Decorating
Smart Ways to Give Your Sleep Space Midcentury Style
Incorporate this enduringly popular era’s most iconic ideas for a contemporary take on midcentury design
The midcentury period, from the mid 1930s to the late 1960s, saw designers reaching for a new, post-war aesthetic geared towards clean lines, organic shapes, natural materials and contemporary patterns. Many of the resulting furniture designs and styles have become modern classics that we’re still happy to include in our homes today.
These tips show it’s easy to add midcentury modern appeal to your bedroom scheme. Key elements to look for include wooden furniture with tapered legs, geometric print fabrics in sludgy colours and dramatic lighting. You don’t have to transform your bedroom into something that resembles a Mad Men set, but instead consider how to integrate your favourite aspects of midcentury design to create a relaxing and imaginative sleep space. Here are 10 ideas to get you started…
These tips show it’s easy to add midcentury modern appeal to your bedroom scheme. Key elements to look for include wooden furniture with tapered legs, geometric print fabrics in sludgy colours and dramatic lighting. You don’t have to transform your bedroom into something that resembles a Mad Men set, but instead consider how to integrate your favourite aspects of midcentury design to create a relaxing and imaginative sleep space. Here are 10 ideas to get you started…
Dresser to impress
Get useful storage with a midcentury feel by incorporating a 1950s sideboard as a dresser in your bedroom. Offset the warm wood with cool-toned accessories, and bring nature inside with leafy plants like this fiddle-leaf fig.
Get useful storage with a midcentury feel by incorporating a 1950s sideboard as a dresser in your bedroom. Offset the warm wood with cool-toned accessories, and bring nature inside with leafy plants like this fiddle-leaf fig.
Better your bedside
A simple and elegant way to tweak your bedroom scheme to give it a midcentury twist is to choose wooden bedside tables with slim drawers and peg legs. Find similar styles in vintage shops or look online. There are plenty of modern variations around, too.
A simple and elegant way to tweak your bedroom scheme to give it a midcentury twist is to choose wooden bedside tables with slim drawers and peg legs. Find similar styles in vintage shops or look online. There are plenty of modern variations around, too.
Select statement lighting
Designers got creative with lighting during the midcentury period, so why not introduce some statement styles in your bedroom? Opt for large ceiling pendants or interesting bedside lamps in organic shapes and metal finishes.
Designers got creative with lighting during the midcentury period, so why not introduce some statement styles in your bedroom? Opt for large ceiling pendants or interesting bedside lamps in organic shapes and metal finishes.
Make it multi-functional
Danish designers of the time sought to create pieces that had both utilitarian and aesthetic merit. This wooden headboard with integrated bedside tables is typical of their brand of multi-functional style. Give your space a further midcentury boost with brass bedside lamps and a graphic print blind.
Danish designers of the time sought to create pieces that had both utilitarian and aesthetic merit. This wooden headboard with integrated bedside tables is typical of their brand of multi-functional style. Give your space a further midcentury boost with brass bedside lamps and a graphic print blind.
Incorporate iconic designs
For a hint of midcentury cool without going all-out, work in iconic designs from the period, such as an Anglepoise lamp or Eames chair.
Explore 11 ways with another midcentury design icon, the Hans J Wegner Wishbone chair
For a hint of midcentury cool without going all-out, work in iconic designs from the period, such as an Anglepoise lamp or Eames chair.
Explore 11 ways with another midcentury design icon, the Hans J Wegner Wishbone chair
Be good with wood
Timber-panelled walls were big in various styles of midcentury homes – from sleek teak in 1950s Palm Springs new builds (ideally combined with a rustic raw stone wall) to the wood-heavy internal architecture of midcentury Finnish designer Alvar Aalto’s home in Helsinki. The look works beautifully in the bedroom, where woody warmth will add a cosy layer.
Timber-panelled walls were big in various styles of midcentury homes – from sleek teak in 1950s Palm Springs new builds (ideally combined with a rustic raw stone wall) to the wood-heavy internal architecture of midcentury Finnish designer Alvar Aalto’s home in Helsinki. The look works beautifully in the bedroom, where woody warmth will add a cosy layer.
Balance dark timber
The favoured teak and walnut woods of this period can sap light, however, especially if your room isn’t particularly bright in the first place. Counter this by using pale, restful shades on the walls and soft furnishings. Although the pastel tones in this bedroom aren’t true to midcentury style, the subtle geometric print carpet and angular headboard help the bedside table look at home.
The favoured teak and walnut woods of this period can sap light, however, especially if your room isn’t particularly bright in the first place. Counter this by using pale, restful shades on the walls and soft furnishings. Although the pastel tones in this bedroom aren’t true to midcentury style, the subtle geometric print carpet and angular headboard help the bedside table look at home.
Mix your eras
Don’t be afraid to add elements of midcentury style even if your home was built in a different era. The bedroom in this Victorian house has a midcentury feel thanks to the clean lines of the headboard and chair combined with bold prints and a glass pendant light.
Don’t be afraid to add elements of midcentury style even if your home was built in a different era. The bedroom in this Victorian house has a midcentury feel thanks to the clean lines of the headboard and chair combined with bold prints and a glass pendant light.
Do your own thing
If you’re attracted to the overall aesthetic of the period but aren’t after an ‘authentic’ interpretation, look for contemporary pieces that echo midcentury shapes. Furniture with tapered legs, neat upholstery and bright patterns will give you the look without the hassle of sourcing originals.
TELL US…
What touches do you think make for a beautiful midcentury-inspired bedroom? Share your ideas in the Comments below.
If you’re attracted to the overall aesthetic of the period but aren’t after an ‘authentic’ interpretation, look for contemporary pieces that echo midcentury shapes. Furniture with tapered legs, neat upholstery and bright patterns will give you the look without the hassle of sourcing originals.
TELL US…
What touches do you think make for a beautiful midcentury-inspired bedroom? Share your ideas in the Comments below.
The midcentury modern palette centred on earthy tones found in nature, such as greens, yellows and browns. Choose warm-coloured linens and upholstery and combine with wooden furniture and white walls for an authentic effect that still feels fresh.
Discover more midcentury modern style tips