Everything You Need To Know About Mid-Century Modern Style. (And What Makes It Different From Modern Style)

Mid-Century Modern is modern, but it’s not the same as Modern Style. Before we climb into the delights of Mid-Century Modern style, let’s make the distinction between this trending look (which has been having many happy returns since the 70s) and Modern Style.  

Mid-Century Modern Style vs Modern Style.   

Perhaps the best way to separate the two is by saying Mid-Century Modern is Modern’s incredibly cool little sister. Modern Style is the overarching term encompassing so many different styles, including Contemporary, Minimalist, Scandinavian and Mid-Century Modern. The Modern Movement was a reaction to the overly embellished opulence and heaviness of the 1800s and found beauty in simplicity, clarity of line, purity and functionality. Mid-Century design kicked off from its Modern launchpad and revolutionised the way we shape our work, home and play spaces. 

The Modern aesthetic incorporates cues from Mid-Century Modern design, and vice versa, so finding your way through the distinctions can be confusing. We’re here to help you rock the once-again-on-trend Mid-Century Modern look. Get the basics right and it’s relatively simple to emulate at home.  

Mid-Century Modern 101. Let’s keep it short and sweet. Modern Style favours extreme functionality and rejects decorative items and unnecessary colour. Mid-Century Modern also favours no-fuss function over form, but adds a quirky twist, incorporating eye-catching decorative accents, a retro taste in furnishings, organic shapes and sassy pops of bright colour. What the experts call saturated colour. There is order and discipline in Modern Style. There is humour and charisma in Mid-Century Modern Style. Personal preference will help you decide which side you’ll gravitate towards.  

The birth of Mid-Century Modern Style.  

Mid-Century Modern design demarcates the architectural and artistic era between the 1930s and 1960s and was one of the influences that gave its weight to the rigorous aesthetic cleanse after the ornate 1800s. Initially, after WW1 there was a very real need for practical, pared down affordability. Functional everything. The seedlings of the Modern Movement were germinating. 

After WW2, it was full steam ahead in the world of technology, which had its foot on the gas, revving up to help reshape a post-war world. Printing processes were offering up a wider colour palette. New materials were being invented with the development of low maintenance materials. Faux fur. Polyester. Nylon. Melamine and other laminates. It was an inspirational time for designers. There was 50s-era optimism. 60s-era earthiness. And 70s-era Scandi simplicity. (All of which are wrapped up in today’s vibey 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 an architect called Frank Lloyd Wright), with manmade materials and interesting textures, featuring slim-legged, elongated and geometric furniture. Wood panelling was also extremely popular, on walls and... ceilings. (Cut to the 21st century, and behold, the ceiling has entered the design conversation once again, embellished, wallpapered or wood panelled.) The open plan flow of kitchen, dining and living area we know today, that makes contemporary compact living so 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 game, rubbing shoulders with raw wood, wool and other hand-worked textiles, alongside natural leather, bamboo and rattan (the Bohemian and Rustic influence). Retro and vintage manmade elements are an essential part of today’s Mid-Century Modern look. Floors often featured high gloss vinyl, or hardwood in oak or walnut tones. Today, hi-tech vinyl flooring options are killing it, bringing those wood tones home in a sustainable way.  

Mixed metals are key players in the Mid-Century aesthetic. Brass and copper for warmth, along with chrome for bright shine, and black metal finishes for drama. Back in the day, indoor nature with built-in plantings were very favoured. And they still are... with many younger homeowners choosing a proliferation of plants to care for over a traditional family. So go full foliage with your indoor plantings and you’ll be bang on trend. Intriguing lighting solutions, big windows and mirrors play their part, too. 

Colour. Colour pops in the Mid-Century space but it’s not random. The Mid-Century Modern colour palette is built on three main categories. Neutral foundations, earthy tones in layers, and bright primaries as accents. Against a neutral backdrop of concrete, and mid-tone wood, accompanied by white, grey and cream, you’ll find companionable olive and dark greens, all the browns, mustard yellows and ochres, oranges and then – alakazam! – a signature spike of vibrant colour. Easy on the red, guys, just a soupçon will work its magic, otherwise you’ll be driven mad by the tonal equivalent of an ambulance driving through your room. Same goes for sunny yellow: you’ll want your space to be touched by the sun, not struck by lightning. Those power colours are your accents, and if wisely used, will create striking and playful contrasts against a neutral and earthy backdrop.  

Pattern. We’re looking at graphic pattern here, with geometric and atomic influences. Symmetrical with asymmetrical. Abstract shapes. Both the mathematical and the organic cast their spells together.  

Make space. Mid-Century Modern spaces look and feel more lived-in than the more ascetic Modernist home. But beware the decorating frenzy. Keep floor spaces open, make seating areas comfy, and find smart ways to show off your personality (abstract artworks, bold lighting) without adding clutter. 

Put your Mid-Century Modern look together with Italtile’s style.  

Here are some thought-starters from the pages of Italtile’s Mid-Century Modern Look Book to fuel your imagination and build your beautifully retro mood boards. Local and imported loveliness, all highly distinctive, sustainably made, exclusive to Italtile, and carrying our coveted LiveGreen label. 

Italtile’s Mid-Century Modern Style Starter Kit.  

We’re excited to help you create the ideal Mid-Century canvas on which to express your bold retro ideas, whether they be jazzy colour mixing and graphic patterns in your soft furnishings, or a blend of simple geometric and organic shapes, forms and textures in surfaces, lighting and furniture.  

Wood-Look Vinyl Tiles. Eco-chic, wonderfully comfy underfoot and built to last, our wide range of top quality Wood-Look Vinyl floor tiles will also add that mid-century panelled feel to walls and ceilings. To stay in style, choose the mid-tone wood colours. 

Form by Sant Agostino, from our Signature Collection, offers a reimagining of the modern industrial edge of cement, carrying the fascinating imprint of architectural wooden formwork. The Form ranges will create a superb neutral base coat for your Mid-Century Style moodboard, with its fusion of timeless style and future-consciousness.  

Affirmations Black Sun Round Mirror. The perfect mirror shape to complete your Mid-Century bathroom look, with its statement frame, eco-chic cred and superb flawless clarity. 

Wave Modular Bathroom Vanity offers contemporary Spanish flair and quality build, featuring eye-catching curves and straight angles in a soft neutral tone. Functional and fabulous. 

Autumn Fairy Speckled Gloss Porcelain Mosaic in retro Amber or Sunflower. Enhance your kitchen splashback, fireplace surround or shower space with a decidedly retro accent. Or clad your built-in bath. These two charming KitKat choices offer totally on-trend Mid-Century colours and shapes. 

Take care. Don’t rush the process. You’re investing in top-tier quality, with products designed to last a lifetime. Respect the process and allow as much time as you need to make a wish list, before your final shortlist. Take advantage of our free digital interior design tools, as well: our uView, or our Visualiser. We also offer a sample service. Ask us about our experienced Professional Residential Agents: specialists who’ll hold your hand throughout your classic interior project, offering a free end-to-end interior design service.  

Ready to reno. Now that you have gained a better understanding of the nuances of Mid-Century Modern Style, you’ll be able to make a more informed decision when planning your retro mood boards... and shape this charismatic aesthetic around your personal taste and the treasures you’ve collected over the years.  

If you dream of exciting and dynamic spaces that speak of Mid-Century Modern Style, speak to one of our design-certified sales consultants. The best part of our day is assisting you with your selection of signature Italtile style. We can’t wait to help you transform your space into the ultimate Mid-Century homestead with timeless appeal, hints of quirk, beautiful functionality and welcoming warmth.  

Live Beautifully. 

Ciao.