Midcentury modern is one of those décor trends that seems to never go out of style. Characterized by its horizontal, open-concept spaces and unique focus on integrating nature, midcentury modern design is all about pushing the envelope.
Midcentury modern architecture was designed to be both aesthetically beautiful but also very functional, with an active family's needs in mind. Today, the midcentury design is just as suited to our busy daily lives as it was back in the 1950s when it rose to fame.
If you're considering a midcentury home, here's everything you need to know about the exterior, interior, and key characteristics of these timeless spaces.
The History of Midcentury Modern Homes
Midcentury modern describes the period of architectural design from roughly the mid-1940s through the mid-1960s. A part of the overall modernist movement, midcentury modern was a time when designers took risks and really began to experiment with interiors.
Driven in part by the end of World War II, architects were able to play with new materials such as steel and plywood, enabling them to create new forms and focus on functionality as well as beauty. In contrast to the opulent, ornate design of the early 20th century, midcentury modern featured clean lines and streamlined shapes.
Early midcentury architects, such as Charles and Ray Eames and Frank Lloyd Wright, really defined the design for the rest of the era.
Characteristics of Midcentury Modern Homes
A midcentury home has a strong focus on nature. Spaces were created to embrace the outdoors and will feature oversized windows and transitional indoor-outdoor spaces. The goal is to let as much light in as possible, making it feel as though you're never truly separated from the outside world.
Midcentury homes also feature flat planes with straight lines, as they are often ranch-style homes or split-level homes with flat or slightly pitched roofs. You will find a lot of small changes in elevation throughout the home, such as sunken living rooms or half-levels partially underground. From the outside, this can make the house appear asymmetrical, which adds a lot of visual interest and contributes to the curb appeal of a midcentury home.
Inside a Midcentury Modern Home
The layout of a midcentury home is typically very open and airy. Open concept kitchen and dining rooms are common in midcentury homes, so you may not find a formal dining room in a mid-century home's construction.
Because many midcentury homes are single stories or split-levels, you will often find bedrooms and living spaces on the same level, but on opposite sides of the house. There may be multiple decks or ways of accessing outdoor areas, as nature is a key element of a midcentury home.
When it comes to color schemes and palettes, midcentury colors are typically muted, but bold. Think mustard yellow, burnt orange, or rustic greens. While you may find a lot of neutral color palettes in today's midcentury homes, the traditional look rarely features simple white walls and instead takes chances with fun colors throughout.
That said, midcentury modern is definitely a minimalist look in many ways. Midcentury furniture features sleek, straight lines, and most materials used are naturalistic, such as walnut-toned wood or rattan.
Our Go-To Stores for Midcentury Modern Furniture
The Return of Midcentury Modern Design
Though popularized in the mid-20th century, midcentury modern is definitely having a renaissance today. Today you can find many large online furniture dealers, such as Article, that specialize in replicated midcentury designs targeted towards millennial homeowners seeking to get that "Mad Men" style at home.
Additionally, where many homebuyers raced towards super-sized houses and new builds twenty years ago, much of the younger generation is interested in older homes with character. Midcentury modern houses offer a medium-sized footprint for a small family, are often more eco-friendly and sustainable than the McMansions of yesteryear.
While there is a lot of interest in the classic midcentury modern home built 70 years ago, many architects are also channeling this style in new builds today to appeal to a millennial generation that wants the midcentury look with the more modern, tech-forward updates.
Midcentury modern homes offer a stark contrast to many other historic designs, such as the craftsman or the cape cod, which allows them to be easily modernized and expanded for today's homebuyer.
The style is characterized by clean lines, minimalist design and an emphasis on natural beauty. Midcentury modern homes were designed to blend seamlessly with their surroundings, often featuring large windows, open floor plans and post-and-beam construction to accentuate the surrounding nature.
Characterized by flat planes, large glass windows and open space, these homes -- built from 1945 to the 1980s -- featured simplicity and an integration with nature, encouraging residents to explore the world in new ways.
These homes were originally built without a focus on energy efficiency. In connection, original windows and insulation may not meet modern standards, necessitating costly upgrades for improved energy efficiency.
“Midcentury homes are characterized by minimal fuss and ornamentation, along with sleek lines juxtaposed by organic shapes. Its look was a complete departure from the century's earlier ornate and extravagant design,” says Luke Caldwell, co-host of HGTV's Boise Boys.
Lack of ornate frills in favor of simple geometric lines. Frequent use of teak, rosewood, and oak. Use of metal, glass, and vinyl. Bold accent colors (popular midcentury colors include reds, sages, yellows, blush pinks, and more) Organic shapes and patterns, as shown in midcentury modern ...
Featuring iconic MCM builds by the top architects of the period, NYC is home to more mid century modern buildings than any other city in the U.S. (5,937, to be exact). From the Seagram's building by Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe to the Solomon R.
A mid-century modern home costs $200 to $500 per square foot to build because you may need custom materials and features, like windows or roofs, that cost more per square foot. A true MCM home typically has around 1,500 to 2,500 square feet, so your total project cost could range from $300,000 to $1,250,000.
While metal roofing may be appropriate for some mid-century modern homes, your mid-century modern home exterior may lend itself more to a traditional shingle-style roof. Asphalt shingles are durable, cost-effective, and generally provide about 20 years of protection for a mid-century home.
Pieces that are unique or limited in production may be more expensive compared to those that are more common or mass-produced. Additionally, if a piece has become sought after by collectors due to its popularity, it may also fetch a higher price than comparable pieces.
As Courtney Newman, owner of ModernWay in Palm Springs, California, said to the Washington Post: “Because it's so well-made and so iconic in style, [MCM furniture] kind of never leaves the marketplace.”
Overview. Mid-century modern homes are finding new respect among homeowners in the Washington, DC, area. These homes are typically grouped into two categories — ranch and split-level — and date from 1935 to 1975.
Mid-century modern furniture is popular due to its clean lines, functionality, and timeless appeal. It represents a design movement that embraced modernity and simplicity, and its popularity has been further fueled by its association with popular culture, such as the TV series “Mad Men”.
The Timeless Aesthetics Of Mid Century Modern Design Explained: 5 Important Elements To Explore. Mid-century modern design is all about achieving symmetry between form and function. Simple elegance, organic motifs, artistic pieces, multi-functional spaces, and geometric shapes are essential elements of this aesthetic.
There are some distinctions between the two, though: Mid-century modern furniture refers especially to furniture designs that are contemporary and utilitarian, with clean lines and basic shapes. Mid-century furniture often refers to furniture pieces that were developed and produced during the mid-20th century.
At its most basic level, midcentury modern designs are known for juxtaposing sleek lines (think: skinny, peg legs on dressers and tables) with organic shapes, using new materials and methods to reimagine traditional pieces. The looks were futuristic, but they weren't a total departure from the past.
' The result is a more holistic approach to living, says Sinead McCarthy contemporary curator at Museum of the Home. 'Mid-century spaces are designed in a considered way – they literally give us the space to breathe, light to feel optimistic, clever ways to hide, store or display our belongings.
Midcentury Modern: Embraces simplicity, functionality, and a connection with nature. Characterized by clean lines and organic shapes. Modern: Focuses on sleek aesthetics, technological integration, and a commitment to uncluttered spaces with clean lines and geometric shapes.
Introduction: My name is Rueben Jacobs, I am a cooperative, beautiful, kind, comfortable, glamorous, open, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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