If you thought mid-century furniture designs were simply a product for their time, think again! Today, mid-century vintage pieces are as popular as ever. Its 1950s style is ideal for today’s contemporary styles that favor an elegant and functional appearance. Because so many great vintage pieces have stood the test of time, it’s still pretty easy to incorporate unique furniture examples throughout your home for a modern, modern look.

Great functionality

There aren’t too many mid-century pieces that contain overtly superfluous design elements or features. You want to see ornate carved or appliqued pieces that are more reminiscent of pre-Art Deco periods. Mid-century furniture is designed to function in a design style that does not compete with or attempt to showcase the functionality of the item. The style goes without saying, of course, but it enhances the functionality of the item without overshadowing it.

Regarding the form

Many pieces are inspired by the design of the Art Deco period, when geometric shapes were all the rage, from furniture to jewelry. A boomerang-shaped sofa, while novel and whimsical in some respects, works quite well to hug the coffee table and allow the occupants to better relate to each other. Rectangular, circular and square-shaped elements are also characteristic of the time.

Stylish and slim in fashion

There is not much weight when it comes to mid-century. Overloaded sofas and chairs better belong to another era. Furniture tends to be sleek and elegant. You won’t see an overabundance of fabric hanging or hanging from pieces; you won’t see hustle reflected in other styles. Styles pay tribute to the shape of the item by celebrating, not masking. For today’s urban looks, the style fits quite well with the modern look that is still popular.

Novel materials

The mid-century style ushered in all kinds of materials that had not been used in furniture before, such as vinyl, chrome, and plastic. These unconventional materials could be combined with wood, but light woods that were highly processed and polished. You’ll find remnants of these alternative materials in today’s 1950s style diners who employ the same style with their chrome and vinyl bar stools and colorful decor schemes.

Sophisticated and Playful

While elegant designs demonstrate modern sophistication, many other mid-century designs convey a playfulness that is evident in the form of the color. Sunburst-shaped clocks, for example, in colors like avocado, display a joy that may have been a response to the rise of the Depression and the war years of the previous two eras. The boomerang, of course, is certainly more fun than the quiet sedans of the previous living room decor.

Today, these fun and sophisticated styles can be mixed and matched for a modern look that celebrates design aesthetics. You’ll enjoy adding several mid-century pieces to complement your overall modern decor plan. Of course, these items weren’t just built with style, they were built to last, which is why so many wonderful examples remain today!