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Design Guide
Mid Century Modern
Mid Century Modern furniture combines sleek simplicity, clean lines, and mixed materials. With warm woods, bold colors, and organic shapes, it offers a timeless yet retro charm.
Pro Tip
Transform Your Home with Mid Century Modern Interior Design
Mid-Century Modern, popular from the 1940s–1970s, blends function with bold personality. Choose sculptural furniture, rich wood tones like walnut and teak, and geometric décor. Complete the look with statement lighting and a mix of vintage and modern elements.
Mid Century Modern Style By Room
“Mid-century modern is effortlessly classic—it’s all about clean lines, bold shapes, and natural materials that feel stylish but still totally practical. It’s where form meets function, with a little nod to nature and just enough personality to keep it fun.”
Charlotte Weld, Sr. Art Director, Furniture.com
Mid Century Modern Furniture Style Essentials
Sleek Silhouettes
Mid Century sofas showcase clean lines, low profiles, and tailored upholstery. Tapered legs, bold hues, and plush cushions add to their timeless appeal.
Warm Woods
Teak, walnut, and oak tables bring warmth and character to Mid Century spaces. Their rich tones pair beautifully with neutral palettes and bold accents.
Retro Accents
Add personality with geometric rugs, sunburst mirrors, and sculptural vases. These vintage-inspired details make a bold yet refined statement.
Iconic Seating
Mid Century accent chairs blend style and function with sleek lines, molded designs, and tapered legs. Opt for tufted upholstery or curved forms to make a statement.
Shop Mid Century Modern Furniture & Decor
Eternity Modern
Simpli Home
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RC Willey
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Updated March 10, 2025
Charlotte Weld
Director of Digital Content
I’m Charlotte, the Director of Digital Content at Furniture.com, where I lead the creative direction for our Inspiration blog and the marketing layer of our website. Read more.
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Discover More Styles
Mid Century Modern Furniture
Add a dash of old-school charm to your space with simple yet elegant mid century modern furniture pieces. Here’s a closer look at this iconic style and tips for choosing the right furniture.
What Is Mid Century Modern Furniture?
Mid century modern furniture is inspired by popular designs created from the 1940s through the 1960s. This style is all about function, with clean lines and simple, organic forms. Many pieces have multi-purpose designs, making them a popular choice for small spaces.
To understand the origins of MCM furniture, go all the way back to the post-World War II era. A booming economy allowed many Americans to become homeowners. As families grew, they needed furniture to fill their homes, but they didn’t want the more ornate pieces favored by previous generations.
Enter creative furniture designers like Eero Saarinen and Charles Eames. These trailblazers used newly invented materials such as aluminum and fiberglass to build practical yet beautiful furniture. With their sleek silhouettes and natural curves, these pieces had a decidedly futuristic vibe.
Why Choose Mid Century Modern Furniture?
It’s easy to see why mid century modern furniture has such an avid fan club, even after all this time.
Many people love the timeless appeal of this aesthetic. While some styles quickly feel outdated, that’s not the case with mid century modern furniture. These pieces seem just as fresh and unique as they did in the 1950s and ‘60s. That’s why adding them to your home is a long-term investment.
MCM furniture is also incredibly versatile. Because these pieces have minimalist designs, it’s easy to pair them with various styles. For example, a mid century modern sofa could fit into bohemian and contemporary designs. Thanks to this flexibility, you can experiment with different aesthetics without needing to replace all your furniture.
And let’s not forget about the iconic design features of mid century modern interior design. This style often combines sleek, tapered legs with gentle curves. Juxtaposing these shapes adds visual interest and gives the furniture an understated elegance. Many pieces also use mixed materials, such as a jute armchair with wood legs or a wood dresser with cane webbing.
Bold colors are another signature of mid century modern design. This furniture frequently comes in earthy tones like olive green and rust. Other pieces have bright primary colors, such as blues and reds. These vibrant shades liven up any space and are a refreshing alternative to contemporary neutrals.
Shop Mid Century Modern Furniture by Room
If you’re in the market for mid-century modern furniture, consider these staple items.
Mid Century Modern Living Room
Every mid century modern living room needs a sleek sofa or two. Embrace the vintage vibe by choosing one with tapered legs and button tufting. For more seating, look for retro accent chairs with curved backs and slanted armrests. Complete the look with a mid century coffee table made from wood or glass.
Mid Century Modern Dining room
Embrace the nostalgic charm of a mid century modern dining room. Add curved chairs with slender legs for the perfect retro pairing. And, of course, you’ll need a dark wood sideboard to hold dishes for your family and guests.
Mid Century Modern Bedroom
A platform bed is a must-have for any mid century modern bedroom. With its low profile and comfortable wooden slats, this furniture will help you get a wonderful night’s sleep. Many platform beds also feature storage drawers, perfect for stashing thick blankets and seasonal clothing.
If you need more storage, look for streamlined dressers and nightstands. These pieces are typically made from gorgeous hardwoods like rosewood and teak.
Mid Century Modern Home Office & Accents
Mid century modern furniture is designed for small homes, so it’s ideal for home offices. Create the perfect workstation with a compact wood desk and a leather office chair with wheels. Round out the look with wood storage cabinets and statement lighting, such as a chrome floor lamp or a ceramic table lamp.
Mid Century Modern Furniture Style Essentials
Mid century modern is all about embracing the environment, so most pieces are made from natural wood. Many pieces use light woods like oak and teak, while popular darker woods include cherry and walnut. You’ll also find plenty of earthy tones, such as avocado green and soft browns.
This style also favors asymmetrical or geometric shapes. For example, one MCM coffee table might have a triangular top and an abstract base. Another could be built from four square pieces of wood stacked on top of each other. These shapes draw the eye while maintaining the style’s signature minimalism.
Once you’ve chosen your staple pieces, show them off with statement lighting. Illuminate the entire with a simple chandelier with round bulbs and geometric shapes. Or add ambient lighting with vintage floor lamps with tapered legs and delicate shades.
How To Style Your Home With Mid Century Modern Furniture
Mixing contemporary and vintage pieces will help you strike the right balance and avoid feeling like you’re design is stuck in the past. Pair a contemporary sectional with a retro MCM coffee table and lamp.
Mid century modern is all about bold colors, so feel free to experiment with different color palettes. Many mid century modern designs use earthy tones like burnt orange and mustard yellow. Contrast these hues with funky accent colors like coral and teal.
Complement your furniture with brightly colored rugs and throw pillows. Houseplants will also make your space more vibrant.
Shop for Mid Century Modern Furniture on Furniture.com
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F.A.Q.
What qualifies as mid-century modern furniture?
Mid century modern furniture was either crafted during or inspired by the postwar period. However, not every piece made during these decades counts as mid century modern. The term specifically refers to furniture with minimalist designs and sleek angles. These pieces are also made from natural materials like glass and wood.
What defines mid century modern style?
Mid century modern style is defined by its functionality and simplicity. This furniture was designed for growing families in small homes, so it’s typically compact. Its clean lines and basic silhouettes create a fresh, uncluttered look.
Additionally, many pieces are multipurpose to help families get the most out of their space. For example, a mid century modern platform bed might have hidden storage compartments, while an MCM coffee table could feature nesting shelves.
What are 5 key elements of mid century modern decor?
While MCM decor can take many forms, here are a few key elements:
Bold colors: From aqua to mustard yellow, MCM designs feature intense colors.
Minimalism: Less is more for mid-century modern interior design. It’s better to pick a few statement pieces, such as an abstract painting and colorful rug, than overwhelm the space.
Geometric shapes: MCM wall art and other decor often feature simple yet beautiful shapes. For example, you might hang interlocking circles above your sofa or opt for a painting filled with triangles.
Mixed materials: This style often combines various materials, such as glass and wood.
Tapered legs: MCM furniture and decor frequently has slender, angular legs.