Known for clean lines, minimal decoration, and a connection with nature, midcentury modern architecture is an American classic that began after World War II. A midcentury modern house plan is characterized by a very wide, low footprint with large, open spaces, floor-to-ceiling windows, and an emphasis on bringing the outdoors in.
Although midcentury modern architecture boomed all across America from 1945 to 1969, it's seen a major resurgence in recent years. Interior decorating styles that draw inspiration from midcentury style, like Scandinavian design and Danish Modern, have made this style accessible to millions of new homeowners.
Midcentury modern was originally considered a collection of homes built after World War II, rather than a specific style. Today, however, "midcentury modern" often denotes a particular building or decorating style.
History
Taking influences from Bauhaus and American high-prairie style homes, midcentury modern architecture was brought to the United States by European architects fleeing Nazi Germany. Some original midcentury modern designers include Walter Gropius, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and Marcel Breuer. Frank Lloyd Wright, the father of modern architecture, actually trained many midcentury modern architects.
After World War II, Americans put a major emphasis on lifestyle, family time, and spending time in nature. Midcentury modern homes built across America's suburbs reflected those ideals, with large windows that provided views of homeowners' backyards, open living spaces where the whole family could entertain, and technological upgrades—especially in the kitchen—so homeowners spent less time cleaning and more time with their families.
During its original boom from 1945 to 1969, midcentury modern architecture was divided into three distinct styles:
International: Inspired by international architects—as the name implies—this version of midcentury modern architecture was heavily influenced by the Bauhaus movement. Homes were extremely simple, with little to no decoration, and were typically finished with stucco.
Contemporary: The most popular midcentury modern style, contemporary homes featured clean lines, floor-to-ceiling windows, and more natural, organic-feeling materials, like wood, stone, and brick. Many of these homes have asymmetrical exteriors with windows extending to the roofline and exposed ceilings and beams in the interior.
Organic: A smaller subset of midcentury modern architects emphasized blending their homes into their natural surroundings. Rather than building structures with sharp lines and right angles, they embraced homes with more natural shapes. Because organic midcentury modern homes were so heavily influenced by their natural surroundings, an organic midcentury modern home in a forest would look entirely different than an organic midcentury modern home in the desert.
Although there are three versions of this style of architecture, most of these houses in the United States share the following must-have elements of midcentury modern homes:
Clean Lines and Geometric Shapes
Straight lines and right angles are essential to midcentury modern architecture. Although many modern ranch-style homes feature gabled roofs or asymmetrical exteriors, most midcentury modern homes have flat roofs with straight lines.
Floor-to-Ceiling Windows
The original midcentury modern homes emphasized nature and lifestyle, so they were built with floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the yard, sliding glass doors, and many access points to the outdoors.
Changes in Elevation
Many midcentury modern homes are split-level, with short staircases connecting rooms throughout the house. Partial brick or glass walls, fireplaces centered in rooms, and cabinetry also add depth and variation in elevation in the homes' interiors.
Minimal Decoration
Although some midcentury modern styles are more ornate than others, simplicity is a key characteristic of the movement. Simple furnishings with clean lines and a muted color palette complement the homes' simple exteriors. Midcentury modern colors include warm earth tones such as orange, brown, mustard, or golden yellow. Though these are popular colors from this period, not all of these colors are found in every home of this style.
Connecting with nature is a key value in midcentury modern architecture, so most midcentury modern homes have multiple access points to the outdoors. In some homes, even single rooms have several doors and windows to access the outdoor living space.
Where to Find Midcentury Modern Homes
When soldiers returned from World War II, they built midcentury homes all across the United States—meaning, you'll find midcentury modern homes in virtually every town and state.
The largest collection of midcentury modern homes, however, can be seen in Palm Springs, California. Some of the world's most famous midcentury modern architects built homes, hotels, motels, and other structures in Palm Springs, and many homeowners building new construction replicate the style.
FAQ
What year is a midcentury modern home?
Midcentury modern homes are considered to be houses built between 1945 to 1969, give or take a few years on either end.
What is the difference between midcentury and midcentury modern homes?
Though the terms are used interchangeably, technically there is a subtle difference between a home decorated with midcentury and midcentury modern decor. Some people also refer to midcentury modern as a subset of midcentury decor. Midcentury decor refers to a more ornate style, such as Art Deco, and some might argue this includes Art Nouveau. Midcentury modern decor refers to a style with more of a utilitarian aesthetic incorporating clean lines and basic shapes.
What does midcentury modern mean in interior design?
Midcentury modern in interior design typically refers to the furniture and decor associated with the styles of this period. A few famous examples include the Eero Saarinen Tulip Table, an Eames Fiberglass Side Chair, and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's Barcelona Chair.
A midcentury modern house plan is characterized by a very wide, low footprint with large, open spaces, floor-to-ceiling windows, and an emphasis on bringing the outdoors in. Although midcentury modern architecture boomed all across America from 1945 to 1969, it's seen a major resurgence in recent years.
Mid-century modern architecture was a twentieth-century architectural style characterized by clean lines, muted curves, a lack of ornamentation, large windows, interior design based in functionality, and open floor plans intent on making indoor and outdoor living spaces complement each other.
The trademarks of midcentury modern furniture include sleek, functional design. This includes soft curves, minimalist materials, and bold colors or geometric prints. Most midcentury modern furniture is upholstered with a wood or metal frame.
Many famous architects created iconic midcentury furniture pieces that are still popular today including the Eames Lounge Chair, the Barcelona Chair, the Wassily Chair, the Egg Chair, the Noguchi Coffee Table, the Eero Saarinen Tulip Table, the Platner Armchair, the Bertoia Chair, the Jeanneret Chair and the Florence ...
Midcentury Modern: Embraces simplicity, functionality, and a connection with nature. Characterized by clean lines and organic shapes. Modern: Focuses on sleek aesthetics, technological integration, and a commitment to uncluttered spaces with clean lines and geometric shapes.
Mid-century modern (MCM) is a movement in interior design, product design, graphic design, architecture and urban development that was popular in the United States and Europe from roughly 1945 to 1970 during the United States's post-World War II period.
The Mid Century Modern era refers to the period roughly between the end of World War II through the mid 1970s. Mid Century Modern style hit its peak in the middle of the 20th century, hence the 'mid century' part of its name. The 'modern' part comes from the style's futuristic nature.
MCM remains a popular choice for both designers and homeowners alike. Its timeless aesthetic and versatile design make it a perfect fit for various interior styles. Mid-century modern furniture can seamlessly blend into any space, whether you prefer a more traditional look or a contemporary approach.
Mid-century modern is characteristically simple with clean lines and material choice came before fussy design elements. Teak was the wood of choice and bright accent colours were used to inject life into otherwise austere surroundings.
Mid-century modern interior design has certainly made a welcome comeback since its introduction in the 50s. Now a favorite worldwide, it's easy to incorporate the look with a few simple elements.
Mid-Century modern is a term first used by Cara Greenberg in the 1950s to describe a style of architectural, interior, industrial, and graphic design that emerged after World War II. Today mid-century modern is often used to refer to the period from the early 1930s through the mid-1970s.
Mid Century Modern Furniture Designers Charles and Ray Eames
They were among the most influential and celebrated designers of the 20th century. Together, they revolutionized furniture design, industrial design, and architecture with their innovative use of materials, technology, and aesthetics.
At its most basic level, midcentury modern designs are known for juxtaposing sleek lines (think: skinny, peg legs on dressers and tables) with organic shapes, using new materials and methods to reimagine traditional pieces. The looks were futuristic, but they weren't a total departure from the past.
It is characterized by its emphasis on clean lines, organic shapes, and modern materials such as wood, leather, and metal. Furthermore, mid-century modern furniture is often characterized by its functionality and practicality, as well as its attention to detail.
Art deco is glamorous, sophisticated and bold where mid-century modern is more streamlined, minimalist and purely functional. Art deco follows a lot of the same basic concepts like geometric shapes and high contrast but embellished with intricate motif inspired by technology rather than the natural world.
Mid-Century modern is a term first used by Cara Greenberg in the 1950s to describe a style of architectural, interior, industrial, and graphic design that emerged after World War II. Today mid-century modern is often used to refer to the period from the early 1930s through the mid-1970s.
The unique floor plan within the mid-century modern architectural style is known as a split-level. It's usually designed similarly to a ranch house but in a split-level configuration. Popular with home buyers in the 1950s, split-levels cost-effectively make efficient use of space.
The century referred to in mid-century modern is the 20th, specifically the years immediately following the Second World War, from the mid-1940s to the late 1960s. During this time, North America enjoyed a booming real estate economy and a booming population.
While the two styles share some similarities, there are some key differences both in concept and execution. Both styles feature differing materials, colors and patterns in both architecture and furniture. Some might call art deco a “dressed up” version of mid-century modern.
Introduction: My name is Nicola Considine CPA, I am a determined, witty, powerful, brainy, open, smiling, proud person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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