Let’s talk home offices. Are you creating one for the first time or just considering a redesign? It doesn’t matter. I’ve got three words for you. Or two words. One of them’s hyphenated, so I’m not sure how to count that, but that’s beside the point.
Mid-century modern.
Do you want to say wow every single time you walk into your new workspace? Mid-century modern is the key. Decorate your space with mid-century modern furniture and you’ll get everything you’re after: Class. Style. Sexiness. Quality.
Beloved for its simplicity and quality craftsmanship, mid-century modern furniture is a welcome departure from the overstuffed, patterned furniture of the 90s. But exactly what is mid-century modern? And where can you get the look for your own home office?
What is Mid-Century Modern?
Mid-century modern isn’t just a furniture style—it’s a movement. Sound like a cliché phrase floating around Pinterest? Well, it’s true. Mid-century design was born in the 1950s and stayed popular until the 1970s, taking over interior design, product packaging, graphic design, and architecture. Who can argue with that kind of staying power?
Designers like Ray Eames and George Nelson are the pioneers of this design style, inspired by the idea that there can be beauty in simplicity and practicality. (Hello, favorite pair of jeans!)
Characteristics of Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Scandinavian legs with futuristic curves Rhodes Mid-Century Modern Tufted Sofa - Steel Gray
Now you’ve got the low-down on the mid-century movement. But what is mid-century modern furniture, you ask? Well, this furniture style is known for being ultra-streamlined. Think clean lines, smooth surfaces, and futuristic curves (channeling your favorite episode of The Jetsons).
The style has a lot in common with Scandinavian design: tapered legs and natural wood. You know. Scandanavian. But mid-century furniture is more about bold colors and modern prints, instead of basic neutrals and soft colors. Now is not the time to shy away from sharp, geometric shapes and bright color splashes!
Classic mid-century furniture is also known for being thoughtfully and carefully made, even though it looks like a simple design on the surface. Just because something’s simple and straightforward doesn’t mean it can’t be thoughtful, even beautiful. Just ask Bansky. And then let the rest of us know who the heck she is, okay?
How Can I Identify Mid-Century Modern Furniture?
Rhodes Mid-Century Modern Tufted Sofa grasps the center of attention of a space.
Still, aren’t sure how to find a mid-century piece when you’re out shopping? Let’s keep talking. You identify mid-century modern furniture by first knowing what it isn’t: never overly ornate, never decorative, never elaborate. No intricate carvings and flourishes here! You won’t see bulky designs or thick legs: Most mid-century pieces have slim legs and open sides. Just like your edgiest going-out dress.
Popular Brands of Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Married couple Charles and Ray Eames are two pioneers of mid-century furniture, along with other greats like Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe and Marcel Breuer. Today their original pieces are worth more than you’re probably willing to splurge on, but many retailers offer similar furniture inspired by their designs. Other historic mid-century modern brands include Adrian Pearsall, Knoll, and Heywood Wakefield.
Mid-Century Home Office Essentials
All right. We’ve got the basics covered. The mid-century modern home office of your dreams awaits. So let’s get decorating! Here are some of the essential pieces to add to your home office to get that streamlined, retro vibe you’re coveting:
A classic mid-century desk with tapered legs or a long mid-century table with wall shelving
A simple and sculptural overhanging light fixture
A rolling design chair with a curved seat and open back
A retro wall clock
Decorative elements like starbursts, orbs, and geometric art
A curved and bright loveseat
A bold accent pillow
How Do You Get the Mid-Century Modern Look?
If you love the mid-century look for your home office, there are a few key pieces you can invest in to achieve this iconic design style. Minimalist design, geometric shapes, dark wood tones, and pops of color are all essential elements of mid-century interiors.
Many mid-century pieces could also be considered “retro-futuristic” (think: The Jetsons), with curved lines, orb-shaped chairs, and space-inspired patterns. Here’s how to get the mid-century modern look in your home office:
Streamlined desk: Look for dark wood and pared-down lines. The leggier, the better!
Wishbone chair: A perfectly stylish alternative to the typical eyesore of an office chair.
Eames lounge chair: Brainstorm (or nap!) with this iconic mid-century piece.
Statement pendant light: From the unique Sputnik style to bubble lamps and globes, the options are endless!
Arc floor lamp: Pair your Eames lounger with another classic mid-century item.
Geometric area rug: Bring on the color and patterns with a splashy area rug.
Minimalist shelving: Ladder shelving, cube bookcases, and Danish modular shelves are all the perfect complement to a mid-century office.
Pop art: Time to let your style shine with funky 60s pop art.
What Is the Difference Between Mid-Century Modern and Contemporary?
When it comes to labeling different types of interior design styles, it’s easy to get confused. There’s modern, mid-century modern...and what about contemporary? How do these styles differ? Or can the terms be used interchangeably? Do we have to go to design school to sort this out, or just wait around for Joanna Gaines to let us know?
Though mid-century modern and contemporary do have some commonalities, they are two distinct design styles.
Mid-Century Modern Design
Mid-century modern design refers to a design style that exploded from the 1930s to 1970s, though the 50s and 60s were certainly the height of this trend. Mid-century design embraces functionality and minimalism, with clean lines and splashes of color and geometric shapes. Most mid-century furniture is made from wood, metal, glass, plastic, or Lucite.
Contemporary Design
Unlike mid-century design, contemporary design isn’t tied to one era. This design style is ever-changing to fit the times. It’s current, baby!
Because contemporary design refers to a popular design style in the moment (of any time period), some of its characteristics are harder to define. But generally, contemporary designs utilize metals like nickel and chrome, have an open layout, and streamlined silhouettes.
What Is Considered Mid-Century Modern?
Mid-century modern design references a style of furniture, architecture, decor, and art that dominated from the 1930s to the 1970s. (Though the exact time period is debated.) Designers like Ray Eames, George Nelson, and Florence Knoll created iconic pieces based around a similar look that prized function over form and simplicity over opulence.
The style has its roots in Germany and Denmark, but American designers quickly borrowed from this style and adapted it to an American aesthetic. And though the trend faded out in the 1970s, mid-century modern design has made a huge comeback in the past decade, making it one of the dominant interior design styles of our time.
Once you learn the specifics of mid-century modern design, the style is easy to spot out in the wild. Here are some of the quintessential elements of mid-century modern design:
Minimalist furniture design
Bright colors (paired with neutrals)
Wood and wood veneer
Geometric patterns
Organic materials
Functionality
Simple designs
Curves and circles
What Does Mid-Century Modern Look Like?
Mid-century modern design looks like Mad Men and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and that diner down the street that is stuck in the 50s (except for the prices—of course). It looks like leggy couches and minimalist chairs and colorful, geometric art.
In short, mid-century modern style looks like a million different things, but there are a few key elements to this design style, whether you find it in a house or a painting. Mid-century modern design is based on simplicity; long, clean lines; bold pops of color; and minimalism. Mid-century furniture is all about functionality, while mid-century architecture features flat roofs, floor-to-ceiling glass, and a wide, open floor plan.
Decorating Your Home Office
As with all design, don’t forget to add the MOST important finishing touches. We’re talking texture, layers, and accent colors. You’ve come all this way, so don’t let the look fall flat.
And no matter how much you love the mid-century style, we suggest you mix in a healthy dose of other design trends, like bohemian, traditional, and glam. This will keep the office space fresh and modern, so you won’t feel like you’ve completely stepped on the set of a 50s TV show.
Follow these tips, and your mid-century home office is bound to be the perfect space to fit your style. Now it’s time to start bringing home the bacon! Or...well, you’re already going to be home. So it’s time to move the bacon around?
Let’s just say it’s time to get to work!
