At a Glance:
About The Mid Century Modern Style
How to Create a Mid Century Modern Living Room
Mid Century Modern Living Room Essentials
Essential Styling Tips for a Mid Century Modern Living Room
From the set of The Brady Bunch to your Instagram feed, mid century modern style still reigns supreme. Since its introduction in the mid 1940s, mid century modern’s functional and no frills style has resonated with designers and homeowners. Mid century modern living rooms are known for their multipurpose furniture, natural materials, and unexpected accents like bright colors or fun shapes.
If you want to incorporate this popular style into your home, this article will help you understand the history of mid century modern style, its signature characteristics, and how to design a mid century modern living room. With must-have mid century modern living room furniture picks from Walker Furniture and essential styling tips, you’ll be lounging in a functional and beautiful living room in no time.
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Shop Living Room FurnitureAbout The Mid Century Modern Style
Mid century modern style entered the scene in the middle of the twentieth century. During the mid 1940s to late 1960s, the real estate market in America was booming and the population was growing. People moving into the suburbs wanted something new in their homes that was family-oriented, functional, and efficient.
Although mid century modern style is technically a subcategory of modern design, it is quite distinctive. Mid century modern designs are often unashamedly retro and incorporate more bright colors than modern spaces.
Here are some of the hallmarks of living room mid century modern design:
- Common Materials: In a mid century modern design, you’ll see a lot of natural materials like wood (especially teak), metal, and leather.
- Pattern and Color: The use of pattern and color in mid century modern living room design is surprisingly bold for an otherwise understated style. Warm colors like rust, chartreuse, yellow ochre, red, and teal are all signature mid century modern colors.
- Silhouettes: You can expect to see clean lines and little ornamentation. The silhouettes are at times organic (think: sculptural, curving, or chunky pieces) and at other times geometric.
- Multipurpose: Mid century modern style is known for prizing functionality. Multipurpose furniture became very popular during this time. Furniture pieces original to the era are often stacked, folded, or nested.
- Balance: You can have some bold and colorful pieces, but when in doubt, go neutral. You can’t incorporate every fun or iconic piece of mid century modern furniture. This will help you create a cozy mid century modern living room rather than a busy or overwhelming one.
→ Learn more: 4 Oversized Chairs to Curl Up In
How to Create a Mid Century Modern Living Room
Every living room needs the same basic ingredients: seating, tables, accents, and wall decor. The question is, how can you choose furniture pieces that are quintessentially mid century modern? Keep reading to learn what you should be looking for in each category.
Seating
- Iconic Designs: Look for classic mid century modern seating designs like Eames lounge chairs, Hans Wegner's Wishbone chair, or Saarinen's Tulip chairs. These pieces often define the era.
- Materials: Opt for natural materials like wood, leather, and fabric. Mid century modern designs often feature exposed wood frames and upholstery in muted or earthy tones.
- Clean Lines: Focus on pieces with clean, uncluttered lines. Chairs with slender legs and a minimalist appearance are quintessentially mid century.
- Comfort: Ensure that the seating is not only stylish but also comfortable. Mid century modern pieces often strike a balance between form and function.
- Muted Colors: Mid century modern furniture often features colors like olive green, mustard yellow, and shades of brown. Consider these color palettes when choosing your seating.
Tables
- Hairpin Legs: Look for tables with hairpin legs, a popular mid century modern feature. These legs are typically thin, sleek, and made of metal.
- Wood Grain: Mid century modern tables often showcase the natural beauty of wood grain. Opt for tables made from warm, rich wood species like teak, walnut, or oak.
- Geometric Shapes: Mid century modern tables frequently feature geometric shapes like round, oval, or kidney-shaped tops.
- Functional Storage: Many mid century modern tables come with built-in storage, such as hidden drawers or compartments. This adds to their practicality.
- Simplicity: Keep the design simple and uncluttered. Avoid overly ornate or intricate designs that deviate from the mid century modern aesthetic.
Accents
- Statement Lighting: Choose pendant lights or table lamps with iconic mid century designs. Sputnik chandeliers or Nelson Bubble Lamps are classic choices.
- Abstract Art: Mid century modern interiors often incorporate abstract art, so consider hanging abstract paintings or sculptures.
- Natural Materials: Accessories made from natural materials like wood, stone, and glass are in line with the mid century modern aesthetic.
- Functional Accessories: Mid century modern design emphasizes functional decor. Look for items like teak serving trays, Danish modern teak candleholders, or functional ceramics.
Wall Decor
- Geometric Patterns: Use geometric wallpaper, wall decals, or artwork with mid century geometric patterns to add a touch of authenticity.
- Wooden Wall Panels: Consider adding wooden wall panels with a sculptural or textured quality, as this was a common mid century wall treatment.
- Floating Shelves: Install floating shelves in a staggered arrangement to display mid century ceramics, vases, or decorative items.
- Sunburst Mirrors: Sunburst mirrors were popular in mid century decor and can serve as a striking wall decor element.
Learn more: 4 Top L Shaped Couches for Living Room Seating
Mid Century Modern Living Room Essentials
Keep reading for our top 8 mid century modern living room set picks from Walker Furniture.
Taupe Sofa
This modern sofa is classically mid century from its curved piping to its metal legs and its simple silhouette. The taupe is a warm neutral shade that will work well with whatever colors and patterns you want to incorporate elsewhere in the room. Also, the faux leather upholstery is functional and easy to clean.
→ Learn more: 4 Sofa Sets for Every Living Room Style
Bunny Swivel Chair
When it comes to mid century modern living room chairs, you’re not going to find one cozier than this. This fuzzy chair swivels, allowing you to easily adjust your seating configuration. Comfortable accent chairs often become the most coveted spot in the living room and this chair is no exception.
→ Learn more: Walker’s 7 Favorite Comfy Chairs
Julius End Table
This sculptural end table stays true to retro mid century modern style. It deftly mixes metal, wood, and glass to create a sculptural piece that is sure to make a statement in your room. This modern table Not only is it beautiful, but it’s also practical with tabletop space and a shelf for storage or display.
Cleopatra Cocktail Table
This cocktail table set is a multipurpose furniture option with stools for sitting, hidden storage, and a hard surface for games, snacks, or display. The combination of white, glass, and metal displays mid century modern’s bent for mixing natural materials.
Saint Cocktail Table
Again, we see natural materials taking centerstage, this time with this combination of espresso-stained wood and gray marble. The base is sculptural yet simple, and the whole piece embraces sleek lines and geometric shapes.
Kolton 3 Piece Table Set
This 3 piece table set combines plenty of mid century modern elements, including a sculptural base, warm-toned wood, and metal. These can be placed throughout your room to create a cohesive feel throughout the space.
Warming Media Console
This eclectic and funky media console would be perfect for a mid century modern boho living room. On the outside, a bold and graphic door design draws the eye in, but don’t miss the attention to detail with the sleek metal base and distressed wood casing. On the inside, it offers practical shelf storage.
75” Celine Electric Fireplace Media Console
Shop 75” Celine Electric Fireplace Media Console
To literally bring in the warmth and make your living room more inviting, this media console and fireplace combo is the perfect multipurpose piece. Thanks to its chunky, sculptural silhouette and mix of materials, there’s no doubt this piece belongs in a multipurpose living room.
Essential Styling Tips for a Mid Century Modern Living Room
Here are 5 essential styling tips to design your mid century modern living room like a pro:
- Embrace Natural Materials: Mid century modern design emphasizes the use of natural materials. Opt for furniture made from wood, leather, and natural fabrics. Teak, walnut, and rosewood are common wood choices for furniture. Incorporate leather or tweed upholstery for sofas and chairs.
- Geometric Shapes and Clean Lines: Incorporate geometric shapes and clean lines throughout your living room. Look for furniture with sleek, straight legs and minimalist silhouettes. Choose coffee tables with rounded or triangular shapes, and consider angular shelving units or wall art.
- Put Your Own Spin on It: Mix and match furniture styles and eras to add uniqueness to your space while still keeping the mid century modern foundation.
- Don’t Forget the Floor: Place mid century modern rugs with bold patterns or simple geometric designs under your furniture.
- Choose Multipurpose Furniture: Mid century modern style highly prizes functionality. Multipurpose furniture like nesting tables, modular sectionals, or pieces with built-in storage are practical (and stylish) options.
With these 5 tips and our 8 furniture picks, you can curate a mid century modern living room that suits your family’s needs and expresses your unique style. Walker Furniture offers the best selection of mid century modern furniture pieces for Las Vegas shoppers of every budget.
→ Learn more: 6 Power Recliner Styles You’ll Love
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about mid century modern living room:
How to decorate a living room mid century modern?
Here are a few tips: Use minimal and functional decor with clean, uncluttered lines. Incorporate organic elements like indoor plants and natural wood accents. Add abstract art or graphic prints to your walls, keeping with the geometric and abstract art trends of the era.
How to furnish a mid century modern living room?
Choose iconic mid century furniture pieces featuring clean lines, natural materials, and a muted color palette.
What are the mid century modern living room essentials?
Your mid century modern living room needs comfortable and functional seating, practical and stylish tables, and other pieces to add storage and warmth to your space.
Where can I find mid century modern living room furniture near me?
For Las Vegas shoppers, Walker Furniture offers a wide selection of stylish and affordable mid century modern living room furniture.
Why Trust Walker Furniture & Mattress?
Walker Furniture and Mattress has been providing incredible customer service and top furniture expertise to the Las Vegas area for over 67 years. This locally owned furniture store has a humble beginning as a mattress builder in the Chicago area since the 1900’s which blossomed into a booming legacy of selling furniture and mattresses. in 1973, Deanne and Oscar Alterwitz purchased Walker Furniture from original owners, Ruth and George Walker.
Walker Furniture helps Las Vegas and Henderson homeowners and renters find the best living room, dining, and bedroom furniture selections to complete their homes. Complete with mattresses, living room furniture, dining room furniture, home office furniture, and more! We invite you to see all that Walker Furniture has to offer for yourself!
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Stop by any of our 3 Las Vegas furniture locations or our Henderson, NV furniture store to see what a difference buying locally with an experienced staff can make. Or shop living room furniture online! Our friendly experts are always happy to help you find mid century modern furniture for your dream living room — whether you call us at 702-384-9300, use our online chat feature, or visit us in person.
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