How to Combine Mid-Century Modern with Any Décor Style

We are all unique, from what we love to do as a hobby to our music tastes and fashion sense. Our distinctiveness should also be displayed within our home, reflecting what brings us joy to look at and use in our daily lives.

You may love one of our queen-size French Sophie sleigh beds but worry it won't match your beloved Mid-Century Modern nine-drawer dresser.

There's no need to worry, as combining Mid-Century Modern with antiques or any style you can imagine is possible. With a few tips and tricks, you can showcase a room or a home of your décor aspirations, fitting flawlessly with any other décor.

What is Mid-Century Modern Design?

Mid-Century Modern is a design style of architecture and furniture that arrived during the mid-20th century. Cara Greenburg first used the term in the 1950s to describe the style that emerged after World War II.

This form of design is defined through its sleek lines, geometric shapes and patterns or curves, bold splashes of colors, and elegant yet simple and functional wooden pieces. Mid-century modern marries the traditional production styles of pre-World War II furniture making and the bold, innovative new technology of mass production invented after.

Is Mid-Century and Mid-Century Modern The Same Style?

While it is easy to think or mistake these styles as the same, they are not. Mid-Century style was prevalent during the 1930s, and Mid-Century Modern became popular in the 1950s.

The Mid-Century style was just becoming well-known as innovation in furniture was introduced during the First World War. Mid-century furniture was design-wise, plain, and functional, with basic shapes, clean lines, and muted or natural colors.

Mid-century Modern, after World War II, reflected the joy and hope for the future of many people and designers. Thanks to many scientific discoveries, architecture and furniture designs incorporated exciting, eclectic, and more playful aspects.

Layering With More Than One Style

One of the secrets interior designers employ to achieve a harmonious space while mixing different eras or design styles is layering. Combining Mid-Century with another, or even a third, design style can lead to a room or home uniquely blended and tailored to your tastes.

If you attempt to mix more than two or three different interior design styles, you may have a home or room that looks too mismatched. Of course, sticking to one era for every room of your home may make it feel outdated or uninteresting.

Begin by picking the primary style you would like your home to be: Rustic, Cottage-Core, Victorian, Farmhouse, Organic-modern, Japandi, and so on, then pair it with Mid-Century Modern and a third if you wish. Once you know the primary décor style, you can add elements from the secondary or third styles to your main design scheme.

Experiment with contrasting elements that add visual appeal and interest. For example, the reclaimed wood of a Rustic-style dining room table, chairs, and flooring looks stunning when paired with a Mid-Century Modern Sputnik or Ball Pendant light fixture. Fusing these adds both depth and character to your dining space.

Simple Furniture Verses Ornamental

Since clean lines are one of the hallmarks of Mid-Century Modern design, you will want to add items with similar clean lines for cohesiveness. For example, a sofa with pleated or round arms may appear jarring next to an MCM chair, so stick to a sofa with clean, tailored arms.

Furniture patterns or a single base color for the upholstery should be minimal. However, you can liven furniture up easily by playing with color and patterns with pillows, art, and area rugs.

Comfort Is Still King

While many MCM designs showcase wood or metal frames that seem harsh and perhaps uncomfortable, remember that designers focus on form and function. Almost all Mid-Century Modern furniture incorporates ergonomic curves and soft, pleasant angles to make each piece surprisingly comfortable.
If you find certain Mid-Century modern pieces too sharp, add a plush throw blanket and pillows that instantly soften the look.

Modern Yet Rustic

If you've chosen Mid-Century Modern as your primary interior design style, a secondary style that fuses nearly seamlessly and has rustic aspects is ideal. Styles with many rustic elements include:

• Farmhouse
• Rustic
• Bohemian
• Traditional
• French Country
• Eclectic
• Coastal
• Contemporary
• Scandinavian
• Shabby Chic
• Country
• Industrial
• Art Deco
• Mediterranean

For example, if you have a beautiful Industrial living room in your home with exposed brick walls, metal fixtures, and concrete flooring, choose a Mid-Century Modern couch, loveseat, or Sofa as a focal point. Add an iconic Mid-Century Modern coffee table like a Noguchi or Nogushi replication and a stunning Arco floor lamp for a sleek marriage of Mid-Century silhouettes and rugged Industrial charm.

Neutrals With Color Pops

Think of keeping walls white or light, airy, and neutral. The visual interest and pops of color—where you can go as bright or bold as you wish—should be reserved for the art, accent fabrics, blankets, rugs, and throw pillows. These draw the eye to the areas all around the room.

If you're still unsure how many Mid-Century Modern pieces you should use and how much you should merge with the second or third chosen style, keep the rule of 60 30 10 in mind. Your leading choice should take up 60% of the room, so if you decided Mid-Century Modern to be the primary style choice, 60% of that room should be Mid-Century Modern, with 30% for touches of the secondary and 10% for the monochromatic color scheme—such as paint and accessories like lamps, pottery and so on.

Keep in mind these are only guidelines. At the end of the day, after researching or reading advice, you know what you love and what you want in your home best. Your interior décor choices don't have to follow any rules other than what makes you comfortable and happy to look at every day.

At Laurel Crown, when it comes to designing the perfect home, you'll find tips, tricks, and even reproduction furniture to help you assemble the house and spaces you've always wanted.