13 Magnificent Midcentury Modern Homes (2024)

Design Styles

Midcentury Modern

By

Deirdre Sullivan

13 Magnificent Midcentury Modern Homes (1)

Deirdre Sullivan

Deirdre Sullivan is an interior design expert and features writer who specializes in home improvement as well as design. She began her career as an assistant editor at Elle magazine and has more than a decade of experience. Deirdre contributes content for brands including The Spruce and Realtor.com, and has been a featured speaker at various conferences.

Learn more about The Spruce'sEditorial Process

Updated on 03/25/22

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13 Magnificent Midcentury Modern Homes (2)

What makes authentic, midcentury modern homes so irresistible after all of these years? Perhaps it is because of their radically simplified shapes. Think sleek lines or organic curves, often punctuated by large windows that unified interior spaces with the great outdoors.

The midcentury design movement, which kicked off in the 1940s and wrapped up in the early 1960s, celebrates the marriage of form and function with minimal and often modestly designed residential architecture and home decor. It also was the period that ushered in the era of home enjoyment, which endures to this day. For the first time, average homeowners started personalizing their living spaces both inside and outside, to reflect their taste and lifestyle. Maybe this celebration of self at home is why midcentury modern homes are still an architectural favorite. To get our gist, behold the following examples.

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    Charming Midcentury Cabin

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    The typical midcentury house is known for its single floor and close to the ground design often punctuated by sizable windows. However A-frame homes, like this California cabin featured on Glamping Hub, were equally popular as second homes. Thisabode has an open floor plan, two floors with the upper being loft-style, and of course large windows. The yard's minimal landscaping is also rooted in the midcentury aesthetic. The outdoor space feels like an extension of the dwelling because of is glass-covered facade.

    15 A-Frame House Interior Ideas to Inspire You

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    Classic Two-Story Midcentury Modern House

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    Here is aclassic midcentury residence built-in 1951 and recently updated by architect, Carib Daniel Martin. The home's exterior bears a few of the standard details of the classic style. Note the large groupings of windows, a low-pitch gable roof parallel to the front facade, and a mix of siding materials, brick, wood, and metal, which all add visually appealing patterns and textures. The interior features an open-living arrangement topped off with high vaulted ceilings.

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    Sleek and Modern Remodeled Ranch House

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    Professional house flipper James Judge restored this midcentury modern ranch to its former, gorgeous glory. Blue and white paint punched up the brick exterior. The sleek turf and pebble yard combined with stylish frosted fencing take the home's curb appeal to a new chic level.The frosting on this proverbial cupcake is the extra-large street number—making this abode a real traffic stopper.

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    Sprawling Midcentury Modern Ranch House

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    Built-in 1962, this midcentury modern beauty shared by Terrie O'Connor Realtorsis a sprawling ranch house brimming with Mad Men appeal. Glass walls and clerestory windows both hallmarks of high-end ranchers, flood the interior with natural light during the day. The interior features an open concept, which if you are not in the know, became a thing during the modernist movement.

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    Woodland Home Inspired by a Midcentury Ski Chalet

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    Back in the 1950s, Scandinavian chic was just as widely accessible as it is today. This midcentury cabin spotted onGlamping Hub, is reminiscent of a nordic ski chalet. Its exterior features a dramatic pitched roof and ceiling tall windows. The latter marries a gorgeous outdoor view with the main indoor living area. A deck made of cedar carves out a highly enjoyable outdoor room that is perfect for summer dining or kicking back with a hot cider in the fall.

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    Midcentury Ranch House

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    The Ranch-style house is a midcentury classic. The small single floor house quickly became a staple in southern California in the 1940s and then spread out east. Ranchers like this example from Glamping Hubhave striking low profiles because of their nearly flat angled roofs and close to the ground construction.

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    Gorgeous Retro Remodel

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    Here is another stunning retro remodel by James Judge. The goal of this project was to retain the abode's original, modernist charm while adding brand spanking new details correct to the era. Note the clever use of wood slat panels. The ones directly in front of the home, offer shade and privacy, while the slats on the roof conceal an unattractive ACcondenser—ingenious right? Everyone home should have outdoor lighting. Here a globe pendant brightens up the street number at night while lending a little Don Draper style.

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    Midcentury Dome Home Built for Sustainable Living

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    Arguably, the dome home is one of the most visionary types of midcentury, residential structures. Architect and inventor Buckminster Fuller conceived these highly efficient adobes for sustainable living. Their spherical shape makes the most of their footprint by providing more livable square footage than traditional homes. These curved homes are also more energy-efficient thanks to their surface area to volume ratio.

    This pitch-perfect example of a dome home was built in 1953. It is a historical masterpiece dubbed the Sunflower.It wasdesigned by James Dresser a former Frank Lloyd Wright apprentice. One of its unique exterior features is the peaked, geometricwindows that allow in natural light while blocking harsh direct rays. This video by Modern Mode Realty Networkshares more about this one of a kind home.

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    Midcentury Modern Home With Lots of Curb Appeal

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    Way beforexeriscaping became a thing, homeowners living in warm climates had gravel-covered yards throughout the '50s, '60s, and '70s. This midcentury home remodeled by James Judge includes a new modernist-inspired landscape suited to the area's dry and steamy weather.

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    Midcentury Modern Butterfly Roof

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    A butterfly roof, which mimics the shape of the insect's wing, is another common feature seen on some midcentury homes like this one spotted on Palm Spring Homes. The exterior feature typically paired with tall windows, extended the ceiling height inside to dramatic levels. Note the circular driveway—once a staple for large estates become a covetable feature for midcentury suburbanites with sizable yards.

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    House in a Midcentury Modern Subdivision

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    There are many neighborhoods across the country filled with classic Midcentury homes, some restored to their original splendor.

    Arapahoe Acres in a town called Englewood in Colorado is one example. Construction of theclassic middle-class abodes populating the neighborhood started in 1949 and wrapped up in 1957.

    The work of Frank Lloyd Wright deeply inspired the designed of these homes like this, for instance, photographed by Butterbean. The house has a low slung roof, and a window covered front, both hallmarks of midcentury residential architecture. Take a closer look at the facade and notice that the structure is made up of reinforced concrete blocks and steel window frames. Both building materials were considered thoroughly modern at the time.

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    Standard Midcentury Modest House

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    Any suburban neighborhood that is at least 75 years old has a few modest midcentury houses with traditional peaked roofs and attached garages. Additional standard features in these structures, which were typically less than 1200 square feet, includepicture windows and a well-landscaped, yet simple front yard and driveway.

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    Midcentury House With a Flat Roof

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    Palm Springs is known for its magnificent and luxurious midcentury houses—some with flat roofs as shown. It is important to note that houses with level toppers are only suited for warm climates. That is because flat roofs do not encourage drainage and have complicated gutter systems. Both can be a problem when it comes to four-season areas that deal with deadleaves and snow.

Midcentury Modern Home Failures

Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts

Introduction: Demonstrating Expertise in Design Styles

As an expert in design styles, I have a deep understanding of various architectural and interior design concepts. With my extensive knowledge and experience in the field, I can provide valuable insights into different design styles, including midcentury modern.

Midcentury Modern Design: A Celebration of Form and Function

Midcentury modern design emerged in the 1940s and lasted until the early 1960s. It is characterized by its focus on simplicity, clean lines, and the marriage of form and function. This design movement celebrated minimalism and modestly designed residential architecture and home decor.

One of the defining features of midcentury modern homes is their use of large windows, which connect the interior spaces with the outdoors. This integration of indoor and outdoor spaces was a radical departure from traditional architectural styles and is still appreciated today.

Personalization and Self-expression in Midcentury Modern Homes

During the midcentury period, homeowners began to personalize their living spaces to reflect their individual tastes and lifestyles. This celebration of self-expression at home is one of the reasons why midcentury modern homes remain popular today.

Midcentury modern homes come in various architectural styles, such as A-frame houses, ranch houses, and dome homes. Each style has its unique features and characteristics that contribute to the overall aesthetic.

Examples of Midcentury Modern Homes

  1. Charming Midcentury Cabin: This California cabin features an open floor plan, loft-style upper floor, and large windows, all of which are typical elements of midcentury design. The glass-covered facade blurs the line between indoor and outdoor spaces.

  2. Classic Two-Story Midcentury Modern House: This residence, built in 1951 and recently updated, showcases the classic elements of midcentury modern design, including large windows, low-pitch gable roof, and a mix of siding materials that add visual interest.

  3. Sleek and Modern Remodeled Ranch House: This midcentury modern ranch house has been restored to its former glory by professional house flipper James Judge. The exterior features blue and white paint, a sleek yard, and stylish frosted fencing, enhancing its curb appeal.

  4. Sprawling Midcentury Modern Ranch House: Built-in 1962, this ranch house exemplifies midcentury modern design with its glass walls, clerestory windows, and open concept interior. These features allow for abundant natural light and a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces.

These examples demonstrate the diverse range of midcentury modern homes and the enduring appeal of their design principles.

Conclusion

Midcentury modern design continues to captivate homeowners and designers alike due to its emphasis on simplicity, clean lines, and the integration of indoor and outdoor spaces. The examples provided showcase the distinct characteristics of midcentury modern homes and their enduring popularity. As an expert in design styles, I possess the knowledge and expertise to guide individuals in understanding and appreciating the architectural and interior design concepts associated with midcentury modern design and other styles.

13 Magnificent Midcentury Modern Homes (2024)

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