All about mid-century modern style

Mid-century modern is a distinct style that differs from modern style, often seen as its more stylish counterpart. While modern style serves as an umbrella term encompassing various styles such as contemporary, minimalist, and Scandinavian, it emerged as a reaction against the ornate designs of the 1800s, focusing on simplicity and functionality. Mid-century design, rooted in this modern foundation, revolutionised the way we approach work, home, and leisure spaces.

The modern aesthetic incorporates elements from mid-century modern design, which can lead to confusion about their distinctions. Italtile goes into detail about the trendy mid-century modern look, emphasising that with the right basics, this style can be relatively simple to replicate at home.

Mid-century modern 101

Modern style prioritises extreme functionality, rejecting decorative items and unnecessary colours. It also values no-fuss function over form but adds a quirky twist, incorporating eye-catching decorative accents, retro furnishings, organic shapes, and vibrant pops of colour – what experts call saturated colour. While modern style embodies order and discipline, mid-century modern exudes humour and charisma. Your personal preference will guide you toward one style over the other.

The birth of mid-century modern style

Mid-century modern design marks the architectural and artistic era between the 1930s and 1960s, influencing the rigorous aesthetic shift that followed the ornate styles of the 1800s. After World War I, there was a strong need for practical, affordable designs that emphasised functionality. The seeds of the modern movement were germinating.

After World War II, technology surged ahead, reshaping a post-war world. Advances in printing processes introduced a wider colour palette, and new low-maintenance materials emerged, including faux fur, polyester, nylon, and melamine. This was an inspirational time for designers, marked by the optimism of the 1950s, the earthy tones of the 1960s, and the simplicity of 1970s Scandinavian design – all wrapped up in today’s vibrant mid-century modern package.

Original mid-century modern design cues

Houses were built with flat, low roofs, large rectangular windows, and open-plan, uni-space living (thanks to architect Frank Lloyd Wright). They featured manmade materials, interesting textures, and slim-legged, elongated geometric furniture. Wood panelling was extremely popular on walls and ceilings. (Fast forward to the 21st century, and the ceiling has re-entered the design conversation, often embellished, wallpapered, or wood-panelled.) The open-plan flow of kitchen, dining, and living areas we know today – making contemporary compact living approachable and social – owes its existence to mid-century modern style.

Mid-century modern textures

Materials as diverse as rubber, plastic, pleather, glass, and faux fur entered the scene, mingling with raw wood, wool, and other handcrafted textiles, alongside natural leather, bamboo, and rattan (reflecting bohemian and rustic influences). Retro and vintage manmade elements are essential to today’s mid-century modern look. Floors often featured high-gloss vinyl or hardwood in oak or walnut tones. Today, high-tech vinyl flooring options are thriving, bringing those wood tones home sustainably.

Mixed metals play a key role in the mid-century aesthetic. Brass and copper add warmth, chrome provides a bright shine, and black metal finishes contribute drama. In the past, indoor greenery with built-in plantings was highly favoured, and it still is, with many younger homeowners opting for a proliferation of plants over a traditional family. Embrace full foliage in your indoor plantings, and you’ll be right on trend. Intriguing lighting solutions, large windows, and mirrors also enhance the space.

Colour

Colour pops in the mid-century space, but it’s not random. The mid-century modern colour palette consists of three main categories: neutral foundations, earthy tones in layers, and bright primaries as accents. Against a neutral backdrop of concrete and mid-tone wood, complemented by white, grey, and cream, you’ll find companionable olive and dark greens, various browns, mustard yellows, ochres, and oranges – then, voilà! – a signature burst of vibrant colour. Use red sparingly; just a hint will work its magic, or you risk the tonal equivalent of an ambulance driving through your room. The same applies to sunny yellow; you want your space to be kissed by sunlight, not struck by lightning. These bold colours are your accents, and when wisely used, they create striking and playful contrasts against a neutral, earthy backdrop.

Pattern

Here, the focus is on graphic patterns, with geometric and atomic influences. Expect a mix of symmetrical and asymmetrical designs, along with abstract shapes. Both mathematical and organic forms blend seamlessly together.

Make space

Mid-century modern spaces look and feel more lived-in than the more austere modernist home. However, beware of decorating excess. Keep floor spaces open, create comfortable seating areas, and find smart ways to showcase your personality (like abstract artworks and bold lighting) without adding clutter.

Put your mid-century modern look together with Italtile

Here are some thought-starters from the pages of Italtile’s Mid-Century Modern Look Book to fuel your imagination and help you create beautifully retro mood boards. Discover local and imported treasures that are all highly distinctive, sustainably made, exclusive to Italtile, and carry its coveted LiveGreen label.

Eco-chic, wonderfully comfortable underfoot, and built to last, Italtile’s wide range of high-quality wood-look vinyl tiles will also add a mid-century panelled feel to walls and ceilings. To stay on trend, choose mid-tone wood colours.

Form by Sant Agostino, from its Signature Collection, reimagines the modern industrial edge of cement while carrying the fascinating imprint of architectural wooden formwork. The Form range creates a superb neutral base for your mid-century style mood board, blending timeless style with future-consciousness.

Affirmations Black Sun Round Mirror is the perfect mirror shape to complete your mid-century bathroom look, featuring a statement frame, eco-chic credentials, and superb flawless clarity.

The Wave Modular Bathroom Vanity offers contemporary Spanish flair and quality craftsmanship, showcasing eye-catching curves and straight angles in a soft neutral tone.

Available in retro Amber or Sunflower, the Autumn Fairy Speckled Gloss Porcelain Mosaic will look great on your kitchen splashback, fireplace surround, or shower space with a distinctly retro accent. You can also use it to clad your built-in bath. These two charming KitKat choices provide trendy mid-century colours and shapes.

Italtile encourages clients to take their time when investing in top-quality products designed to last. Create a wish list before finalising choices and utilise their free digital interior design tools, such as uView and Visualiser. Italtile also offers a sample service and provides experienced Professional Residential Agents to guide clients through their interior projects with a complimentary end-to-end design service.

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