Design Style – Mid-Century Modern

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Mid-Century Modern style has been revived over the last 5 years in a BIG WAY!

Personally, I love this style. Our 3 bedroom bungalow was built in 1967 and the architecture of the home with the angled roofline definitely has a look reminiscent of designs by Frank Lloyd Wright.

The Mid-Century Modern, aka MCM, design style had its beginnings in the middle of the 20th century. Post-WWII, people were looking for a more uncomplicated design style.

Focus had changed from the ornate to a less frilly, less embellished look in architecture and furniture.

Mid-Century Modern Colours

Mid-Century Modern design style has a range of distinct colours that assist in curating this look.

Let me share three inspiring MCM colours that will give you a great starting point if you are considering this design style for your own home.

Sherwin Williams – Earthen Jug 7703

Earthen Jug, sherwin williams, mid century modern paint colour — Earthen Jug by Sherwin Williams

After seeing the latest images on social media from showrooms at High Point Spring Market in North Carolina, the warm Terracotta tones are still trending in a big way.

You may recall reading about the popularity of this shade in this previous colour trends post from the fall.

Farrow & Ball – India Yellow No.66

India Yellow, Mid Century Modern, Farrow and Ball — Farrow & Ball’s India Yellow

A rich mustard yellow, India Yellow is a colour indicative of this period of design. Paired with the right colour combinations it can deliver the MCM look down to a tee.

Learn more about this gorgeous deep yellow by Farrow and Ball here in my colour review.

See 10 stunning colours that complement India Yellow in my Perfect Colour Palette.

Farrow And Ball India Yellow Living Room With Yellow Sofa — India Yellow walls and sofa

Benjamin Moore – Hale Navy HC-154

Hale Navy, Mid Century, MCM, benjamin moore — Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore

One of Benjamin Moore’s most popular blues, Hale Navy works so well in a Mid Century Modern colour palette.

It also looks amazing in other styles of interiors, like this gorgeous dining room we designed for clients in Toronto.

Hale Navy And White Dove Dining Room — Hale Navy dining room nook and ceiling, White Dove walls.

Get more colour inspiration and what you need to know about using this popular Navy in my Perfect Colour Palette.

Earthen Jug, India Yellow and Hale Navy

Earthen Jug, India Yellow, Hale Navy Sherwin Williams, Farrow and Ball, Benjamin Moore — Mid-Century Modern Design Style Colour Palette

What a vibrant and contrasting palette that highlights the look and feel of the Mid-Century Modern design style.

Design Details

What are some of the signature details of the Mid-Century Modern design style? Let’s take a look!

Dark Wood Tones

Teak is probably the best known of the dark woods prominent in Mid-Century Modern furniture.

Teak Coffee Table — Teak double shelved coffee table

There are many others that were used in furniture making during this dynamic period including Rosewood and Walnut.

Walnut is one of my personal favourites and I believe it is a warm wood that never goes out of style.

dark wood toned bookshelf, mcm desk, mid century desk chair — Dark toned wood shelving units, desk and chair

Tufting

tufted, upholstery, velvet, tapered legs, mcm sofa — Tufted blue velvet sofa with tapered wood legs

Tapered Legs

mid century style furniture, tapered floor lamp, — Coffee table, chair and floor lamp all with tapered legs. And notice the tufting on this gorgeous sofa!

Fabrics & Textures

Velvet

Rattan/Cane/Wicker

cane panelled credenza, mcm credenza,mcm, mid century modern, sideboard — Cane panelled sideboard

cane, wicker, rattan, light fixture, chandelier

These design elements can be used in a variety of design styles, including Farmhouse and Coastal.

Leather

Leather Tufted Sofa — This sofa has it all: Leather in an earthy tone, tufting details and tapered legs.

Mid-Century Decor

Geometrics

geometric area rug, mid century modern, area rug, geometric — Geometric area rug

geometric wall art — Simple and bright, mid-century modern artwork brings a space to life

geometric shelfs, hexagon shelves, mid century modern — Hexagon shaped tiles and shelf boxes

Ceramics & Glass

black and white vase, mcm, glass vase, ceramic vase, organic shaped vase — Glass and ceramic smooth curved vases and vessels

Ceramic Vases, teak coffee table — Ceramic vases – popular decor elements in any MCM interior space

geometric lamp, ceramic lamp, diamond pattern, mid century modern lamp — MCM Ceramic lamp with diamond pattern

Star Burst

coloured ball clock, ball clock — Coloured ball clock

And although the basement with pool table shown below is not Mid-Century Style, you can see that we used a colourful clock similar to the starburst style in this games room area.

Basement Pool Table With Green And Orange Bar Seating — The colourful clock is reminiscent of the ‘starburst’ seen in MCM design style

You can check out the entire 3000 square foot basement design here…it even has a hidden door in a bookcase that leads to the very cool and secret Xbox room with a graffiti wall!

Remember, just because you may not be decorating an entire room in one specific design style, doesn’t mean you can’t mix in various elements of style.

In fact, I encourage it to achieve a layered and interesting room design!

Mid-Century Modern Perfect Colour Palettes

Mid Century Modern Living Room, Green Chairs, Teak Sideboard

Loving the look of the Mid-Century Modern design style?

Let me help you achieve this sophisticated yet relaxed feel with my Perfect Colour Palettes which provide 10 fabulous colour combinations in order to pull off a gorgeous MCM interior.

Colour Quiz

Take my revamped colour quiz to find your Perfect Colour Palette.

Perfect For Pinning

(2) Comments

Sandee
| 16 September 2023
Reply

Does anyone know where I can locate to purchase the above mid century modern blue velvet sofa.

Claire Jefford
| 22 September 2023
Reply

Hi Sandee. These were stock photos, so I don’t have a source. I suggest going a Google search for Mid Century Modern tufted blue sofas.

Design Style – Mid-Century Modern

Choose the right paint colour
the first time Let me show you how in just 5 easy steps!
BONUS: The Top 15 Shades of Gray by Benjamin Moore