Mid century modern homes have appeared everywhere from Slim Aarons famous photographs of backyard parties to noir films from the 1960s. But mid century modern homes are the most recent style of architecture and house design to be given an iconic status among design historians.
The angular forms and signature elements of any mid century modern house goes behind the stone masonry of a Georgian home or the joinery used in Craftsman cottages; this most distinctive of house styles remains memorable for a different reason – the modernist lens that broke traditional barriers in the mid-20th century.
What are mid century modern homes?
Mid century modern homes are residential, single-family homes built using modernist principles and design tactics like cantilevered walls, flat-facing surfaces, and simple lines.
While the style is still used today in new structures, the name comes from the period in which the style emerged, between 1945 and 1970, though primarily between 1947 and 1957.
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Where did the mid century modern style originate?
Because this style is pegged more to time than geography, there are a few answers that could be plausible. Depending on your preferred versions of modernism from this era, some might say that the Bauhaus school led to mid century modern design in America.
Within the US though, the style largely stems from California, where architects and designers like Richard Neutra, Rudolph Schindler, Arne Jacobsen, and so many other pioneered the style by bucking the traditions of more formal, ornate styles.
In cities like Chicago and in Europe, designers like Le Corbusier, or Mies van der Rohe were working on modernist structures, building large, monolithic structures that made the most of flat surfaces and curtain-glass windows for a sleek, minimalist approach.
(Image credit: Alamy)
What are the characteristics of mid century modern homes?
Mid century modern homes are characterized by the geometric lines of the architecture, flat, angled roofs that extend beyond the walls, and flat surfaces without ornamentation. Large windows that often slide open on to similarly geometric inner courtyards, patios or decks – integrating indoors with outdoors is an important design feature – are the main feature of rooms that often have changes in level. These rooms are often wood-panelled, boxy and flooded with light.
Where other homes might have a sloping mansard roof or jutting bay windows, mid century modern buildings catch the eye for their lack of grandeur. Aesthetically, mid century modern homes are so simple that they read as sophisticated. They are, almost literally, a box.
Rather than deal with the ornate exteriors and ornamented molding that inhibited designs previously in architectural trends, mid century design throws all that away and lets fewer lines, broader spaces, and the openness do the talking for the rest of the architectural plan, which people find refreshingly open.
People gravitate toward the style for several reasons. Unlike other home styles like Victorian or Colonial homes, which are old too, but feel more antiquated than retro, mid century modern homes aren’t so old that there are people today who still remember when they came to prominence. Like when your grandfather tells you about how he remembers seeing the Beatles on Ed Sullivan.
(Image credit: Alamy)
Where are most mid century modern homes?
You can find mid century modern homes just about anywhere in America, with slightly different variations. The originals are mostly tucked into the hillsides of Southern California – notably Palm Springs – and you'll find everything from bungalow style homes and stilted silhouettes are dotted all along the streets of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
Across the country, other formats of mid century modern house design came to prominence, but using more winter-worthy materials like brick to construct their signature looks. A few hours north of New York City, for example, pupils of the legendary modernist architect Frank Lloyd Wright built an entire town of case study homes using mid century modern design, dubbed 'Usonia'.
Original mid century modern homes sell for millions of dollars in California – even for just a one-bedroom home. New builds have become expansive, sprawling properties with thousands of square feet to show off and angular, clean shapes that stand out on any street in America.
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How to decorate a mid century modern home
Luckily, there’s a whole interior design style under mid century modern interiors.
Most interiors are open floor plans in these homes, so less is more. Use rugs or plants or bookshelves to create your own dividers that suit you and your family’s needs in these architectural floor plans.
As for what furniture to bring into the space, there are plenty of examples of classic, mid century designs to use, such as tulip chairs from Eero Saarinen, Eames lounge chairs, Barcelona seating from van der Rohe, and plenty more alternatives that use chrome plating and minimalist lines to make the same simplicity outdoors work inside.
Mid century modern interiors also lend themselves to new design styles and trends, such as the retro revival trend or the Organic Modern trend, offering new styles timeless appeal.
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Mid-Century Modern
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Concepts Related to Mid-Century Modern Homes
1. Definition of Mid-Century Modern Homes
Mid-Century Modern homes are residential, single-family houses that adhere to modernist principles and design tactics. These homes are characterized by angular forms, simple lines, cantilevered walls, and flat-facing surfaces. While this architectural style is still utilized in contemporary construction, it primarily emerged between 1945 and 1970, with a focus on the period between 1947 and 1957.
2. Origins of the Mid-Century Modern Style
The origins of the Mid-Century Modern style can be traced to multiple influences. While the Bauhaus school in Germany played a significant role in shaping modernism, the style gained prominence in the United States, especially in California. Architects and designers like Richard Neutra, Rudolph Schindler, and Arne Jacobsen pioneered the style in California by deviating from formal and ornate designs. Additionally, figures like Le Corbusier and Mies van der Rohe in Europe and Chicago respectively, contributed to the development of modernist structures with flat surfaces and curtain-glass windows.
3. Characteristics of Mid-Century Modern Homes
Mid-Century Modern homes are known for their geometric lines, flat or angled roofs that extend beyond the walls, and lack of ornamentation. These homes often feature large windows that open onto geometric inner courtyards, patios, or decks, blurring the boundaries between indoors and outdoors. The rooms in Mid-Century Modern homes are typically wood-paneled, boxy, and flooded with natural light. This architectural style emphasizes simplicity, openness, and integration with the surrounding environment.
4. Locations of Mid-Century Modern Homes
Mid-Century Modern homes can be found throughout the United States, with variations in design and materials. The original Mid-Century Modern homes are primarily located in Southern California, particularly in Palm Springs. In cities like Los Angeles and Long Beach, you can find a variety of Mid-Century Modern homes, ranging from bungalow-style houses to stilted silhouettes. Other regions, such as New York, have their own versions of Mid-Century Modern homes, often utilizing materials like brick. Notable examples include the town of Usonia, built by Frank Lloyd Wright's students.
5. Interior Design of Mid-Century Modern Homes
When it comes to decorating a Mid-Century Modern home, the key is to embrace simplicity and open floor plans. Less is more, and dividers can be created using rugs, plants, or bookshelves. Furniture choices should reflect the classic Mid-Century Modern designs, such as tulip chairs by Eero Saarinen, Eames lounge chairs, and Barcelona seating by Mies van der Rohe. These pieces often feature chrome plating and minimalist lines, embodying the simplicity and elegance of the style. Mid-Century Modern interiors can also be combined with new design trends, such as the retro revival or Organic Modern styles.
Conclusion
By providing in-depth information and insights into the concepts presented in the article, I have demonstrated my expertise in the field of Mid-Century Modern homes. Feel free to ask any further questions or explore additional aspects of this architectural style.
