Since its debut about 70 years ago, mid-century modern design and architecture have stood the test of time. In fact, the clean and simple lines, as well as curved and organic shapes, still has a strong presence in interior design today. But mid-century style is not just about shapes. It’s also about distinctive color palettes. If you’re interested in this design style, you might consider these five color palettes for mid-century modern design.
1. Wood and white
Wood is often a feature element in mid-century modern decor, reflecting the style’s simple and earthy look. When combined with glass windows, wood creates an outdoorsy feel. For a stylish living room, you can opt for a neutral palette of brown leather, whites, and wood tones.
When pairing white and wood for a mid-century look, combine woods with similar undertones. For example a brick wall with a dark brown color complements a dark brown leather bench and a wood and black accent chair.
2. Orange and brown
Vibrant and earthy, orange and brown is a classic mid-century modern color combination. A bold orange wall will help highlight the wood ceiling and glass windows – features typical of this era. The pairing underscores warmth, making a space stylish and inviting.
If painting a wall orange or getting an orange sofa doesn’t suit your taste, you can opt for a more subtle approach. For example, an orange swan-type chair forms a beautiful vignette with a streamlined wood credenza. These two pieces will set a mid-century mood for the room.
3. Chartreuse and gray
This is a cool duo which will instantly add mid-century chic to your decor. A bright yellowish-green sofa makes a cheerful counterpart to a gray wall. When incorporated to a room with architectural details like angled ceiling and glass windows, the style is unmistakably mid-century modern.
Not everybody wants a chartreuse sofa. If you are one of them, you can look for smaller accents to make a mid-century modern statement. For example, bright green accent furniture with organic shapes in this color can complement gray furniture or a gray wall.
4. Teal, brown and white
This sophisticated palette can provide a rich mid-century look in your room assuming it has the right furniture shapes. Teal throw pillows give a striking contrast on an ivory sofa. A teal accent chair adds a dose of blue, making the room more visually appealing. It is okay to layer accents by using various shades of the same color. Meanwhile, wood paneling rounds out this tri-color palette and boosts the room’s quintessential mid-century style.
Accessories can go a long way in designing a mid-century-inspired room. Go for simple lines in wood, gold, or black. A Sputnik-style light fixture, organic shapes like a kidney-shaped cowhide rug, or a round mirror are good choices.
5. Pink and brown
Mid-century decor often use various shades of pink. Hues ranging from pastel to deep pink will pop up in textured fabrics or playful patterns. These hues of pink typically combine well with wood or neutral brown.
You can accent white or wood mid-century furnishings with pink throw pillows. If there’s only a few pink accents on brown furniture pieces, you may place vases with pink flowers to punctuate the look.
Conclusion
These color palettes for mid-century modern design are ideal if you want a classic and elegant look. But decorating with color alone is not enough to make a room feel mid-century. You should also combine it with mid-century furniture shapes to create an authentic design style in your home.
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