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The term “mid-century modern interior design” conjures myriad images: The airy, Richard Neutra-designed Kaufmann House in Palm Springs that blurs the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living; the iconic and groundbreaking LCW molded-plywood lounge chair; Don Draper’s wood-paneled office peppered with low-lying seating in muted shades of orange and yellow.
While seemingly disparate, these things have mid-century modern’s key characteristics in common: sleek, pared-down designs, an emphasis on both function and form, an innovative use of “modern” materials, and a connection to nature. The mid-century modern movement and its core tenets played a role in nearly all design practices—interior design, graphic design, industrial design, and architecture—for decades, starting just after World War II (in part out of necessity to produce en masse for the veterans returning from war and their families, and because the technology to do so was available) and into the 1970s. And, it continues to be relevant today.
While most design trends are cyclical (who would have ever thought Memphis design of the ’80s would have a resurgence?), it’s actually quite incredible that a movement that began in the mid-1940s—with influences in Europe dating back to even earlier in the 20th century—feels just as relatable and appealing today—and has never really gone out of favor.
Eames Demetrios, Charles and Ray Eames’ grandson and the Director of the Eames Office equates mid-century modern’s staying power to one of the movement's key traits: problem-solving solutions. “A lot of these designs, and certainly the Eames’ ones, were not made with style as their first intent. Style can be there, but they were all designed to solve problems with living and how to live better,” explained Demetrios. And while functionality might be at the heart of these practical designs, Demetrios is quick to offer a caveat: “Aesthetics can be a part of function…Charles and Ray made a lot of things that did both—things that are lovely to look at and extremely comfortable.”
Jonathan Adler, potter and designer whose eponymous furniture and home-decor collection is heavily influenced by the era—specifically by the work of David Hicks, Alexander Girard, and Bonnie Cashin—distills mid-century modern in this way: “Mid-century modern design is about stripping away unnecessary ornamentation and really getting to the essence of a design gesture. That clarity of vision is innately communicative, and communication is ultimately what good design is about.”
Molly Purnell, co-founder of LA-based interior design firm Laun, who draws inspiration from the movement in her work, adds that mid-century modern’s relevance in contemporary design is, in part, due to the movement's emphasis on spaces that meld indoors and out. “I think the open connection between the interior and outdoor space is one of [mid-century modern’s] defining characteristics and we see that very much today—every client we work with makes that a priority in their projects,” says Purnell. Like her mid-century modern predecessors, Purnell’s company uses very large glass sliding doors to bring in expansive views and create an easy connection to the outdoors.
Mid-Century Modern Interior Design’s Characteristics
While the original movement spanned across many design practices—interior design, graphic design, industrial design, and architecture—and decades, it can be distilled down to these five main tenants:
Pared-down designs that solve a problem—emphasizing practicality before style.
Pieces that could be made democratically without diminishing craftsmanship.
Designs that prioritize indoor-outdoor living or that simply reference natural elements.
Deep hues used in a playful way—usually as an accent juxtaposed against more neutral tones—to communicate an idea.
Manmade materials like glass, plastic, and formica juxtaposed against natural materials like warm woods, stone, and linoleum—always a mix of the two.
How to Incorporate Mid-Century Modern Interior Design Into Your Home
Hankering to bring mid-century modern design into your space, without putting a down payment on an Eichler tract home or embarking on a major renovation? You can start by simply adding a few pieces of furniture to your current collection. “The Eameses said that furniture is architecture at a scale you can handle. And, they were speaking from the designer's perspective, but I think we can also say from the customer's perspective, it's a lot more affordable to create that mid-century environment without addressing the structure of your home—by using the furniture to define it,” says Demetrios.
Luckily, not only are mid-century modern designs quite easy to come by (thanks to vintage options, originals that are still in production, and the new guard of mid-century modern-inspired designers) they’re also extremely versatile—mid-century modern pieces work well with many aesthetic persuasions thanks to their simplicity and clean lines. In fact, Purnell suggests pairing mid-century modern pieces with furniture and decor from other eras. “I would say it’s very much about striking a balance—integrating mid-century pieces and mixing them with contemporary furniture, and items from other periods. If you have the iconic Arco Lamp, which has stood the test of time for a reason, mix it with a Gio Ponti mirror or a piece from a completely different period. Don’t look to create a retro back catalog and try to layer in a range of styles,” suggests Purnell.
Jonathan Adler distills his advice down to three words: “‘Low, loungey, and louche’ should inform all your decorating decisions, and remember: seat height is everything. Take any sofa you have in your house and chop four inches off the leg. Voila!”
Ready to start shopping? Below are some of our favorite mid-century modern designs—a mix of classics and contemporary pieces from the new guard.