What is mid-century furniture?

Mid-twentieth-century furniture emerged out of a surge in creativity and new materials after World War II and its timeless style has endured in homes and offices throughout the world. It features clean lines, organic curves, and a seamless blend of form and function.

Many changes happened in the years following World War II. People had made significant sacrifices during the war and were ready to embrace the promise of the future. For many, the elaborate homes of the prewar years no longer felt relevant.

Veterans were returning home to rebuild their lives, and new materials developed in wartime were being brought to the masses. A desire for affordability, ease, and optimism sparked a wave of innovation, giving rise to the mid-century furnishings that still bring joy to many today.

Middle century design marked a fresh start. Since many people are falling back in love with the trend, we're going to explain how to find the best mid-century furniture and create the look at home.

What does mid-century furniture look like?

If you want to embrace mid twentieth century interior design in your home, it is important to know how to identify mid-century furniture. The style is characterised by uncluttered lines, organic shapes, and natural materials. It has a minimalist, yet warm character that seamlessly blends form and function. 

These are some of the signature characteristics of the middle twentieth century aesthetic to look for:

1. Simplicity and clean lines:

Mid-century pieces often have a straightforward, easy-going design.

2. A blend of organic and geometric shapes:

It may incorporate curved shapes inspired by nature or geometric forms for visual interest. Table and chair legs will often be tapered outward, adding to each piece's unique appeal.

3. Functionality:

Mid-century furnishings are designed with everyday use in mind. They often offer innovative dual-purpose features or space-saving solutions.

4. Natural materials:

You will often find natural and durable materials, such as wood and leather, contrasted with metal accents like chrome.

If you are wondering what wood is used in mid-century furniture, look out for teak, walnut, oak, rosewood, and plywood.

What are the differences between mid-century and mid-century modern furniture?

While mid-century and mid-century modern are both post-war design styles, they have slightly different meanings. 

Mid-century designs were developed and produced during the mid-20th century. When the world was rebuilding after WWII, designers started creating simple and elegant furniture that brought a sense of freedom and ease into peoples' homes.

While they featured some ornate details, they offered one of the first detours away from traditional furniture. They were also typically made from natural materials like timber, leather, glass, and metal.

However, mid-century modern furniture (also known as Post Modern) started to find its moment in the 1970s. It was more contemporary, with simplistic, organic shapes and bright pops of colour. Many mid-century modern furniture designers took their inspiration from art and architecture, to create innovative designs that people had not seen before. 

What year is mid-century furniture from?

Furniture from the mid-century era marked a breakaway from traditional, Edwardian furniture designs in the 1950s. People were growing tired of dark and heavy antique styles, and new materials were becoming available to use after WWII.

Designers started experimenting with light, functional, and aesthetic designs until the mid-60s, when bolder and more modern designs gained momentum. 

Who are the famous mid-century designers?

You might already be familiar with some of the big names in mid-century interior design.

1. Charles and Ray Eames created some of the most recognisable middle century looks, including the Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman.

2. George Nelson is known for his platform bench and the playful Marshmallow sofa. 

3. Isamu Noguchi blended sculptural form with everyday function to create the elegant Noguchi table.

Many European post-war migrants were also busy defining mid-century style in Australia. Looking to Europe, Scandinavia, and North America for inspiration, they reimagined the movement for the Australian lifestyle. 

They went for relaxed lines and sturdy construction while embracing new manufacturing methods that made great design more accessible.

1. Tony Parker's sensibility for mid-century Scandinavian furniture led to the "Danish Parker Style" look, featuring teak dining tables, chairs, and sideboards.

2. Grant Featherston was a glass and furniture designer who developed the coveted Contour Series in the early 1950s. Each chair was contoured to the human body to provide a new level of comfort and aesthetics.

3. Fred Lowen came to Australia in the 1940s and created the household brand Tessa. He is known for his handcrafted, Scandinavian style that could be produced in large quantities.

Is middle twentieth century furniture in style?

Furniture trends can come and go. However, the mid-century aesthetic has become a timeless classic. While trend-driven, contemporary looks eventually became more popular, many young people have fallen back in love with the timeless and elegant appeal of mid-century pieces.

Mid-century-inspired furniture can easily integrate into modern homes, bringing a sense of lightness, airiness, and efficiency. Its use of natural elements can also appeal to people wanting to lead a sustainable lifestyle.

Who buys mid-century furniture?

Many people can enjoy mid-century furniture designs at home. The style lends itself well to open-plan spaces which many modern, Australian houses embrace. 

Mid-century interior design styles often incorporate nature into living spaces with tall glass windows and high ceilings that allow plenty of natural light and a seamless connection to the outdoors. Earthy natural colours are also used to create a welcoming and grounded atmosphere.

Older generations who never fell out of love with furniture from the mid-century still invest in it, knowing it looks beautiful in modern extensions. It is also gaining popularity with considered millennials who want to fill their spaces with elegant, minimal, and functional furniture without breaking the bank.

Where to buy middle century furniture.

Original mid-century pieces are still available in vintage stores and online marketplaces, like Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and Etsy. However, original designs often carry a significant price tag. 

Replica and mid-century-inspired furniture designs are also widely available online and are largely affordable. To find the best mid-century styles, make sure that you look for quality materials that will age well. 

You will want your investments to last and top-grain leather is ideal if you are looking for a modern and durable piece. This type of leather is sanded and buffed to remove imperfections, making it uniform in texture. 

While aniline and full-grain leathers are also celebrated for their quality, they can be delicate and scratch-prone. Top-grain leather will also last longer than bonded or composite leathers which are produced from leather scraps and binding agents. 

A whiskey leather finish also carries the bearings of age and creates a luxurious heritage feel. It is a great investment for someone who loves the look of original mid-century furnishings but wants to enjoy new pieces at home.

You should also look for solid, genuine timbers rather than engineered MDF timbers. The grain should run straight through the wood, rather than being presented as a veneer. This makes it easier to revitalise and restore in future.

How to embrace mid-century interior design at home. 

Mid-century design embraces practicality and natural beauty. If you want to create a mid-century interior design style at home, try incorporating tall, glass windows and high ceilings in your space to create abundant natural light.

You will also want to incorporate contrasting natural materials, such as timber, leather, metal, concrete, and glass. Opt for warm lighting, clean lines, and organic shapes to complete the look.

Which room should you start furnishing first?

If you are just starting to collect furniture with a mid-century design influence, it is a good idea to start with your dining and living rooms. We spend most of our time at home and with guests in these areas.

1. The middle century dining room.

Investing in a dining table and complementary mid-century chairs as your centrepiece will make a big visual impact. You can also consider a sideboard, which is traditionally placed against the walls in dining rooms to store cutlery, table linens and plates.

2. The mid-century living room.

When it comes to your living room, remember that mid-century style is about comfort and ease. Look for a mid-century-inspired sofa, armchair, or coffee table made from high-quality natural materials. 

3. The mid twentieth century hallway:

Adding a mid-century pendant light with vintage-inspired art to your hallway will also set the tone as soon as you enter your home. 

4. The mid century bedroom:

The final element is your bedroom. Consider introducing warm lighting into your sleeping space and look for a sturdy, timber bed with smooth curves and a calm vibe.

Remember that mid-century design embraces the less is more approach. Remove clutter and invest in unique pieces that bring a touch of timeless elegance to your home.