiment. Natural and artificial materials were freely combined with each other in the same room or even an object.

Mid century designers loved to mix traditional materials. Wood, metal, and glass with unconventional materials such as vinyl, plywood, organic glass, plastic, and fiberglass look special. For the first time, plastic was used not as an imitation of more expensive materials (like wood), but by itself.

Mid Century Home Interior Design Colors

Wide Range of Colors

Mid century modern interior design is a warm and optimistic style with unique coziness thanks to a positive color scheme. Here, the choice is unlimited.

Combine warm natural colors: olive green and burnt grass, mustard and pumpkin, clove, and poppy. Use deep stylish shades: flashy pink, rich gray, turquoise, graphic black.

Add traditional colors: burgundy, blue, emerald green. Don’t forget the bright sugar shades for plastics and textiles. Yes, and don’t interfere with bare textures: wood, metal, marble, concrete, brickwork.

Scandinavian Natural, American Bright

The color palette of the mid century style consists mainly of light and warm earth colors. They create the perfect base to create an accent color with just a couple of items – as in this case with two chairs in orange and gray-blue.

Beige, brown, natural colors – if you choose such a color scheme, the next step to achieve the desired effect can be pillows on the sofa, an armchair, or a bright couch.

What Color Wood Is Mid Century Modern?

For grounding the design you will need wood tones of gray, brown, and white.

They help to contrast any colorful accents and cultivate the style. Bright, bold shades in contrast with light and dark woods are a common theme of mid century modern interior design.

Teak, a hardwood with a smooth grain texture is the most popular and common wood used in mid century apartment decor.

Mid Century Modern Bedroom: Various Textures

Textures and patterns are essential for any modern minimalist style.

Warm carpets, stone fireplaces, a sleek glass table, ceramic tiles, a plastic chair, leather upholstery, straw pouf, and geometric textiles make the room even more interesting.

Bright abstract patterns appear on paintings, pillows, and accessories in a mid century bedroom.

Special Lighting Fixtures

Lighting fixtures from the 1950s and 1960s are often comparable to art objects.

The trend developed not in the direction of a single chandelier that illuminates the entire space, but in the direction of spots that arbitrarily placed light accents in the room.

Floor lamps or geometric chandeliers adhere to two rules: either round curved contours or straight clear lines. Typically, lighting items are made of metal, but sometimes wooden legs are found.

Unique lamps do not just do their job, but are a kind of work of art.

You can mix individual pieces of furniture or lighting with other interior styles.

Mid Century Modern Interior Design Style Furniture

Furniture Classics

In the 1950s, a whole regiment of furniture appeared that has now become classics. This includes the Eames Lounge Chair, which is divided into segments that support the body when seated.

Other standards of modern furniture include the plastic Panton chair by Werner Panton, Tulip Chair and Tulip Table by Eero Saarinen, and much more.

But besides the great names, there are tons of vintage pieces from unknown designers that showcase an equally captivating shape.

Unique Furniture

Furniture of that time stands out for its straight, clean lines, the combination of different materials, with smooth curved corners. Necessarily on thin legs. Minimalist designs often use a wood base but can include fiberglass, plastic, and metal. Such furniture is versatile and fits into any interior style.

The most amazing thing about this style is that iconic pieces are universal, recognizable, fresh, and relevant even after so many years.

Is Mid Century Modern Going Out of Style?

The mid century style is so good that it attracts attention even after many years. Modern designers often borrow and reinterpret elements and style items, re-filling them with life.

Lively and fresh – mid century can look very modern, or it can help you create a retro look. Add to this beauty and functionality, as well as a favor for eclecticism – and now you have a trendy and cozy decor for many years.

Mid Century Apartment Décor

Streamlined Technology

Along with the rise of post-war economies, a variety of electrical appliances poured into the market and into homes. The organic forms that came from the USA found a lot of admirers in Europe as well. The streamlined design became equivalent to a new beginning.

Vacuum cleaners, toasters, radios, televisions, pots – we are talking about them. They all received the dynamic form of a new era.

Comics and Pop Culture

In the 1950s and 1960s, pop culture (from rock and roll to Hollywood) was so dominant that it influenced the style of interiors and contemporary art.

Andy Warhol raised comics to the level of art, and if now you hang posters with comics on the wall, then it’s quite artistic and very much in the style of the 1950s.

How Do You Make a Mid Century Interior?

• Let in as much sunlight as possible in the interior, for this Roman blinds and light fabrics for window decoration are suitable.
• Use geometric furniture, mostly with legs. Facades should be simple in shape and made of various types of light wood. An unmistakable move is the use of classic furniture of this style. Bright chairs in pure colors – red, yellow, blue, and so on – are suitable as accents.

• Pay attention to the lamps. Spherical models or lamps look like a flying saucer – the choice is huge.
• Look for authentic vintage items to create an original interior.