Anchor Your Space with a Mid-Century Modern Rug
Mid-century modern is an American design movement that emerged during the post-World War II period. The term “mid-century modern” was used to describe a design movement that began in the 1950s.
The modern classicism movement has gained worldwide recognition. It is characterized by clean lines and minimal construction.
A lot of people are fans of mid-century modern style because it can be achieved in a number of ways, while still giving people some freedom to add in the accent items of their choice. Today’s focus falls upon mid-century modern rugs, but not before we define and understand this style even further.
Top 3 Picks
Plus Green-Black Rug – skillfully hand woven10′ x 14′ Marilyn Monroe™ Glam Trellis Rug
The golden accents paired with that gorgeous navy blue background make this one of the most elegant rugs in today’s list (in case you didn’t figure that out by the extravagant name).
Budget Pick: Turman Geometric Blue/Gray Area Rug
Not all mid-century modern area rugs are cheap, which makes the Turman and its beautiful design one of the options that offers great value and quality for the money.
Customer’s Choice: Unique Loom Sofia Collection Area Traditional Vintage Rug
“Love love love my rug! Looks exactly as described. It’s thin but super soft!” (Customer review)
What Is Mid-Century Style?
The mid-century modern movement was an American reflection of the international and Bauhaus movements. It featured the works of Le Corbusier, Florence Knoll, and Ludwig Mies van der Roecker. The American component was more organic in its form and less formal. It is more closely related to the International Style than any other.
The American component was more organic in form and didn’t follow the formal lines of the International Style. Mid-century architecture was often used in residential structures to bring modernism to the suburbs. This style emphasized the use of open floor plans and windows, which allowed for natural light to enter and out.
Mid-century houses featured post and beam architectural design, which eliminated the need for large support walls. Function was also important in terms of form.
Following the Second World War, Le Corbusier and the CIAM’s influence on Europe’s architectural orthodoxy became the subject of radical interpretations by various avant-garde groups. Joseph Eichler was a pioneer in the development of Mid-century modern architecture. He was instrumental in bringing these beautiful homes to California. Henry P. Glass, George Fred Keck, and Mies van der Rohe were among the individuals who created mid-century modern homes in Chicago.
How to Choose the Right Size Mid-Century Modern Rug
When purchasing an area rug, the most typical mistake is selecting a size that is too small for the room. In most of these cases where such a mistake is made, people end up spending considerable amounts of money on new hard surface flooring and they can’t stomach the thought of putting a rug on top to cover the flooring’s beauty. This is a legitimate worry. Rather than hiding the floor underneath it, the correct area rug will draw attention to it and enhance its attractiveness.
It’s common advice to choose a rug size depending on the configuration of your furniture rather than the size of the room itself. Some layouts benefit from allowing a portion of the floor to be seen around the room’s perimeter. As a result, the most important rule to remember when choosing the right rug size is to prioritize furniture placement over room size. This “law” is especially important when it comes to deciding where to put a rug in a bedroom, dining room, or living room.
Rug Size Guide
There are some standard sizes when it comes to rugs: 3 x 5 feet, 4 x 6 feet, 5 x 8 feet, 8 x 10 feet, 9 x 12 feet. Generally speaking, the rug will be available in three or four basic sizes from the manufacturer. When looking for rugs, make sure to check the sizes available to ensure that the rug you want is available in the size you want.
Naturally, if you have your area rug custom-made, you have the option of having it manufactured to your exact specifications. This is a significant advantage of having your rug manufactured in broadloom, particularly if your room requires a non-standard size.
Now, we found that people looking to size their rugs based on their needs are concerned about how this would fit under the common large bed size, so here is some info to help them out:
- What size rug under Queen bed: Due to the measurements or a Queen-sized bed, the rug that goes underneath it should be at least eight feet long.
- What size rug under King bed: The standard size for a rug that will be placed underneath a King-sized bed is 9 x 12.
The Best Mid-Century Modern Rugs
Plus green and black area rug
The Plus rug is handwoven out of New Zealand wool and has a minimalist design. It’s made in limited numbers in a few different sizes. Its simple design features a choice between 5 base colors complimented by a black plus sign pattern.
The Sky plastic rug
With the sky rug, you can help save our planet and get a beautiful home accessory for it. The rug is part of a 7-piece series and comes in 4 sizes. It’s made of thin plastic waste from things like recycled bottles.
Timeless Rug
One thing that you’ll notice about this mid-century modern rug is the fact that it’s available in so many different sizes, just as we mentioned earlier in the article. Made in Egypt, this piece is part of the timeless collection. It’s made entirely from chenille and has a pile height of ¼ inches. The color palette includes shades of red, violet, and beige, offering some of the classic color choices that identify with this particular style.
Lotus Rug
Part of the Lotus collection, this particular area rug was made in Turkey. It comes with a geometric design that helps in blend in well with what you’d expect to see in a mid-century modern room. The construction is 100 percent polypropylene, with a pile height of ⅙ inches. The predominant colors include shades of pink, light green, light blue, and ivory.
Marilyn Monroe Glam Trellis Rug
This is an area rug that would fit into a mid-century modern decor fairly well, but could also compliment a glam-style room because of the gold pattern that lies on a navy blue background. Don’t worry, as there are other color combinations to choose from. Made in Turkey, this rug was constructed using 80 percent headset polypropylene and 20 percent metallic polyester. The backing is made entirely out of cotton.
Lorenzo Gray Area Rug
Manufactured in Turkey, the Lorenzo rug is one of the most gorgeous pieces that we found when searching for the best mid-century modern area rugs. Aside from their aesthetics, these area rugs help to absorb and reduce noise, as well as soften the step of hardwood and tile flooring. This rug is just the right amount of drama your interior design needs with its contrasting blocks of grey, white, and black, while its half-inch pile stays shed-free with foot movement. There are multiple size options to choose from, all of them available for a really good price.
Aalin Southwestern Machine Woven Blue Area Rug
If you want to compliment a mid-century modern room with a worn-out rug, take a look at the Aalin. Even if it’s based on a Southwestern-inspired design, the elements and colors have a contemporary vibe to them. This rug is decorated with orange, red, and blue colors, while faded elements soften the effect. This item is machine-woven from polyester with a low 0.33″ pile height, making it suitable for busy indoor environments because it’s easy to clean and has a stain-resistant surface.
Turman Geometric Blue Gray Area Rug
Time for some ethnic inspiration in a product that delivers a contemporary twist, making this one of the simplest yet most effective mid-century modern area rugs as of yet. It’s made from polypropylene and promises to deliver a non-shedding pile that makes it suitable for areas with high traffic. Using the power loom technique, this rug was designed for indoors use and brings forth a playful pattern that could find its way in more than just a mid-century modern-inspired home.
Well Woven Ruby Dede Blue Mid-Century Modern Geometric Area Rug
Another rug that’s focused on a geometric pattern is this one right here. It comes with 3D-carved accents and a design that makes it blend with plenty of mid-century modern specific colors, while still having a personality of its own. It comes with jute backing to protect your wooden floors, but it is still advisable to use a rug pad to extend the life of the product.
Safavieh Hollywood Collection Area Rug
With almost 15 size and shape options to choose from, this is one of the more versatile pieces in the list. It is a machine-woven area rug that’s made from polypropylene and features abstract patterns with earthy tones. While suitable for mid-century modern homes, this is also the type of rug that could easily fit into a Boho-chic room as well. The 0.6-inch thick pile doesn’t shed, which makes it a great option for homes with children or pets.
Well Woven Ruby Tamara Blue Mid-Century Modern Geometric Area Rug
Another rug made from air twist polypropylene comes from Well Woven and it’s called Tamara. Aside from the triangle-based abstract pattern, it pretty much follows the benchmarks that Well Woven set for its products. It comes with 3D-carved design accents, jute backing to prolong the lifespan of the rug, and doesn’t shed.
Artistic Weavers Hana Modern Moroccan Area Rug
What may appear to be a rug with a simplistic design is actually a true piece that pertains to a mid-century modern home. It’s available in three different color options and more than 10 different sizes and shapes, so you can play around with the placement and even pick one for every room of the house, if you choose to. It has a stain-resistant surface and a medium pile, being made from polypropylene fibers.
Unique Loom Sofia Collection Area Traditional Vintage Rug
We love how the word “vintage” is used in the title of this product just because the design gives it a worn-out look when, in fact, everything about this area rug screams “mid-century modern”. You can choose between 18 different colors options, with vivid tones of red and soothing tones of light blue. It’s made from polypropylene as well, features a jute backing, and has a pile height of ⅓ inches.
nuLOOM Moroccan Blythe Area Rug
With 10 different color options and a design that makes it perfect for a romantic corner or keeping your feet warm while you’re watching TV, the nuLoom mid-century modern area rug had us convinced from the get-go. Much like the other options we’ve looked at today, this one is also made from polypropylene and features a pile height of 0.37 inches, making it a great choice for homes with kids and pets.
Tips for Decorating with Mid-Century Decor
Decorating in the mid-century style isn’t complicated once you understand some of the rules that define this current. Some tips to help put you on the right path are listed below, and they’re quite simple to implement.
#1: Furniture & Materials
Later Mid-Century Modern designers were greatly influenced by new construction processes and materials such as plastic. Rather than imitating timber furniture, plastic was chosen for its own qualities. Traditional materials like wood were used liberally, as well as non-traditional materials including metal, glass, vinyl, plywood, Plexiglas, and Lucite.
If you’re just getting started with mid-century modern furniture, you might want to start by shopping for items that don’t already exist in your space. If you require a side table, search for one with a midcentury design that complements your existing decor. This strategy will gradually ease you into the new manner, preventing you from being overwhelmed. Credenzas, armchairs, couches, and side lamps are all essential items if you’re starting from scratch.
When it comes to mid-century modern house furnishings, let wood take center stage. Teak, walnut, rosewood, and oak were employed in the goods that made the style famous.
Details matter when it comes to mid-century contemporary home furnishings. Interior designers that use this trend to style houses tend toward pieces that tell a story and make the space more unique, such as combining furniture of various heights. Add a few taller things and accessories in an arced shape if you have a low couch and low dining table. These will bring a sense of balance to the area and prevent it from looking too uniform.
Incorporate an artisan touch in addition to mixing and matching furnishings for a creative combination that better complements your aesthetic. From neighborhood eateries to professionally built mid-century homes, artisan aesthetics are gaining popularity. Pieces with handcrafted elements, natural elements, and a vintage-inspired style are some of the choices our interior designers return to time and time again. When combined with leather, wood, and other natural elements, these goods look fantastic.
#2: Colors & Shapes
Mid-century is also defined by a wide spectrum of color, from neutral to bright, as well as a graphic use of black and white. It’s easy to become enamored with mid-century modern interior design concepts, but putting them into practice is another matter.
When it comes to choosing the correct color for your home, this is especially true. In this case, plan your color strategy ahead of time to ensure you enjoy the outcome. Instead of changing the wall color, think about your furnishings and work with what you already have. Also, don’t forget to use textures and accents to enhance contrast.
It’s difficult to decorate a home using entirely retro style furniture, such as mid-century modern. If you go too far, you could end up with a kitsch look. While doing too little can make your property appear old and watered down. So, by balancing old with new, you can create a happy medium.
Make sure to include a variety of shapes, sizes, and heights. Low-lying furniture, such as a mid-century rectangular sideboard and a modern armchair, are balanced by an attractive arch floor light. In any living space, putting opposites together may make a big difference.
Nothing is more unappealing than a one-dimensional interior. Fortunately, by addressing the various levels in your interior, you may create a stunning home. Architecture (which comprises walls and ceilings), accessories, flooring, upholstered furniture, non-upholstered furniture, accent materials, and lighting are the seven layers.
Overall, making use of these is simple. Begin by selecting a ceiling and wall color, then move on to flooring. When selecting upholstered furniture, start with 1 or 2 pieces and gradually add more. You’ll be able to keep track of how everything fits together this way. Choose a complementary accent material for your color scheme. Then, based on your demands, choose non-upholstered products. Finally, add a few finishing touches such as lighting and accessories. And get rid of anything finicky.
Different materials can bring a space to life. While solid patterns, colors, and florals can be eye-catching, the key to harmonizing fabrics is to use a variety of textures, such as cotton, jute, wool, twill, silk, and velvet. There are numerous options to consider. You’ll soon figure out what works for you if you start exploring.
The goal of mid-century interior design is to help people reconnect with nature. That is why increasing greenery is so important. Pot plants will not only purify the air, but they will also brighten up any interior design concept.
#3: Art Pieces
What is the first thing that comes to mind when looking at the interior of a mid-century modern home? This style is defined by abstract artwork, such as abstract prints on curtains and upholstery, abstract pieces of art by Harry Bertoia, and vintage furniture. Pop culture was thriving in the mid-nineteenth century, and it was mirrored in the interior.
Posters in the manner of Andy Warhol, including comic characters, pin-art, and other similar items are ideal for decorating a space that stays true to this style. In a place like this, how do you divide it up? There are no heavy parts and openwork barriers and racks. There’s no need to go overboard with the decor because this design doesn’t tolerate hefty artsy classics.
Natural materials are frequently used in décor. And because it is ageless, such an interior will always be relevant; the finish cannot be overly elaborate or overdone with many elements. In terms of wall décor, natural cotton or velvet dot materials are preferable; abstract pattern wallpapers and wood are also ideal.
The collection of modern art is one of the key accents of such an apartment. It doesn’t have to be a full-fledged art gallery; only 4-5 items will suffice. Choose furniture and objects with simple shapes so that nothing detracts from your collection.
#4: Nature
It’s crucial to remember that the structure of space should be influenced by nature. Large windows were frequently used in mid-century architecture. These concepts can be used today by adding extra windows to a housing project or removing dark curtains in case they’re already there.
Products made of natural materials such as cotton, leather, wood, and metal can be used as design components. Don’t be scared to experiment; adding greenery to your design will only enhance it. The impact of eco-style can easily be seen in this room, as the use of natural materials (particularly wood) is a hallmark of mid-century modern design.
Conclusion
While the mid-century aesthetic favors a big, clear floor, the right area rug may add texture, patterns, and color to your space. It can make a strong statement in a neutral space or serve as a good complement to some of the funkier furniture and decor pieces that you don’t want to overshadow.