Modern furniture of the mid-century is making a massive comeback, and we are here for it. This type of architecture is signified by the clean looks and high functionality of the furniture. It has been around since World War II, and many people are adopting it into their homes today.
One of the best features of modern mid-century furniture is its simplicity and versatility. It looks great just anywhere as long as you style it right. If you are looking to upgrade your interiors, a mid-century modern style is something you can certainly opt for.
While the period between 1930 to 1960 may have been the prime of mid-century interiors, today, you can give your home a vintage touch with this style!
History
Mid-century modern may seem like an American concept, but it is not. This style first originated in Germany before the Second World War. The Bauhaus began in Germany first and later migrated to America, where the style spread like wildfire.
After World War ended, many designers and architects had to move to America in search of jobs. People in America were beginning to settle down post-war and wanted homes to share with their families quickly.
Mid-century modern furniture was a quick and easy solution to their problems. Designers managed to produce elegant yet straightforward styles to meet the demands of the people. These set the standard for every American home in the 50s and the 60s.
Main features
Mid-century modern furniture is all about keeping it clean and straightforward without compromising on its functionality. The inception of this type of interior was to maximize efficiency and make sure that high-quality products were available for everyone.
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Top features that define mid-century modern furniture
- The main priority of the design is to be functional
- Geometric shapes are used to keep the design sleek and symmetrical
- Ornamentation is generally overlooked and ignored
- Use of materials commonly found to make items more affordable
- Using contrasting materials together to test out new designs
Materials used and themes
Since this type of interior design was popularised after World War II, there was a shortage of many different building materials. People couldn’t spend as much on metals anymore to build furniture.
This is where the use of plastic originated. Many of the furniture designs from this era use a ton of plastic in their making. This plastic is used as it is and is not molded to look like wood or metal.
Many other materials were used to make furniture like glass, metal, vinyl, Plexiglass, plywood, and Lucite. The cost of the furniture depends on the materials used today and the design.
You can expect mid-century modern furniture to have very neutral shades. The original designs used a ton of beige, brown, and off-white. However, designers weren’t afraid to play with bold black and white alternations too.
Today you can expect a wide range of options available in different colors, so your house looks great!
Famous designers you should know about
You can take inspiration from a few famous designers and develop a unique style for your home.
- Charles Eames and his wife, Ray Eames
- Jens Risom
- Eero Saarinen
- Alexander Girard
- Harry Bertoia
- Verner Panton
- George Nelson
- Edward Wormley
- Isamu Noguchi
- Arne Jacobsen
- Eileen Gray
Conclusion
Modern mid-century furniture is an excellent choice for people looking for clean interiors and sleek designs. While the designs will not be the same as they were in the 1950s, you can play with the unique styles and create something new!