Brett Mountain
Mid-sized urban dark wood floor enclosed dining room photo in Detroit with beige walls

Trendy l-shaped light wood floor kitchen photo in Boston with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, green cabinets, stainless steel countertops, stainless steel appliances and an island

Mid-century modern design isn’t just a trend—it’s a legacy that’s endured for over half a century! Emerging in the post-WWII era, it introduced a bold new way of living, combining simplicity, function, and natural beauty. Shaped by movements like the Bauhaus, International Style, and Scandinavian minimalism, mid-century design emphasized clean lines, organic shapes, and purposeful materials. Designers and architects like Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, and Arne Jacobsen were instrumental in the era, pushing forward design trends that were both aesthetically pleasing and accessible to the masses. This era wasn’t just about furniture—it was a holistic approach to living that celebrated innovation, optimism, and a break from traditional design norms. Fast forward to today, and the allure of mid-century modern design continues to captivate homeowners and designers alike.

Kimberley Bryan
Living room - 1960s living room idea in Los Angeles with white walls

Mid-century modern design isn’t just a trend—it’s a legacy that’s endured for over half a century! Emerging in the post-WWII era, it introduced a bold new way of living, combining simplicity, function, and natural beauty. Shaped by movements like the Bauhaus, International Style, and Scandinavian minimalism, mid-century design emphasized clean lines, organic shapes, and purposeful materials. Designers and architects like Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, and Arne Jacobsen were instrumental in the era, pushing forward design trends that were both aesthetically pleasing and accessible to the masses. This era wasn’t just about furniture—it was a holistic approach to living that celebrated innovation, optimism, and a break from traditional design norms. Fast forward to today, and the allure of mid-century modern design continues to captivate homeowners and designers alike.

The owners of this 1956 ranch home in Atlanta partnered with Copper Sky Design + Remodel to modernize the space while enhancing its mid-century character. The standout feature of the project is the kitchen, where a custom curved wood tambour island adds a striking retro element. This open-concept space is warmed by wood ceiling beams and tongue-and-groove planks, creating a blend of mid-century charm and modern functionality. The adjacent breakfast nook offers a cozy spot for morning coffee, while geometric tile patterns and asymmetrical designs throughout the kitchen honor the home's original era. The remodel included reconfiguring the floor plan to add practical spaces like a laundry room, jack-and-jill bathroom, and pantry. The primary bathroom was updated with retro-inspired hexagon tiles, tying the room's design into the home's mid-century aesthetic. In the entryway, a vibrant front door and modern tile work, paired with clerestory windows, create a bright and welcoming atmosphere. On the exterior, new wood-look garage doors and vintage breeze blocks enhance the home's curb appeal, while a fresh coat of paint ties everything together. These thoughtful updates to both the interior and exterior reflect a harmonious balance between mid-century nostalgia and modern living.

Custom locally built dining table designed by For a family wanting a dramatic entry and dining room, but with requirements that it be an indestructible venue for weekly brunches with guest lists including small children! Our first solution was to create a contrasting border integral to the hardwood floor, in lieu of an area rug. From there, we introduced furniture in resilient materials such as fiberglass chairs and a locally made custom table of Heather's design in reclaimed hardwood, steel and acrylic. Luxurious drapes, dramatic accessories and a chandelier with glimmer added the required panache. Interior design by Heather Garrett Interior Design. Custom original dining table designed by Heather Garrett available through Heather Garrett Interior Design. Contact us for more information. Photography by John Bessler

With the expansion of the patio, a great place was created for a conversation area under the shade of an umbrella. Renn Kuhnen Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized 1960s backyard concrete patio remodel in Milwaukee

Lincoln Barbour
Living room - mid-sized 1960s open concept living room idea in Portland with orange walls, a wall-mounted tv, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace

BeachHaus is built on a previously developed site on Siesta Key. It sits directly on the bay but has Gulf views from the upper floor and roof deck. The client loved the old Florida cracker beach houses that are harder and harder to find these days. They loved the exposed roof joists, ship lap ceilings, light colored surfaces and inviting and durable materials. Given the risk of hurricanes, building those homes in these areas is not only disingenuous it is impossible. Instead, we focused on building the new era of beach houses; fully elevated to comfy with FEMA requirements, exposed concrete beams, long eaves to shade windows, coralina stone cladding, ship lap ceilings, and white oak and terrazzo flooring. The home is Net Zero Energy with a HERS index of -25 making it one of the most energy efficient homes in the US. It is also certified NGBS Emerald. Photos by Ryan Gamma Photography

The kitchen was designed two years ago and was then erased and redesigned when the world became a different place a year later. As everyone attempted to flatten the curve, our goal in this regard was to create a kitchen that looked forward to a sharp curve down and of a happier time To that promise for happier times, the redesign, a goal was to make the kitchen brighter and more optimistic. This was done by using simple, primary shapes and circular pendants and emphasizing them in contrast, adding a playful countenance. The selection of a dynamic grain of figured walnut also contributes as this once-living material and its sinuous grain adds motion, rhythm, and scale. Proud of their 1970s home, one challenge of the design was to balance a 1970's feel and stay current. However, many ‘70s references looked and felt outdated. The first step was a changed mindset. Just like the return of the ‘40s bath and the retro movement a few years ago, every era returns in some way. Chronologically, the '70s will soon be here. Our design looked to era-specific furniture and materials of the decade. Figured walnut was so pervasive in the era: this motif was used on car exteriors such as the 1970 Town and Country Station Wagon, which debuted the same year the existing home was built. We also looked at furniture specific to the decade. The console stereo is referenced not only by high legs on the island but also by the knurled metal cabinet knobs reminiscent of often-used stereo dials. Knurled metalwork is also used on the kitchen faucet. The design references the second piece of '70s furniture in our modern TV tray, which is angled to face the television in the family room. Its round pencil and mug holder cutouts follow the design of walnut consoles and dashboard of the station wagon and other elements of the time.

Carlos Domenech
Example of a large trendy gender-neutral medium tone wood floor and beige floor kids' room design in Miami with white walls

BeachHaus is built on a previously developed site on Siesta Key. It sits directly on the bay but has Gulf views from the upper floor and roof deck. The client loved the old Florida cracker beach houses that are harder and harder to find these days. They loved the exposed roof joists, ship lap ceilings, light colored surfaces and inviting and durable materials. Given the risk of hurricanes, building those homes in these areas is not only disingenuous it is impossible. Instead, we focused on building the new era of beach houses; fully elevated to comfy with FEMA requirements, exposed concrete beams, long eaves to shade windows, coralina stone cladding, ship lap ceilings, and white oak and terrazzo flooring. The home is Net Zero Energy with a HERS index of -25 making it one of the most energy efficient homes in the US. It is also certified NGBS Emerald. Photos by Ryan Gamma Photography

Merrick Ales
Living room - 1950s open concept light wood floor living room idea in Austin with a wall-mounted tv

Everywhere you look in this home, there is a surprise to be had and a detail worth preserving. One of the more iconic interior features was this original copper fireplace shroud that was beautifully restored back to it's shiny glory. The sofa was custom made to fit "just so" into the drop down space/ bench wall separating the family room from the dining space. Not wanting to distract from the design of the space by hanging a TV on the wall - there is a concealed projector and screen that drop down from the ceiling when desired. Flooded with natural light from both directions from the original sliding glass doors - this home glows day and night - by sun or by fire. From this view you can see the relationship of the kitchen which was originally in this location, but previously closed off with walls. It's compact and efficient, and allows seamless interaction between hosts and guests.

Inspiration for a contemporary living room remodel in New York with white walls

Photos by Philippe Le Berre
Example of a large mid-century modern light wood floor and brown floor dining room design in Los Angeles with green walls and no fireplace

BeachHaus is built on a previously developed site on Siesta Key. It sits directly on the bay but has Gulf views from the upper floor and roof deck. The client loved the old Florida cracker beach houses that are harder and harder to find these days. They loved the exposed roof joists, ship lap ceilings, light colored surfaces and inviting and durable materials. Given the risk of hurricanes, building those homes in these areas is not only disingenuous it is impossible. Instead, we focused on building the new era of beach houses; fully elevated to comfy with FEMA requirements, exposed concrete beams, long eaves to shade windows, coralina stone cladding, ship lap ceilings, and white oak and terrazzo flooring. The home is Net Zero Energy with a HERS index of -25 making it one of the most energy efficient homes in the US. It is also certified NGBS Emerald. Photos by Ryan Gamma Photography

Malena Brush Interior Designs
Example of a mid-sized minimalist master ceramic tile bedroom design in Los Angeles with gray walls and no fireplace