Mid Century Modern - The Interior Style of 2024 (Updated)
Mid-Century Modern: A Timeless Design Trend
Mid-century modern design is a classic style that has remained popular for decades. This design movement, which began after World War II, continues to influence interior designers and homeowners today. It’s an affordable, chic option that never truly went out of style, making it a go-to choice for new homeowners seeking timeless elegance.
What is Mid-Century Modern?
Mid-century modern emerged in the mid-1940s to late 1960s, during a period of rapid suburban growth. After World War II, returning soldiers and their families sought affordable homes in quieter suburban neighborhoods. These families wanted their homes to reflect their new lives while remaining budget-friendly, giving rise to this iconic style.
Defining Mid-Century Modern Design
Mid-century modern blends traditional elements with a fresh, modern aesthetic. Key features include:
- Sleek lines and geometric shapes: These create a clean, minimalist look.
- Contrasting materials and textures: Combining wood, metal, and glass adds depth and interest.
- Bold colors: A palette dominated by primary colors, often reimagined in new shades for added contrast.
This style is perfect for family-oriented spaces where people gather, showcasing its bold character and practicality.
Materials and Colors in Mid-Century Modern
The color palette includes vibrant primary colors integrated into patterns and designs. Plexiglass and fiberglass were also staples of this era. These affordable, durable materials allowed designers to work creatively and flexibly. Modern designers, such as Barclay Butera, continue to draw inspiration from this style, incorporating bold hues and innovative materials into their designs.
Mid-century modern remains a symbol of timeless design, effortlessly combining affordability, functionality, and style.
History of Mid-Century Modern
Post-World War II times were full of inspiration and peace. Mid-century modern captures what a transition of eras looks like. Architects and designers from the past continue to have an immense impact, like Alexander Girad’s geometric interests seen in many area rugs today. With influences from George Nelson’s attraction to European architecture and Eileen Gray’s Japanese lacquer work, mid-century modern designs have the ability to maintain its beauty through ever changing times.
George Nelson (1908 - 1986)
A major influence in the mid-century modern game was George Nelson. Many interior designers will say he is the Father of Mid-Century Modern design and started the trend completely. During his time, he created the idea of a ‘Storagewall’. This took a wall, carved out a foot from the inside, and used it as shelves. He made walls multifunctional and still very stylish. Everything Nelson thought of was meant to be outside-of-the-box ideas. Designs and patterns no one would have thought of adding into furniture.
In the early 1930s, George Nelson studied architecture in Rome. When he was there he became familiar with major pieces that would pave the way towards modernism. His ideas began to revolve around radical but antihuman values. Funny enough, however, he never wanted to be an interior designer. It was something that just seemed to happen to him in his lifetime, yet he was not very interested in such a pathway. Despite all this, his influence with mid-century modern designers remains strongly present.
Alexander Girard (1907 - 1993)
Alexander Girard worked with George Nelson by bringing textile designs to the table. In 1952, Girard became Director of Designer for Herman Miller’s textile division. This was five years after Nelson became Director of Designer for the same company in 1947. Together they collaborated to create the new era of interior design for families across the nation.
While working with textile, Girard enjoyed adding abstract designs and geometric shapes. He took international folk art and repurposed it to become more modern. Girard utilized primary colors and added geometric patterns to create striking statement makers. He created what many people know most about mid-century modern design.
Eileen Gray (1878 - 1976)
A major woman influencer during her time. Eileen Gray dominated a male-dominant career and still made her mark. As an Irish architect, she was influenced by Japanese lacquer work. Eileen Gray combined her knowledge of working with lacquer and geometric shapes to create elegant pieces of modern furniture. Although history may have forgotten her, the pieces she created still have a huge impact on designers today.
Gray took traditional crafts and put a radical spin to them. Utilizing principles like Fauvism, Cubism, and De Stijl, she created functional and fashionable pieces. Gray created the adjustable table that was multifunctional and one of the few pieces that helped get her name in the interior game. She was one of the first notable designers to work with chrome and tubular steel, which began to be in high demand in the 1940s to the 1960s. Her sophisticated and bold pieces continue to influence designers today, and give another face of what mid-century modern could look like.
How to Decorate for Mid-Century Modern
The beauty of mid-century modern is that anyone can decorate for this style. Not only is it très chic but also très affordable. Designers today are inspired by the colors and hues that made the 60s so retro. By popular demand, it was easy to place this style in any home since all the furniture, from area rugs to couches, was almost completely mass produced. Materials like plexiglass and fiberglass were durable making it perfect for young families to add that sense of modern style. Metals and wood are other materials that combine traditional influences with a new touch. When it came down to the area rugs, shag material grew popularity with modern interior designers.
The Mindset of Mid-Century Modern
When decorating a room using the mid-century modern style, think of slick and skinny lines. Mix this with bold patterns and curves, and you have the gist of this interior design. Mid-century modern styles utilize angular and geometric shapes to make the features on designs pop. A room decorated in this interior style should feel fresh and sophisticated.
Choosing the Right Colors
The style, mid-century modern, uses retro colors from 60s influences. For example, the colors mustard, avocado, and tangerine is a perfect blend that represents mid-century modern style. The combination of dark primary colors with geometric patterns helps to create the perfect look. Think of Barclay Butera’s Nourison Cooper area rugs which incorporate bold colors that pop with geometric patterns.
Multi-functional Furniture Interest Grows
During the start-up of mid-century modern, many families were looking for furniture that was not only attractive but also functional. Multi-functional furniture was very popular during the mid 1940s. Couches would be used as more than a seating area but also as a storage. Lighting becomes more than just light, it becomes a statement maker. Textured walls with sleek furniture make a room more than just a place to gather. Mid-century modern is a kind of interior design that can give everyone a unique footprint.
Why You Should Use Mid-Century Modern Design
Affordable but fashionable. Mid-century modern gives any and everyone a chance to decorate their homes in a trendy way. This kind of design is perfect for smaller spaces, as it is a way to practice minimalism indirectly. Since it never really went out of style in the first place, finding furniture and area rugs will not be very hard. Furniture and area rugs for mid-century modern styles is readily available not only in most department stores but online, as well. One of the most brilliant aspects of the mid-century modern is that everything used has excellent quality despite its beauty. This means all furnishings can be used for years and still remain fashionable. Mid-century modern is a timeless design that combines modern times with vintage hearts.
Find the perfect area rug to compliment your mid-century modern needs today with Rug Fashion Store! It could be the missing piece to the puzzle you needed all along. So check out our beautiful selection of mid-century modern area rugs today!
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