Cheekily dubbed by some critics as “The Pumpkin Spice Latte of Interior Design,” midcentury modern style is everywhere you look. It’s popping up on your Instagram feeds, it’s cushioning guests on TV talk shows, it’s peppering the pages of West Elm catalogs and — of course — it’s all over our homes.
The design trend was mentioned by The New York Times in 1998, and — more than two decades later — midcentury modern is arguably more popular than ever.
Its enduring popularity might be attributed to the fact that midcentury modern encompasses a wide period of many different schools and movements. “Every major country had a midcentury-modern period, with the American and Danish styles being the most popular in the U.S.,” explains Sarah Stacey, an interior designer based in Austin, Texas.
Midcentury Modern Design: A Quick Overview
But what exactly is a midcentury modern design, exactly? While an exact definition is hard to pin down, the term broadly refers to the dominant architecture, furniture and graphic design from about 1933 to 1965. Playing into our obsession with clean, minimalist spaces, midcentury modern is characterized by includes simple, functional pieces with angular and sleek lines. Midcentury furniture is often made of teak and other types of wood, interspersed with manmade materials like vinyl and plastic. Playful use of color is common, often serving as a bold accent or way to make a piece of furniture stand out in a room.
“It has elements that are appealing in any era,” said Cameron Stewart, a Senior Project Designer at a Los Angeles-based design firm. “It’s colorful, warm, fun and sleek.”
How To Get the Midcentury Design Aesthetic
If you are thinking of incorporating midcentury furniture into your home, Stacey recommends striking a balance by layering midcentury modern elements with furniture and accents from other styles and periods. To help you add a pinch or two of retro flair to your home, here are some midcentury furniture picks for your bedroom, living room, office and garden.
Midcentury Modern Bedroom Furniture
George Oliver Midcentury Dresser
With its streamlined, sleek lines and geometric shape, this dresser gives off a decidedly midcentury modern vibe. Its peg-style legs exemplify the bold, streamlined look of the aesthetic. The quintessentially midcentury furniture legs, combined with the stark contrast of dark wood handles against clean white drawers, make this piece pop.
Price: $389.99 at Wayfair
Stockholm Mirror
This stylish Stockholm mirror is from IKEA, a brand synonymous with simple, affordable midcentury-inspired furniture. With its simple shape and natural walnut veneer, this mirror would pair perfectly with the above-mentioned dresser.
Price: $139.99 at IKEA
Midcentury Modern Platform Bed
The tufting on this bed frame’s upholstered headboard is typical in midcentury modern design — as are the peg legs holding up the sturdy, dark walnut wooden frame. Reviewers rave that this exemplary piece of midcentury modern bedroom furniture is “easy to assemble “and “beautiful” with “plenty of storage space.”
Price: $499.99 and up at Walmart
Midcentury Modern Living Room Furniture
Midcentury Modern Sofa
One of the many, many things we love about midcentury modern living room furniture is its affordability. Case and point: this upholstered sofa. Its got wooden sides, a button-tufted design and wooden peg legs — all hallmarks of the midcentury aesthetic.
Price: $544 at Amazon
Carson Carrington Nynashamn TV Stand
With its open, functional, utilitarian design, this stylish TV stand oozes midcentury modern charm. Despite looking like it was plucked straight out of the ‘50s, the sturdy stand is built to handle your ultra-modern widescreen TV.
Price: $241.66 and up at Overstock
Amoeba Coffee Table
Article is another reliable source of midcentury modern furniture — like this solid wood Amoeba coffee table. Reviewers rave that its wood grain finish is “beautiful” and its quality “surpasses expectations.”
Price: $329 at Article
Modern George Nelson Sunburst Clock
Crown your midcentury living room with the most classic of décor pieces: the clock. With its warm colors and traditional starburst design, this wood clock is a true statement piece. It’s available in a few different midcentury-inspired iterations, including version with colorful balls and blocks.
Price: $199.99 on Amazon
Midcentury Patio Furniture
Studio 3B Sora Outdoor Furniture Collection
No roundup of midcentury patio furniture would be complete without a set of Acapulco chairs. This three-piece set includes two classic Acapulco string seats and a table and is budget-friendly to boot.
Price: $35 and up at Bed Bath & Beyond
Mesh Outdoor Lounge Chair
Add a burst of color to your outdoor patio with this sunny aqua chair crafted from aluminum and polyester mesh. Complete the look and give your feet a lift with a matching turquoise ottoman.
Price: $149.99 at Crate & Barrel
Chaise Lounge Set
This set of curvy lounge chairs is made from acacia and eucalyptus wood. They’re perfect for lounging by the pool with a sea breeze or sloe gin fizz, Don Draper on a business trip to California-style.
Price: $335.13 at Amazon
Midcentury Modern Office Furniture
Midcentury Writing Desk
You might be surprised to learn that Target is a treasure trove of midcentury modern furniture — like this sleek wood writing desk. Its natural composition, teak midcentury furniture legs and simple design are stylish hallmarks of the trend.
Price: $323.19 at Target
Svelti Chair
Another midcentury win from Article, this pink office chair will add a bit of ‘50s pizazz to your office. Reviewers rave that this piece of midcentury modern office furniture is “supportive yet minimal and aesthetically pleasing,” in addition to being “very easy to assemble.”
Price: $79 at Article
Midcentury Wood Tabletop Planters
Nothing energizes a home office feel like a plant or five. This midcentury wood planter is ideal for setting atop your desk and serving as a home for your houseplant (er, we mean office plant).
Price: $29.99 at West Elm
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