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You know that feeling you get when you go into a store and see clothing that was in style back in your day? Boomerang styles aren’t just for your closet, and midcentury modern decor is proof!
As a style that largely peaked in the 50s and 60s, midcentury modern is back and better than ever. We spoke with professional interior designers for actionable ways that you can incorporate this timely trend into your home.
The Skinny on Midcentury Origins
The midcentury modern trend was born out of the mid-20th century movement to use modern architecture, artwork and furniture design in the home. The term also applies to the materials and technology that followed World War II.
There is some speculation as to when the trend began (most designers suggest a timeframe between the 1930s and 1940s), but across the board, professional decorators agree that it reached its peak in the 1950s and 1960s.
“A post-war America was looking to break traditional design conventions and propel its design industries into the modern era,” suggested Adam Watson, the head interior designer at Decorelo.
Much like the minimalist movement, midcentury modern decor calls for simplicity and functionality in its decorative pieces, with simple flairs of fashion like warm woodwork and metallic finishes.
Design Dudes founder and principal designer Drew Henry suggested its resurgence in the 21st century is a result of its sleek and simple design.
“The furniture pieces are fun, low profile, light and airy,” says Henry. “Homeowners are allowing their homes to be more playful representations of themselves and really letting their personality shine.”
The recent resurgence has found its way into urban living areas, as the designs were originally conceived for smaller, post-war dwellings. The furniture is typically designed to be mobile and lightweight, making it appealing to city slickers who move frequently, often residing in smaller abodes.
Telltale Characteristics
The midcentury modern calling card can be found in its low profile structure, with sleek, uncluttered lines in both geometric and organic forms. Traditional materials (such as wood) as well as nontraditional (such as metal, glass, vinyl and plywood) are used interchangeably in midcentury modern decor, juxtaposing (often contrasting) materials.
“When it comes to mid-century modern furniture, form will always follow function,” asserted Justin Riordan, founder of Spade and Archer Design Agency.
That being said, this style of decor includes little to no ornamentation, as it has no function outside of style, suggested Riordan.
The most prominent colors of mid-century modern are blues and greens, pairing perfectly with wood and rusty metal accents.
Other accent colors traditionally include burnt orange, blush pink, pea green and other classic vintage colors of the 1950s and 1960s. Plus, Henry highlighted the 21st century addition of grays and whites.
Get the Look
Interior designers agree that the most effective way to achieve a truly authentic midcentury modern look in your home is to go to thrift and vintage stores as well as estate sales, as most products sold in stores today are reproductions of original pieces and designs.
However, even if thrift shops aren’t up your alley, you can still incorporate this style into your home, as it’s making its way through mainstream stores like Wayfair, Target and Urban Outfitters.
Henry and Riordan concur: Start by incorporating accent pieces into your existing home decor collection, such as a coffee table, an accent chair, and small, decorative items like lamps and pillows.
For example, this coffee table found on Wayfair is a perfect example of midcentury modern decor, with a simple structure and striking shape that is as sleek at it is sturdy.
Image: Wayfair.com
Unleash your retro side by incorporating this subtle blue accent chair found on Target. The color is striking enough to stand out as a bold accent, while still working with your existing home decor. The warm wooden tones of the chair legs and base are a perfect example of traditional, midcentury modern materials.
Image: Target.com
Mix it up by adding this ottoman, also found at Target, with a retro style similar to the accent chair, but with a bold vintage yellow to contrast the chair.
Image: Target.com
Bring warmer wood tones into a room by utilizing this modern side table, made from traditional materials that reflect the retro style of the midcentury modern aesthetic. Functional as well as stylish, the table has the capacity for storage on top and the bottom.
Image: Target.com
I love the simplicity of the lines in this fleece rug found at Target. This eye-catching pattern will liven up a room while still sticking with the style of midcentury modern.
Image: Target.com
Reminiscent of retro decor, this decorative wall mirror is synonymous with midcentury modern decor in the sense that it’s geometric pattern and uses rustic metallic finishes to perfectly emulate the form and function of the decade.
Image: Target.com
This tripod floor lamp, also found at Target, is another great example of the use of traditional wood material in midcentury modern decor. In addition, this functional shape is sturdy and stylish for any space in a room.
Image: Target.com
Midcentury modern decor is known for revolutionizing the notion of bringing the outside in by incorporating natural materials and motifs in interior design. This pillow from Urban Outfitters is perfect because it’s made from organic and traditional materials, like cotton, while incorporating outdoor-inspired patterns, like the palm leaves embroidered in the design.
Image: UrbanOutfitters.com
In keeping with the theme of bringing the outdoors in, try adding nature to your space. If you don’t have a green thumb, consider this artificial plant found at Target housed in a modern metal stand with a simple framework.
Image: Target.com
Harkening back to the metallic finishes found during the style’s heyday, this bar cart, found at Wayfair, is embellished with a rustic gold finish with a two-tier glass serving base, both materials used in traditional and nontraditional decor. The shape, with sleek lines, is also interesting.
Image: Wayfair.com
“If you love the look in your home, I would then continue to invest in larger pieces to ground the space,” said Henry. “However, stick to a specific color palette and incorporate complimentary colors and accents.”
If you’re looking for some serious design inspiration, check out our interview and photo session of a minimal midcentury modern home and let your decorative designs start flowing!
Do you have a favorite decor piece from the emerging midcentury modern trend? Share your design ideas in the comments below!
The post Get the Midcentury Modern Look in Your Home appeared first on ZING Blog by Quicken Loans.
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