Like clean, simple lines with a touch of vintage charm? Mid Century Modern is the perfect style for you & today we’ll learn how to include it in your space!

There are reasons classics are classics, and the main reason is because they’re always going to be in vogue! The Mid Century Modern style is one such decor style that has lasted through the ages, and will continue to do so for decades to come!

Decor Styles 101: Mid Century Modern

The Mid Century Modern style is quite popular and you’re likely to have heard this term in a few places. In case you’ve wondered what it is but were scared to ask – you’ve come to the right place!

This style is all about a classic look, with clean lines and structured pieces, without anything too fancy or fussy. The style originated somewhere in the 1930s, and is said to have achieved popularity after World War II. When the war ended, cities began expanding as more people began moving to urban areas. This led to the rise of homes that were smaller, and required furniture pieces that were simple and space saving.

Another impact was due to the advances in technology and manufacturing. More and more different materials were being used to make furniture, and this began to be reflected in homes, which often contained a mix of vintage, classic pieces and modern ones.

The result is a look that is stylish and modern, but still with a certain old world classic charm. To understand this more clearly, let’s look at the characteristics of this evergreen decor style.

Characteristics of Mid Century Modern Style

• The mid century modern style features clean and simple lines in furniture and decor pieces
• There are generally no fancy or fussy features in furniture, furnishings or decor
• Practicality and functionality is given priority over pure decoration
• There are minimal patterns or ornamentation in this style
• This style features a mix of traditional and modern materials and textures

6 Ways to bring the Mid Century Modern Style in your Space

1. Stick to a Color Scheme

There are no restrictions on what kind of colors to use in a mid century modern style, but it is required to stick to a color theme. The best idea is to create a base with neutral colors – light or dark – and then choose one or two accent colors to distribute throughout the room. Common colors in mid century modern are teal, orange, yellow, green and brown. Stick to muted shades instead of saturated ones.

2. Get one Vintage Piece

Get the ‘mid century’ part of the style with a vintage piece – just one will do to transform the room! If you can get a real vintage furniture piece like a side board or chest of drawers, great! If not, you can find similar styles being manufactured today. The piece should have clean, straight lines or simple curves and ideally should be multipurpose to save space.

3. Use a Variety of Materials

Mid century modern style celebrates the technological advancement of the latter part of the 20th century by featuring a variety of materials. Have fun here by mixing wooden furniture with metal, glass or plywood pieces. A classic move is to include an acrylic or Lucite armchair or table along with more traditional pieces.

4. Limit Patterns

Mid century modern decor is all about simplicity and elegance, so patterns are used minimally. If you really want to use patterns, use it in smaller areas like cushions, and even then, stick to the color scheme for the room. Opt for simple, geometrical patterns that don’t have any cultural influences or quirky motifs.

5. Go Big with Wall Art

With mid century modern, the focus is on having as little clutter as possible, and this applies to the walls as well. Avoid wallpaper with busy patterns, and go with one big painting instead of a gallery wall or group of paintings. You can also use a large mirror in a classic frame.

6. Have Fewer Accessories

The ‘no clutter’ theme extends to decorative accessories as well, although you don’t have to go strictly minimal. Choose the best of the pieces you have, and display just those select few, rather than crowding your surfaces or shelves. Let the pieces you display be unique, beautiful ones, which you can find from flea markets or thrift shops.

If you aren’t very sure about what decor style to choose or if you’d like to go for something that’s not too specific, the mid century modern style is perfect. It’s great for apartments and homes of all sizes, and is very easy to incorporate. Unless you like maximalist style with a lot of decorative accessories, you can fit the decor to suit your lifestyle, and enjoy the elegant simplicity of mid century modern style!

This post is a part of the Blogchatter A2Z Blogging Challenge 2021.