Guide to the Mid Century Modern Interior Design Trend

In recent years the Mid Century Modern interior design trend has grown in popularity, with the style trending on social media. If you’re looking to add a touch of mid century modern to your home, read on to discover more about this trend and how to bring this style to your space.

What is Mid Century Modern Interior Design?

The mid century modern style originates from the 1950s, taking inspiration from industrial and post-war trends, with a focus on functionality and form. It began as an architectural style, known for one-story, open-plan properties with lowered roofs, large windows across the side of the house and practical furniture within. 

The mid century modern interior design style follows on from this architectural trend, with decor intended to suit this type of home. As such, mid century modern interiors are known for sleek furniture, long, clean lines and open-plan living. In terms of furniture, multifunctional, space-saving stackable pieces are often preferred. Simplicity and functionality are at the heart of mid century modern interior items.

Key Elements of Mid Century Modern

Mid century modern decor is synonymous with elegant chairs, statement lamps, and TV stands, featuring tapered legs, bold pops of colour, materials such as sleek chrome, and geometric patterns. 

Mix and Match Materials

Mid century modern sees a great contrast of materials used in interior styles. In the 1950s and 60s, when this style originated, new materials like plastic, fibreglass, aluminium and plywood began to be used for furniture designs, alongside natural materials like wood, steel and concrete.

Statement Decor

When it comes to mid century modern, trinkets are out, and statement pieces are in. You won’t see clutter on shelves; instead, larger sculptures, planters, or statement lamps are more common for this interior trend. 

Mid Century Modern Colour Palette

Mid century modern interiors perhaps have less strict colour palettes than other design trends. However, the style is known for making use of both bold and neutral shades. This is achieved by having a neutral base, with bold shades used as pops of colour throughout the space to create focal points. 

One of the most popular colour combinations is orange and brown, bringing a warmer, earthy feel to the interior that works well alongside wooden furniture, which is often found in a mid century modern home. Dark wood tones are particularly popular – many of our mango wood sideboards have that distinctive MCM look. 

Brighter and bolder colours, like coral, avocado, red, and turquoise, are used to bring pops of interest to the space. 

Geometric Shapes

Geometric patterns and shapes are used in mid century modern decor to bring character to the home. Fabrics were quite eclectic, with designs featuring boomerang and atomic patterns proving popular, as well as ethnic prints and starburst patterns. 

Mid Century Modern Furniture 

Furniture in a mid century modern style tends to be made from wooden textures in a slimline style. Items like cabinets, sofas, wood coffee tables and sideboards feature slim legs, which are typically quite low to the floor, making rooms appear airier and less cramped. 

This is seen with the Zuiver Travis Sideboard, which features walnut or black oak veneers and functional storage space, while sitting on slim steel legs. 

Likewise, the Dutchbone Malaya Dining Table is the epitome of mid century modern, with slender, angular legs, walnut veneer, and a rounded-edge oval-like shape. 

Mid Century Modern Decor 

Traditional mid century modern decor put the focus on the architecture and furniture of the space, with the view that only a select few items should be displayed on sideboards and shelves. Furniture is at the heart of mid century modern, so the decor should not detract from it. 

However, in more recent interpretations of the mid century modern trend, more decorative elements have made their way into the style, with wall art taking a more prominent place in contemporary approaches.  

Want to bring a mid century modern feel to your home? Browse our range of mid-century inspired furniture to find the right pieces to bring this trend to life.