Mid-century modern outdoor furniture captured the defining characteristics of the Mid-Mod era and allowed the unique aesthetic to not only be enjoyed in-home but also outdoors, whether it be under the sun or in the evening twilight. The era’s clean lines, organic shapes, durable materials, and functional design readily adapted from inside the home to outside the home. Curving wire chairs, intricate wrought iron furniture, soft rattan seating, Acapulco chairs, sleek chaise lounges, and more came to grace lawns, patios, balconies, and even high-rise terraces from coast to coast.
The move outdoors corresponded with the sharp increase in the leisure time available to those living in post-war America. New homes were designed and built to accommodate changing lifestyles that blended the connection between nature and daily functionality, and those new homes’ outdoor spaces came to reflect this lifestyle change as well.
The wider availability of metals and other raw materials after World War II made new innovations in outdoor furniture possible. Designers quickly embraced those materials and the core principles of MCM architecture and interior design for furnishing outdoor spaces.
What Are the Most Popular Types of Mid-Century Modern Outdoor Furniture?
Bertoia Diamond Chair – Knoll
1. Wire and Mesh Chairs
Metal wire and mesh chairs were popularized by the husband-and-wife design team, Ray and Charles Eames, as well as Harry Bertoia in the 1940s and 50s. The chairs’ lightweight, airy appearance and ergonomic shape nearly obscure their metal construction. These chairs are still available today in a seemingly endless variety of designs, and in most any color. Black and white are “classic” colors that complement other, bolder mid-mod pieces, while vibrantly colored mesh chairs make a simple yet striking focal point for even small patios or balconies.
Woodard Constantine Wrought Iron Dining Set – PatioLiving
2. Wrought Iron Furniture
Wrought iron outdoor furniture became hugely popular in the post-war era. Its heavy-duty construction made it perfect for long-term outdoor use, and designs contrasted the rigid, heavy material with intricate, seemingly delicate detailing. Such pieces remain popular today, not only for their timeless appeal, but because their innate sturdiness helped preserve them. Truly built to last, many are still easily found today.
Tulum Lounge Chair – West Elm
3. Rattan Seating
In the 60s and 70s, the tail end of the mid-century modern design movement, rattan furniture made a big showing in contemporary outdoor spaces. These pieces combined curving, organic shapes held together with natural straight rods to create furniture that was both intricate and simple. Such pieces are a great choice for softer, more comfortable outdoor spaces that blend mid-mod sensibility with tropical flair.
Acapulco Yellow Outdoor Chair – CB2
4. Acapulco Chairs
Acapulco was the playground of the rich and famous in the 1950s and 60s, and the region gave its name to a popular statement MCM chair. Constructed from a geometric cord design, these chairs mimic the shape of the iconic concave egg chairs in mid-century modern design’s space-age expressions. Frequently used on balconies and pool decks of the famous Mexican resorts, their breezy, open design makes them perfect for lounging in the sun, allowing aesthetics and functionality to coexist beautifully.
Idle White Outdoor Sun Lounger – CB2
5. Chaise Lounges
Sleek, streamlined chaise lounges are a signature feature of mid-century modern outdoor spaces, especially around the pool. They are an undeniable must-have for anyone looking to achieve the famous Palm Springs look. Their popularity has led to chaise lounges being manufactured from a wide variety of materials, including metal, wood, plastic, mesh, canvas, and more. They have become the ultimate symbol of refined, outdoor relaxation.
Griffith Metal Chair In Key Lime – Overstock
6. Retro Metal Lawn Chairs
These highly recognizable outdoor chairs go by many names – gliders, shellbacks, clamshells, and bouncer chairs. By any name, they are an iconic retro favorite. They feature soft, rounded edges, despite being made of steel, and are often powder-coated in soft pastels or bold, vibrant colors – all made possible by new and innovative steel manufacturing processes developed after WWII.
Paso Teak Outdoor Adirondack Chair – Crate and Barrel
7. Adirondack Chairs
These popular chairs originated long before the mid-mod movement, but their simple silhouette, emphasis on comfort, and functional design made Adirondack chairs something of a spiritual cousin to MCM principles. They mimic a low-profile, highly structural look that blends naturally into outdoor spaces, especially around fire pits, swimming pools, and conversation spaces.
