When anyone says they want a new home or want to redo their kitchen in a modern style, a perfect picture of what they want comes to mind.

However, there is some disagreement about what the word “mid-century modern” implies or reflects.

The “mid-century” aspect of this design style takes cues from common patterns and styles from the 1930s to the 1960s, fusing them with new, minimalist designs from the twenty-first century.

Many people today use mid-century furniture in their homes, particularly in the living room.

The living room is an excellent place to use pieces with straight lines, gentle curves, and a minimalistic aesthetic.

If you want to build a mid century modern living room, learning more about the common pieces of the time and where they came from will help.

Steps for Mid Century Modern Living Room

Focus on Functionality

When it comes to living room design in the mid-century modern style, purpose takes precedence over type. This architectural style isn’t about opulence.

Every piece of furniture or feature in your living room should have a reason, and accessories should be kept to a minimum.

The aim of this postwar design style was to cater to the needs of the average household, so a lot of furniture was stackable, foldable, or interchangeable.

It also meant that this design style priorities comfort.

Functionality and comfort, in whatever form they may take, are hallmarks of mid-century modern design.

Trying Out New Textures

You may experiment with various fabrics when experimenting with a combination of furniture materials like Plexiglas or Lucite and more conventional materials like wood.

Raw materials like wool, linen, and cotton are common in mid century modern design, and they’re often combined with less conventional furniture materials to create a contrast between the frame and the upholstery.

Lighting up the Room

A key element of mid-century modern architecture is selecting the appropriate lighting.

In a modern room, adding lighting in a midcentury-style softens the space and adds a unique feature.

Dome lamps were popular in the 1950s and 1960s, and in the twenty-first century, they can give an end table a futuristic, streamlined feel.

For authenticity, look for era-inspired light fixtures at thrift stores or estate sales.

A bold industrial chandelier, as well as lamps and light fixtures made of natural materials, are common midcentury modern design staples.

In the midcentury style of architecture, geometric forms are often used in lighting elements.

Throwing In Some Curves

To achieve the clean, minimalistic aesthetic associated with classic modern design, straight-edged, streamlined design is needed.

Add a few parts or objects with curved lines or rounded edges to break up the straight edges in your classic living room to make it feel more mid-century modern.

Look for kidney or boomerang-shaped bits, couches with a gentle curve, or coffee tables that are more rounded than tables with sharp corners and edges to use curves in your living room.

Mixing the Materials

When designing a living room in the mid-century modern style, no single material should be used; in reality, the more variety of materials you use, the better.

Steel, plywood, Plexiglas, or Lucite are used alongside more common materials in this style, resulting in a space of metal, plywood, Plexiglas, or Lucite.

Not only are non-traditional materials being used more often, but they are also being used in unconventional ways.

Plexiglas can be molded into a comfortable chair, or plywood can be molded into a clear geometric end table.

Incorporating Colors

Color and mid century modern living room decor interior design go hand in hand. While many contemporary homes or rooms have a neutral palette, color and mid-century interior design go hand in hand.

Colors that are bold and saturated were prevalent during the time period that this style is based on, and they don’t have to go out of style!

When it comes to adding some midcentury flare to your living room, vibrant shades of orange, earthy browns, mustard yellow, a splash of blue or teal, or soft pink are all possibilities.

When you look at the color palette, you should feel like you’re stepping into a time machine and being transported back to the 1960s.