What Is Mid-Century Modern Style?
It's not unusual for styles from another era to make a comeback, and this is certainly true of mid-century modern. Learn where this iconic style came from and why it's still so influential in home design.
The Origins of Mid-Century Modern
The century referred to in mid-century modern is the 20th, specifically the years immediately following the Second World War, from the mid-1940s to the late 1960s. During this time, North America enjoyed a booming economy and a booming population.
With so many young families buying and furnishing their first homes, suburbs grew with newly constructed homes that reflected new building techniques and the populace's desire for features that reflected their optimistic outlook.
3 Distinguishing Features of Mid-Century Modern

How to Use Mid Century Modern Style in Your Space
If you want to bring the mid century modern style into your home, try not to go all-out, all at once (as tempting as it may be!). Many pieces of mid-century modern tend to be bright and bold, so a space decked out in the full aesthetic may feel a little overpowering. This is especially true if you’re buying pieces just to buy them; as with other styles, make sure to build your vision slowly and steadily.
Bringing home mid-century modern style is easy, but as with any style, can seem daunting. With all the reverence for the style, all the ways the style has been lovingly tributed in movies and TV, all the style’s books and photography written and published (by some of the world’s most influential scholars, no less), can make it easy to feel like you’re missing something or not doing it justice, especially if you’re starting from scratch. The key, as always, is balance; incorporate a few iconic elements, and balance the rest in color, size and texture. When in doubt, go softer – mid-century modern is more neutral than it is bright.