5 Inspiring Midcentury Modern Homes (2024)

FAQs

5 Inspiring Midcentury Modern Homes? ›

Eames House in Los Angeles, California

As one of the most iconic private residences in American midcentury design, the Eames House was completed in 1949 to serve as the home and studio for the husband-and-wife partnership of Charles and Ray Eames. Also known as Case Study House No.

Eames House in Los Angeles, California

As one of the most iconic private residences in American midcentury design, the Eames House was completed in 1949 to serve as the home and studio for the husband-and-wife partnership of Charles and Ray Eames. Also known as Case Study House No.

Scientific advances made possible the use of new materials, from polyester to formica, and inspired a futuristic aesthetic. At the same time, Scandinavian Design, with its sleek lines and minimalism, became popular and came to influence the iconic look that defined Mid-Century style.

Maintenance costs

Due to their age, some midcentury modern homes may require more upkeep than newer properties. Thoroughly inspecting the home's electrical wiring, plumbing and insulation might help identify any potential costs for down the road.

Featuring iconic MCM builds by the top architects of the period, NYC is home to more mid century modern buildings than any other city in the U.S. (5,937, to be exact). From the Seagram's building by Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe to the Solomon R.

Frank Lloyd Wright is undeniably the most influential figure on the period. Hallmarks of his buildings—site-specific designs, the consideration for flow between the spaces, and his dedication to the use of wood paneling—are all prominent features of midcentury-modern homes.

The main reason behind having such a big price tag is the quality of materials and their ergonomics. Danish and Scandinavian pieces that have been produced in the '50s and '60s were made in high-end factories such as Carl Hanson & Son and Slagelse Mobelfabrik.

Frank Lloyd Wright, the father of modern architecture, actually trained many midcentury modern architects. After World War II, Americans put a major emphasis on lifestyle, family time, and spending time in nature.

Pioneering builder and real estate developer Joseph Eichler was instrumental in bringing Mid-century modern architecture ("Eichler Homes") to subdivisions in the Los Angeles area and the San Francisco Bay region of California, and select housing developments on the east coast.

A mid-century modern home costs $200 to $500 per square foot to build because you may need custom materials and features, like windows or roofs, that cost more per square foot. A true MCM home typically has around 1,500 to 2,500 square feet, so your total project cost could range from $300,000 to $1,250,000.

Will midcentury modern go out of style? ›

As Courtney Newman, owner of ModernWay in Palm Springs, California, said to the Washington Post: “Because it's so well-made and so iconic in style, [MCM furniture] kind of never leaves the marketplace.”

Mid-century design combines natural materials with industrial manmade materials. So you can expect to see wood, metal, marble, and glass mixed with plastic, lucite, fiberglass, and vinyl. This combination of materials helps keep the retro style feeling contemporary even today.

The enduring style remains so popular that you can find authentic or reproduction furniture, lighting, and decor at any price point. Midcentury modern design blends well with other styles from coastal to bohemian to Scandinavian, allowing you to create a look that suits your interior style.

Palm Springs, California

Palm Springs has one of the highest concentrations of preserved midcentury-modern homes in the world, as the style's emphasis on indoor-outdoor living is perfectly suited for the area's desert climate.

There are some distinctions between the two, though: Mid-century modern furniture refers especially to furniture designs that are contemporary and utilitarian, with clean lines and basic shapes. Mid-century furniture often refers to furniture pieces that were developed and produced during the mid-20th century.

Oak is widely used in mid-century modern furniture and is still hugely popular today. One thing you can be certain of when you buy oak furniture is that it'll be in your family for generations so long as you give it the right care.

Defined by simple, functional, and wooden furniture, midcentury modern still remains a popular interior design choice today. Now, we see many replicas of midcentury modern furniture on the market, but the real deal is still extremely popular (and valuable!), too.

A midcentury modern house plan is characterized by a very wide, low footprint with large, open spaces, floor-to-ceiling windows, and an emphasis on bringing the outdoors in. Although midcentury modern architecture boomed all across America from 1945 to 1969, it's seen a major resurgence in recent years.

Mid-century modern (MCM) is a movement in interior design, product design, graphic design, architecture and urban development that was popular in the United States and Europe from roughly 1945 to 1970 during the United States's post-World War II period.