Midcentury modern is a design style that emerged in the mid-20th century, characterized by simple, functional, and wooden furniture. It has become a popular choice for interior design in the 21st century due to its uncluttered layouts, sleek lines, functional furniture, mix of natural and manufactured materials, and neutral color palette. This style represents a departure from the ornate and excessive styles that dominated the early 20th century, focusing on creating a more pared-down approach.
Midcentury modern interior design features clean lines, muted tones, a combination of natural and manmade materials, graphic shapes, vibrant colors, and integration of indoor and outdoor motifs. The style was popular between the 1930s and the 1960s and fell out of fashion by the 1970s. Elements of midcentury modern interior design include clean lines, muted tones, a combination of natural and manmade materials, graphic shapes, vibrant colors, and integrating indoor and outdoor motifs.
The term “midcentury modern” was popularized by a book published in the 1980s and quickly became synonymous with architecture, furniture, and graphic design made between 1933 and 1965. Midcentury modern design is known for its simplicity, practicality, and sumptuous silhouettes, with designs often juxtaposing sleek lines with organic shapes.
In summary, midcentury modern is a popular design style that has evolved over time, incorporating elements such as clean lines, muted tones, and a blend of natural and manufactured materials.
📹 let’s chat about mid century modern design
Hi friends! Today I’m yapping all my thoughts about “mid century modern” It’s hard to go anywhere with an interior design project …
What is mid-century modern pattern?
Mid-century modern design is characterized by open floor plans, large windows, and materials like wood, glass, and steel. Furniture often features minimalistic designs with simple geometric shapes. This style has influenced other areas like industrial design, graphic design, and popular culture. It is associated with timeless elegance and a blend of comfort and functionality. The term “Mid Century Modern” is often abbreviated as MCM, and many companies use it instead of the full term.
What are 5 key elements of MCM decor?
A cozy mid-century modern living room is a combination of comfort and chic aesthetics. Key elements include simplicity, natural materials and textures, color and pattern, lighting, and seamless integration of technology. Furniture should be clean lines and gentle curves, offering functionality without clutter. A sleek sofa, classic coffee table, and accent bench can set the stage, while choosing each piece with purpose and care.
Incorporating warmth without overwhelming the space with soft, plush cushions or earthy tones wool throws can add comfort and a sense of homeliness to the modern setting. By incorporating these elements, a mid-century modern living room can be created that combines comfort with chic aesthetics.
How do you identify mid-century modern architecture?
Mid-century modern homes, popular in the Pacific Northwest, feature open floor plans, large windows, a pared-back color palette, and a simplified design style with clean lines. They are often influenced by the surrounding nature and have minimal personal objects to avoid clutter. The design movement, which originated from 1945 to 1969, included architecture, interior design, and furniture. Mid-century modern homes were built after WWII during a housing boom and the desire for affordable, middle-class homes.
Post-war developer Joseph Eichler built these affordable homes, while higher-end homes were also built using Mid-Century design for affluent homeowners. This article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the history, descriptions, and characteristics of Mid-century modern homes, helping readers identify if they are the right fit for their lifestyle.
What makes a design mid-century modern?
The Mid-Century Modern interior design style, which was significantly influenced by the principles of Bauhaus, Mies van der Rohe, and Le Corbusier, is characterised by a minimalist approach that emphasises clean lines, sleek curves, futuristic forms, retro-inspired colours, and abstract art.
What defines mid-century modern art?
The term “mid-century modern” is used to describe a design style that emerged in the early 1930s and persisted until the mid-1970s. This style is characterised by a preference for clean lines and organic shapes. This style is frequently referenced in books such as Bradbury’s Mid-Century Modern Complete, Fiell’s Design of the 20th Century, and Forest’s The Art of Things. The field of product design has evolved considerably since 1945.
What is the difference between mid-century and mid-century modern?
The evolution of furniture styles over time has been marked by the Eames principle of “making the best, for the most, for the least”. Mass manufacturing systems have influenced the design of modern pieces, leading to the emergence of sleek lines and geometric shapes. Designers like George Nelson have contributed to the furniture design space with innovative designs. Mid-century modern furniture embraced bold colors and smooth lines, aiming to create something new and identifiable at affordable prices. The color palette included various schemes, from playful to accent colors.
The structure and shapes of mid-century modern pieces were determined by modern designers, who chose their niche and incorporated functional structures over conventional chair models. The use of colors like olive green and soft greens took over as chairs became more common worldwide. Contemporary reproductions of vintage mid-century designs saw an uptrend at the end of the 20th century, as iconic designs made a comeback from the lull it faced during the era. Original designs became extensions of prior art, while concepts continue to develop with advanced materials and proper development to make chairs unique.
What’s the difference between mid-century and mid-century modern?
The evolution of furniture styles over time has been marked by the Eames principle of “making the best, for the most, for the least”. Mass manufacturing systems have influenced the design of modern pieces, leading to the emergence of sleek lines and geometric shapes. Designers like George Nelson have contributed to the furniture design space with innovative designs. Mid-century modern furniture embraced bold colors and smooth lines, aiming to create something new and identifiable at affordable prices. The color palette included various schemes, from playful to accent colors.
The structure and shapes of mid-century modern pieces were determined by modern designers, who chose their niche and incorporated functional structures over conventional chair models. The use of colors like olive green and soft greens took over as chairs became more common worldwide. Contemporary reproductions of vintage mid-century designs saw an uptrend at the end of the 20th century, as iconic designs made a comeback from the lull it faced during the era. Original designs became extensions of prior art, while concepts continue to develop with advanced materials and proper development to make chairs unique.
How to recognize mid-century modern?
Mid-Century Modern (MCM) furniture, originating in the mid-20th century, is known for its clean lines, gentle curves, and organic shapes. This style is still popular in contemporary interior design due to its elegant simplicity and timeless aesthetic. MCM furniture features a variety of materials, colors, and textures, blending efficiency with efficiency. The smooth curves of wooden lounge chairs and dining table legs seamlessly blend with black leather sofas, white plastic chairs, blue cushions, and colorful rugs.
How to tell if something is mid-century?
Mid-century modern design is known for its clean lines, simple shapes, and organic elements. Emphasizing functionality, mid-century designs were sculptural and beautiful. Sofas have sleek, straight lines and are typically rectangular with angled tapered legs. Styles include tight backs and tufted backs. Accent chairs incorporate organic curves and similar characteristics, making them both practical and visually appealing.
How do you know if something is mid-century modern?
The defining characteristics of mid-century modern furniture are its simplicity, clean lines, and organic shapes. These pieces often combine traditional and non-traditional materials, including wood, metal, glass, vinyl, and plywood, in a manner that reflects the era’s penchant for innovation and experimentation. The design is characterised by minimal ornamentation, sleek, functional forms, organic curves, geometric shapes, contrasting materials, and angled, tapered legs.
Is Art Deco a MCM?
Mid-century modern and art deco are often mistaken for the same, but they differ in concept and execution. Art deco is considered a “dressed up” version of mid-century modern, featuring glamorous, sophisticated, and bold designs. It follows basic concepts like geometric shapes and high contrast, but with intricate motif inspired by technology. Mid-century modern is approachable and welcoming, while art deco emulates ideal sophistication and advancement.
Key design elements to compare between the two styles include materials, such as plastic, laminates, and plexiglass, which were used to create smooth, sleek shapes. Stucco and glass are staples in mid-century modern design, while surfaces lack special finishing, making them look and feel clean and practical. Mid-century modern design uses materials that are practical and accessible to all, making them distinct and distinct from each other.
📹 HOW TO DECORATE MID CENTURY MODERN | super in depth guide♥
Howdy friends, today we’re taking a look at how to decorate mid-century modern style! By the end of this video, you will officially …
Very informative. Since you are in Copenhagen (I think I heard that in another of your articles?), I’d love to hear your perspective regarding classic Danish design (the likes of TONI Copenhagen, Lassen, and Louis Poulsen from earlier in the 1930s) and how that style is different, though often conflated, with MCM.
I’ve watched a TON of interior design youtube and it tends to become just a little redundant over time. Your articles offer such a unique perspective and I love the history/images you’re showcasing! It’s easy to see that “mcm” from wayfair looks bad but I really enjoyed hearing exactly WHY in terms of history and functionality. Fast furniture will never be my cup of tea
I really enjoy your focus on history and theory in design. Having an understanding of that informs the eye and brings authenticity into a space. A lot of interior design content on YouTube feels like people trying to personally identify with SEO terms rather than curate real spaces that people have to live in.
2/2 One suggestion — could you do a follow-up ytube doing detailed contrasts of vintage midcentury and contemporary knockoffs, which ones seem to work and not work, explaining why you think that, with visual examples? You briefly showed some photos of things on this ytube but there was almost no specific commentary.
Thank you for this article! Your explanation of the ideas behind mid century modernism is really insightful. I’ve just moved into a new apartment and I feel very inspired by mid century designs, so I definitely want to implement the mcm philosophy when designing my space. I think you’ve explained really well the difference between authentic mcm designs and the kitschy contemporary interpretations of it, which made me better understand how to make design choices. Keep it up!
I love this article i havent seen anything like it yet. I love mid century modern when i look at photos of older places but whenever i search up furniture or lamps with that tag they dont feel right. They didnt feel accurate and i found myself asking intuitively “man but what is REAL mid century modern?” Because i felt such a disconnect between search results and the photos of spaces i enjoyed
Wow. You delivered exactly what I needed when I needed it. You have such a comprehensive yet succinct way of explaining design. The biggest takeaway I got from this (other than what MCM actually means) is that I shouldn’t go overboard with getting true vintage MCM furniture that has those on-the-nose characteristics. I just started buying vintage furniture and I was about to overdue “that” look. I assumed if it was truly vintage then it would all work. I think you just saved my future house. Also — totally love the history. Wouldn’t mind more. Half the joy of getting vintage furniture is imagining where it came from and what its past life was like. Thank you for this article!
I appreciate the thoughtful criticism in this, you are coming from a place of passion and knowledge and not knocking anyone’s “defined style” or anyone’s general understanding of MCM just providing real context. This article has helped me get out of my own head and be less obsessive, instant subscribe. PS need advice on convincing my wife we need a Wassily.
Noah, MORE VIDS! Of all the designers on YT you make the most sense. Maybe because I am an architect as well. Interiors are SOOOO hard for me to do, I am trying to learn and it is complicated. The design concepts are the same, I specialize in exterior spaces, but indoors the scale and proportion, color is all very different, just to name a few of the differences. One thing is that you give great examples to illustrate, but flash them too fast. BTW, I really like the living room with the 2 story velvet blue drapes and sputnik light. Was that an example of BAD? If so, what am missing? THANKS
The modern buildings you are showing at the beginning of this article make me think of the paintings by David Hockney. I never thought of the style of the buildings he was representing on his 60’s paintings, but thanks to your article here, I just realized what style they were. The mid-century modern pieces of furniture that you are showing next remind me of some that my grandparents used to have in their home in the 60’s-70’s. Suddenly, I realize that I am vintage too! 😂
This is great. I’m moving home and want to use these principles in my dining room. Found a good retailer of this style of furniture but you’ve given me some good pointers. Not going nuts to the point where it looks like a theme park for instance. Then again it’s my gaming space so maybe a bit of 1960s Bond villain theme isn’t a bad thing…
Love! It would be helpful if you added a little check or x (or something like that) to the images, so we know which are good examples and which are not so good examples. Some are obvious, but others are more subtle and I don’t know for sure if you are saying that the image on the screen is a good or bad example. Just an idea! ❤❤
Great start to the website! I have one piece of feedback. Your mic level varies a lot between vids. 1st and 3rd are a good volume, 2nd and 4th I have to crank it up to hear you. Mixing the audio to average around -12db is pretty standard. This means people can have their system volume around 30% and still hear you well. Anyway, looking forward to more future vids!
As a first year interior design student it’s really nice to discover some content that’s easy to absorb while also being rich in history and information. Your take is opinionated but backed up with reason as well as a good eye. The only thing is that I’m a bit confused by the photos you’re showing and the point you are trying to support- i would really appreciate if you provided a more clear distinction between the images that you’re saying are cheesy vs good intentional design. Maybe I’m just oblivious but I think some of the photos you included may not have been represented at the right time or with the right intention? I love hearing your point of you as an experienced designer and would just like to make sure I’m fully connecting the dots!
Love, that you are showing a house by Adolf Loos in my hometown Vienna as an example for Modernismn. Vienna is mostly related to the Barock aera and other influences are not that well known like the Wiener Moderne or the Wiener Werkstätten. My personal style is all over the place, I just love well produced items that already lasted for a long time and still will. We have for example a beautiful Swedese chair form the 60s but I also have a silver sugar dish from the Biedermeier or an Art Deco Vase from Val Saint Lambert from Belgium or a french Verdure tapestry. I love to learn about style and design and I usually try to find these things as bargains…
We bought a ski chalet built in ‘62. As a fan of Sarah Susanka, the architecture really spoke to me but I didn’t know much about MCM at the time. Other than the purchase of a vintage dining set, I have really struggled to find the right way to furnish that is respectful of the character of the place. A family member hung a Sputnik shower curtain in the bathroom that makes me want to cry! So kitsch! We need to reconstruct the seating in the “conversation area” where an open fireplace is located. The original plans show benches that someone replaced years ago with a sectional sofa that has since worn out… keep the content coming because I need inspiration!
Great article and content. It’s great to see people paying attention to interiors and design, but as a designer it also hurts to see this bastardisation and misuse of terms haha. I feel like the content you’re making is very much needed and will help a lot of people who don’t have formal design training
This guy really articulated the difference between the real mid-century modern aesthetic and what’s called “mid-century modern” now. Having grown up in the mid-century in a home built in the mid-century, I always thought in the last few decades, “Gee this MSM isn’t like anything I remember from when I was growing up.” MCM just doesn’t seem authentic to the mid-century era. If anything, it is just someone’s imagination of what it must have been like waaaay back then… sort of like Japandi with flourescent pillows and a Sputnik chandelier.
I think you’re contradicting yourself here. At 2:58 you say the mission was “to create a new blueprint for the American home that would be innovative, efficient and affordable”, but then you say that mass-produced products from wayfair and co are contrary to that idea. I agree with you regarding that overly kitschy, thrown-together 50’s themed “revival” aesthetic. But to produce something that takes the original aesthetic but make it more cost-efficient with modern manufacturing practices seems perfectly in line with the original idea. Buying original vintage pieces absolutely does not. When I look at vintage pieces, a simple dresser costs something from $1,000-$4,000. An average modern middle-class household just cannot spend $30,000-$50,000 on furniture (dressers, tables, seating, couches, bedside tables, beds, etc). The price for modern replicas goes from $150-$700, much more realistic. Again, most of the products you’ll find under the term are terribly designed, but I feel like the overall concept of MCM furniture mass-produced from cheaper materials is totally in line with the original goal, taking into account that the cost of materials and wages has risen significantly since the 50s.
Hi!! I just found your website recently and have been slowly going through all of your articles. I really appreciate your perspective on interior design as something full of life and deserving of thoughtful curation. I’ve found your articles very informative as I don’t have much experience with thinking about interior design and they’re helping me to begin understanding why I felt so unhappy with the various pieces I’ve collected over the years. I’m 23 and planning on moving into my own apartment soon so I’ve been working on designing the space, however since I don’t have much experience with shopping for furniture, it has been hard to find the pieces I am looking for. Do you have any recommendations for modern brands making high quality furniture, vintage brands or keywords to use when looking for items? (I like certain features and the philosophy of modernism as well as Scandinavian design) Tysm!
Great article. I love the look of Mid-century modern furniture, but in practice the original furniture doesn’t seem to fit non-miniature people. I’m 6’2″ and my husband is 6’5″. Sitting in any lovely Eames chair that has a 16″ floor to seat height (or even lower) is impractical and uncomfortable. I used to think I wanted the Eames lounge chair, until I actually tried to sit in one. No wonder you never see anyone in the “Frasier” tv series sit in his.
I agree with all of this but…not all of us can afford or have access to real vintage MCM pieces! I absolutely want an MCM credenza — and am fine with going with something very obvious — but even if I could find one where I live (not the US), I probably couldn’t afford it. I think it’s fine to buy newer furniture that matches the design language, as long as it’s well-made and you like it.
I really enjoy your articles and I appreciate you sharing this history. You give amazing advice and I am happy I found your website. I have one point though about the reference you made in terms of modernism designs, that it applies to ‘Western Europe and the USA’ but actually a lot of the designers were from Eastern Europe as well. It is important that contributions from designers from other regions are acknowledged too. It is not a critique, I am just adding a little footnote here if you don’t mind. I am not an expert myself in any way, I just thought it was worth adding.
My favorite thing about “mid-century modern” is that it really started in the early century, but got delayed by the war, and then it exploded afterward. I love this because I have a 1930 house, and a lot of really contemporary looking shit actually fits in with the era of my house – not just depression and art nouveau. I like to play an obnoxious game of showing my friends a picture of the Barcelona chair and saying “when do you think this was designed?” It looks mid-century, but was much earlier. And idk I just think that’s so cool.
Thanks for mentioning Eichler homes and giving them the benefit of YOUR appreciation. Now I no longer feel like I shouldn’t like them because they weren’t designed by an oft mentioned big name designer. Yes, some MCM homes have design problems, but we can still appreciate and love the overall design esthetic.
Thank you for sharing the theory and a bit of history. I would love to learn more about it, so don’t hesitate to nerd out as much as you want. I have been struggling to build my interior and choose furniture, especially lighting and perusal your article I finally understand why. Everything feels super cheap and gimmicky, and I want to go for timeless. I knew I was drawn to mordern mid century design (from discovering it in Mad men, I know, cliché). But when I did a Google search I found all these super ugly interpretation and I got very confused. Anyway, thank you again for the content, and do not hesitate to dive more into the theory!
5:25 it is really hard to find mid-century design that is vintage but I have managed to find it for my dining room with a Garrison china cabinet and dining set. The cost I paid was minimal very minimal but it’s not something I would sell for any reason at all I absolutely love it and I have a mid-century modern vintage bedroom suite also. I have had a problem with designing an interior to go with the simple lines of the furniture I have because I have a problem finding a vintage sofa et cetera
Thanks for clarifying these terms and actually pointing out the differences with visual examples, Noah. I could tell the difference but didn’t have the language as to why these looked weird and off-putting to me. Do you have any book recommendations that go over these basics philosophies on modernism/MCM?
Thank you. I really enjoyed this, Noah! I agree with you, entirely. So many modern spaces today look cold and sterile, and have “attitude” (like hotel suites), as if they have been furnished to please (or intimidate) any visitors. Genuine MCM homes and furnishings always had warmth and a natural “feel” via the materials and shapes, with spaciousness (even when rooms were small), and light. Something inspiring but also calming.
I love architecture and design. In Arizona we have Taliesin West: natural materials, human scale, embracing its natural setting and a philosophy that we all deserve a beautiful environment. There are gathering spaces with fireplaces. It’s also unpretentious. Since I’m a child of that era I often see the blurred mix of mid century advertising and the actual art and architecture. This unique time in history was actually the birth of our idea of economic equality and human rights.
It’s refreshing to hear you express what I often fume about! It’s also great that you articulate some modernist theory: blurring the line between nature and the home, as opposed to the Victorian walled garden; using natural materials; craftsmanship; design built to last; the open floor plan allowed by new building methods. Just a personal note: my sister scored two Saarinen womb chairs, whose upholstery isn’t in the greatest condition. She wanted them reupholstered, but the construction of the chairs, which is that the upholstery is molded to the molded chairs, prevents that. I guess the idea was that the upholstery would never wear out, hahaha!
I’m a designer as well, and I don’t agree with your claim that modernism is “form follows function” and isn’t a style. Modern homes don’t have any more functionality than other types of homes. Two spaces can have the same layout and functionality and one is in a modern style while the other is Victorian. Modern IS a style. It comprises of certain unusual elements like exposed post and beam construction, low-pitched roofs, clerestory windows, pony walls, tongue and groove wood paneling, slab doors, floor-to-ceiling glass, elimination of moldings, window sills, etc.
As someone who didn’t study this but has always appreciated this design style, this was sooooo helpful in helping me understand what it is I actually like about mid-century modern AND why I don’t typically love newer mass produced pieces that are labled “mid-century modern”. I’ve never really been able to articulate that to anyone when talking about my design or decor choices 👌❤️
Do you have any recommendations for rugs that might work well with a more mid-century home? My house was built in the 50s. It isn’t like any of the beautiful west coast homes from that time, but it has a lot of the real wood paneling and clean lines, which I love. But when searching for rug inspiration, all I find are those trendy posts that don’t feel true to the era. I’m also very influenced by traditional Japanese design, so I’d love to know your thoughts on that.
This is a terrible take for few reasons 1. Your solution reeks of I have money to waste and if you don’t you’re not doing it right 2. You don’t have to conform to some pure true version of modernism to enjoy the appeal of it 3. You contradicted yourself when you said you don’t like people sticking to rigid aesthetics while trying to impose one yourself 4. Retailers responded to supply and demand, consumers wanted mid century modern with a contemporary twist they weren’t trying to exactly replicate the style 5. By your own words part of the philosophy of mid central modern was affordable innovative designs yet you dislike when manufacturers make affordable innovative designs? There’s no point shaming people for not being as wealthy as you, what you find to be “kitschy” and “retro” others find aesthetically appealing and affordable
I watched this hoping to learn something, but he referenced some “design theory” he did not mention, gave no characteristics of MCM furniture, and just instructed everyone to go get vintage MCM furniture, as if everyone can. Sorry but do you even need to know interior design to get pieces that are MCM and put them in your house? I think you really know interior design when you can evoke a style/time period with any type of furniture, old and new, but you know how to choose them right.
I grew up in the 70s and I hate with passion MCM – it is so ugly and uncomfortable at the same time. Muted ugly green and orange colours that look like fabric that spent decades outside in some dark, wet alley, blue, green and pink bathrooms ugh. I’m still traumatised from my childhood. Under no circumstances go for that style as it is a pure garbage.