The best Mid-century modern furniture is beautiful for its simplicity. Sleek lines, pared back colours and simple textures are how it all began, but we're now seeing the classic shapes being given a modern, colourful twist. We call it Mid-century modern.
If you're up for a little bit of history, the style was formed between the 1930s and 1960s (as the name suggests). The end of the war brought changing economies, technological advances and a demand for modern, well-designed furniture for the masses, and so with functionality at its heart and a nod to organic shapes and clean lines, the Mid-century style was born. And we, as a nation, have never looked back.
From the broad range of Mid-century style furniture out there, we've compiled an edit of the absolute best online, so you can embrace the style with confidence (and ease). From armchairs to beds, dining tables to desks, we've gathered the best of each staple piece of furniture, so if there's just one Mid-century-inspired piece you're going to invest in, it should really be one of these....
Perfect for creating a cosy reading nook and turning an empty corner into a focal point, this chair from John Lewis ticks all our Mid-century modern furniture style boxes. The angular solid oak frame is also available is pale wood, for a brighter, more contemporary look. We love how they've given the simple design a modern twist by layering patterned cushions for extra cosiness.
If you don’t have a dining table in your home, then you may find the Flippa Functional coffee table by Made to be a useful addition to your living space. It is huge, and the two top sections lift to create a taller surface, so whether you're having dinner or tea and cake, it's an ideal choice. Plus it has tonnes of storage, keeping your living area tidy, too.
This staple piece is timeless, and will sit back in your scheme no matter how many times you redecorate. The walnut finish, rounded legs and brass details definitely make this West Elm bar cart a Mid-century inspired party-ready masterpiece. Simply fill it with cut crystal glasses and your favourite drinks' bottles to complete the look. It also have two wheels, meaning it's easy to move around your space and mix up your layout as required.
Find more Mid-century modern bar carts in our buyer's guide.
This stylish three-seater sofa has a simple click-clack mechanism, so you can lay the back flat to create a comfortable bed for guests in seconds. Just what we need when a friend needs to stay over at the last minute! We're loving the button back design, while the slim pale wood legs and gorgeous orange colour maintain its modern feel. Whether you're looking to maximise space in a small living room, or you want to make your spare bedroom a useful area even when you haven't got guests, this design is our sofa bed winner for both functionality and style.
This solid oak dining table from John Lewis seats four and can easily fold out to seat six, making it perfect for entertaining. The unique pattern of the wood grain on the table top gives a simple design an unusual twist and the contrasting colour of the legs adds interest. This table is perfect for a Mid-century inspired open-plan kitchen-diner, allowing you to extend or fold away as necessary.
You can also complete the look with matching dining chairs, also from the Duhrer range.
There's a ton of Mid-century modern inspired bedside tables out there, but what makes this one special is the solid marble table top. The sleek and angular Mid-century inspired lines, combined with the elegance of marble, is a sure winner. The varying nature of real marble will ensure each piece has a unique vein pattern and its reflective nature will bounce light around your bedroom, making it feel bigger.
With more and more of us working from home, it's all the more important that we have a practical desk space where we can escape and concentrate. But, of course, there's no need to compromise on style. This Mid-century modern design is minimal and sleek, the paler wood offering a more contemporary twist to classic Mid-century style as we know it. We love the secret storage – the white front is actually a drawer, and the open shelf is the perfect hideaway for stowing away your laptop.
Tapping into that Mid-century modern vibe, this colourful statement sofa is the perfect blend of simple, functional lines and a contemporary pop of colour. We love this bright sunshine shade that's sure to brighten even the darkest and coldest of nights. With the added benefit of luxurious velvet upholstery that's super soft and brings a touch of elegance too, it's easy to see why this design comes out on top.
Can you get more of an iconic shape than this one? The pale wood and the teal upholstery create an instant calming space, and the simple open-armed design will make a small space seem bigger. While it may seem like an expensive purchase, an Ercol piece really is an investment, so if you're looking to move away from that 'fast fashion' mindset, a classic and timeless sofa like this is a great way to go.
While it’s easy for a wooden bed frame to adopt a straight laced, regimented appearance, this number from Ercol has been given plenty of character and charm to make it a great addition to any bedroom. Made from quality light oak with matching grains and textures, this bed emanates quality and superior design. Part of the charm is its shapely spindle headboard, creating that angular, Mid-century feel.
Keeping things simple and sweet is always a good way to go, especially in the room in the home that's most susceptible to chaos – the kids' bedrooms. This pared back, headboard free design is an ideal base for a fuss-free sleep set-up. We don't think this stunning design should be reserved for the kids however, so if you've got a smaller room or solo sleepers, this minimal bedframe will maximise space while looking stylish.