If you want to create an authentic midcentury look—and don’t have the budget for an “instant” collection—get used to going slow. Designer Chris Nguyen shares his own approach: “Persistence and patience were the keys to finding great vintage pieces for the pictured apartment. The best collections are built over time with careful selection from sources such as local and online dealers and even places like eBay and Etsy. Don’t be afraid of pieces that need a little work either, sometimes a little elbow grease or knowing a good furniture restorer will help you get that dream piece sooner and for less money than you think.”

Take a look at midcentury designs and you’ll notice a number of characteristics that are easy to adapt to any space—without investing in a single vintage piece. In this bedroom, for example, designer Jill Greaves created a midcentury look by using a mix or warm wood tones, pops of primary color, and graphic design patterns.

To give her clients Chicago loft a midcentury modern update with a "touch of farmhouse chic," designer Jennifer Talbot turned to a range of sources, combining new pieces with flea market and antique pieces the couple collected over the years. "The key to creating a natural visual balance is a blend of new pieces and things that have been thoughtfully collected. If you vary where you shop for the new pieces the end result will feel personal," she says.

"I find the majority of my vintage pieces at thrift stores," says designer Tasha Schultz, who created this inviting midcentury-influenced living room. "I always have a running list of things I am on the hunt for and dimensions. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t find something at your first stop, vintage hunting requires patience and perseverance!"