What Is Midcentury Modern Architecture? Clean Lines Are Only the Beginning of This Timeless Style

If you want a classic and modern look for your home, you can’t go wrong with midcentury modern. This label that home designers can’t get enough of refers to furniture and architectural design from the mid-20th century. 

In furniture, it means simple, functional wood pieces, which are most often in teak. For home design, most midcentury modern homes have a clean, minimalist aesthetic, an emphasis on bringing the outdoors in, and angular structural details. One of the most well-known examples of midcentury modern architecture is California’s Eichler homes, which feature glass walls, post-and-beam construction, and open floor plans. If you want to try out midcentury modern, here are some features that can be incorporated into your home. 

Clean lines and geometric shapes

While you might not be able to change the architecture of your home completely (unless you do a full-on remodel), if you are renovating, or adding decorative features to redesign your home, you can keep midcentury modern elements in mind. Straight lines and right angles are essential to this style and flat roofs are favored over gabled roofs. The simpler and more angular your updates the more your home can embrace the midcentury modern vibe. You might consider a backyard cottage with a midcentury flair, or reviving a living room by giving it an open floor plan, and adding a wall of wood paneling. Even adding a decorative mirror in a geometric shape can add a midcentury modern touch.

Floor-to-ceiling windows and bringing the outdoors in

Light is a plus in any home and midcentury modern homes are known for bringing light in, in a big way. While you might not have the option to add floor-to-ceiling windows in your home, adding more light is one way to add this element to your home. You can remove heavy drapes and anything that detracts from natural light. Skylights are another consideration, as well as replacing windows for modern designs and sliding glass doors. A bright and airy home is appealing no matter what the style, and by focusing on how you can bring the outdoors into your home, you’ll make it more appealing to buyers while adding a midcentury modern aesthetic. 

Dividing walls and split level

If you want to get creative with your space, then it’s time to take some cues from midcentury modern. Some homes might be split-level with small staircases elevating rooms like living rooms or bedrooms. Other ways to separate spaces are with brick, glass, or pony walls. Built-in cabinets with clean lines are another hallmark of this modern architecture. If you are remodeling your home you can consider adding one of these architectural elements in the living room to create interesting space divisions.

Minimal decoration 

Less is more when it comes to midecentury modern design. Especially if you are thinking about selling your home and getting it ready for staging, embracing this philosophy can be the way to go. Staging is about creating an environment that any buyer would feel at home in, and that’s why the clean modern aesthetic of midcentury works so well for homes that are getting ready to go on the market. Furniture has clean lines and is in a neutral or muted color palette. While you might have an accent piece in your room the decor shouldn’t take over. Repainting walls in whites or neutrals, adding a few accent plants, and lamps in geometric shapes with gold tones can all add to a midcentury redesign. 

There’s a reason why midcentury modern is considered a timeless design aesthetic because its clean design makes it appealing in any era. If your home is in need of a refresh, consider adding some of these elements to your home. These are also the kinds of updates that you will enjoy in your home for years to come.