How to Get Midcentury Modern Style On Any Budget
Whether you can spend a lot or a little, it’s easy to give your home a trendy—and timeless—midcentury influence. Here, ten tips for getting this livable look at every price point.
Take Your Time
Steal the Style Signatures
Mix Old and New
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.
Shop Strategically
"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!"
Mix it Up
"I love mixing authentic midcentury pieces with reproductions to make a space feel fresh and not too much like a time capsule," says designer Aletha VanderMaas. "The bold, blue sectional sofa and matching ottoman complement the orange brick wall, which is an original feature in this midcentury modern home. The vintage end tables that flank the sofa give the room a retro vibe—and were both Craigslist finds for less than $50 each. The assortment of graphic pillows makes the space feel more modern and not stuck in the 1960s. And the reproduction Sputnik light fixture is from Practical Props in Los Angeles, and is certainly the focal piece of the entire living room."
Cook Up Some Midcentury Flavor
Be Flexible
Update the Architecture
Let the Location In
Start With One Piece

Photo By: Chris Nguyen, AnalogDialog