Mid-century chic: Bringing the 1950s, 60s and 70s into our living rooms, bedrooms and kitchens

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Mid-century modern design is topping many 2023 trend lists, and this era’s sleek lines, bold shapes and vintage nods look fabulous in new homes and condos when you bring in the right flair. Here’s how to create the look.

Choose colour palettes that evoke mid-century vibes

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Many popular shades from the 1950s through to the 1970s still look current today, says Niki Panagiotopoulos, owner of Wish Decor Interior Design. For example, mustard yellow, turquoise, olive green, and certain shades of red and tangerine orange can add the perfect pop of colour. Neutral and earthy hues also fit into mid-century modern decor because they reflect the handcrafted, organic nature of this period.

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“Earthy browns, soft whites and grays complement and pair well with the bolder colours,” she explains. “Together, they work to set that mid-century modern vibe.”

Add some wow factor with wallpaper

Geometric patterns appear everywhere in mid-century design, and wallpaper with this motif can instantly perk up a wall or a powder room, suggests Panagiotopoulos.

“The combination of striking shapes with strong accent hues creates a statement look that adds a punch to interiors,” she says.

“Because the patterns tend to be bold and graphic, they make the most impact on accent walls in bedrooms, or as a backsplash in a bar or coffee station.”

The interesting shapes and patterns also work well in children’s rooms, craft rooms and even in eclectic dining rooms when other décor elements are solid and neutral in tone, adds Panagiotopoulos. She suggests placing a vibrant geometric print behind a sideboard in a living room or console table in a front entrance.

“You can enjoy these fun patterns as a welcoming, fresh and interesting visual complement to these spaces without it being too busy or overwhelming, since the patterns will cover smaller areas,” she says.

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Get more bang for your shopping budget

Searching for statement pieces or a few groovy accessories? Check out online marketplaces and vintage shops for great finds. Look for symmetrical shapes and vivid patterns, solid wood items, tapered legs and a low profile to create a sophisticated look in your home.

For furniture, lamps and light fixtures, accessories and other decorative objects, Panagiotopoulos suggests browsing at Showroom Montreal, Maison Prunelle, Chez Lamothe and L’Antiquité Curiosité – all carry pieces for every room of your home at different price points.

mid-century living room
Neutral and earthy hues fit into mid-century modern decor because they reflect the handcrafted, organic nature of this period. – PHOTO: NIKI PANAGIOTOPOULOS, WISH DECOR INTERIOR DESIGN. PHOTOGRAPHER: COREY KAMINSKI

“West Elm is well-known for a nice mix of both modern and mid-century modern. One of my favorite online retailers for good quality mid-century modern furniture is Article.com, and RoveConcepts.com is a great Canadian online resource for mixing mid-century modern and more contemporary furniture pieces,” she says.

Don’t be afraid to mix styles

Panagiotopoulos says there are no rules dictating that a room must reflect only one style. Instead, you can blend items from different periods to create a unique look that adds depth and interest to your space.

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“If everything is in the same style, it can feel flat or boring. It can be fun and more interesting to mix and match eras and styles for a look that perfectly reflects your style,” she explains.

Because modern design dictates that form follows function, any modern elements can work together beautifully, she adds. So, if you inherit a sleek 1960s wood console, don’t be afraid to pair it with a modern sofa, a pair of antique wing chairs or some retro vases or sculptures.

“If you’re placing furniture of different eras in one space, consider distributing the pieces equally throughout the room. This way, it will look and feel like one cohesive aesthetic instead of seeing an overwhelming difference in styles from one area of the space to another,” she advises.

Be mindful of scale and how the sizes of different objects relate to each other and to the space they’re in. It’s also helpful to select one or two pieces you love, and then carefully build around those pieces.

“Make sure you have an equal distribution of pieces from the different styles around the room. Choosing a common thread – like the same colour or repetition in a certain shape – helps create a cohesive look that helps the styles come together in a curated way,” says Panagiotopoulos.

If you’re not sure how to incorporate what you have, reach out to a designer, suggests Panagiotopoulos.

“Many designers offer styling packages that are very affordable. At Wish Decor, we offer a service designed to work with what a client already has and then suggest a few accessories or pieces they can acquire on their own to help create a space they love to spend time in,” she says.

This story was created by Content Works, Postmedia’s commercial content division.

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