Not all mid-century modern homes are as easy to spot as the well-preserved showpieces of, say, Palm Springs! As most mid-century homes are now at least 60 years old, chances are many have been renovated (obscuring their original charm), and some have deteriorated because of neglect – making it difficult to recognize their quintessential mid-mod elements and features.
This living feels extra spacious with two-story ceilings and open access to the kitchen.
Open Floor Plans
Open, spacious living spaces with a natural flow between rooms are a staple of mid-century modern architecture. Open floor plans reflect a forward-thinking mindset and break away from the compartmentalized feel of traditional homes. One large room encompassing the shared living spaces of a home makes it feel larger, lets natural light reach more areas within the home, and allows for more design flexibility with fewer restrictions on how space in a mid-mod home might be used.
In addition to the popularity of wide open living spaces, vaulted ceilings with exposed beams were popular features of the era as they also contributed to the spacious feel and openness of these homes.
Elevation Changes
To differentiate between specific living areas of a home without having to wall them off, architects of mid-century modern homes were especially fond of split-level designs. Oftentimes the elevation differences between adjoining rooms were minimal – as little as only a step or two – but room separation was still achieved without sacrificing openness. Partial walls or decorative screens that served as makeshift walls were often utilized along with the subtle elevation shifts to further define the space without losing the feel of openness.
A two-way fireplace serves as a focal point in this home’s high-ceilinged library – a feature that may also be enjoyed from the opposite side living room.
Unique Fireplaces
Many mid-century homes have striking, centrally-placed fireplaces that work as a focal point for one or more rooms. Wide fireplace surrounds were popular, creating a strong contrast from the rest of the room and providing a place for people to naturally gather.
Two-story tall floor-to-ceiling windows invite the outdoors to be a part of this home’s spacious indoors.
Large Windows
Incorporating nature and bringing a sense of the outdoors into interior spaces was an important element of mid-century modern design, hence the heavy use of large windows. Tall, floor-to-ceiling windows or, a wide panel of long sliding glass doors that extended the length of an entire wall were both extremely popular design choices of the era. An abundance of natural light was a must so, in addition to large windows, clerestory windows and skylights are also a common find in mid-century modern homes.
The roofline of this mid-century modern home is nearly flat, but the slight angle adds visual interest along with its asymmetrical space alignment.
Flat or Low-Pitched Roofs
One of the most recognizable features of a mid-century modern home is a sleek and minimal roofline. Typically mid-century modern roofs are either flat or have a very low, asymmetrical pitch. These low, slightly angled roofs were a popular choice among mid-century builders as they helped the home blend in seamlessly with its surrounding environment – while also suggesting a futuristic aesthetic. In general, mid-century modern homes were a new take on more traditional single-story ranch-style homes – with telltale angled roofs and asymmetrical exteriors separating them from earlier post-war cousins.
This home’s kitchen featured a built-in desk covey as well as multiple storage compartments for kitchen appliances.
Built-In Storage & Other Early Modern Features
Mid-century modern home architects were always on the lookout for methods to increase the practical functionality of their home designs. Unique built-in appliance coveys and purpose-built storage areas are found throughout many of these homes. (And bonus points were achieved if these features were specifically customized to meet the needs and/or wants of the family that was going to live there! From bookshelves to desks to nooks for decorations, all the way up to special cutouts and drawers in the kitchen to make cooking faster and more efficient, mid-century modern home built-ins were designed to improve the daily lives of those who lived there.
The ultra-modern smart homes of today might even share something in common with mid-century design. Taking advantage of the technology of the day was a core pillar of mid-century modern home design. Today’s homes that can be controlled by a smartphone may look nothing like a mid-mod home, but making a home easier to use was a principle mid-century modern architects embraced wholeheartedly. Who knows, today’s custom new-build may be tomorrow’s highly sought-after “millennium modern”!
