Mid-century modern style is a timeless classic that combines comfort, functionality, and art. It was a design movement that flourished in the 1950s and 60s and continues to be popular today. If you're a fan of this iconic style and want to upgrade your living room, follow these decor suggestions that will bring a touch of Mad Men elegance into your home.
Furnish with Low-Profile Pieces
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Create the illusion of more space in your living room by incorporating low-profile couches and chairs. These pieces allow more natural light to flow through the room, reduce clutter, and promote a comfortable lounging experience. Remember to choose a couch that is not too high-backed, as it can visually divide the room.
Make a Statement with Wallpaper
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Elevate your living room with a bold wallpaper featuring a geometric pattern. Adding wallpaper to an accent wall is a great way to inject personality into a neutral decor style. If you're on a budget, consider using stick-on wallpaper. Just be mindful of the size of the space you cover to avoid overwhelming the room.
Create the Feeling of Open Space
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Avoid overcrowding your living room with excessive furniture. Instead, opt for a few staple pieces with thin legs, like a geometric coffee table, to create a more spacious feel. Stay true to the mid-century modern style by focusing on functional furniture and minimal clutter. Consider adding cupboards or storage units to keep odds and ends out of sight.
Get Leather Upholstered Furniture
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For a trendy mid-century modern look, incorporate leather upholstered furniture into your living room. Mixing materials is a key aspect of this style, and leather in shades of brown complements the earthy tones of mid-century decor.
Add Touches Of Glam
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To add a touch of glamour to your mid-century modern living room, don't be afraid to incorporate luxurious elements. Consider adding a fur rug, throw pillows, or touches of gold throughout the space. These additions will brighten up the room while still maintaining the essence of the mid-century aesthetic.
Draw the Eye with a Geometric Area Rug
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Make a bold statement by incorporating a geometric area rug as the centerpiece of your living room. Choose a rug with gray, white, and yellow tones that complement the furniture and tie the room together. Remember to keep the other elements of the room simple and understated to prevent overwhelming the space.
Go Natural with Wood Furniture
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Wood is a vital material in mid-century modern decor. Incorporate different shades of wood for your floors, coffee table, console table, and couch legs. However, be mindful not to choose dark wood that can appear bulky and heavy, as it contradicts the sleek and airy feel of mid-century modern design.
Keep the Room Natural and Earthy
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Maintain the main color scheme of mid-century modern by using neutral and earth tones. Embrace whites, grays, browns, and dark greens or blues. Accentuate the space with silver metal or brass touches. Balance dark walls with large windows and green plants to create a comfortable and inviting atmosphere.
Stick With A Certain Color
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While mid-century modern design often features browns and greens, don't be afraid to introduce pops of color while maintaining consistency. Embrace bold colors like gold and mustard yellow for your couch, picture frames, or lighting. These vibrant hues complement the warm wood tones and add a modern touch to your mid-century living room.
Mix Wood & Metallics
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A signature element of mid-century modern design is the harmonious mix of wood and metallics. The combination of metal accents with wood creates a soft and balanced look. Consider incorporating furniture pieces with metallic elements, such as a side table with a wooden frame. The starburst design is a classic mid-century modern motif.
Furnish with Tapered Legs
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Tapered legs are a defining feature of mid-century modern furniture. These legs angle outwards slightly and taper towards the bottom, creating a weightless appearance. Incorporate slender, rounded legs on heavier furniture pieces to enhance the airy and spacious feel of your living room.
Make it Lively with House Plants
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Add a touch of life and vibrancy to your neutral and functional mid-century modern room with lush green plants. Opt for bountiful, thick plants in bright green colors to create a welcoming atmosphere. Choose pots that align with the mid-century style, such as smooth curved vases or pots with hairpin legs. Remember to keep your plants well-maintained for a tidy and functional space.
Focus On Straight Lines
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When furnishing your mid-century modern living room, prioritize straight lines and sharp corners. While it's beneficial to have a few circular accent pieces, it's best to maintain predominantly straight lines for furniture and avoid excessive softening with accents. The clean lines and boxy furniture are what make mid-century modern style so distinctive.
Mix Different Materials
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To achieve a diverse and eclectic mid-century modern look, mix different materials in your furniture choices. Consider pieces that combine leather, wood, glass, and metal elements. These materials, often in earthy tones, work together harmoniously to create an eclectic and utilitarian aesthetic.
Hang Up Some Abstract Art
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Choose abstract art pieces to add a touch of style and color to your mid-century modern living room. Look for artwork that complements the room's overall design and catches the eye. Abstract art can serve as an engaging conversation starter with your guests.
Add Some Jewel Tones
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If you're not fond of sticking to the traditional mid-century modern color palette of browns and greens, incorporate jewel tones like emerald green, fuchsia, and royal blue. Consider adding velvet touches for a modern twist. A velvet purple throw pillow can instantly elevate your mid-century modern living room.
Soften The Room With Tufted Furniture
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While mid-century modern furniture is known for its clean lines and sharp corners, it can sometimes feel a bit harsh. Soften the room by incorporating tufted furniture. Choose a tufted couch that maintains the classic mid-century modern aesthetic while adding a touch of comfort and coziness. Pair it with soft throw pillows and a cozy blanket for a complete look.
Mismatch (In A Coordinated Way)
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Don't be afraid to create character and visual interest by carefully mismatching elements in your living room. Choose different patterned throw pillows, a funky rug, and art pointing in opposite directions. Embrace angled lines and curated asymmetry to add depth and uniqueness to your mid-century modern space.
Mix In A Second Design Style
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If you have a love for both mid-century modern and another design style, don't limit yourself to just one. Mix and match the two styles to create a unique and personalized living room. Blend mid-century modern with bohemian elements or other aesthetics to showcase your individuality.
Play Up Your Natural Light
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Embrace the natural light in your living room. If your space lacks ample natural light, compensate by incorporating brighter colors like yellow and orange or painting your walls in crisp white to maximize the available light. Enhancing natural light creates a welcoming and inviting atmosphere.
Brighten Up the Room with an Arc Lamp
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Illuminate your living room in the evenings with a classic arc lamp. This floor lamp features a smooth metal design on a sturdy base, curving into the room to provide ample light. Choose a minimalist or extended design based on your preferences. The sleek and curved appeal of the arc lamp complements the straight lines of your mid-century modern space.
Add Some Industrial Accents
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Infuse a touch of industrial charm into your mid-century modern living room by incorporating elements like iron legs or wire baskets. These additions can offset the warmth of wood, adding a cool and masculine feel to the space. Balance out the industrial accents with soft throw pillows and colorful touches for a well-rounded aesthetic.
Don't Be Afraid To Go Bold
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While mid-century modern design often relies on earthy tones, don't shy away from incorporating bold and vibrant colors. Consider incorporating bold hues in your furniture, throw pillows, rugs, or artwork. Adding pops of color will enliven your space while still maintaining the essence of mid-century modern style.
Soften Up The Room With Some Fur
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Mid-century living room design can sometimes feel cold and structured. Soften the space and make it more inviting by incorporating fur accents. Add a rug, throw pillows, or a cozy blanket to make your furniture appear more comfortable and welcoming.
Use Table Lamps for Decoration
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Table lamps can serve as both functional lighting and stylish decor pieces. Look for table lamps with interesting bases in bold colors or metallic finishes. Using table lamps as decorative accents adds style and texture to your living room.
When In Doubt, Go With Black and Brown
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If you're unsure about color coordination, stick with classic mid-century modern neutral colors like black and brown. Embrace these timeless hues as accents in your living room. Consider adding touches of white to brighten up the space and achieve a stunning mid-century modern aesthetic.
Think Minimal
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While there are numerous accents and accessories you can incorporate into your mid-century modern room, don't feel obligated to fill every space. Embrace minimalism by focusing on structure and functionality. By keeping decorations to a minimum, you can showcase the clean lines and functional elements that define mid-century modern style.
Final Thoughts
Furnishing your living room with mid-century modern style is an exciting endeavor. Focus on incorporating earthy, neutral tones and select furniture pieces that are both fashionable and functional. Remember to combine materials like wood, metal, glass, and textured fabrics to achieve an eclectic look. Your mid-century modern living room doesn't need to be complete overnight; start with a few key pieces and add to it over time. The most important thing is to create a space where you feel comfortable and can enjoy spending time.
