What is Mid-Century Modern Style?
Mid-century modern design consists of the types of styles that were common during approximately 1945-1969. Because more money was available to spend on architecture during the decades following the Great Depression and World War II, more homes were built during these decades than in years past, and their styles are beginning to see a comeback in the modern housing industry.
The mid-century modern style is characterized by sleek lines, organic shapes and geometric figures, which are typically presented in a minimalist and uncluttered manner. These striking shapes attempted to create a new style of simplicity that still presented a unique, modern appearance that also emphasized functionality.
This strong push to switch to a new style of architecture and decoration was largely an attempt to alter the overall appearance of American buildings and style following the end of the war to symbolize a new chapter for the country.
Window treatments perfect for Mid-Century Modern design
Deciding how to best cover your windows involves considering both the size and shape of your windows and the style and colors of the rest of your room. Many mid-century modern windows work well with large drapes, and others pair better with smaller aluminum blinds or roller shades. No matter what type of window coverings you choose, making sure their color makes sense within the context of style is an important aspect of creating an authentic mid-century modern design.
Large drapes
Many mid-century modern windows are quite large, which allows a significant amount of natural light to flow into homes. They are often covered with large drapes that span from the floor to the ceiling. These fabric drapes should fit into a basic color palette of muted hues that add a touch of color to the room without being distracting.
Aluminum blinds
If your windows are a bit smaller, horizontal aluminum blinds may be a better fit. Although these blinds could be left a natural metallic color, they were often painted in the past using a color that blended with the rest of the room.
Roller shades
Fabric roller shades are a cost-effective alternative to aluminum blinds that were typically used to cover windows of a similar size. This type of window covering simply rolls up when a cord is pulled, and the color of the fabric can also be matched to the rest of the room.
Common Mid-Century Modern design elements
When deciding how to decorate a mid-century modern style home, it is important to remember that architects of the time were intentional about creating sleek, simple designs in order to stay true to the original style. Every component of mid-century modern design aims to spark a conversation. The color palette for this trend usually uses bright, bold accent colors against primary neutral tones.
Earth greens
Earthy green tones have been a common palette since the style’s emergence and work well with gold, dark brown or burnt orange accents and materials. Choosing hues from this palette for your walls, furniture, and accent pieces can go a long way toward giving you the calm, peaceful appearance of an original mid-century modern living space. Paired with a white trim will also help make your room’s architectural features standout.
Gold tones
Yellow and gold tones are another common color for walls and decor of a mid-century modern style. The rich color palette brings warmth to any space and conveys the overall tone of an original mid-century modern home and is a perfect choice for an entryway or your kitchen.
Subtle aquas
Seafoam and teal blues bring a serenity to any setting both interior and exterior. It is a shade that complements both neutral and darker color palettes which makes it a great choice to add energy or relaxation to any room.
Bold reds
Vibrant, deep reds have also been used throughout the history of mid-century modern design. It adds a richer option for those looking for more color and is also known to be used for more than just walls. Architect Frank Lloyd Wright was known to use certain shades of earthy colored red for floors in his residential portfolio.
Mixed materials
The biggest components of mid-century modern design are bold colors, geometric patterns and diverse materials like teak, metal and glass. Furniture selections usually include iconic features like tapered legs or chairs designed for functionality and unique design. A perfect room designed with mid-century modern in mind creates an environment where all of the style’s characteristics draw the person’s focus to a particular statement piece.
What to keep in mind when it comes to your window treatments
Making sure the colors you choose make sense within the context of the original mid-century modern style is a must if you are looking to create an authentic design. Although other aspects of a room may be accented with wood, oatmeal color fabric or other natural shades, finding the perfect balance between bold colors and geometric prints was more typical of mid-century modern style, with window treatments that fit into the accent color category.
At Budget Blinds, we care about helping you match colors and patterns to those that were most appropriate for a mid-century modern home if you are looking to replicate that distinct, simple style. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with one of our local design experts to learn more tips for adding your favorite elements of mid-century modern design to your home.
