Why the Mid-Century Modern Style Remains Popular

The mid-century modern design of furniture has been popular since its inception and continues to remain so year after year. When trends are released, this style is often on the list due to its simplicity in design and excellent ability to make a statement while blending with the rest of the pieces in your home. Here are some of the other reasons the mid-century modern furniture style continues to last.

Simple Lines and Forms

Interiors in the mid-century were primarily focused on easy living and organic styles. This reflected in the structure and design of the furniture, and this is what makes it iconic. The appearance and simplicity manage to remain eye-catching and interesting, yet not fussy or full of unnecessary additions.

Sleek Kitchens

Mid-century kitchens were styled to be a representation of the designs of the future. With shiny appliances, bright, fun colours, and unique surfaces, they were designed to look futuristic and streamlined. The kitchens were simplistic with slab cabinet doors, plain counter edges, and easy to obtain materials.

Mass Appeal

The mid-century modern design appeals to almost everyone. Individuals who were designing homes at the time hired top architects to build custom homes. Developers who were creating suburbs picked up on the style and incorporated it into their home designs, bringing it to the masses.

Neutral and Bright Colour Palette

Natural wood is a predominant feature in mid-century modern design. These warm and earthy tones are paired with deep, saturated colours to bring attention to each piece.

Chic Designs and Blends

Contradicting Designs and Textures

Mid-century modern design loves to mix and match different elements to create a more interesting visual aesthetic. The look incorporates many organic textures like wood, marble, and other luxurious natural materials, but it is just as likely to add in some vinyl, fibreglass, or plastic. When natural and artificial elements come together like this, the result can be strikingly evocative. Look for both when shopping for mid-century modern furniture!

Function Over Form

Mid-century furniture is designed to be simple and purposeful. The beauty of these pieces comes from their quality and elegant minimalism. The finished products are extremely impressive, but they usually do not include many ornamental details. This aesthetic often extends to entire rooms. Spaces are designed around their functional purpose with few items that are included purely for decoration.

Minimal Ornamentation

In keeping with its focus on function, mid-century modern style eschews highly ornate designs in favour of refined simplicity. Rooms styled according to this type of design contain few collectibles and other small decorative items that might clutter the space. Instead, large statement pieces like sculptures or custom tables are given center stage. This restrained approach gives the larger pieces the space to command the attention they deserve.

Bringing Nature Indoors

Mid-century modern design strives to keep nature at the forefront of the aesthetic. Furniture made from luxurious natural wood is extremely common and often positioned as the centrepiece of a room. Houseplants are another hallmark of mid-century modern style that often gets overlooked. Adding a verdant green plant like a rubber palm or a basket of ferns to your space can underscore the look you are going for.

Fusion of Indoors and Outdoors

Mid-century modern design often aims to blur the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces. Rooms designed in this style often include patio doors or large windows that let in plenty of light and make the space feel as if the walls are inconsequential. This approach promotes a feeling of harmony and relaxation.

Are Mid-Century and Mid-Century Modern the Same?

No, they are not. Mid-century and mid-century modern might sound nearly identical, but there are significant differences between these styles.

While the mid-century style originated in the 1930s, mid-century modern aesthetics first became popular in the years following World War II. This difference in timing changed the aesthetic somewhat. This original mid-century style was concerned with function above all else. Its association with classic natural brown and green tones was largely a consequence of these priorities.

However, people were eager to brighten up their lives in any way possible after the war. As a result, the mid-century modern aesthetic incorporates pops of colour into the classic look as well as some Northern European influences.

You can easily spot the difference between the two styles at any modern furniture showroom that includes pieces from both. The contrast is obvious when you know what you are looking for. That said, pieces from both styles often work well together, so do not be afraid to use elements of both when designing your home’s rooms.

Creating a mid-century design in your home is a great way to blend interesting shapes, patterns, and unique accents. Each piece is distinct in design and colour, yet the overall style keeps the design fresh and appealing no matter what era it is.

Visit Carrocel to View Our Beautiful Selection of Mid-Century Modern Pieces

Carrocel has a wide selection of mid-century modern furniture pieces for many rooms in your home. If you’re in the market for new seating for your living room or an appealing accent, visit our 20,000 square foot showroom. Located at 245 Bridgeland Avenue in central Toronto, you’ll be sure to find something that catches your eye or inspires you. For a more in-depth selection, please view our online catalogue.

Also Read:

• The Universal Appeal of Mid-Century Modern Furniture
• Easy Ways to Incorporate Mid-Century Furniture into Your Home