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29 Best Mid-Century Modern Lighting Fixtures For Your Home

We have all heard the saying that lighting can take a home from a 1 to a 10. This is not just a saying. It is very true. The lighting of your home could really transform your home. Whether you want to redecorate your home by revamping the lighting in your house or you have just gotten your new home and want to decorate it, lighting is an essential part of the decoration. Mid-century lighting is a style of lighting that has been around for a while now. However, it never runs out style. If your theme for decorating your home is mid-century modern lighting fixtures you have come to the right place. We will look at various mid-century modern lighting reproductions that you could include in your home.

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Best Mid-Century Modern Lighting Fixtures

Different rooms of the house need different lighting. It is therefore important to know which mid-century modern home lighting fixtures will work for different rooms in your house. There’s something for every room.

Mid-Century Modern Living Room Lighting Fixtures

The living room is a place you spend a lot of time in your house whether you are reading a book or just relaxing after a long day at work. We will look at two types of mid-century modern living room lighting, which will be the most suitable for your home.

Mid Century Modern Floor Lamps

Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps are a staple form of lighting in almost all homes. As the name suggests, floor lamps are placed on the floor with the base normally supporting the stem and the light bulb. Floor lamps may appear basic but they come in a variety of styles and unique functional benefits. Here are a few types of floor lamps.

Related: 19 Best Mid-Century Modern Living Room Floor Lamps

Ambient floor lamps

Ambient floor lamps are quite common. They provide general light to a space by diffusing the light to provide a semi-direct illumination.

Arc floor lamps

An arc floor lamp is more versatile compared to an ambient floor lamp. Their versatility is facilitated by having an adjustable stem. This means you can move the shade to light a specific space more compared to other spaces.

Reading floor lamps

If you enjoy reading then a reading lamp is a must-have. Reading floor lamps provide light that is direct and focused to the space directly below it.

Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Your living room would not be complete without a mid-century modern table lamp. Table lamps are normally placed on top of tables and are portable hence can be moved from one place to the other in a room. The most recommend size for a table lamp is between 26 to 34 inches tall. To get the best use of your table lamp when you are sitting, ensure that the bottom of the shade is at eye level.

Related: 21 Best Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Light Fixtures

The next room that will light up with mid-century modern lighting fixtures is the dining room. Two lighting fixtures are suitable for the dining room.

Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers

Mid-Century Modern Chandelier Lighting Fixtures are nothing but beautiful. When you work into a room with a chandelier it is impossible not to stop and admire the chandelier. Chandelier lighting is a decorative lighting fixture that is suspended from the ceiling and holds a number of bulbs or candles in some instances. Chandeliers come in a variery of different shapes.

Related: 21 Best Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers

Round Chandeliers

They feature multi-lights with orbs that are suspended and are suitable for almost any room size.

Rectangular Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers

This is a great option for surfaces that are long or narrow.

Sputnik Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers

Chandeliers also come in small and big sizes. Mid-century modern chandeliers are timeless light fixtures due to their high-quality materials, classic design and supreme functionality.

The placement of the chandelier should follow the following rules. For the dining room, your chandelier should be at least 12 inches narrower than your dining table and at least 4 feet from the wall.

Mid-Century Modern Track Lighting

Track lighting is used to highlight the best features of a room. That piece of art that you really love or furniture that you like a lot can easily be seen by everyone by simply illuminating it using track lighting fixtures.

Track lighting usually has an electric current flowing through the track giving you the ability to reposition individual fixtures after installation. Track lighting fixtures are easy to install since you don’t have to cut into the ceiling in order to run electrical wires.

Mid-Century Modern Kitchen Lighting Fixtures

The kitchen is often referred to as the “heart of the home”. Therefore, the heart of the house deserves some good decoration.

Mid-Century Modern Pendant Lights

Pendant lighting is mid-century modern ceiling lighting that hangs from the ceiling suspended either by a cord or metal rod. Pendants are quite versatile as they double up as light sources as well as decorative mood-setting pieces.

Related: 21 Best Mid-Century Modern Pendant Light Fixtures

Spacing in pendants over a kitchen island is important. The maximum number of pendants recommended is three. However, if your kitchen island is small, two will do just fine.

Mid-Century Modern Island Lighting

Your kitchen island is a place you use a lot when you are in the kitchen. It is therefore important to have this space well lit. Although the island is often lit by pendants, your lighting needs will determine which shade to go with. If you want a lighting fixture that will keep the lighting more directional to illuminate the tasks performed on the island, then go for opaque shades.

Mid-Century Modern Bathroom Lighting Ideas

A bathroom has to be well lit. Good lighting fixtures in a bathroom can transform a bathroom from looking plain to looking a certain mood and style that you feel suits you. You can use either vanity lights or bathroom scones to light your bathroom.

Mid-Century Modern Vanity Lights

Mid Century Modern Vanity Fixtures are long light fixtures usually placed above or alongside a mirror. Vanity lighting usually draws attention to two important points in the bathroom, the counter, and mirror. However, since not all bathrooms look the same, it is important you choose the right color, shape, and material to help establish the aesthetic of the bathroom.

There are three main types of vanity lights depending on the material used to make them. These are ceramic, metal, and glass vanity lights. Each of these lights contributes differently to different bathroom settings.

Mid-Century Modern Bathroom Sconces

Wall sconces are an alternative to vanity lighting. Mid-century modern bathroom sconces are a blend of the contemporary with the traditional. This mixture makes the mid-century modern bathroom sconces a perfect choice when it comes to lighting your bathroom walls as they feature organic shapes, clean lines, and authentic forms.

Related: 21 Best Mid-Century Modern Wall Sconces

Bathroom sconces are usually fixed on the wall in a bathroom. It is important to choose the right color for your bathroom. A mid-century modern wall sconce whose color is simple white will blend with your existing decor.

On the other hand, colorful mid-century wall sconces provide a refreshing popping appeal and a splash of flair.

Placement of the bathroom sconces is an important aspect that you shouldn’t ignore. The recommended placement level of bathroom sconces is usually around 65 inches to 70 inches from the floor. This placement allows the bottom of the shade to be at the eye level of the user.

Mid-Century Modern Office Lighting Ideas

Who says you cannot decorate your office using mid-century modern lighting fixtures?

Mid-Century Modern Desk Lamps

Mid-century modern desk lamps are a common feature in offices and home work-spaces. It is no doubt that mid-century modern desk lamps add beauty to a room. However, they also serve another important purpose, lighting.

These lamps provide task lighting making illumination to be concentrated on a specific area. With this illumination, visibility is increased and eye strain while reading, working, on a computer, or writing is reduced.

Pairing mid-century modern desk lamps with existing décor that matches the lamps works really well. Black or white desk lamps easily blend into the surroundings, while colorful lamps are a good option if you want to add a bit of playfulness to the room.

It’s important to know the right way to position a desk lamp. The general rule when it comes to lighting is that your source of light should be positioned higher than your head but out of your eyes. This means that the light source should never be in the direct line of sight. On the other hand, if you position the desk lamp too low, it may not provide enough light for your work area.

Conclusion

Decorating a house or a room in a house shouldn’t be a hustle. All you have to do is pick out mid-century modern home lighting fixtures that fit in each space of your house and watch the magic happen. All you have to do is flick the switch and see how the mid-century modern lighting fixtures transform your home.

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Best Mid-Century Modern Interior Paint Color Ideas

As mid century modern design sweeps into more American homes, more homeowners are seeking new design ideas. For a mid century modern touch, choosing the wall decor, the right furniture and proper way to accent your home can be overwhelming. In this article, we are going to start with the basics: choosing the best mid-century modern interior paint color. What is common? What is different? What will brighten your room? What will keep it calm and relaxed? Each room in your house serves for a different purpose so the color of its wall should allow the room to exemplify that, but also give it that mid century modern charm.

We may receive affiliate commissions from the links on this page. These help us provide more great content at no extra charge to you.

Mid-Century Modern Interior Paint Colors

Below you will find a hand-curated list of the best mid-century modern interior paint colors for your living room, dining room, basement, & more. Enjoy, and we hope you find that perfect color you are looking for!

Mid-Century Modern Living Room Paint Colors

Take a look at our top picks for Mid-Century Modern Living Room Paint Colors.

Lacey Lilac

If having a wall full of windows intrigues you, this soft shade of purple will reflect nicely from the natural light that fills your room. This color is a faint, calming and yet modern twist to a mid century modern living room. Pairing well with a black finished wood or standard brown, this paint color will keep the relaxed feeling alive that a living room serves. If your furniture has a simple yet elegant touch, perhaps a low to ground coffee table, this will allow the color of the walls to draw in your guests attention.

Penguin Black

If a light color isn’t what have in mind, this dark, mysterious shade of black may surprise you. It adds a very sophisticated feeling that will allow the room to feel more at home and contemporary. The way you accent your walls with paintings, pictures or a mirror will keep monochrome edginess this color capture to a more comfortable yet relaxed tone. If you’re looking for a splash of color to accent the dark walls, add in a chair designed by mid century furniture designer, Eames. His design was most well known for adding color and making the room more vibrant.

Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Paint Colors

Take a look at our top picks for Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Paint Colors.

Trinket

As dining rooms seem to be the place of gathering for family dinners, holidays or various events, you don’t want the color of your walls to steal the attention away from its purpose. This cool, soft shade of gray will attend to that purpose nicely. Pairing well with washed wood, this adds a rustic feel to a dining room. Having a wall full of windows, the color will blend in to its natural beauty. If you have a beautiful mid century modern chandelier to capture the eyes of your guests, this calming, ashy gray will allow the chandelier to radiate the room.

Crystal Creek

If you’re seeking more of a burst of color to your dining room, this beachy, soft shade of blue may be the perfect fit. Even with a wall full of windows, this color adds that extra illuminance to a room. It keeps the room modern yet neutral. Its cool wave of color adds character yet keeps its attention focus on what within the room. If you have a classic mid century modern circular dining room, along with a set of simple white dining room chairs, this color will allow your furniture to bloom in delight. This shade brings a strong sense of joy and comfort to a room.

Mid-Century Modern Kitchen Paint Colors

Take a look at our top picks for Mid-Century Modern Kitchen Paint Colors.

Ultra White

If you prefer for bare walls to illuminate your room, this classic, delicate shade of white may be your style. Its authenticity keeps the room simple yet elegant. If your mid century modern kitchen has a gold trim to its furniture and/or walls, this color will allow the eyes to focus on that pop of gold. This shade also allows the room to feel more open and attracts for space. It’s perfect for small urban kitchens. It pairs excellent with wood, gold, or navy blue.

Sunny Glade

If you’d like to add a pop of color to your kitchen walls, this awakening, crisp shade of green may fit your vision. Fitting well with the retro-inspired theme to a mid century modern design, this shade of green sets in fashionable feel to your kitchen. Many mid century modern tables placed in kitchen have have tall, skinny legs and this color will reflect nicely off of this style. If storing your kitchen items on shelves fits your desire, this color will allow the shelves to accent nicely.

Mid-Century Modern Basement Paint Colors

Take a look at our top picks for Mid-Century Modern Basement Paint Colors.

Tuscan Sunset

The basement tends to be a place where families go to relax after a long day or kids to play in. If you have the luxury of your basement being a fit for entertainment, you want your walls to be lively. This toasty, burnt shade of orange captures that liveliness a basement draws in for entertaining. Brown shelves or cabinets fit nicely against this shade allowing for a cozy feel to the room. This shade also apprehends the time in history mid century modern is inspired by. Orange shades were very popular during the 1960s-70s. This shade is considered the best mid-century modern interior paint color and is very popular. It will capture the exact retro feel you anticipate.

Lincoln Green

If you’re seeking a more calm tone for your basement walls, this simple, gentle shade of green may draw your attent. It’s saturated, clean feel keeps the room relaxed yet funky. Pairing nicely with curved chairs, it adds a sense of edginess to the room. This mild green accents well with lightly colored furniture such as a white or grey couch or a glass table. This color keeps it simple but tasteful.

Conclusion

Hopefully the descriptions listed above gave you a better understanding for the best mid-century modern interior paint color for your space and painting your mid century modern furniture filled rooms. What it comes down to is your style and the pieces of furniture you have either purchased or would like to purchase. The amount of space shouldn’t affect your choice of wall color greatly but if you’re working with a small space and would like to make it feel bigger, lighter colors are recommended to expand the room. Aside from that, keep the colors of your walls calm, sophisticated and simple to make your mid century modern home more lively.

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What Do Mid-Century Modern Homes Look Like?

What Do Mid-Century Modern Homes Look Like? There are two kinds of mid century modern homes – ranch and split-level, dating from 1935 – 1975. The mid century modern house images featured in this article reflect the beauty of these homes that blend the interior with the exterior.

What Does A Mid Century Modern House Look Like?

mid century modern house images
Gelotte Hommas Drivdahl Architecture

Below are some common criteria that have determined the look of a mid-century modern home and answer the simple question of what do mid-century modern homes look like?

Geography

Geographic areas highly influenced the materials used for building mid-century modern homes. In Washington D.C., a hub for mid-century modern style, veneer stone, and local Carderock stone, a mixture of gray and brownstone, was commonly used in construction. Many of the ranch houses are built of brick, but in the southern states, you can find homes built of stucco or concrete blocks. Wood siding was used as well and horizontally installed, as clapboard or installed vertically as a board and batten.

Low-Pitched Roofs

Nest Architectural Design, Inc. , Bruns Architecture

Low-pitched roofs were more common than low-pitched gables. Since these kinds of houses have minimal attic space, they do not use dormers. The houses more expensively designed had roof overhangs with rafters exposed. The more modest style homes had minimal roof overhangs with either an open eave or a closed eave soffit. Asphalt shingles topped the roof.

Ranch-Style Layout

Brion Jeannette Architecture, Gelotte Hommas Drivdahl Architecture

Ranch-style homes had linear window designs that emphasized the close-to-the-ground design of the ranch home. Other window types used were awning, hopper, casement, and double-hung. Every ranch and the split level home had a picture window. These windows were made so a portion of the window could be opened for ventilation and had an area of fixed glass for looking out the window.

Recessed Entrances

mid century modern house images
First Lamp

Entrances were practical and looked welcoming. The simplest were recessed beneath the main roof. The more complex designs had a porch at the front of the house or the entrance tucked beneath the main roof. An entrance might also be in the corner at the intersection of the two wings and protected by the main roof form. The recessed entry of either a ranch or split-level home had various cladding material added to make it stand out as an entry.

What Is Mid Century Modern Architecture?

The mid century modern mansion had a specific architectural design popularized in the 1930s through the 1960s. The style originated in Europe and was brought to America by well-known architects who also had key roles in the Bauhaus movement. The characteristics of mid-century modern are a clean, minimalist aesthetic, an emphasis on getting the outdoors to seem to come into the indoors, and the presence of angular structures.

Minimalist Aesthetic Designs


Dynan Construction Management

Minimalist aesthetic designs included clean lines, flat planes, with little outside decor. Monochromatic brickwork and some splash of color here and there. It is a no-fuss approach to design and focuses on functionality.

Emphasis On The Outdoors

mid century modern house images
Dynan Construction Management

Emphasis on the outdoors is the main feature of the mid-century modern house. The large windows and open floor plan designs provide scenic views and seem to bring nature inside. Sliding glass doors encourage people to step outside to explore their surroundings further.

Angular structures

Angular structures include geometric forms and asymmetrical compositions in the designs. These modern homes show little historical influence and don’t have visual formality.

What is Mid Century Modern Design Specifically?

The mid-century style has its roots in architecture and furnishings. Everything about the home should be practical, structured, and durable, with some added design flourishes for interest. For these homes, one should pay attention to the natural elements of each room from the exposed beams to the wood paneling and untouched brick walls. Making these elements stand out will bring the outdoors right inside. Character can be added to each room, making use of items with abstract prints, patterns, and modern art. These homes need to have emphasis put on the casual and uncluttered way of life.

Mid-Century Modern Colors

mid century modern house images
Photo by Philippe Le Berre

Colors should reflect the energy and direction of these homes and should be in various bright hues. The bright colors should emphasize the period of optimism in the 1950s, and the natural woods, oranges, greens, and earthy tones offer the sophistication of the 1960s and 1970s. Among other colors that work well are sunny yellow, turquoise, and primary colors. Just splash them all around the rooms.

This look became very popular among the Scandinavian designers of the era, as they sought the warm and cozy feel of wooden furniture for their cold northern winters.

The Danish Hans J. Wegner had several exemplary pieces in this style, including the wishbone chair and the round chair.

Another Dane, Finn Juhl, also produced classics of this look, notably the chieftain chair and the 45 chair

So, What Do Mid-Century Modern Homes Look Like?

Well, hopefully, you now have a good idea of the appearance and features of a mid-century modern house. Go out and share your newly discovered architectural knowledge!

Looking For Mid-Century Modern Furniture?

Given the popularity of mid-century designs, it’s no surprise that demand is also quite robust. An option you might not have considered: Amazon. The internet retailer giant features an incredible selection of mid-century classics at every price point.

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Famous Mid-Century Modern Furniture Designers

Mid-Century Modern (MCM) is the design revolution in graphic design, interior design, urban development and architecture that happened after the events of World War II and continued until around 1970. The midcentury modern design movement brought thousands of designers from around the world together to create new strides in the area of design. In this list, we’re going to go over the ten most influential mid-century modern furniture designers and give an explanation of their history and the work they’ve accomplished. Here are some of the top famous mid-century modern furniture designers from around the globe.

American Mid-Century Modern Furniture Designers

Starting this list off are some of the most famous American mid-century furniture designers.

Paul Evans

Paul Evans was born in Newtown, Pennsylvania in 1931. He attended multiple institutions for schooling including the Philadelphia Textile Institute, Rochester Institute of Technology and Cranbrook Academy of Art. In the 1950s he began making copper chests and followed by creating sculpted steel-front cabinets. In
1964 he became a signature designer with for Directional Furniture where he would introduce the Argente series, Sculpted Bronze Series, Sculptured and Painted Steel, Patchwork Copper, Pewter and Brass and the famous Cityscape Series. His works are unique in the way he combined technology with hands-on design work. He insisted that every piece be made by hand, finished by hand and supervised by the artist at every step of the production.

Charles and Ray Eames

Charles and Ray Eames Famous Mid Century Modern Designers
Pam Kelley Design

Charles and Ray Eames were a married couple that made huge developments in the area of mid-century modern furniture design and are widely accepted as two of the top mid-century modern furniture designers. Charles Ormond Eames was born in 1907 and Bernice Alexandria “Ray” Kaiser Eames was born in 1912 and the two met at the Cranbrook Academy of Art in 1940. The two opened a design office with functioned for over four decades where the two would work 13-hour days, six or seven days a week.

The Eames are famous for their work with plywood with mid-century modern furniture. Such examples are the Eames lounge chair and the Aluminum Group furniture. The two also dabbled in architecture as well as film.

Florence Knoll

Florence Knoll is famous for innovating office design, including desks, and revolutionizing office interiors by including modern design. She was born in 1917 in Saginaw, Michigan. She was an orphan with her father dying when she was only 5 and her mother dying when she was 12. She attended Cranbrook and had a strong interest for furniture design, interior design as well as architecture. She was a student of the Bauhaus movement and worked under multiple leading figures early in her career.

MLF Florence Knoll Modern Style Sofa Armchair

She was monumental for breaking gender stereotypes in furniture design. Her aesthetic is well known for clear geometries and lines with textures, colors, and organic shapes. Knoll felt that architects should be able to use their skills to create furniture that suits the environment. Knoll and her husband would found Knoll Associates which would turn into a leader in the fields of furniture and interior design. What started as a small furniture company soon grew to a million-dollar empire by the time they opened their first showroom in New York City. When her husband died in a car crash in 1955, she took over control of the three companies under which Knoll Associates controlled. In ten years she doubled the company and grew it into a global mid-century modern furniture design powerhouse. She died at the age of 101.

Danish Mid-Century Modern Furniture Designers

The mid-century modern furniture movement was not central to the United States however, the movement took the world by storm. Next are famous mid-century modern furniture designers from Denmark.

Poul Kjærholm

MLF Poul Kjaerholm PK20 Style Cantilever Lounge Modern Chair

Born in stervrå, Denmark in 1929, Kjærholm started his work as an apprentice to a cabinet maker where he would develop a passion for mid-century modern furniture design. He would attend the Danish school of Arts and crafts in Copenhagen. He married his wife in 1953 who would go on to become a successful architect herself. He was very detail-oriented and would start an incredible career as an educator. In the mid 1950s he began to work under an entrepreneurial friend who gave him lots of artistic freedom. It was here that he would create some of his most influential works. Examples of this are his PKO minimalist plywood series and his PK61 coffee table. The PK61 coffee table would be known for its playful design of displaying the supporting frame through the glass top. In 1967, he was awarded the Danish ID Prize for his work in product design. In 1973 he would become the head of design at the Institute for Design where he would become a professor three years later.

Canadian Mid-Century Modern Furniture Designers

Lastly, we’re going to mention one of our favorite famous mid-century modern furniture designers. This one hail from Canada but his works have impacted the world.

Frank Gehry

Frank Gehry Famous Mid Century Modern Designer

Gehry was born on February 28, 1929, in Toronto, Ontario. As a child, he would build cities using scraps of wood he found at his grandpa’s hardware store. Although his father thought he was a dreamer, Gehry was pushed to design by his mother and grandmother. In 1947 his family moved to Los Angeles where he became a delivery truck driver while studying at Los Angeles City College. He would eventually graduate from the University of Southern California’s School of Architecture. He studied city planning at the Harvard Graduate School of Design but left the program feeling underwhelmed and disheartened. He felt as though his left-wing ideas of about socially responsible architecture weren’t being realized. His final straw came when he found out his professor was designing a palace for the Cuban right-wing dictator Fulgencio Batista. He would find work in Los Angeles and Paris and would also design his famous Santa Monica residence. He would go on to design skyscrapers in New York City, concert halls as well as museums. He is well known for his wavy patterns and somewhat psychedelic designs. He is a strong student of modernism with some saying his designs incorporate elements of funk. He resides today in Los Angeles, California.

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17 Best Places to Buy Mid-Century Modern Furniture in 2020

Finding where to buy mid-century modern furniture can be a daunting challenge at first. We’ve compiled this comprehensive list to help you find exactly what you want.

Finding where to buy mid-century modern furniture can seem like a daunting challenge at first.

Luckily, the rise in popularity of the style has led to an explosion in ways to buy its pieces.

These range from hidden treasures at flea markets, to made-to-order pieces designed by skilled craftsmen, to high-quality reproductions at affordable prices, and many more.

With all these options, it can be difficult to figure out what’s right for you.

To help you out, we’ve compiled an exhaustive list of all the best places to buy mid-century modern furniture. In this post, we will help you figure out what you’re looking for and where to find it.

If you make a purchase from any of the links on this page, we may receive an affiliate commission. This allows us to provide more great content at no extra cost to you!

Where to Buy Mid-Century Modern Furniture

All of the mid mod furniture available for sale today essentially falls into one of four categories: Vintage, Current Productions, Custom & Handmade, or Reproductions & Replicas. None is intrinsically better than the others, rather they each have their own charms and drawbacks.

Reproductions & Replicas

If you want to get the mid-century modern look in your home but you can’t afford vintage or handmade, reproductions and replicas are the choice for you.

These pieces are inspired by the designs of the mid mod era, but are much more affordable than vintage pieces or handcrafted ones.

While less authentic than some other options, they still capture the mid-century modern style and are quite a bit cheaper.

Amazon

Amazon is, of course, the king of all things e-commerce. Things are no different for mid-century modern furniture. They offer a tremendously broad and varied selection of MCM reproductions and replicas.

Plus, you can take advantage of free shipping if you have a Prime account. That can be hugely valuable when shipping bulky pieces of furniture.

Amazon offers a solid collection of mid-century modern pieces, like this Saarinen-inspired tulip table.

Saarinen-Inspired Center Table by Modway
Modway Lippa 40″ Mid-Century Modern Kitchen and Dining Table with Round Top and Pedestal Base in White

Eternity Modern

If you’re looking for the cost-saving benefits of reproductions but you aren’t willing to compromise on quality, Eternity Modern is the way to go.

Eternity modern offers an incredible selection of high-quality reproductions.

Notably, they offer an Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman* set for several thousand dollars cheaper than the original.

*Eternity Modern is currently sold out of the Eames Lounge Chair but you can order a high-quality, comparable chair on Amazon here.

Eames Chair and Ottoman
Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman set by Eternity Modern*

They also offer a wide variety of other essential MCM pieces, like this sharp Noguchi Table reproduction.

Noguchi Table Reproduction by Eternity Modern
Noguchi Table by Eternity Modern

LexMod

LexMod is well-known supplier of economical mid-century modern furniture pieces. Since everything that LexMod offers is directly sourced and sold by them, there is no middleman needlessly marking up the prices.

Their catalog is huge and includes fine pieces for every room in your house. If you’re looking for some dining chairs, they offer these awesome ghost-style chairs at an affordable price.

Casper Dining Armchairs by LexMod

Casa Gear

Casagear is gaining popularity for mid-century modern furniture as they offer a wide variety of products. You will find on Casa Gear that there are hundreds of mid-century modern furniture reproductions available for purchase. Some of these products being from very popular manufactures and designers of mid-century modern furniture. As far as pricing goes Casa Gear, has very affordable prices. You might be able to score cheap mid-century modern furniture here as they are always having sales and adding products. This site is at least worth a quick browse since it does have some quality, affordable, and stylish mid century modern furniture.

Jericho Brown Leather Mid-Century Modern Accent Chair By Baxton Studio

You can see all Mid-Century Modern Furniture for sale on Casa Gear by clicking this link here.

Vintage

These are authentic pieces that were actually made during the mid-century era (roughly the 1940s to the 1960s, depending on who you ask). These antiques are the ultimate in authenticity, and they are highly prized by collectors and mid-century modern enthusiasts.

With this in mind, they are usually quite expensive. These pieces often change hands for prices in the 4- and 5-figures.

Vintage pieces make the most sense for true enthusiasts, unless you’re lucky enough to find an under-priced gem somewhere.

Here are our favorite places to find vintage mid-century modern furniture.

1st Dibs

1st Dibs is our first choice for finding vintage mid mod furniture online. This site offers a phenomenal collection of mid-century modern and other classics. The sellers on 1st Dibs are almost all top-tier dealers.

There are a lot of classics to be found, like these original Warren Platner chairs.

Warren Platner Chairs listed on 1stDibs, a great place to buy vintage mid-century modern furniture.
Four original Warren Platner chairs from the Lounge Collection. Originally listed at $11,500

As 1st Dibs only includes only the finest and rarest pieces, prices are often quite steep. These classic chairs were originally listed at $11,500. We recommend try to negotiate with dealers before settling for the listing price.

eBay

That’s right, eBay is a great place to find vintage mid-century modern furniture. It can take some time to navigate through the junk, but occasionally you can find some real gems. For example, here is an original Jeanneret chair:

A classic Jeanneret Chair, just one example of the great pieces to be found on eBay.

While this example is quite pricey, you can also find originals at much more approachable prices. For instance, it’s not difficult to find an original Eames DAW chair for several hundred dollars.

EBTH

If you aren’t familiar with EBTH (“Everything but the House”), you should check it out. It’s an online estate sale marketplace. Its products are sold via an online auction (think old-school eBay), and everything starts at $1.

Here are some cool Eames-style DSR chairs with patchwork upholstery and eiffel-style legs.

Eames-style DSR chairs with patchwork upholstery and eiffel-style legs.

Eames-style DSR chairs with patchwork upholstery and eiffel-style legs listed on EBTH.

As new listings go live almost every day, be sure to check back often.

Also, shipping can be quite expensive, so be sure to factor that into your bidding. Local pickup is generally an option as well.

Chairish

Chairish is an online marketplace that showcases a curated selection of vintage and vintage-inspired home decor.

Their mid-century modern selection is fairly extensive with a wide range of vintage pieces, like this Bertoia Bird Chair.

1960s Vintage Early Harry Bertoia for Knoll Bird Chair & Ottoman For Sale
Harry Bertoia Bird Chair & Ottoman, c. 1960s. Originally listed on Chairish at $1,750.

Flea Markets

Flea markets can be a great place to find vintage mid-century pieces, but they can often be quite hit-or-miss.

I would only recommend visiting flea markets if you are already quite educated in the mid-century modern space and can identify authentic pieces with ease. Otherwise, it can be difficult to pick apart the junk from the gems.

Estate Sales

In addition to EBTH, old-school in-person estate sales can be a great place to find furniture.

To find these, try your local newspaper, Craigslist.org, estatesale.com, and estatesales.net.

Most estate sales are on Fridays or Saturdays, while some are active on both days. Agents will often add more pictures to their listing in the days before the sale, so take a look on Wednesday or Thursday to find which sales might be most interesting to you.

Current Productions

Many of the companies that made the most famous pieces from the mid-century era are still producing those same designs today.

These pieces are very authentic and true to their original design. Additionally, they are produced with top-tier quality.

This combination of quality and authenticity comes at a price, though, as many of these pieces are quite expensive.

Here are the best place to find current productions of mid-century modern classics.

Herman Miller

Based in the modest Zeeland, Michigan, Herman Miller has always been one of the biggest names in mid-century modern furniture manufacturing.

Still today, the company produces the works of some of the most notable designers of the era, including Charles & Ray Eames, George Nelson, and Isamu Noguchi.

Notably, Herman Miller still produces the classic Eames Lounge Chair. You can see how they are made below.


How an Eames Lounge Chair is made – BrandmadeTV

Knoll

The other big, American manufacturer of the era was of course Knoll.

Like Herman Miller, Knoll still produces the works of many great designers, including Florence Knoll, Harry Bertoia, and Eero Saarinen.

For example, Knoll still offers these gorgeous Tulip Chairs and the Saarinen Table.

Classic Tulip Chairs and a Saarinen Table, offered by Knoll.
Classic Tulip Chairs and a Saarinen Table, offered by Knoll.

Vitra

Based in Switzerland, Vitra got its start producing the designs of Herman Miller for the European market. The company would go on to feature original designs from some great European designers, including Verner Panton and Jean Prouve.

Vitra still produces the unmistakable Panton S-Chair.

Panton Chair in red by Vitra
Panton Chair in red by Vitra.

Danish Design Store

If you fancy the Danish modern style, then the Danish Design Store is the place for you. This site features the work of great manufactures such as Fritz Hansen and Carl Hansen & Son, which produce the designs of legends such as Hans J. Wegner, Arne Jacobsen, and Finn Juhl.

Finn Juhl Chieftain Chair
Finn Juhl Chieftain Chair as offered by the Danish Design Store.

Design Within Reach

While the name might be slightly misleading, the quality of Design Within Reach is indisputable.

As a retailer with locations across the nation, DWR gives you a chance to see and touch the classics in person before making a purchase. DWR offers newly made pieces from all of the great manufacturers mentioned above, among numerous others.

If you want to test the classics in person, try finding a DWR studio near you.

Design Within Reach retail location interior
A Design Within Reach retail location showcasing several works by Charles & Ray Eames.

Custom & Handmade

Though it was a key goal of the mid-century movement to make high-quality furniture available to the masses, many of the most famous pieces felt as if they were crafted by hand.

Today, there are quite a few special shops that focus on creating handcrafted and made-to-order pieces inspired by the mid-century era.

Given their quality, some of these pieces can be quite expensive. However, most of these pieces represent a great value.

TD Furniture

TD Furniture is a Los Angeles-based workshop that specializes in making custom couches, lounge chairs, and other pieces in a mid-century modern style.

Many of their sofas are truly exceptional, like this Adrian Pearsall-style piece.

An Adrian Pearsall-style sofa made by TD Furniture.
An Adrian Pearsall-style sofa, made by TD Furniture. This piece features a solid walnut trim and comes in a fabric of your choosing.

TY Fine Furniture

Based in Columbus, Ohio, TY Fine Furniture specializes in handmade, eco-friendly furniture. If you are wondering where to buy mid-century modern furniture this store is a great option.

Their Etsy storefront showcases their mastery in wood pieces, especially mid-century modern beds, tables, and consoles.

For example, this Scandinavian-inspired coffee table features impeccably clean lines and a minimalist flair.

Modern Coffee Table Solid Wood Handmade Mid Century Modern Organic Danish Scandinavian
A mid-century modern coffee table, handmade by TY Fine Furniture.

Tusk and Tail Design

Another handmade furniture designer with a prominent presence on Etsy, Tusk and Tail Design specializes in wooden mid-century modern pieces.

Their Warwick Sideboard is a great display of their craftsmanship.

Warwick Sideboard mid-century modern credenza by Tusk and Tail Design.
The Warwick Sideboard, crafted by Tusk and Tail Design.

What is Mid-Century Modern Furniture?

With the popularity of Mad Men and HGTV, it’s no surprise that the mid-century modern era is having a revival. But just what is mid-century modern furniture and what does it look like?

what is mid-century modern furniture

What is Mid-Century Modern Furniture?

In short, mid-century modern furniture refers to the style that was popularized during and around the 1950s, which often emphasized simplicity, functionality, and comfort.

This is, of course, an oversimplification, but a proper definition is hard to come by.

In many ways, the style of the era is hard to define. In essence, it revolved around a core set of principles more than it did around design motifs. And these principles were a reflection of the era.

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The Mid-Century Era

As soldiers came home from WWII, they returned to one of the greatest economic booms in American history. The newfound affluence of the middle class meant that more people were building homes — and filling them with furniture.

These homes tended to be smaller and less formal than the homes from previous styles. Rather than reserving each room for a particular occasion, there was a focus on using rooms many times throughout the day. With these realities in mind, the furniture of the era was designed to be smaller and simpler to fit the space, while also serving multiple functions.

Eames Molded Plywood Chair LCW
Eames’ classic LCW chair, featuring gorgeous molded plywood

Designers of the era were able to leverage wartime technological advancements in creating their pieces. For example, the technology for molding plywood, fiberglass, and plastic enabled pieces like Charles & Ray Eames’ 670 lounge chair and LCW chair. These technologies also allowed designers to experiment with the shape of furniture to improve comfort — creating “ergonomic” pieces long before it was a buzzword.

Though maintaining these principles of simplicity, functionality, and comfortability, designers of the era were able to express their creativity in a wide range of looks and styles.

Three Styles of Mid-Century Modern Furniture

The styles of the mid-century era can be notoriously difficult to classify. While certain motifs were common, such as clean lines or parabolic shapes, creativity was greatly prized. As such, many designs were almost completely novel.

Cara Greenberg, author of “Mid-Century Modern” (1984), proposes three “looks” that most pieces of the era fall into. These looks are not rigid groups, and some pieces fall into multiple categories. In any event, her system is a useful roadmap for identifying and appreciating pieces of the era.

Biomorphic Look

Arne Jacobsen Egg Chair in Blue by Eternity Modern
Arne Jacobsen’s classic Egg Chair doesn’t feature a single straight line.

Powered by new manufacturing capabilities developed during the war, designers began to experiment with lively and creative designs. Many of these fell under the categorization as “biomorphic”, and some of the most memorable designs of the era belong to this style.

Defined as being suggestive of a living organism, the biomorphic look was fundamentally modern. These pieces generally focused on asymmetry and featured irregular curvatures.  

Some classic designs of this style include Isamu Noguchi’s classic coffee table as well as the swan chair and egg chair by Arne Jacobsen.

Machine Look

Harry Bertoia Diamond Chair
Harry Bertoia’s Diamond Chair simply flaunts its machine origin.

In addition to the biomorphic looks that became popular in the era were those that flaunted their machine origin. Rather than imitate a handcrafted look, these pieces celebrated their industrial nature.

Classics of this style include Harry Bertoia’s diamond chair and wire chairs as well George Nelson’s platform bench.

Handcrafted Look

Finn Juhl 45 Chair in Orange
Finn Juhl’s 45 Chair looks like the one-of-a-kind work of a skilled crafstman.

Pieces of the handcrafted style appear as if they were the one-of-a-kind work of a skilled craftsman. They make great use of warm natural woods and woven seating, all while remaining remarkably sturdy and comfortable.

True to the era, many of these “handcrafted” pieces were actually built with significant help from high-tech machinery. This enabled mass-production, and thus affordability.

This look became very popular among the Scandinavian designers of the era, as they sought the warm and cozy feel of wooden furniture for their cold northern winters.

The Danish Hans J. Wegner had several exemplary pieces in this style, including the wishbone chair and the round chair.

Another Dane, Finn Juhl, also produced classics of this look, notably the chieftain chair and the 45 chair

How to Find Mid-Century Modern Furniture Today

Given the popularity of mid-century designs, it’s no surprise that demand is also quite robust.

Just one example listing for a vintage mid-century modern armchair on eBay. Prices over six-figures for vintage pieces are surprisingly common.

Vintage pieces from the era can easily fetch four or five figures at auction on sites like eBay or 1stdibs.

Additionally, there are several retailers who offer new productions of classic designs. These pieces represent excellent quality and authenticity. For example, Office Designs offers a huge selection of Herman Miller products, including classics like the Eames Lounge Chair.

Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman
The Classic Eames 670 and 671 pieces, more famously known as the Eames Lounge Chair & Ottoman.

For a broad selection of classic pieces, we recommend Eternity Modern. Their catalog is full of reproductions that are identical to the originals, meaning high-quality at affordable prices.

Finally, an option you might not have considered: Amazon. The internet retailer giant features an incredible selection of mid-century classics at every price point.