Midcentury Modern Bedroom Ideas

A mid-century modern bedroom utilizes sleek, clean lines and minimal decor.

Mid-century modern design aesthetic developed as early as the 1930s, but is more closely associated with urban design and architecture of the 1950s and 1960s. Mid-century modern designs celebrate simplicity and minimalism by creating cohesive spaces with seamlessly integrated elements from floor to ceiling. Bedrooms designed in this style create clean, calm spaces through monochromatic color schemes, sleek architectural lines and limited embellishments on furniture or accessories.

Floors, Walls and Ceilings

The general landscape of the room as defined by floors, walls and ceilings should incorporate a muted color scheme with a limited number of patterns or textures. Though carpet is a traditional choice for most bedroom flooring, avoid highly textured or brightly colored carpet that may make the room feel dated. Very light or very dark wood floors or even solid-color tile are more appropriate choices. Keep wall colors simple and monochromatic; choose neutral colors such as white, cream, light gray, slate or beige. To create an unexpected color contrast, paint the wall behind the bed in a bright accent color like lime or burnt orange. Match other details such as bedspreads or area rugs to the accent wall color to create cohesion. Avoid textured ceilings or harsh overhead lighting; keep ceilings simple by painting them white or light gray.

Fabrics

Bedroom fabrics can dramatically alter the design aesthetic of a room. Because most mid-century modern bedrooms utilize monochromatic paint schemes, choose fabrics that introduce unexpected and bold uses of color and geometric patterns. Avoid floral or pastel patterns that are more in line with traditional or colonial styles. Instead, opt for curtains in rich colors such as sapphire blue or red; incorporate repeating geometric shapes like circles into drapes and bedspreads. A bedspread that offers a stark contrast creates color dimension; for example, select a black and red bedspread for a white or gray room, or opt for a gray bedspread with neon yellow accents to add color to the space. Also consider incorporating small area rugs in bright solid colors and unexpected or asymmetrical shapes.

Furniture

Mid-century modern bedroom furniture is minimalistic and sleek; avoid ornate wooden bedframes or headboards with significant carving or inlay work. Instead, select low-sitting bedframes in painted wood for a clean, simple look; black, white, red or blue box bedframes without headboards or footboards offer a sleek yet understated look. Match simple box nightstands and bureaus to the bed frame to create cohesion. To add interest, choose small piece of accent furniture such as a chair in an unexpected material such as brushed steel or plastic. Don't add too much furniture to the space; store items in built-in closets or under-bed drawers to avoid clutter.

Additional Decor

Mid-century modern style incorporates a minimal selection of additional decor into bedroom design. Keep dressers, nightstands and desks free of clutter or miscellaneous items. Select one or two dramatic and interesting pieces of art and display them in a dominant area of the room. Wire or metal wall hangings formed into abstract trees or suns add a dramatic visual and textural contrast to a room. Reproductions of bright artwork by modern artists such as Andy Warhol or Frank Stella in simple black frames also add color, vibrancy and sophistication to your mid-century modernist bedroom.

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