Historical architectural and interior design styles often create recurring waves of trends in the modern building industry, producing nostalgia and tranquility in built spaces. One such style that never seems to go out of fashion is the mid-century modern interior and architectural style, which is popular across the world even today for its features that promote sustainability and simple living. Continue reading to learn all about mid-century modern interior design, its evolution and features and explore tips on how to incorporate the mid-century modern interior style in your residential spaces.
What is Mid-Century Modern Interior Design?
Mid-century modern design is an architecture and interior design style that rose to prominence during the middle of the 20th century, specifically between 1945 and 1969. Inspired by the Modernist architectural movement, this style featured open floor plans, clean lines, minimalism and neutral colour palettes with a few bold accents. Mid-century interior decor pieces blended modern materials with human craftsmanship, emphasising functionality and simplicity. With the global focus today on sustainable building practices, the style continues to be popular even in the modern design industry.
Evolution of The Mid-Century Interior Style
During the late 19th century and early 20th century, Modern architecture developed as a form of revolt against the highly decorative and ornamental forms of preceding styles like Art Nouveau and the Arts & Crafts movement. Greatly influenced by Louis Sullivan’s famous words “Form follows function”, Modernism sought a cleaner approach to architecture. It called for the development of a ‘machine aesthetic’ with clean lines and the removal of ornamentation on buildings and was led by prominent architects such as Walter Gropius, Le Corbusier, Frank Lloyd Wright and Mies van der Rohe, resulting in a paradigm shift to modern styles of design.
Mid-century modern architecture and interior design, which was prominent from 1945 to 1969, incorporates the principles of Modernist design with a few variations. It was heavily influenced by the Bauhaus style in Germany (also a part of Modern style), owing to soldiers returning to America after the Second World War. Promoted by prominent designers like Charles and Ray Eames, Arne Jacobson, Eero Saarinen and Herman Miller, the mid-century modern style allowed the usage of a few colourful accents and the mixture of old materials with new ones (which were deviations from Modernist design).
Key Features of Mid-Century Modern Interior Decor
Some of the prominent interior design and architecture mid century modern features are:
Open Floor Plans
Mid century modern architecture homes typically had open floor plans with free-flowing layouts that blended different spaces into one another. Such layouts allowed every space to have multiple purposes while maintaining separate private and semi-private zones, thus maximising functionality. Large windows flooded the interiors with natural light, creating a seamless transition from the exterior to interior spaces.
Clean Lines and Simplicity
Ornamentation or excess decoration on any interior elements was strictly avoided in the mid-century interior design style. Simple, geometric or nature-inspired patterns were used on the interior surfaces, while furniture and decor items were composed of clean lines but often had streamlined or curvilinear shapes. For example, kidney bean-shaped tables, oval desks and sofas with curved seats and simple, tapering legs were common.
Functionality and Minimalism
Just like other Minimalist interior design styles, the modern mid-century style also prioritised functionality over form and avoided unnecessary interior products. Only furniture and decor items that served some purpose (sometimes multiple functions) were included in the interiors, helping create spaces that were clutter-free, peaceful and easy to maintain. For instance, sofas that could convert to beds and desks that doubled as dining tables were often used.
Neutral Colours With Bold Accents
Similar to Modernist interior design, mid-century modern design utilised neutral colours like white, beige and light grey as the dominant tones in interiors. However, vibrant colours such as teal green, turquoise blue, clay red, burnt orange, mustard yellow and olive green were often used as highlights. Although used subtly and as small pops between large neutral surfaces, these bright colours created a visual variety that distinguished the interiors from Modernist design.
Blend of Natural and Modern Materials
Unlike the Modernist movement which used only newly-developed materials like steel and glass, mid-century homes utilised both modern and vintage materials in their interior design. Synthetic materials like vinyl and fiberglass were often blended with natural materials like exotic hardwood and softwood, stone (such as marble and travertine), glass and metal.
Mid-Century Modern Interior Decorating Tips For Indian Homes
Here are a few tips for you to incorporate mid-century interior design in your residential spaces:
Add Statement Pieces
The mid-century interior style is known for introducing bold furniture and decor pieces (often designed by prominent architects of the time) that became the focal point of spaces. You can include these statement furniture and decor pieces with unique forms and patterns to incorporate the style in your home:
- The Eames chair (designed by Charles and Ray Eames and available in multiple variations today)
- The bubble lamp and ball clock (originally designed by George Nelson)
- The Noguchi table (designed by Isamu Noguchi and sold by Hermann Miller)
- Rounded sofas and curved center tables
- Beds with signature headboards, such as those made with burl wood or living edge wood.
Incorporate Personality and Local Flavour
To break the monotony of the global style of mid-century modern interior design, add items that are locally manufactured and reflect your personal style. This may include bamboo centertables, rattan-front wardrobes and cotton rugs with simple, geometric patterns. You can also incorporate other design styles like the Bohemian style to induce more personal flavour into your home, creating a cosy environment that is customised to suit your desires.
Maximise Natural Light and Greenery
Use large windows and openings like French windows, bay windows and skylights (which are especially beneficial in tight urban plots) to help maximise natural light and also make spaces feel larger and airier. Also include lots of indoor plants and interior courtyards, allowing nature to blend with the interiors, increase cross ventilation and create spaces that are peaceful, soulful and enhance mental wellbeing.
Explore Textures and Patterns
Mid-century houses can become visually monotonous if you don’t explore diverse or contrasting forms, textures and patterns. For example, you can use:
- Exotic, dark-coloured wood (common in the mid-century modern style) furniture with beige or white-coloured cotton/ woollen rugs with subtle patterns.
- Exposed concrete floors contrasted with glass and wood surfaces
- Leather chairs with tapering steel legs and oval coffee tables
- Smooth glass dining table with wooden legs and linen curtains with geometric patterns
- Wood-panelled ceilings and stucco plastered walls.
Such textures, forms and patterns can add subtle visual interest in interior spaces without negating the minimalist charm of mid-century modern design.
Getting the Best Mid-Century Modern Houses
Mid-century modern interior design and architecture are defining styles of the 20th century and serve as sources of inspiration even today. To create spaces that truly reflect this style, accurate historical knowledge and a refined design sense are required. Employing experienced architects who are skilled at creating historically accurate as well as modern designs, Brick & Bolt has become a leader in the design-build industry. The company also collaborates with the top interior designers in the field to create homes that are simple, functional and beautiful. Reach out to Brick & Bolt today to get your house designed and built to reflect the design style of your choice!
Apoorva H P Achar