Midcentury Modern Interior Design refers to the style of the mid-20th century. It includes simple, functional, wooden furniture, generally, made from teak. Predominantly, these furniture had curved designs. The root of such interiors dates back to the post-World War II period. This design movement took place during 1945-1975. Midcentury modern interiors are based on functionality, cleanliness, and a simple, no-mess look. Midcentury modern furniture is far more simple in nature than fancy designs or those with intricate ornamentation. The necessity and desire for utilitarian, plain furniture and decor in our homes was a rebellion against the grandiose traditions of past decades, as well as a chance for families to embrace a more modern, organic way of life. The terminology – Midcentury Modern interiors- became popular with Cara Greenberg’s book Midcentury Modern: Furniture of the 1950s, written in 1983. Following the end of World War II, cities grew, and a need for modern furniture for newly-built modern dwellings arose. With the advancement of technology, new materials were developed, allowing designers to experiment with new shapes, textures, and colors. Ray and Charles Eames, Frank Lloyd Wright, Eero Saarinen, Isamu Noguchi, and others are well-known mid-century modern interior designers. a brilliant example of midcentury modern interiors was shown in the television series Madmen.
Style patterns come and go as a cycle in the field of design and décor. Hence, there has been a revival in the midcentury modern interiors in the 21st century. This design is marked by its minimalist style, clean lines, functional use, ornamentation, and geometric shapes. The mid-century contemporary interior design provides a new mood with a nostalgic sense. Its aesthetic design, along with comfort and usefulness, makes it ageless and still in style. With sliding doors, patios, skylights, and other elements, mid-century modern interior design create a smooth flow from the inside to the outdoors.
KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF MIDCENTURY MODERN INTERIORS
· The midcentury modern furniture is mainly made of teak. This was because teak was a good quality wood and was chosen for its rich color and durability. Rosewood and oak were also sometimes used for making furniture. However, wood was not the only raw material used for midcentury modern interiors. Metal, glass, and vinyl were also used. There was also the use of marble. The use of marble was mostly seen in countertops and backsplashes. These materials were mass produced and therefore cost-effective. This set the midcentury modern style of interior apart from the grand and luxurious interior designs.
· Midcentury modern interior focuses on larger furniture than small ornamental pieces. Vintage pieces are used in the room and also plants to give an organic touch to the interior.
· The color chosen is also an important aspect of midcentury modern interiors. The color palette was something that was very carefully curated for such interiors. The colors were either bold accents or in a way so that a single piece of furniture stands out as the signature piece in a room. Graphic shapes in hues reminiscent of the 1950s and 1960s, sculptures that speak to those eras, saturated color decorations, and so on are employed to provide pops of color to the living room.
· The key and most striking feature of midcentury modern interiors was its simplicity and a clean, minimalistic ambiance.
HOW TO BUILD A MIDCENTURY MODERN INTERIOR?
Use of colors
Because the basic idea of the midcentury modern interior is simplicity and minimalism, you have to choose the colors you want to incorporate into the room wisely. Whether it is monochrome shades or the bold use of neon shades to provide a sense of happiness and vibrance to your living space, one must also be daring enough to experiment with selections while keeping it contained to the focus item, i.e., the signature piece, and not overburdening the room with plenty of colors. The midcentury modern interior is dominated by large geometrical shapes, so the colors used can be neutral, gold, graphic, or even monochrome. Another way of looking at a midcentury modern interior is the use of a certain color theme, like – rust, or yellow, if you want vibrance. The key to such décor is to strike the right balance of colors and furniture.
Furniture to decorate your home
Use statement furniture pieces. The main idea of the midcentury modern interior is a neat setup. Do not over-crowd your room with excess or bulky furniture. You can incorporate furniture that is unique in shape to bring your creativity and a touch of innovation to your living space. To create a sense of a clean, sophisticated, and practical look, it is recommended that you use wooden pieces. Mid-century modern interiors do not need furniture that matches. While clean lines, bright fabrics, and graphic patterns are required, patterned cushions are employed to ensure conformance to the design style if couches or lounge chairs are incorporated. Among other furniture items, a mid-century modern dining table may infuse the soul of the 1990s into a 20th Century dining room. The best thing is that mid-century modern furniture is made from materials other than wood. Designers also employ cutting-edge materials such as plastic, acrylic, and others. When it comes to upholstery, designers choose classic styles with colorful geometric patterns, stripes, and textiles such as neutral wool.
Incorporating a touch of nature
In a midcentury modern interior, the windows should be large and open for proper ventilation. Avoid the use of heavy drapes on windows. You can keep a plant to give your interior an organic touch. Keep it easy, breezy!
To summarise, you want to give your interior a stylish makeover keeping in mind its utilitarian value of it. Midcentury modern interiors are a blend of style and utility. Here comes the necessity to keep a balance, and not to overdo with the décor. As Thompson, the midcentury modern interior specialist says, “Your home certainly shouldn’t resemble a museum, but it also shouldn’t act as one!”