How To Add Depth & Dimension To A Mid-Century Style Living Room

With the growing popularity of minimalism as an interior design style, it was only a matter of time until mid-century interiors made a comeback, and we’re happy to report that that highly-anticipated resurgence has finally arrived.

Even more exciting is that this new wave of mid-century-inspired interiors seems to have brought with it delightfully modern trends that tie in the finer details of traditional mid-century design. To elaborate, mid-century interiors were always defined by streamlined design elements and organic shapes. From the birth of the design style during the post-war period spanning from the 1940s to the 1960s, mid-century interiors have consistently been characterised by their emphasis on utilitarian design elements.

Cut to today, and modern interior designers experimenting with the mid-century resurgence have seemed to strike a balancing act with keeping simplicity but avoiding flatness. We believe the way to ensure that balance is struck is by paying attention to the finer details. So without further ado, here are our top tips for adding dynamic depth and dimensionality to your own modern mid-century-inspired interiors and imbuing this beloved interior design style with a vibrant second life.

Layering Textures

As traditional mid-century design schemes typically utilise wooden furniture, incorporating comparatively softer materials can provide great contrast and provide a strong foundation for practicing layering in your interiors.

These softer items that help tie in varied textures include modern or even era-appropriate rugs, romantic lace or cotton sheer curtains with matching romantic curtain brackets and finials for an extra timeless touch, and a variety of textured modern and classic upholstery. Why not create tactile interest with a textured statement lounge? Or a timeless shaggy rug? And for a pop of colour and patterns, consider adding pillows with a geometric pattern. This contrast between hardwood and fabrics can create the illusion of dimension in your space whilst keeping the simplicity of the mid-century style. 

Keep in mind, however, that you can also layer your traditional mid-century wood furniture with other hard-wearing materials that still provide contrast. For instance, traditional natural materials such as wood, leather, or wool, contrasting with more modern materials like glass or even classic steel-footed furniture create interesting layering opportunities that can reflect your personal style within the mid-century aesthetic. Whether you opt for hard materials or soft, textured materials or a dynamic combination of the two, using varied materials is a simple yet undeniably effective way to create texture and depth within any mid-century living space. 

Lighting up your room

Lighting can make or break any interior design scheme, and mid-century-inspired designs are no exception here. Thankfully, mid-century living rooms utilise a wide variety of lighting solutions, so you should be able to experiment freely with pendant lights, floor lamps, and even modern downlights for a clashing of modern 20th century elements to really personalise your living space.

When it comes to using lighting to add depth and dimension, however, keep these key considerations in mind. Firstly, it’s important to consider using a variety of lighting sources. This could include natural light, ambient light, and even accent lighting. Having a wide range of ways to illuminate the room allows for the space to be dynamic and adaptable to different moods and situations. When examining lighting fixtures for a mid-century inspired room,you really can’t go past a staple like a Sputnik chandelier, as they can work to spotlight different areas of your living space, or even hide those more plain corners, helping establish depth with ease.

Secondly, there are many diverse lighting options that go beyond your typical ceiling fixtures – be sure to use them! Large floor lamps can help bring a space a more intimate feel by highlighting a specific aspect or design choice within your living room. A table lamp can be a statement piece of its own with clear cut lines and simplistic design.

And finally, and now moving beyond artificial light – don’t forget to consider your living space’s natural light sources and how best to utilise them during daylight hours. Here, investing in lightweight window coverings like sheer curtains or even sunscreen blinds are a no-brainer as these can create openness within your space. This openness can, in turn, provide your mid-century living room with a fittingly bright and airy atmosphere. 

Curved Lines and Shapes

Creating dimension would not be possible without utilising curved lines and shapes in your design choices. However, it can be hard to know how to include these elements without going against the minimalist or utilitarian aspects of mid-century design. But one of the great additional trends to this modern resurgence of mid-century design is that designers are incorporating more organically shaped design elements like curved furniture. 

A uniquely shaped lounge can easily transform an otherwise flat room into an interesting and dynamic space. Returning to mid-century or even ‘70s-inspired interior spaces, a curved sofa when styled correctly can transform into a modern take on conversation pits. 

Whilst angular furniture with sharp edges are usually favoured, a statement lounge in a kidney shape can be a unique addition to your mid-century room. And remember what we said about tactile textures? Be sure to consider the material used for these larger items as they can also add depth to any space. 

Similarly, linear elements with softer edges to contrast is a great way to add depth to a space. In addition, with any room that you wish to add depth to, a simple mirror is a great asset. A circular or oval shaped mirror placed upon the longest wall in your living space is an easy way to create the illusion of more depth and light in your mid-century living space. 

Contrast is key when designing dynamic and dimensional mid-century living spaces

Utilising these tips and tricks can help you avoid the pitfall of a flat and stale living room space. Whilst mid-century style principles are refined, a living space should be a reflection of you and your personality. So go ahead and add a splash of colour or texture that makes you enjoy your space to its full potential. This personal touch is what’s going to transform mid-century properties into timeless and unique homes that offer versatile styling potential.