Sleek and simple, contemporary and timeless. These famous mid-century modern product designs look beautiful in almost any space!
Any good design expert will tell you how unique mid-century designs are from other styles. Often defined by clean lines and simple aesthetics, famous mid-century modern furniture designs boast a timeless feel to them. And it is for this reason that they are still treasured and popular in the modern day.
Some of the most famous mid-century modern furniture designs are characterized by simple silhouettes, muted color palettes, and less hardware.
Many mid-century modern designers favored creating furniture that is both elegant and functional. This means that they were focused more on utility over embellishment. Fair to say that the modernist furniture movement led to the advent of simple, useful pieces combined with a stunning, elegant look.
But it’s not like we all have an eye for a specific trend, let alone furniture designs. And given the surge of mid-century-inspired products these days, it seems like everyone fails to recognize the figures who pioneered the movement that we all appreciate today.
In this post, we’ll look at some of the most iconic mid-century furniture pieces you’ll love.
What Is Considered Mid-Century Design?
Let’s start with a brief overview of its history.
Mid-century design or mid-century modern (interchangeable) is a design movement that survived from the 1930s through the 1960s after WWII. With its enduring power, the movement was even carried on into the 1980s. It shaped and introduced fresh ideals into architectural, industrial, and interior designs, as well as graphic arts.
So, what makes something mid-century modern?
Everything with clean lines, smooth curves, and organic forms. Famous mid-century modern furniture designs are recognized for their elegant simplicity and timeless appeal.
Mid-century modern furniture designers junked the intricate and lavish styles that came centuries before the movement peaked. What was left was a fresh generation of minimalism that inspired many European and American designers.
The mid-century modern movement basically kicked older chairs out of interior spaces. And it brought simple, elegant, yet ergonomic furniture in. Due to their timeless appeal, MCM designs are still quite influential in contemporary interior design.
Renowned furniture designers include Charles and Ray Eames, Florence Knoll, Alvar Aalto, Harry Bertoia, Paul Evans, and George Nelson many others. These designers pioneered some of the most famous mid-century modern furniture designs we admire today.
Famous Mid-Century Modern Furniture Designs
There’s a reason why many homeowners and interior designers go with modernist furniture. Their timeless charm adds a homey appeal and beauty to any space.
Let’s take a look at some of them!
Comfy Lounge Chair With Ottoman by Charles and Ray Eames
Also known as 670, this classic design is unrivaled in its kind since its first introduction in 1956 until now. The Eames couple’s modern interpretation of a 19th-century club chair has somehow lasted for decades. And it turned out to be one of the most important furniture designs of the 20th century.
It’s really unmistakable and always interesting and fresh. Not only is it elegant, it’s also comfortable, which reflects the ergonomic aspect of true mid-century furniture.
According to Charles Eames, the chair has “the warm, receptive look of a well-used first baseman’s mitt.”
The lounge chair offers wonderful, lasting comfort due to its unique reclining positioning, excellent pivoting, sufficient cushions, and contouring. It has a design that flexes to accommodate any user preference and level of comfort. The ottoman is just as comfy and luxurious.
And speaking of luxury, this pair is rather expensive. Prepare to spend well over $8,000 if you want to add an authentic Eames Lounge chair to your space. The vintage versions are also sold at around the same price range.
A Simple, Space-Filling Settee by Florence Knoll
Warm and inviting. No one can resist the appeal of a Knoll sofa.
Designed by the creative genius behind one of the 20th century’s most renowned design brands, this ground-breaking furniture design reflects the pattern and scale of mid-century modern architecture. The sofa is totally modern and timeless, with a minimalist, geometric profile.
Knoll sofas fill out spaces in open plans and are functional as it is elegant. They also come in various textures, materials, and sizes. Might cost a leg and an arm, but they’re proven their timeless status for many decades.
This Comfy Daybed Sofa by George Nelson
Elegant, versatile, comfy, and classic. George Nelson originally designed the daybed in 1950. Its revival conforms to the original’s standards and crafted elements including the beveled edges of the wood platform. The daybed’s stainless steel hairpin legs impart the classic Nelson style.
Designed for more comfy lounging, the cushioning got an upgrade from the original. It boasts dual-density foam for additional stability and durability while still being lightweight. It’s a multifunctional furniture that provides a tasteful touch to any space.
One of the best features of this daybed is the detachable back and side bolsters. It quickly converts from a sofa to a bed (hence the name) for a quick nap or a full slumber.
Nelson daybed seems to cost less than the two furniture pieces we’ve mentioned above, with prices starting at $5,400. And, as you might know, every original design has a cheap copy. A good tell-tale sign of a knockoff is the lack of the rounded welt-cord piping on the cushions.
A Chronopak Desk Clock
Gloriously retro and timeless. The Chronopak desk clock is another work of art by Geroge Nelson. It is one of the many beautiful home accessories the designer created. His desk clocks include a variety of these classic styles, providing a contemporary twist over conventional clocks.
How Nelson came up with the unique design is pretty simple. He observed how people used clocks and found that they read time based on the position of the hands. As a result, he adopted a more user-friendly design, eliminating the need for numbers.
He also felt that because most people were wearing wristwatches, clocks had been more of an ornamental accent for interiors.
The beauty in having these clocks in your home is that their designs match their precision, powered by high-quality quartz movements. Their round body offers lovely wood choices. And most of them have floating chrome bases with an appealing, subtle patina.
These clocks are widely available and as you might expect, cost so much more than a desk regular clock. If you already have a sculptural tabletop in your living room or office, the Chronopak desk clock will be a nice accessory and will give your space a bit of 1950s elegance.
These Mythical Diamond Chair Designed by Harry Bertoia in Collaboration With the Knolls
One of the most famous mid-century modern furniture designs that beautified many opulent homes in the 50s is the diamond chair. It was born out of a collaboration by Harry Bertoia and the Knoll couple.
But in 1952, Bertoia was given free rein to create the furnishings. The designer wanted to integrate metal rods into functional art, which resulted in a respected collection of chairs. All that was involved was a few steel tubes, a welding machine, and a stroke of genius to create this iconic design.
Even though the Diamond Chair is built entirely of steel, the lightness of its contours is remarkable. As the genius himself once said, “If you look at these seats, they are made mainly of air, like a sculpture.”
Indeed, it’s an iconic piece. The softly hollowed seat as well as a very fine and chromed base give it an unmatched elegance.
The Classic S-Shaped “Stacking Chairs” by Verner Panton
Also known as Panton Classic chairs, these unique ergonomic pieces feature a distinct, enticing silhouette. The chairs were lauded as a breakthrough and earned multiple awards.
Designed by Verner Panton, his interest in the revolutionary polymer, which could be sculpted into any form and be produced in surplus, inspired him to design this fantasy chair. These cantilevered chairs in laminated, fiberglass-reinforced polyester made their introduction at the Cologne Furniture Fair.
Although it quickly became an icon, it didn’t always have a permanent composition. The furniture designer partnered with Vitra and they worked together to explore various new materials. They were in the quest for maximum durability and ease of manufacture.
The composition oscillated from polyurethane foam to polystyrene and back to polyurethane foam. And eventually to the version we know today. The flexible, sturdy, but more matte polypropylene first hit the market in 1999.
Panton Chair Classic is the original version in stiff polyurethane foam finished with glossy lacquer. The newer polypropylene type costs around $300. And the polyurethane foam version is priced at around $1,600. These chairs look good in any outdoor and indoor space.
Unique Eclectic Chairs by Paul Evans
Paul Evans’ level of craftsmanship and design skill is all over these unique chairs. Combining metals, upholstery, and a good dose of eclecticism, the furniture designer is successful in creating pieces that express creativity in the midst of industrialization. These stalactite-shaped chairs are one of his best pieces.
Evan is best known for his work in bronze, stainless steel, and copper, and was one of the first designers to explore Brutalist design in the 1970s and 1980s. His heavy metal creations are bold and intriguing. He embraced harsh, metal textures in the early years of his career.
And it’s evident in many of his pieces. His creations are furniture but conceptualized as sculptures.
Evan’s work became even more refined as he grew into his craft. He started designing luxury pieces and chairs with dazzling gold-and-silver squares. You’ll see some of his most iconic mid-century modern designs like a 12-foot cabinet in Lenny Kravitz’s Paris townhouse.
Lastly, These Inspiring Ergonomic Chairs by Alvar Aalto
These ergonomic Paimio cantilever chairs by influential figure Alvar Aalto boast a perfect combination of clean lines and curves. But the furniture designer wasn’t just all about the design movement during the mid-century era. The inspiration behind this design was wellness.
When Alvar and his wife were given the commission to design a tuberculosis sanatorium in Paimio, Finland, they planned to handcraft every feature, from door knobs to sinks to chairs. It was kind of like a mission. A project that would take Aalto to the international scene.
These chairs are lightweight and comfy. He designed them by encasing a scrolled bench panel between two U-shaped wood frames. It’s designed as a free cantilever, providing the chair with sturdy support. As a result, it can stand without the use of back legs, a concept formerly reserved for metal furniture.
Although the chair is simple and designed with intention, it is an astounding classic that is widely available in various versions.
Which One Is Your Favorite?
Functionality, ergonomics, and a perfect fusion of industrial and organic materials will give any space a post-war feel.
Which one of the famous mid-century modern product designs above is your favorite? We’d love to know!
FAQs
What patterns are mid-century modern?
Geometric patterns are common in mid-century modern design. The curves and crisp lines are some of the defining features of mid-century furniture.
Famous mid-century modern furniture designs include angular chairs with some curves, long and low couches, as well as tulip tables. Most furniture has tapered and splayed legs. You can also find ones with hairpin legs.
Who was known for mid-century modern design?
There are several mid-century modern icons. These furniture designers sought to create a fresh look that was relevant to the modern day. Florence Knoll, Alvar Aalto, and Charles and Ray Eames are just a few names in the scene.
What are mid-century modern colors?
Colors are important in the craftsmanship of mid-century modern designs. Classic colors include ochre, orange, brown, and mustard yellow. These are earthy tones. They represent the handmade, organic essence of the design style. And they go nicely with other colors and are used for a clean, monochromatic aesthetic.
