4 Key Elements of a Mid-Century Modern Home Design

Love the mid-century modern look, but don't know where to begin? Here are four important mid-century modern design elements that will help bring your vision to life! From advice on color and decor to best practices when it comes to metal finishes, we've got you covered.

1. the color wheel is your new best friend!

   

   Stuck on color? You are not alone! Choosing a color palette that will truly bring that mid-century modern edge to your space can be hard. This is where using the color wheel can really help you figure out how to make your space fun, but still easy on the eyes. In the Eratage Interiors Colorful Retro Remodel project, lead designer Sarah Patch played into the reddish-orange tones present in the furniture by picking an accent color far from it on the color wheel for the fireplace: avocado green!

   
   

   If your home is from the mid-century era (1945-1970), try to lean into the design elements that are already present and go from there when selecting your color palette. For example, if your home has orange tones in the wood finishes, going with an olive green or teal accent color can help neutralize your space while also adding that fun mid-century modern flare! Alternatively, you could lean into the warm orange tones by choosing analogous colors like mustard yellow, browns and beiges.

2. Less decor, more statement pieces

   

The main appeal of mid-century modern design centers around functionality with character. While having too many knick-knacks or small decorative items can take away from the clean look characteristic of this design style, statement pieces that put the "fun" in "functional" (sorry, bad joke?) are a great way to achieve a mid-century modern look in your home. For instance, the Eratage Interiors Colorful Retro Remodel features this super neat statement shelving piece. While this example does feature a good amount of decor, it is far more functional than decorative, serving as a super cute storage solution. In any mid-century-modern space, try to find pieces that are unique without sacrificing usefulness. Let your personality shine through picking bold and fun statement pieces instead of adding tons of small details, and you'll achieve that mid-century modern vibe in no time!

3. Plants!

   

Incorporating natural elements is key to evoking a mid-century modern atmosphere in your home. If you have windows with views of a yard or garden, make sure to enhance them! If your space is windowless like the Eratage Interiors Modern Basement Remodel or you live somewhere without a whole lot of outdoor green space, plants are a great way to elevate your mid-century modern interior by bringing some of that natural element into your home.

The organic, imperfect lines characteristic of plants and greenery serve to balance out the simple and straight lines charcteristic of mid-century modern furniture in order to make your space extra harmonious. They can be real or fake depending on your window situation and your green thumb, the effect is still the same either way!

4. Metal finishes: best practices

   

Metal is undeniably important to the mid-century modern aesthetic. Going with a warm brass, sleek chrome or a matte black for your metal accents can bring so much life to your mid-century modern design. But picking the right metal accents can feel overwhelming, especially when you're trying to tie together lighting, hardware, and plumbing.

Here’s the good news: you don’t have to match everything. In fact, mixing metals—like pairing brass with chrome or matte black—can add richness and character to your space. The key is to be intentional. What can get tricky is when you're using multiple pieces in the same finish, like brass, and they don’t quite match. One brand’s “brushed brass” might read more yellow or rosy than another’s, and that’s where things can start to feel disjointed.

Don’t worry—we’ve got you. Below is a quick list of helpful advice so that you can properly select metal finishes for your home and achieve the mid-century modern look of your dreams!

• Use our color wheel tip mentioned earlier to pick a metal finish that elevates the other colors already present in your space! For example, warm woods like walnut pair beautifully with brass or gold, while cooler tones may call for chrome or matte black.

• Once you have a general idea of the metal finish you want, browse pieces for your space until you find one that really speaks to you. Whether it's a light fixture or a decorative mirror, it is good to identify an anchor piece to match your other metal details to during your remodel process.

• Try to shop in-person. Pictures online can be deceiving when trying to match metal finishings, and it is best to compare pieces with your own eyes if you can!

• Match brands when possible. Different manufacturers often have slight variations in their finishes, even when the name is the same (e.g., “brushed brass”). Buying multiple pieces from the same brand is a simple way to ensure consistency.

• If you can't match brands, make use of metal swatches! Many companies offer finish samples, or you can buy a small, inexpensive item in your desired finish to use as a reference. Bring these in when you go to purchase other metal details for your space.

Conclusion

Good luck and happy designing! Let us know how these tips help you during your mid-century modern design journey. Any questions? Feel free to leave those below as well, we are happy to help!