We love trends as much as the next person, but sometimes it's good to keep things classic with mid-century interior design. This interior style allows you to incorporate retro pieces into your space. If you're unfamiliar with what mid-century interior décor is, it's furniture and design pieces that are sleek, minimal, and always stylish - and it's inspired by mid-twentieth century design (think the 1930s to the 1970s). Whether you put an incredible wooden cabinet or a modern lamp in your home, you're going to love your space when it's designed with mid-century modern interior design in mind.
At La Redoute mid century modern is our favourite so if you're inspired and ready to learn all about how you can incorporate this look into your home you've come to the right place. Mid century is incredible because its always timeless it combines function and retro aesthetics in a way thats irresistible. your home should be a safe and stylish place for you to enjoy so lets get into all the details about how to transform your space.
Key elements of mid-century interior design
Mid-century design is classic for a reason: it's super stylish and great for all kinds of spaces. Are you new to mid-century interior design? If you are, no problem. We want to give you the basics, so that you're ready to design your home like a pro.
Let's talk through the key elements you should know:
Clean lines and minimalism: mid-century modern design is always focused on sleek, functional furniture with minimal orientation. While other design trends encourage maximalism, mid-century modern is the complete opposite, you want to keep things simple. For example, if you're wondering how to choose a sofa, you want to choose something functional. Maybe a sofa with an ottoman that has storage to keep clutter away.
Organic and geometric forms: when you're choosing pieces for your home, you want to find decor, rugs, and other items that use curved edges, geometric patterns, and streamlined silhouettes. If you're in the market for a rug, look for one with geometric patterns, and follow our rugs buying guide if you need more help.
Natural materials: as you know by now, mid-century modern keeps things simple, so you don't want to reinvent the wheel with materials, you're looking for something classic. Choose materials like wood, metal, glass, and leather. We love pieces like this Casa Mid-Century Leather Armchair because it incorporates leather which is a classic material.
Bold colours and muted tones: just because mid-century modern decor keeps things simple, it doesn't mean that you can't have colour in your space. The key to mid-century modern design is finding a balance between colourful and muted, so mix bold colours with muted colours when designing your home. You're going for vintage, so look at old magazines and pictures to get a feel for what a classic home looked like. If you want more inspiration, here are some more tips for modern vintage décor styling.
How to incorporate mid-century modern interior design into your home
With the basics covered, it's time to get into the fun stuff: discussing how you can transform each unique space in your home. You can create a mid-century bedroom, kitchen, living room, and more. Whether you want to transform every room in your house or you want to transform just one, it's possible to create a mid-century modern space with these tips for each room:
Living room
You want to find the right sofa for your living room, because your sofa will become the central piece in your space. There's nothing better than a perfect sofa, like this Berlin Mid-Century 2 Seater Sofa. Get creative with your sofa by putting cushions on it (preferably geometric, patterned ones). Just because you've chosen a mid-century modern design, doesn't mean you need to keep things plain, so make sure to accessorise your sofa.
There's nothing more fun than choosing the perfect lighting for your space, and when you're designing mid-century spaces, you get to choose between beautiful light fixtures. We love Sputnik-inspired chandeliers and arc floor lamps, but of course there's other pieces you can choose from, so look for ones that speak to you.
If you’re just getting into mid-century modern home design, we recommend you add some contemporary pieces and some vintage pieces to balance out your space.
Kitchen and dining area
When it comes to making your kitchen and dining area mid-century modern, you can't overlook the details! It's crucial to think about everything: from your utensils to your tiles. We love all things mid-century dining sets, so opt for wooden or retro-inspired sets to decorate your table.
Do what you can to give your space a vintage touch with tiles and back splashes, like subway tiles, terrazzo, or marble. Finally, let creative details speak for themselves by choosing mid-century bar carts, equipped with all the mid-century kitchen décor, like glass drink shakers, sleek martini glasses, and all the other bar cart accessories.
Bedroom and personal spaces
Your bedroom should be the most personal space in your entire home. While your entire home should speak to your personal taste, your bedroom needs to be particularly cosy, because it's where you're going to go to bed each night and it's where you're going to wake up every morning.
Choose streamlined bed frames and night stands. On your bed, layer textures with pillows, and layer texture throughout the entire room with rugs and other artwork, as well. To make things extra cosy, add a little reading nook to your space with a mid-century lounge chair.
Where to find mid-century interior decor
Looking to curate your dream mid-century modern space? We’ve put together a quick shopping guide to help you source everything from statement furniture to those finishing touches. Whether you're after vintage originals or contemporary reproductions, there are plenty of ways to bring that iconic mid-century style into your home.
Charity shops: if you’re on a budget, charity shops are a brilliant place to start. While it may take a bit of digging, that’s all part of the charm – and the reward is often a one-of-a-kind find. These pieces can add real character alongside your modern staples.
Auctions: auctions (whether in person or online) can be a treasure trove for mid-century gems. Prices can vary, but you’ll often find high-quality furniture at a fraction of the cost of designer pieces. Just don’t get too caught up in the bidding wars!
Online marketplaces: online marketplaces are another great source for vintage and second-hand décor. Platforms like Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace, and eBay are full of local listings, from bargain finds to near-new mid-century styles. Just be quick as good pieces don’t stay around for long.
La Redoute: once you’ve picked up your vintage treasures, head to La Redoute to complete the look. Our mid-century inspired collection combines timeless style with affordability and quality – perfect for mixing old and new with ease.
Mistakes to avoid when decorating in mid-century style
Your home will always feel special when it reflects your personal style, but there are a few common pitfalls to watch out for when decorating in a mid-century modern way.
First up, try not to overload your space with too many vintage pieces. Retro finds are distinctive and full of character, but too many can end up competing for attention rather than standing out.
Next, don’t overlook functionality. Mid-century modern design is all about combining form and function, so aim for furniture that looks great and works hard too (think coffee tables with storage or sleek sideboards).
Finally, pay attention to your colour palette. Mid-century interiors often pair neutral tones like black, navy, brown and white with bold accents in red, yellow or blue. Primary colours work well when used sparingly to highlight key features without overpowering the space.
Ready to bring the mid-century design to life? Choose La Redoute
Now you’ve got a better feel for the mid-century look – and how to avoid the usual decorating mistakes. You know how to bring in retro character while keeping things fresh, practical and stylish.
At La Redoute, we’re here to help make your ideas a reality. Our mid-century inspired collection is full of timeless pieces that are as affordable as they are beautiful. Whether you're just getting started or adding the finishing touches, you'll find something to love.
