what is midcentury modern furniture style

What Is Midcentury Modern Style?

Although there are numerous copies of midcentury modern furniture available on the market now in the design industry, the originals are still very sought-after (and expensive!).

We talked to designers about the origins, defining traits, and widespread use of the midcentury modern style, sometimes known as "MCM." These experts also provided advice on how to shop smartly and how to style one's house using MCM artifacts.

Why the Midcentury Modern Look?

This word describes the prevalent furniture of the middle of the 20th century, when teak wood, basic, functional furniture, and curved shapes were the norm. Designer Liza Kuhn says, "Midcentury modern design arose in response to a post-World War II world. The first half of the 20th century saw the invention of mass manufacturing and technology, and designers and architects were eager to create new ideas that combined such innovations with a more positive vision on the future.

History.

The midcentury modern style was born in the middle of the 20th century, as you probably thought, and it mirrored the needs and desires of the people living at that time. "Midcentury modern design is rooted in functionality, clean lines, and simplicity, which reflected the world at that time," designer Amanda Thompson says. Homes were more structured and centered on upholding a nuclear family unit, and as a result, the furniture's design reflected this setting.

Midcentury contemporary furniture is significantly simpler in nature than fripperier items or those with intricate ornamentation. Families rebelled against the extravagant traditions of earlier generations and embraced a more contemporary, organic way of life by needing and wanting practical, straightforward furniture and decor in their homes.

As a subgroup of modern design that originated in the early 1900s, midcentury modern can be referred to. However, when compared to the conventional notions of contemporary design, midcentury modern style tends to be overtly outdated and frequently emphasizes this point with vibrant accent colors. In contrast, modern design often has a more subdued, industrial, and utilitarian appearance.

important traits.

Teak is used to make the majority of genuine midcentury contemporary furniture. "Teak was preferred for its richness in color and durability," says designer Rozit Arditi. The other two frequently used woods were rosewood and oak, primarily in case goods such tables, desks, and storage cabinets.

However, wood was by no means the sole material used to make midcentury modern furniture. According to Thompson, "Materials were critical to mid-century design." We observed several uses of wood, metal, glass, and vinyl, frequently in tension with one another to provide a distinctive appearance. Curved furnishings were frequently made from these materials.

Another important aspect of midcentury fashion was color. According to Thompson, "we saw the use of color in ways we hadn't seen before, frequently either as a bold accent or as a way to make a piece of furniture stand out exclusively in a room.

MCM decor's primary components:

1. Furniture prioritizes functionality over adornment.

1. There are no extravagant embellishments but rather straightforward geometric lines.
2. use of teak, rosewood, and oak frequently
3. Utilizing vinyl, glass, and metal

vibrant accent hues

Recent Popularity Increase

As was already mentioned, the midcentury modern aesthetic emphasized functionality, which is still a fundamental principle when designing 21st-century dwellings. "I appreciate the rise of multipurpose furniture, which was adopted in this design ethos and is something we still promote as designers today," says designer Becky Shea. Every piece serves a purpose and goes above and beyond, casting shadows on the days when rooms were only allowed to be utilized on special occasions once a year because of their intricate, elaborate design.

Design Advice,

You should truly let these wooden midcentury contemporary furniture items shine while designing with it. Make sure the woods you choose complement one another rather than standing out from one another, advises Arditi. Ebony or zebra wood shouldn't be used in the same space as a teak MCM piece because their colors will clash.

Additionally, keep in mind that older furniture was not designed to fit modern households, as Arditi points out. Even though many people like to use midcentury modern credenzas as TV stands, for instance, items that weren't made specifically for this use could be a little flawed. Remember that people's needs have changed since the case parts were made, says Arditi. Not all of your technology will fit in the sideboards or the cabinets.