Anyone who has been online recently has noticed how much the mid-century modern design aesthetic has influenced interior design today. However, creating a space that has mid-century style isn’t just about choosing the right furniture and giving it an everyday touch — it’s also about capturing a style that balances nostalgic charm with the simplicity of modern design.
Below, we’ll dive into the origins of mid-century modern design, and how to transform your bedroom into a space that incorporates the style we know and love.
What is mid-century modern design?
Mid-century modern design is characterized by its clean lines, gentle curves, and organic shapes. This style originated in the mid-20th century, hence its name, but thanks to its elegant simplicity and timelessness, mid-century modern remains popular in interior design today.
This style is known to blend effective design with diverse textures, materials and colours. While there is some debate about its exact year of origin, most agree that it dates back to the mid-1930s to mid-1960s. However, it wasn’t until 1983 that the description “mid-century modern” became the household phrase it is today.
So, how did mid-century style arise in the first place?
The style was influenced by Danish Modernism and the German Bauhaus design school. With the changes that World War II brought to Germany, America suddenly found itself with a population that had been trained and practiced in this style. This, combined with the need for housing caused by the baby boom and modern furniture, gave birth to a new era of exploration in design.
Bring mid-century design to the bedroom
Now that we’ve discussed what mid-century style is and where it originated, it’s time to get into the nitty-gritty: implementing the design style into your bedroom. Let’s get into it.
Start with a neutral color palette
Mid-century modern design is known to highlight simplicity and functionality, and a neutral color palette is an easy way to achieve this: by keeping the space open and airy. Choose from shades of white, cream or light gray as a base, colors that make a room appear more spacious while acting as a backdrop to highlight classic wood tones and statement pieces typical of the mid-20th century.
Choose the right furniture
Although furniture is certainly not the go-to solution when designing a mid-century modern bedroom, it is a great place to start. Look for pieces that feature clean lines and organic shapes, such as a bed with a simple, streamlined frame or side tables and dressers that feature tapered legs and minimal embellishment. These simple details highlight the simplicity of the mid-century modern aesthetic and contribute to the overall harmony of the space.
Focus on functional decor
Mid-century modern decor is all about functionality that doesn’t compromise on style—a philosophy we definitely love! When creating a mid-century-style bedroom, choose lamps with geometric shapes and muted metal finishes, such as brass or matte black, that add character while providing essential lighting.
Extras such as a stylish wooden bench at the foot of the bed or under-bed storage are both visual appeal and practical accessories.
Add textural contrast
While keeping a simple color scheme, textures are a simple way to add depth and interest to your bedroom. We always recommend items like a wool rug with a geometric pattern, bedding in subtle prints, or accessories like velvet pillows or a thick blanket that add elegance while providing a cozy feel to the space. After all, it’s a bedroom!
Integrating art and green spaces
Art pieces can turn a plain wall into a focal point in your bedroom. Choose artwork that brings simplicity and natural elements to the space, such as abstract prints or paintings that feature nature. For those with a green thumb, adding houseplants to a room brings the outdoors in while also adding color.
Lighting is key
Although we may be furniture experts, we wouldn’t be doing our job if we weren’t strong advocates of the power of good lighting, too. We recommend incorporating a mix of light sources that reflect the styles of the 1950s and 1960s. Position your lighting to highlight the best features of the room, creating ambiance and warmth.
If you have questions about mid-century design and choosing the right furniture or lighting for your space, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team of experts.
