Even though most designers anticipated the Mid-Century craze to peter out in 2020, it shows absolutely no sign of stopping. I am so happy to admit that the small-space perfect, functional, and approachable lines of Mid-Century furniture, decor and art are here to stay. But what is mid-century decor exactly??

Mid-century modern is an American design movement in interior, product, graphic design, architecture, and urban development that was popular from roughly 1945 to 1969, during the United States post–World II period. Elements of mid-century modern interior design include clean lines, muted tones, a combination of natural and manmade materials, graphic shapes, vibrant colors, and integrating indoor and outdoor motifs.

Mid-century modern is considered modern design because it still values function over form, but it adds its own unique twist. Mid-century modern uses dynamic decorative accents, unlike more traditional modern design, which favors keeping decorative items to a minimum. Though the term mid-century modern wasn’t coined until the mid-’80s, the era represents a combination of practicality, optimism, earthiness, and Scandinavian-inspired tones and textures.

 The current trends toward urban living seem to be playing a big part in what keeps the midcentury look alive. The designs were originally conceived for the smaller post-war homes, so they tend to be mobile and lightweight in materials. This was so that city resident who moved frequently could easily move pieces back and forth. This part of mid-century modern history is an important detail to why younger consumers love the style so much, and it continues to be popular.