How to create a mid-century modern bedroom

Mid-century modern combines the 1930s to 1960s classical style with modern layouts, geometries, and materials.

Brown, taupe, and dark green combine with orange, ochre, and bright pops of colour to create characterful spaces brimming with charm.

It’s always a safe choice when you want a stylish bedroom that’ll never go out of style.

 

Start with a swoon-worthy bed frame

The Naples Bed Company 3318B (pictured above) is a classic example of a mid-century modern bed frame with its wooden base, tapered legs, and grey upholstered headboard.

Another wonderful choice is the Birlea Croxley – available in oak and black/oak – with its rattan beadboard and low wooden frame.

 

 

Something a little more out there is the Birlea Halfden with a gorgeous winged headboard,
curved feet, and a light wooden bed.

 

 

If upholstery’s more your thing, the Limelight Rosa has a tufted winged headboard, spindle
wooden feet, and stunning grey fabric.

 

 

Bring in some brass

Want to add instant mid-century charm to your boudoir? Brass light fixtures are the way to go. Hunt for pieces with simple geometric shapes like spheres or cylinders, and opt for warm, soft lighting to make you feel all tucked in.

A brushed brass table lamp with a crisp white glass shade is a little slice of mid-mod perfection for your nightstand. Or, for a bigger statement, a pendant light with brass and frosted glass will give you a seriously swanky effect.

 

Glow up with warmer bulbs

While you’re rethinking your lighting scheme, take a second to swap out any garish white lights for something a little warmer and more inviting. Light bulbs in that sweet spot between 3,700k and 3,000k will cast your room in a soft, cosy radiance that’s more & ’60s cocktail lounge than stark office space.

Dimmable bulbs let you take that glow even further — the Philips Hue White Ambiance Smart Bulb Starter Kit gives you total control over your room's mood lighting right from your phone. Now, that’s a bright idea.

 

Pleat to meet you

What’s more mid-century than a pleated curtain? Not much, as it turns out. Pleated drapes add oodles of chic texture to your space, especially in solid hues or subtle prints. Bonus points if you spring for easy, breezy fabrics like cotton or linen.

Mustard yellow, ochre, brown, and cream curtains are perfect for your mid-century modern bedroom. Patterns are okay, too, but stick to geometric lines.

 

Toss in a juicy citrus pop

Any self-respecting & ’50s home had a jolt of juicy orange somewhere in the mix. Call it an “accidental” pop of colour — tossing a hit of tangerine into an otherwise understated room gives it oodles of personality in a snap.

Our favourite way to make it happen is a cheeky throw cushion, like the lust-worthy Habitat Regency Velvet Cushion in Orange. That little unexpected element takes your space from perfectly pleasant to “Where did you find that?!”.

 

 

Ace your art

In mid-century-style homes, blank walls were considered a sin. But we're not talking about cutesy farmhouse signage—think big, bold, and a little bit funky.

Abstract art in geometric patterns and punchy primary colours is peak mid-mod, especially in oversized proportions – Composition No. 3 by Piet Mondrian is a great example (pictured below).

 

 

Make a bold feature wall

Paint or wallpaper the wall behind your bed with something bold, like bright yellow or orange. Feature walls are the perfect backdrop for a black-framed piece of art and help link all your mid-century colours together.

Just be mindful of ensuring a colour match with your bed frame—the last thing you want is
for your feature wall to detract from your room & its biggest piece of furniture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

**This is a collaborative post.