Mid-century modern furniture dates back to decades ago, but it always has a timeless and streamlined design that has stayed steadfast up until 2021. This iconic aesthetic elevates any room with an effortless sense of design that feels both familiar and contemporary.
The style dates back to post-WWII times in the 1930s, growing out of early-20th-century Modernism. It remained popular until approximately 1965. Designers like Arne Jacobson and George Nelson helped coin the movement, which was defined by clean, simple lines with memorable details and organic influences. It has a place in the home of minimalists and maximalists alike, with a distinct Mad Men-inspired swagger that’s pleasing to the eye.
Unlike dated furniture fads, this versatile style has persevered throughout the years and will continue to remain coveted as time goes on. That being said, there are endless options to choose from online. Narrowing your choices down while ensuring your mid-century pieces are high quality can be exhausting, which is why we scoured the web for the ultimate curation of new and vintage mid-century modern furniture to fit into your home. Get to know this chic yet functional style for all kinds of budgets.
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Furgle Lounge Chair and Ottoman Mid Century Chair Replica
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Courtesy of Amazon Furgle’s chair and ottoman set work seamlessly in the living room, home office, or man cave of your choice. It’s constructed from plywood and genuine full-grain leather that’s a breeze to clean. Finally, you can finally kick back without a clunky ottoman taking up precious floor space, due to this one’s sleek swivel base. One user calls it the perfect ‘swivel recliner’ chair for both lounging and napping. The sturdy design can hold up to 330 lbs.
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SEI Furniture Harvey Multi-Tonal Credenza
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Courtesy of Amazon The colors on this multi-tonal credenza are swoon-worthy, with equally sumptuous textures on each panel. Inside are three cabinets and cord openings, hidden behind shades like tobacco, espresso, and oak. If your home is looking a little too monochromatic, this piece can help spruce things up without being too bright. It can also be used as a pantry, bar, or TV stand if your TV weighs less than its 90 lb capacity.
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Mercury Row Chiasson 6 Drawer Solid Wood Double Dresser
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Courtesy of Wayfair Looking to replace your old dresser with something a little sleeker and expensive-looking? Mercury’s Row’s mid-century modern solid wood dresser is anything but a bedroom eyesore, standing on tapered dowel legs and adding a rustic appearance to any room. With six drawers, it’s very spacious, and can be used by one person with a large wardrobe, or for a couple to share. One satisfied buyer chose to purchase two as a “His & Hers” pair.
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Mid-Century Entryway Bench
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Courtesy of West Elm This attractive entryway bench can double as a bench to sit on and place for shoe storage, or it can be placed at the foot of your bed like a chaise, storing extra bedding or whatever knickknacks you desire. It’s built from kiln-dried solid eucalyptus wood and engineered wood that features an Acacia veneer. The pull-out drawers are surprisingly spacious, so if organization is a struggle for you, consider this as a sleek solution.
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Mid-Century Modern Leather Show Wood Chair
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Courtesy of West Elm A classic mid-century modern silhouette, this leather and wood chair riffs off all-natural materials that ground it in any space. We also love the highly customizable nature of the cozy yet elegant piece, which allows you to choose from a range of colors, fabrics, and leg styles. The sculptural frame gives way to a wide and comfy seat. The leather exterior is also helpful for those with pets who are looking to avoid fur sticking on their seats.
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West Elm Mid-Century Modern Art Display Round Coffee Table
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Courtesy of West Elm Circular styles were popular during this era, especially during the 50s and 60s. With high-end finishes and rounded silhouettes, a tempered glass top allows you to show off all your coffee table books, magazines, and accessories which lie on the walnut shelf below. Antique bronze legs add a vintage air and a dynamic texture to the piece. It’s understated enough to not overwhelm a room, while still commanding attention, and the two-tiered construction allows you to max-out storage while using the top as a surface for food or drinks.
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Mid-Century Modern Kneehole Desk
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Courtesy of 1st Dibs This 1960s refinished kneehole desk isn’t just a surface to work on — it’s a striking accent piece in its own right. Decadent slate gray and walnut tones are made cohesive by silver-plated handles. One side of the desk features stacked drawers and mimic a filing cabinet, while the other side is more open-concept, with a symmetrical geometric cutout that speaks to the architecture of the era. It’s an eye-catching piece of mid-century modern furniture that provides plentiful desk space for work-from-home folks.
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Marco Zanuso Mid-Century Modern “Triennale Corner” Green Velvet Italian Sofa
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Courtesy of 1st Dibs Looking for just the right amount of drama in your living room? Consider this 1950s mid-century modern curved soda by Marco Zanuso, a renowned Italian industrial designer. A unusual silhouette combined with a romantic, dark green shade (finished in cotton velvet) and pulled together by a solid wood frame with brass legs. New imitations of this European style from the ‘50s are easy to come by, but rarely appear as authentic as genuine pieces like this velvet sofa that are well worth the splurge.
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Large 1960s Brass and Metal Sputnik Ceiling Light
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Courtesy of 1st Dibs This style of chandelier is known as a Sputnik light and it date backs to a time when everyone was competing for the race into space — this satellite-inspired light was a result of that time, featuring multiple arms extending out from a central globe. Each arm holds a bulb, like this ceiling light model here, which is made from metal and brass. Ideal for hanging in a stairwell or over a dining table. The color scheme is flexible for a range of existing styles, ensuring that your new lighting fixture doesn’t look out of place.
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Article Geome Sideboard
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Courtesy of Article A sideboard is a low and long piece of the living room furniture with storage space below. They make fantastic TV or video game consoles, and can even be used as a credenza. However, unlike a credenza, a sideboard is propped up on legs, making it more modern-looking and easier to clean. This wall-secured, push-to-open model from Article is made from oak with gorgeously textured 3D panels that make it an absolute showstopper. Make it your own with adjustable shelves and two convenient cord cutouts on the back.
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Article Nera Walnut Media Unit
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Courtesy of Article If you prefer a surface that doesn’t have a pattern but still has some personality, consider a handsome wood grain like this richly colored walnut one, complete with a subtle chevron pattern on soft-closed stacked drawers, while the other side boasts open concept shelving. Ideal for DVDs or board games, and it also makes for a unique bookshelf. Like most Article products, there’s a convenient cutout for cords. According to buyers, setup takes less than 15 minutes.
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Rove Concepts Evelyn Dining Table
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Courtesy of Rove Concepts If you want to drop jaws, the Evelyn Dining Table by Rove Concepts is a no-brainer. It’s available in two different sizes and luxuriously refined finishes (white marble or black marble) with a sturdy, dark wooden base. It comfortably seats six but still has a narrow silhouette that saves space. If you hate sharp corners, this is for you. One reviewer says, “I am obsessed with the rounded edges instead of 90-degree corners — it’s like I designed a custom table.“
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Article Worthington Oxford Black Sofa
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Courtesy of Article This black Worthington sofa has a little bit of everything — Italian leather seats that are easy to clean and add a sense of elegance, a contrasting wooden frame, and tight piping details that pull the whole thing together. Though it might be made from new and shiny materials, it has all the old-world charm that you want in mid-century modern furniture. The fill is high-density foam, so those with lower back or posture issues won’t sink in excessively.
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Industrial Metal Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Courtesy of Etsy If the all-wood-everything aesthetic isn’t your cup of tea, infuse the style with some metal for a more industrial look that pops. This one still has those classic mid-century legs with wooden details while the top is made from raw steel, offering a more minimalist and modern aesthetic. The steel has a natural patina effect from spot welding, and those who like to get creative with fusions of different styles will appreciate this creation.
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Wrought Studio Turnbridge Mid-Century Modern Wine and Bar Cabinet
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Courtesy of Wayfair Upgrade your basic bar cart to this worn-in bar and cabinet combo that can hold up to 15 bottles of wine while holding your glasses. The side cabinet offers a place to keep hard liquor or mixers, and the shelf above the wine rack lets you hold additional glasses, or showcase some mixology literature. The blocky silhouette is broken up by hairpin legs, which also makes it easier to clean underneath this multi-use wine and liquor cabinet.
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Corrigan Studio Satterfield Wooden Mid-Century Modern 2-Drawer Nightstand
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Courtesy of Wayfair A nightstand isn’t just about decor — it’s a straight-up essential. Where else are you going to put that glass of water so that your mouth doesn’t end up feeling like a desert at 4 am? It helps if that table has some drawers to hold everything from books to glasses. This one is retro meets rustic with a solid acacia wood construction and comes in a set of two. The natural grain on the drawers and legs contrast beautifully with a black frame, and it even comes with padding on the feet to avoid floor scratches.
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Allmodern Jarrell Geometric Handmade Tufted Gray Area Rug
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Courtesy of Wayfair Maybe you’re all set with furniture, but need the right mid-century modern decor to really make your existing pieces pop. Whether you’re starting from scratch or trying to make an old room look brand new, a tufted rug is an ultimate hack to accomplish either. The modern chevron pattern and muted color block panels make for a subtle pop of color that will still please anyone with a preference for neutrals. This rug matches a range of different styles and color schemes and has a pile that feels great on bare feet.
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AllModern Jayce Cross Legs Coffee Table
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Courtesy of Wayfair If completely round coffee tables are too circular for your liking, the Jayce Cross Legs table by AllModern brings a hearty dose of geometry with its round surface. Its striking cross base is made from solid walnut wood, creating a six-pointed star shape that works well with any contemporary design aspects. This one doesn’t have the perk of added storage but looks like a work of art, and can hold all your magazines or books, along with a few cups of Joe. Plus, it doesn’t require any complicated assembly.
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Allmodern Lark Wide Tufted Velvet Armchair
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Courtesy of Wayfair Welcome to your new favorite reading nook. Available in subdued tones like Olive Green, Copen Blue, and Charcoal, you can choose between a velvet finish or a less textured fabric on this armchair. Conical legs provide support, and the base has plenty of space to curl up with a blanket. For those who are often disappointed by the size of smaller armchairs, this spacious alternative will finally meet your needs. Users were also surprised by how attractive the color of the upholstery was since online and in-person shades don’t always match up when it comes to buying the best mid-century modern furniture.
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Mercury Row Yearby 3-Light Linear Pendant
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Courtesy of Wayfair If you find the aesthetic of a chandelier to be too large or busy, think about hanging some linear pendants instead, like these globes which come in a set of three and all hang at different heights to create a waterfall effect. Find the perfect style for your home with black, brass, and chrome finishes to choose from. Some mid-century lighting options look great but only provide a dim glow, but these are brighter than expected. Hang them over a kitchen island, small dining nook, or entryway.
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Alana Bookshelf
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Courtesy of Urban Outfitters The open-concept Alana Bookshelf looks lighter than air and shows off your belongings without taking up a large footprint. Its modular style takes on a 1960s vibe, and the four curved-edge compartments can display speakers, plants, and any trinkets. Artfully piled books would add a boho-chic element — and give you a place to put your literature that’s not the floor. It could also act as a unique alternative to a standing lamp if you place smaller fixtures on the various compartments.
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George Oliver Joplin Wide Armchair
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Courtesy of Wayfair Though it’s described as an armchair, these leather chairs by George Oliver can also be used as an office chair, or even as dining chairs. They’re available in classic mid-century modern furniture colors, including Olive Green and Desert Sandstone, with durable steel legs that have a wood finish. Stitching detail on the arm rest adds an air of sophistication, making this affordable piece look pricier than it actually is. A couple of customers do mention that the seat was a little narrower than expected, which is an important note for plus-sized buyers.