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Mid Century Interiors

What is Mid Century Design?

10 min read

Mid‑Century Design is effortlessly cool with a “form follows function” philosophy.

A perfect marriage of function and style, Mid-Century with Bauhaus, Danish, and traditional influences that still ring true today, Mid-Century style is as influential now as it was back then, with sub-styles continuing to sprout from its core philosophy. Whether you’re a purist or a fan of subtle nods, the Cult Guide to Mid 20th Century and Mid-Century Modern will explore the history, hallmarks, and practical ways to infuse your home with Mid-Century style. 

In this guide:

A Brief History · What is Mid Century Modern? · Hallmarks · Mid Century Colour Palette · Small vs Big Spaces · Trends To Avoid

A Brief History

Mid Century Design

Mid-Century can be traced back to the 1930s, with momentum building during the 1940s, continuing through the 1950s and 1960s. The post-war boom had a huge influence on the core fundamentals of Mid-Century interior design and furniture, as a shift in societal norms, an increase in leisure time, and more disposable income helped curate a sense of optimism in the Western World.

The post-war era represented innovation, reflecting a wider sense of a world ready to embrace modernity and change. Rigid rules and overdecorative elements, only reserved for the upper classes, fell out of fashion - interiors became a space for experimentation AND simplicity. The ethos was clear: homes should be practical yet beautiful, suited to the evolving lifestyle of the modern family.

Interior design and architecture began favouring open-plan layouts with floor-to-ceiling windows, where the purpose of a room was fluid and bringing the outdoors in was celebrated. This was especially apparent in living rooms and communal spaces where Mid-Century decor flourished. We began to see furniture designers pushing boundaries to utilise these new spaces, combining comfort with unexpected shapes and new materials. 

Furniture became lightweight, affordable and versatile with designers such as Charles and Ray Eames and Arne Jacobsen exploring exciting new materials such as plywood, moulded plastics and metals - a far cry from the heavy, ornate pieces of previous decades. Before long, the Mid-Century design philosophy was everywhere — from streamlined sofas and functional storage units to sculptural lighting and clever modular furniture.

What is Mid Century + Mid Century Modern

Whilst Mid-Century design encompasses the entire movement from 1930 to the 1960s, this trend was so influential that sub-styles began to emerge. One of the most recognisable was Mid-Century Modern (MCM). 

The philosophy and ethos of Mid-Century and MCM are the same - form follows functionality. Furniture and decor that the modern home can enjoy with an exciting element of innovation. In how they interpret this, they differ. 

Essentially, all Mid-Century Modern is mid-century, but not all mid-century is modern. The “modern” aspect zeroes in on innovation and minimal ornamentation - it removes all the visual clutter and keeps only what matters: comfort, proportion, and style.

A brief history

What is Mid Century

Mid-Century furniture has that classic retro feel, focusing on dark woods, rich fabrics, and an earthy colour palette. The key was creating a place well and truly lived in:

  • Walnut-stained storage furniture for living rooms and traditional accent chairs and armchairs with deep seats and angular wooden frames were extremely popular. 
  • Colours were rich and deep with burnt orange and olive greens offering pops of colour amidst the spectrum of browns. 
  • Supple, worn leather and soft velvets gave depth, whilst slight futuristic elements such as chrome metal emerged. 

A brief history

What is Mid Century Modern (MCM)

Mid-Century Modern took futurism one step further and drew on the Scandinavian principle of minimalism as well as the Bauhaus movement: 

  • MCM celebrates simplicity through clean lines and light, airy layouts.
  • Think low-slung sofas, tapered legs, and sculptural chairs, with materials such as plastics and metals far more prominent. 
  • Alongside these new manmade materials were geometric shapes and clean lines with designs using brighter colours such as fresh blues, dusky pink and avocado greens.  

A brief history

Mid Century vs 70s Revival

Like MCM, 70s Revival is inspired by Mid-Century with the core principle of functionality and comfort. However, 70s Revival is a recent reincarnation of Mid-Century. 

70s Revival takes the Mid-Century enthusiasm for using bold materials and shapes, as well as the form follows function principle, but loosens the restraints somewhat.

Both Mid-Century and 70s Revival share a love of organic shapes and rich colour palettes - we’re talking about dark woods, high shine chrome metals, and the core colour being brown. However, there is an injection of playfulness about 70s Revival that introduces more expressive colours - brighter oranges, caramel browns, and luscious greens - and updated fabrics such as textural boucle offer depth and tactility. 

Discover 70s Revival

70s Revival is Mid‑Century’s bolder, more theatrical cousin ‑ carrying forward the same modernist DNA but dialling up personality, warmth, and retro glamour for a more indulgent, lived‑in feel.

Hallmarks of Mid Century Design

Form Follows Function

Mid-Century furniture and decor were about crafting a lifestyle - an expression of mid-century optimism: functional, beautiful, and unapologetically modern. Even today, the retro influence defines interiors, whether you’re furnishing a bold open-plan living room or adding subtle touches of mid-century flair to a compact flat.

Clean Lines + Organic Shapes

From kidney-shaped coffee tables to curved armchairs, geometry is key.

Functionalism

Form follows function, but function doesn’t mean boring. Every piece is designed to be used, loved, and admired.

Mix of Materials

Walnut-stained woods, velvets, metal, and moulded plastics all sit comfortably together, often juxtaposed for contrast.

Low Profiles + Open Layouts

Furniture sits low to the ground, complementing airy, open spaces.

Minimal Ornamentation

Details are subtle - a tapered leg or gentle curve replaces heavy carvings from the Art Deco period.

How to use Mid Century Furniture

Bringing Mid Century into home interiors

Statement Furniture

A low-profile sofa, sculptural lounge chair, or walnut-stained sideboard - all these pieces invoke Mid-Century style, combining form and function.

Organic Curves

Tapered legs, modular sofas and soft lines within hard furniture such as coffee tables and dining tables introduced Mid-Century style subtly.

Lighting Focus

Arc floor lamps and globe shades cast sculptural shadows while doubling up as art. Mix sleek metal lamps with soft materials and dark wood for visual intrigue.

Don’t forget your walls

Whether it’s terracotta orange, wall panelling or 70s-inspired wall art in browns and greens, focusing on walls adds Mid-Century flair without being overwhelming.

Thoughtful Accessorising

A retro clock is a striking focus for living rooms, whilst Mid-Century decor such as sculptural vases draw the eye in - pieces can punctuate a space without cluttering.

Going Green

As well as embracing olive and moss greens in upholstery, take a leaf out of the 70s Revival trend by introducing large-leafed varieties like monstera or fiddle-leaf fig to complement organic shapes and bring nature indoors.

The Mid Century Aesthetic

Mid Century Colour Palette

Mid-Century interiors are warm, earthy, and surprisingly versatile. It’s a palette that balances vibrancy with tradition - a nod to retro optimism with a timeless twist:

  • Teak, walnut, and oak woods offer depth, with the imperfections of the wood being celebrated as part of the design. The more worn, the better.
  • Caramel, truffle, and dark brown fabrics in velvet, faux leather and boucle help keep the space grounded in retro. 
  • Mustard yellows, olive greens, and burnt oranges help open-plan spaces stay cosy, also complementing the browns. Subtle touches of muted blues elevate spaces further. 
  • Pops of colour from the MCM period - like vibrant red or turquoise - appear in accent chairs, lamps, or rugs, creating focal points without overpowering the space. 
  • Neutral backdrops of creams, off-whites, and soft greys let these colours shine while keeping rooms feeling light and expansive.
The Mossy Green Collection

The Mid Century Aesthetic

Mid Century Textures + Patterns

Textiles were as important as wood or metal. The key? Balance texture with colour and proportion, creating layers that feel curated but never fussy.

  • Upholstery often featured tweed, boucle, or smooth wool blends, offering tactile contrast to sleek wooden frames. 
  • Bold patterns - geometric, atomic, or abstract - added flair, particularly in home decor such as cushions, curtains, or accent chairs. 
  • Leather, particularly in warm browns or rich cognac tones, grounds spaces. Today, faux leather chairs and stools in green offer the same grounding.
  • Velvet and cotton gave softness and depth, taking the edge off of clean lines from glass, plastic and metal pieces.
Our Guide To Velvet

Small Spaces vs Big Spaces

Small Spaces

In small spaces, mid-century furniture shines because of its lightweight, streamlined forms. Opt for multi-functional pieces like modular sofas or nesting tables in living rooms, and keep visual clutter to a minimum. Low-profile furniture keeps sightlines open, while bold accent colours and patterned cushions add personality without overwhelming. Mirrors and well-placed lighting amplify space, creating an airy feel.

Small Spaces vs Big Spaces

Big Spaces

Large spaces, by contrast, allow for drama. Oversized lounge chairs, sculptural sideboards, and feature lighting can command attention. Open-plan layouts work beautifully with mid-century design, as furniture can define zones without walls. In both small and large rooms, the key is proportion: furniture should feel grounded but never bulky, keeping the essence of mid-century elegance intact.

Shop Mid Century

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