The Mid-century style refers to the middle of the last century, specifically the period between the 1940s and 1960s.

It was a moment of great fervor for the world of design and architecture, leading to the production of iconic furniture, such as the famous seats by Ray and Charles Eames.

Anticipated by the Bauhaus movement in Germany and continued with American-style interiors, the new modernist trend emphasized the new needs of life, proposing practical pieces with a linear, almost futuristic appearance. Industrial production then allowed for the creation of furniture in large quantities with a wide variety of materials and finishes. Today, like in the past, Mid-century interiors aim to be visually lightweight, combining functionality and aesthetics. Among the main characteristics are:

- Fluid and organic geometries, with clean lines and contrasting textures to create an airy and beautiful living environment.

- Pairing seemingly distant materials, such as wood, steel, plastic, and leather.

- Elaborate color palettes composed of neutral bases and colorful accents.

- Extensive use of stylized graphics and patterns to break the strictness of modern furniture.

Colors, Lines, and Materials

If you have a passion for classic American cinema from the 1950s, you may have noticed a common thread in the interiors depicted in famous films: compact furniture to create a bar corner, sofas with an aerodynamic shape, and many eccentric cushions and rugs chosen in unusual colors.

This is the perfect starting point to draw inspiration and decorate your home in Mid-century style: discover everything about the materials and colors to use.

Materials

The classic material for Mid-century furniture is definitely dark, polished wood, with a preference for teak, perfect for making console tables, bookshelves, tables, and high-quality coffee tables. But not just that: metal, glass, vinyl, and leather are also ideal for creating a unique look.

Colors

Similar to material contrasts, Mid-century inspiration is based on the combination of neutral tones (white, black, beige, and brown above all) with more distinctive hues. Take inspiration from a palette of earthy shades, like autumn nature: green, red, orange, and mustard will help you bring to life that delicately vintage atmosphere typical of this trend. Alternatively, powder blue, teal, and lime will work just as well.

Decorating with Mid-century Style

Whether it's for a room or the entire house, the Mid-century style is the right inspiration to enhance the convivial dimension of every area without sacrificing practicality.

Furnishings

An absolute must-have for expertly interpreting this home decor theme is modular furniture, born in the middle of the last century. If you have a blank wall in your living room, equip it with a large light wood bookcase to store books, records, record players, plants, and artistic objects.

Choose one or two design pieces around which to build everything, like armchairs with a walnut shell and leather upholstery or two-seater sofas covered in colorful fabric with wooden feet, and enhance them with accessories.

If you have an empty space to showcase, like the entranceway or under the stairs, buy a backless bench with a wooden structure, padded seat, and integrated drawer, then pair it with a colorful abstract print and a chandelier with opaque spheres. Simple, right?