1Maximize the Functionality
Marili ForastieriFor a bedroom that lives large regardless of its size, pick furniture that can do it all. Midcentury pieces are great for small spaces because they tend to be slim. In this Manhattan bedroom, Rodney Lawrence snuck in a sleek midcentury floating desk and shelves that can serve as a nightstand, vanity, and WFH zone.
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2Layer in Velvet
Jared Kuzia PhotographySumptuous and luxe, velvet fabrics are a mainstay of midcentury modern design and thus a great way to usher your bedroom into the era. In this Boston apartment, Lisa Tharp turned to a rich burgundy velvet to upgrade the streamlined bed, pairing it with era-inspired pendants and sconces by Jonathan Adler.
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3Let in Light
Chris MotalliniMidcentury modern design really focuses on making the most of the natural light, so you often see oversized windows and long, narrow layouts that let in as much sun as possible in this style of home. To maximize the light in your bedroom—but still achieve privacy—opt for sheer curtains like the pair in this room by And And And Studio. Installing a low-profile blackout shade underneath can give you the darkness you need for good sleep.
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4Float Your Nightstand
Stacy Zarin GoldbergMidcentury modern design prizes functionality above all, so furniture from the era can really help you make the most of a snug bedroom. A floating nightstand, like one seen here in a room by Kate Abt, is super functional without being bulky. Look for a piece with a simple shape in a classic midcentury finish like this walnut.
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5Set Up a Lounge
Hearst Magazines UKDid you know the 1970s "conversation pit" was actually born of midcentury modern design? The era is when casual entertaining and socializing at home really took off. If your bedroom allows for it, consider carving out a bite-sized lounge area where you can sip a morning coffee or catch up on reading before bed. Midcentury sofas tend to be smaller and more streamlined, so you can find one to fit your space and your style.
6Pair Two Bold Colors
Eric PiaseckiMidcentury modern design is typically associated with more muted colors, but it can still get funky now and then. And when it does, it usually goes bright and high contrast. This vibrant bedroom by the Kureck Jones team, which combines punchy fuchsia and teal with iconic details like a Danish flush-mount light, is a perfect example.
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7Choose Vintage Accessories
Lisa PetroleIn design, the devil is in the details, and accessories can go a long way toward reinforcing a design vibe. In this charming Texas home, era-specific accents—like a mushroom floor lamp and metal kinetic mobile—complement more permanent details, like the basketweave brick walls Hilary Walker had painted in pea green.
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8Trade a Lamp for a Sconce
Manu RodriguezWhile midcentury modern designers did churn out some beautiful table lamps, the era is better known for its iconic swing-arm sconces. By swapping one in for your traditional bedside lamp, as Rayman Boozer did here, you'll not only add visual interest to your bedroom but also get extra space on top of your nightstand.
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9Stick to a Tight Palette
Nicole FranzenWhen you're working with furniture silhouettes as stunning as those associated with midcentury modern design, you want to keep the rest of your space quiet to let them shine. In this tranquil bedroom by Studio Plow, serene shades of cream, taupe, ochre, and brown provide a subtle backdrop for mushroom bedside lamps, a sculptural desk, and an iconic Serge Mouille ceiling light.
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10Integrate Your Headboard
Allen WoodIn midcentury modern bedrooms, it's not uncommon to see the headboard attached to—or directly integrated into—the wall. The aesthetic choice marries form with function for an eye-catching display piece that ups the luxury of your space. In this example by And And And Studio, velvet mustard fabric gives loungers a soft place to land each evening.
11Add Architectural Interest
Lisa PetroleWhile large-scale architectural changes aren't always possible, if you are going through a build or a renovation, consider incorporating design elements that reinforce the midcentury modern aesthetic. In this period-specific home in Texas, clerestory windows follow the roof line, letting light pour in throughout the day and bringing geometric elegance to the space.
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12Hang Vintage Artwork
Jacob SnavelyNothing channels a design vibe better than period artwork. If a midcentury bedroom is what you're after, look for artists or motifs authentic to the era. In this welcoming New York home, Aamir Khandwala hung a duo of vintage travel posters in the midcentury-style guest room.
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13Try on Teal
Stephen Kent JohnsonPretty much any color is fair game when designing a midcentury modern bedroom, but certain hues do look more at home in the aesthetic than others. Shades of ochre, orange, brown, and mustard are all common in midcentury interiors, as is teal. To make the vibrant hue more relaxing for a bedroom, muddy it up and opt for a darker version, as seen here in a moody retreat designed by Studio Shamshiri.
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14Go Big and Bold
Tessa NeustadtThere's no better way to lean into midcentury modern design than to shout your love for it from the rooftops—or, in this case, opt for a really, really big period light fixture. Brady Tolbert decided to live large in his midcentury modern bedroom, incorporating a sprawling sconce to complement the channel-tufted wall-to-wall velvet headboard.
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15Play With Texture
Studio AshbyMidcentury modern design may be about keeping your color palette tight, but you can still add interest with various textures. Velvet, bouclé, mohair, leather, and more all typify the era and are a great way to bring an extra design layer into your space. Here, the Studio Ashby team looked to a textural velvet to create a dynamic headboard wall.
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16Mix Up the Scale
Seth CaplanStandout light fixtures are a mainstay of midcentury modern design, so it's fun to let them grab the spotlight in your bedroom by keeping the other elements toned down. In this subdued bedroom by Tali Roth, a double-arm sconce and sculptural pendant light have their moment alongside a simple headboard and extra-petite bedside table.
17Pick Headboard Nightstands
David MitchellWe've said it before, and we'll say it again: Midcentury design is all about functionality. And what's more functional than a pair of nightstands that are integrated into your bed's headboard? This bedroom by Rupp Studio stays streamlined and serene thanks to a custom wood headboard with built-in nightstands that fit the space seamlessly.
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18Go Rogue With Art
Lauren WaltersTo keep your midcentury modern bedroom from feeling too one-note or themed, look for ways to incorporate other styles or eras into the design. For Lauren Waters, that meant trading the graphic nature of traditional midcentury modern art for a softer, moody floral painting.
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19Look for Built-in Lighting
Nicole FranzenDynamic, multipurpose headboards are an iconic element of midcentury modern design. You may see them built onto walls, coupled with nightstands, or, in this case, paired with standout sconces. The end result is a high-end custom look that brings a touch of luxury—and a whole lot of functionality—to your bedroom.
20Skip Window Treatments
Nelson HancockSpend any time researching midcentury modern design and you'll notice one thing is consistent—or rather, consistently missing: window treatments. Many MCM homes emphasize maximizing light and feeling at one with nature, making traditional window treatments seem out of place. If privacy allows, skip the shades and curtains and opt for bare windows that allow light to stream in, as seen in this tranquil Seattle residence.
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