Decorating Home Decor Shopping Guides Vintage Style

TOP 40 FINDS: MID-CENTURY MODERN DECOR

Mid-century modern style means sleek lines, rich wood tones, geometric shapes, and bold accents.  Here are my top mid-century modern decor picks so that you can create those stylish retro vibes in your own home! 

Title reading, "40 mid-century modern decor finds for your home" with image of a room styled in MCM fashion. Abstract art on the wall, a small wooden console table, a modern black chair, a round ottoman, and a plant on the floor.

This “Friday Favorites” is all about mid-century modern decor and furnishings! Although my home doesn’t have a lot of mid-century modern elements (I guess you would call my style “vintage-eclectic with a hint of farmhouse”), I am in love with the style!  If I ever get my wish of buying a vacation rental/vacation home, it will 100% be styled with MCM decor.

{This article may contain affiliate links to products I know and love.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.  See my full disclosure policy here.} 

WHAT IS MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE?

Mid-century modern is a popular interior design style, loved for its simplicity and retro vibes since the Post-WWII era. It was designed with functionality taking priority over frills and incorporates opposing elements that blend beautifully – think geometric shapes paired with organic lines or warm teak wood paired with smooth metal finishes.

What are some of the main elements of MCM design?

  • Geometric lines and shapes mixed with organic curves
  • Statement pieces, like starburst chandeliers or the classic Eames lounging chair
  • Bold pops of color accents 
  • “Sleekness” instead of intricate details and ornamentation 
  • Open spaces
  • Mix-and-matched materials (think natural vs. manmade materials, like a natural wood dining table paired with plastic or acrylic dining chairs)

These are just some ideas to get you started – now let’s talk about where you can find mid-century modern decor…

Title reading "The best of 2023 mid-century modern home decor finds" with an image of a licing room with a TV on a MCM tv stand, multiple potted plants on the floor, and a slat back wooden chair upholstered in muted orange fabric.
Title reading "Mid-century modern: 40 decor finds for MCM aesthetic" and image of a teal wall with a multicolored, modern clock on it. The bottom of the photo shows part of a table top or nightstand with several small mid-century modern decor items on it - a mini green chair, a taupe vase, a wooden monkey, a tall yellow figurine, a shorter red candlestick holder.

WHERE TO SOURCE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN DECOR

If you’re going for true mid-century pieces, check out your local thrift store, antique mall, or furniture donation stores.  This is especially true for furniture – you may get lucky and find a piece in mint condition.  Even if you find vintage furniture with a lot of wear, consider restoring it with a tutorial on how to stain furniture.

Estate sales are another gold mine for MCM decor and furniture.  I’ve even been to estate sales where the entire house was full of original MCM furniture and decor.  It was like walking onto the set of The Brady Bunch – super groovy!

Lastly, online stores like eBay and Etsy offer mid-century decor and furniture.  The furniture may be costly to ship, but worth it if you’re looking for a specific piece that you can’t find locally. Some of my favorite Etsy stores that offer mid-century modern goods are:

  • OmasaProjects – Mid Century Modern furniture and artifacts out of Brooklyn, New York
  • Retro Revival SRQ – Mid Century, Danish Modern, Post Modern, & Vintage out of Sarasota, Florida
  • Atomic Martini – Mid Century Modern with a splash of shoes and metal out of LA, California

Vintage pieces look best when mixed with modern ones so that you keep a fresh, modern aesthetic.  With that in mind, here are some of my favorite MCM finds that would pair perfectly with vintage decor or as stand-alone accents in your space:

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE

Tapered legs, natural curves, warm wood tones and metal are some of the characteristics of MCM furniture. Here are my picks:

MID-CENTURY MODERN LIGHTING

Lighting can make all the difference in a room – both functionally and aesthetically. These pendants, chandeliers, floor lamps, and table lamps will make a statement in any room!

MID-CENTURY MODERN TEXTILES

Rugs, curtains, throws, and pillows are where you can get creative with color, texture, and patterns. Here are some of my favorite finds from Amazon:

MCM WALL DECOR

These wall decor items follow the same elements of MCM design but many are neutral enough to blend into other interior styles as well – like modern, boho, Hollywood glam, or Scandinavian.

MCM DECOR ACCENTS

Accent pieces like these will bring the look together. Remember, MCM is about open space, clean lines, and less “frills” so don’t overdo it with accent decor – add just the right pieces in the right places to accentuate the theme.

Hope you enjoyed my roundup of MCM decor and places to source vintage mid-century modern decor!  If rustic Farmhouse style is more your speed, check out this post on Thrifted Farmhouse Decor.

Share: