My Experience With Mid Century Modern Interior Design

My Experience With Mid Century Modern Interior Design

When I first moved into my new apartment, I had no idea what interior design style I wanted to go for. I spent hours browsing Pinterest and Instagram for inspiration, until I stumbled upon Mid Century Modern interior design. I was immediately drawn to the clean lines, natural materials, and timeless aesthetic.

What is Mid Century Modern Interior Design?

Mid Century Modern interior design is a style that originated in the mid-20th century, from roughly the 1930s to the 1960s. It was a response to the ornate and heavily decorated styles that were popular in the earlier part of the century, and instead emphasized simplicity, function, and form.

Key Features of Mid Century Modern Interior Design

The key features of Mid Century Modern interior design include:

• Clean lines and simple forms
• Use of natural materials, like wood and leather
• Functionality and purposeful design
• Bright, bold colors paired with neutral tones
• Iconic furniture designs, like the Eames lounge chair and the Saarinen tulip table

Step-by-Step Guide to Achieving Mid Century Modern Interior Design

If you’re interested in adopting the Mid Century Modern interior design style, follow these steps:

1. Choose a color palette of both bright, bold colors and neutral tones.
2. Incorporate natural materials like wood, leather, and stone into your space.
3. Choose furniture with clean lines and simple forms, and invest in iconic Mid Century Modern design pieces if possible.
4. Emphasize functionality and purposeful design, and declutter your space for a minimalist feel.
5. Use statement lighting fixtures to add interest and warmth to your space.

Top 10 Tips and Ideas for Mid Century Modern Interior Design

Here are some additional tips and ideas for achieving Mid Century Modern interior design:

• Choose a bold, graphic patterned rug to anchor your space.
• Incorporate pops of bright color through artwork, throw pillows, or decorative accents.
• Hang a statement mirror with a unique shape or frame.
• Invest in a statement lighting fixture, like a Sputnik chandelier or arc floor lamp.
• Incorporate organic shapes and curves into your design, like a kidney-shaped coffee table or a curved sofa.
• Use natural wood tones in your furniture and decor, and pair with white or black for a modern look.
• Choose a statement piece of artwork that incorporates bold colors and geometric shapes.
• Hang curtains in a bold, graphic print to add interest to your space.
• Incorporate metallic accents, like brass or chrome, for a touch of glamour.
• Choose a statement piece of furniture, like a bold-colored sofa or an iconic design piece.

Pros and Cons of Mid Century Modern Interior Design

Like any design style, Mid Century Modern interior design has its pros and cons.

Pros

• Timeless aesthetic that will never go out of style
• Emphasizes functionality and purposeful design, making it great for small spaces
• Use of natural materials creates a warm, inviting space
• Bright, bold colors add interest and personality to your space
• Investing in iconic design pieces can increase in value over time

Cons

• Some may find the minimalist, pared-down aesthetic too cold or sterile
• Investing in iconic design pieces can be expensive
• Some may find the bright, bold color palette too overwhelming or difficult to incorporate into their existing decor
• The emphasis on natural materials may not be sustainable or environmentally-friendly

My Personal Review and Suggestion on Mid Century Modern Interior Design

Overall, I am a huge fan of Mid Century Modern interior design. I love the timeless aesthetic and the emphasis on functionality and purposeful design. However, I do think it’s important to balance the minimalist, pared-down aesthetic with some warmth and texture, whether that’s through the use of organic shapes, natural materials, or statement lighting fixtures. And while investing in iconic design pieces can be expensive, I do think they are worth it in the long run, both for their value and for the sense of history and story they bring to your space.

Question & Answer and FAQs

What are some iconic Mid Century Modern design pieces?

Some iconic Mid Century Modern design pieces include the Eames lounge chair, the Saarinen tulip table, the Arne Jacobsen Egg chair, and the George Nelson Bubble lamp.

How can I incorporate Mid Century Modern design into a small space?

Mid Century Modern design is great for small spaces because of its emphasis on functionality and purposeful design. Choose furniture with clean lines and simple forms, and invest in multi-functional pieces like a storage ottoman or a sofa with a pull-out bed. Use statement lighting fixtures to add interest and warmth to your space, and declutter your space for a minimalist feel.

What are some affordable ways to incorporate Mid Century Modern design into my space?

You don’t have to break the bank to incorporate Mid Century Modern design into your space. Look for affordable reproductions of iconic design pieces, or choose furniture with clean lines and simple forms from budget-friendly retailers like Ikea or West Elm. Incorporate pops of bright color through artwork, throw pillows, or decorative accents, and choose a bold, graphic patterned rug to anchor your space.