You take a look around your house and decide it’s time for a change. You’re no interior designer, but you like to dabble. In fact, you don’t do such a bad job. A certain style has caught your eye. Mid-century modern is chic and trendy. The problem is that you don’t know enough to make the look cohesive throughout your home. No one wants to spend the time or money remodeling to end up with an overdone or mismatched room. A few tips and tricks can make you a mid-century master.
Understand The History
You don’t need a full history lesson in order to put mid century modern furniture in your home, but a little background can put you in the right mindset to decorate. Mid-century modern’s roots go back to the early 1930s through the mid-1960s. This timeless, sleek look was seen across all types of design including industrial, architectural, graphic, and interior.
Learn The Elements
The highly functional pieces from the mid-century era have a few overarching elements. They were designed to be used by everyone. Pieces feature clean lines and geometric shapes. They are built well and created without the need for gaudy ornamentation. A variety of colors and textures were used in the era. From earth tones to bold colors and wood to acrylic, the sky was the limit on materials. Have your green thumb ready, because natural inspiration was one indisputable style element. Don’t be afraid to bring plenty of plants inside to make the look work.
Spot The Furniture
Colors and materials aren’t necessarily a giveaway to mid-century furniture, but there are some characteristics to look for. As with all elements of mid-century modern design, furniture was built with simplicity in mind. It will have a sleek aesthetic. Polished and clean-cut wood and wood veneer were commonly used. Look for furniture that “floats”. The floating look comes from short, tapered furniture legs.
Bring Mid-Century Home
Certain key elements will help make your style pop in each room of your home. For your living room, try an open, airy layout that focuses on being social. Kitchens are the perfect place to showcase the clean lines associated with the era. Look for flat, squared cabinets featuring understated handles. Clean lines from your kitchen can flow into the simple lines of a lovely dining room table. You can offset a basic wooden table with more interesting padded chairs. Make a statement in your bedroom with a retro headboard, and keep things peaceful with air-purifying plants throughout.
- Mix It Up
The great thing about decorating is that there is no rule book. While you want to keep things cohesive, don’t be afraid to mix some of your personality in. You can use your favorite colors, throw in a more modern statement piece, or incorporate a sentimental family treasure. If you focus on designing a textbook example of mid-century modern, you might find it doesn’t feel like home. Trust your gut when it comes to what will work for your home and lifestyle.
Add Some Detail
No design element is too small to tie into your mid-century dream. Art was a driving force during the mid-century movement. Think of Pollock and Warhol. This style is simple, but don’t let your rooms be boring with blank walls. On the other hand, your windows should be blank. Focusing on nature often meant large, sunny windows that were unobstructed by curtains. When you add the details be careful not to overdo it. The clean, open look will be disrupted if you start to collect clutter.
Tell a Story
Such a timeless look makes it easy to tell a story. You can pick pieces that speak to you. Maybe the credenza you designed your dining room around came from your grandmother. Perhaps the dining room table you found was created by your favorite designer. Not everything needs an interesting history. It’s okay to walk into a furniture store and just fall in love with the most stunning couch you’ve ever seen. That is still an admirable tale to tell.
Light It Up
Natural and artificial lighting can be used in your designs. If you’re going all out, consider remodeling with larger windows to bring in more light and a connection to nature. Your interior lighting can make a statement. Think of artistic pendant lights and lamps. Floor lamps are perfect for bringing height into your room.
Add a Mirror
Mirrors are always a safe bet when it comes to decorating, and mid-century modern style is no exception. You might not have an open floor plan, but a properly place mirror can help you fake a larger room. They will also reflect desirable natural light. You can even use the frame to tie the room together. Look for geometric shapes, wood frames, or sunburst patterns.
Look at Inspiration
You have a wealth of resources at your fingertips. If you feel like you’ve hit a wall planning your remodel, look for inspiration. You can browse pictures and videos of mid-century style homes. Pick a particular interior designer, artist, or architect from the era that you love. Then, research them. They might show you the piece you’ve been missing to complete your room.
Mid-century modern is truly a timeless look that can be incorporated in many ways. By now, you should feel the inspiration bursting out of you. Take what you’ve learned about simplicity, functionality, and nature to make a peaceful oasis in your home.
