Mid-century furniture is one of the most sought-after styles in the interior world.
Clean lines, stylised minimalist designs and rich wooden tones define the aesthetic, which has come to dominate luxury homes across the globe. If you have binge-watched Daisy Jones & The Six, Mad Men or That 70s Show, you’ll be well-acquainted with the lure of mid-century mood boards.
The design movement came to fruition after the Second World War. From 1945, the onus was placed on functionality in the home. Simplicity was key and new materials such as velvet became more readily available due to the advent of mass production.
However, this didn’t mean that form and colour were shelved. Mid-century furniture featured pops of vibrant colour and distinctive teak wood structures, which elevated and animated austere surroundings.
Previously popular floral motifs and fellow fussy prints were replaced with the cool, casual style of mid-century (now considered retro) furniture items. Ergonomic pieces such as the era-defining Eames chair, narrow sideboards in caramel-coloured wood and warm colour palettes of orange, yellow and chartreuse came to summarise the period. The furniture fad lasted until the 1970s, when the buzz surrounding mid-century style began to die down.
While original vintage mid-century pieces remain hard to get your hands on, modern brands have recreated their own mid-century stock for consumers to shop. Known as mid-century modern, high street heroes such as John Lewis and Urban Outfitters have championed this new wave of minimalist wooden pieces. For the real deal, head to Vinterior or 1stDibs with your wallet stacked and at the ready.
Mid-century furniture exudes retro charm. Yet, contemporary designers still incorporate the style into interiors today, demonstrating its timeless appeal and unwavering popularity.
Exercise your interior design skills and curate a highly stylish home with some mid-century items to cherish. Read on to discover the best places to find your dream mid-century chairs, coffee tables, desks and more.
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Soho Home
Price: £££
Soho Home is brimming with mid-century-inspired pieces. From sleek, minimalist chairs to velvet sofas via sideboards and delicate soft furnishings, the luxury retailer has plenty to offer those with larger budgets. Choose from an array of furniture as well as more intricate detailing such as mirrors, lamps and more, all of which come in rich, earthy tones.
Buy now, Soho Home
John Lewis
Price: £-££
John Lewis is a happy medium between high-end and high street. The beloved British institution is home to many mid-century-modern pieces. Create your dream living room with wooden structures, from minimalist metal lamps to slim, tan-toned sideboards and plush velvet-wooden armchairs, which showcase quintessential mid-century features. Seating is where the retailer shines.
Buy now, John Lewis
1stDibs
Price: £££
For original, retro and authentic mid-century finds, head to 1stDibs. The preloved marketplace is a treasure trove of 1940s, 50s and 60s items to cherish. Browse the never-ending display of sideboards, bookshelves and chairs that harken back to the stylish 20th century. You’ll even find a few rarities such as the iconic Eames Chair thrown into the mix. Come with a full wallet and leave with a one-of-a-kind stunning focal piece to proudly display in the home.
Buy now, 1stDibs
Urban Outfitters
Price: £
Targeted at a younger audience, Urban Outfitters is the pinnacle of rattan offerings. Rattan experienced a renaissance in the 60s and 70s, hence why it is commonly associated with mid-century aesthetics. Treat yourself or your offspring to a trendy new bedside table or sideboard featuring toffee-toned wood and contemporary rattan detailing. Add a record player and a vintage rug into the picture for a bohemian bedroom mood board.
Buy now, Urban Outfitters
Graham and Green
Price: ££
Graham and Green may be known for creative ceramics, large velvet sofas and contemporary throws and rugs, yet the brand is a valuable source of mid-century-esque pieces. Rattan designs, geometric chairs and slender sideboards are up for grabs as part of the colourful collections. Whether you’re revamping your petite London pad or sizeable country home, Graham and Green has the furniture to kit out your space in style.
Buy now, Graham and Green
Homebase
Price: £
Mid-century shopping is all well and good until you have a peek at the price tags. Homebase won’t cause your heart to stop upon seeing the total of your basket. Accessible retro-inspired pieces can be added to bag without needing to take out a loan. Ideal for those living in rented flats and university rooms who want to save the pennies for later, Homebase pieces are fun, affordable picks for those influenced by mid-century style
Buy now, Homebase
Oliver Bonas
Price: £-££
Oliver Bonas may be the go-to destination for quick-win gifts, but head online to the brand’s website and you’ll uncover swathes of contemporary furniture to add to the wishlist. The brand favours light wooden designs, spanning sofas, sideboards and rocking chairs. A single item will invite a sense of natural charm to your inside space. Rattan is a favourite feature - handy for those attempting to merge contemporary brands with vintage Palm Spring aesthetic.
Buy now, Oliver Bonas
Cult Furniture
Price: £
Revamping your house? Cult’s sleek furniture sets will draw attention to your unparalleled styling skills. Walnut wooden pieces, boucle white textures and curved elements nod to mid-century sentiment. Did we mention that Cult’s prices are almost as attractive as the items they have to offer? Happy shopping!
Buy now, Cult
eBay
Price: £-££
eBay is always our first port of call for preloved furniture. The online marketplace has a gargantuan pool of users, approximately 135 million, meaning there are plenty of people who could have what you want. The site is a bountiful resource for all types of furniture, from velvet chairs to decorative items and more. Simply search for mid-century and scroll to your heart’s content.
Buy now, eBay
Vinterior
Price: ££-£££
Vinterior is a highly sophisticated platform for selling pre-loved furniture. Saturated with covetable antiques spanning lighting to large items of furniture, Vinterior is the dream marketplace for eagle-eyed interior lovers. Browse unique mid-century pieces from across Europe, minimalist must-haves from the Nordic region, Art Deco gems and dazzling decorative treatures from Southeast Asia.
According to the website, it's free to list and you only pay commission when you make a sale. No monthly fees, listing fees, or hidden costs.
Buy now, Vinterior
