What Is Mid-Century Modern Style (2024)

"They wanted their homes to be different from those built a century before;" Courtney Marquez, a Living Spaces staff interior designer, explains. "They wanted more windows, more family-oriented gathering spaces, more efficient and functional designs. Parallel advances in science and technology brought new materials, textures, effects and forms to these homes. The resulting aesthetic is what we now call mid-century modern – and it’s a style you can’t miss." Despite being named in industry trend reports, year after year, as a fad that surely isn’t here to stay, mid-century modern has shown up diligently, year after year and even now into 2024, as one of the most beloved and secure styles in the U.S. Perhaps its persistence is due to a collective reverence for that time period when the television, microwaves and Barbie dolls were all the rage. Today, the style is like a living time capsule that captures both the simplicity and excitement of decades past. It’s iconic, focused and specific: a fresh alternative to the vaguer forms of modern and contemporary design in the 21st century.

3 Distinguishing Features of Mid-Century Modern

Even if you don’t know the names of its features, mid-century modern is one of the easier styles to identify. This is because it’s both unique and popular: the features aren’t found in any other style of design (so there’s no mistaking it), and, since it’s ubiquitous in many public spaces like restaurants and hotels, you are given, in a sense, many chances to observe and study it. While looking at images of the style – and, better yet, experiencing it in person – is the best way to familiarize yourself with it, knowing the terms of some of the key elements can help solidify your understanding of some of the subtler nuances.

Outside Influences

Movies and TV shows are two of the great promoters and mobilizers of the architecture, and perhaps the most well-known example of mid-century architecture comes from The Brady Bunch – the establishing shot of the outside of the Bradys’ low-roofed, split-level, stone-speckled home is all but burned into our conscious, whether we grew up with the show or not. Less well-known (but still important) examples of mid-century architecture in movies include establishing shots in The Big Lebowski, North by Northwest and The Graduate. If you are at all interested in mid-century design, watch these movies for the loads of visual design inspiration.

Ranch Fever

Because low roofs and multipurpose, open floor plans boomed at the same time as mid century modern style, it is often assumed that the former magically sprung from the latter. But the evolution of the style wasn’t quite so simple. To trace the roots of the mid-century aesthetic, you have to backpedal a little further down the timeline – in particular, to the early 1930s, when ranch houses lined the west coast. With their low roofs and multipurpose, open floor plans (sound familiar?), ranch homes were in high demand due to their ability to help keep heat out – a coveted trait for those living in farms, deserts and other wide open spaces in California. Itself influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie Style Homes of the early 20th century, the ranch style house would soon weave its way into the fabric of California society – going on to pave the way for the coming mid century madness across the nation.

How to Use Mid-Century Modern Style in Your Space

If you want to bring the mid century modern style into your home, try not to go all-out, all at once (as tempting as it may be!). Many pieces of mid-century modern tend to be bright and bold, so a space decked out in the full aesthetic may feel a little overpowering. This is especially true if you’re buying pieces just to buy them; as with other styles, make sure to build your vision slowly and steadily.

Bringing home mid-century modern style is easy, but as with any style, can seem daunting. With all the reverence for the style, all the ways the style has been lovingly tributed in movies and TV, all the style’s books and photography written and published (by some of the world’s most influential scholars, no less), can make it easy to feel like you’re missing something or not doing it justice, especially if you’re starting from scratch. The key, as always, is balance; incorporate a few iconic elements, and balance the rest in color, size and texture. When in doubt, go softer – mid-century modern is more neutral than it is bright.

Key colors of this modern home look include anything warm: oranges, reds, yellows, greens and teals. Key colored pieces of the look include major upholstery staples: try a chrome floor lamp, or an avocado-green dining room bench (if you're aim is poplarity, go especially for avocado green — a color which, onGoogle Trends, has grown in interest by 15% over the past year). Also try a mustard home office sofa or a tangerine (a color which has risen in interest by three percent on Google Trends over the past year) headboard. If you're looking for a splash of energy, a teal (this color rose in interest by five percent on Google Trends over the past year) kitchen chair cushion works wonders. For balance, incorporate wood furniture and accents – black walnut, a wood which over the past year rose in popularity on Google Trends by 4% (and which has a naturally dark finish) was an especially popular parameter of the style. Teak and mahogany (up 1% in popularity on Google Trends over the past year), also feel succintly mid-century and steady in popularity. Exact types of wood aren’t as important as the color; as long as the wood is naturally brown, rich and warm, it will fit into a mid-century space.

4 Ways to Bring Mid-Century Modern Decor Home

Each of these living room, dining room and office aesthetics has a mid-century interior design touch – whether it's tapered legs, low profiles or a pop of color. Here, see for yourself up-close how the design styles are brought to life with just a few key details in dining tables, coffee tables, lounge chairs, credenza and more

A Futuristic Look

One of the best ways to understand the force behind the sudden surge that was mid century modern in the ‘50s and ‘60s is by taking a closer look at the global Space Race that was happening at the same time. When it came to space, and in particular successfully sending off an orbiting shuttle, the Soviet Union and the United States were in a head-to-head battle to see who could do it first.

The effects of America’s obsession with the future – and the science and tech associated with it – rippled onto a domestic level. Objects, clothes, homes and even TV shows (we’re looking at you, Jetsons!) took on a new, more futuristic life.

Rooted in Palm Springs

Just a couple hours’ drive from the bustling hub that is Los Angeles, Palm Springs quickly became the getaway spot for celebrities as showbiz boomed in mid-century Hollywood. As more and more vacation homes for the stars were built in the area, what was once an overlooked desert city grew to become one of the most luxe resorts in America. To this day, Palm Springs has not lost its “mid-century magic”; turn any corner to find an iconic low roof home here, a vibrant orange-and-brown color palette there and charming, 1950s-inspired, Warholesque wall art – everywhere!

Stuck in the Middle

How Mid-Century Compares to Styles of the 1800s and 2000s

View All

• Mid-Century Modern Furniture
• Grey Mid Century Furniture
• Mid-Century Modern Sofas
• Mid-Century Modern Beds
• Grey Mid-Century Modern Accent Chairs
• Fabric Mid-Century Modern Sectionals
• Mid-Century Modern Recliner Chairs
• Mid-Century Modern Furniture