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This post will show you 21 ideas to create a beautiful mid century modern bedroom for the perfect timeless escape!
If you are looking for a bedroom that can stand the test of time and do so elegantly, mid century modern decor could be the answer to your desires.
A tasteful combination of simple but sophisticated design and high-quality materials, this style has become extremely popular in recent years, and for good reasons! In it, you’ll find stark contrast and accent pieces styled against clean lines and natural colors. The overall result is a balanced approach to interior decor that can truly transform your space with just a few items.
Perfect for you if you love your bedroom to be a space that has character but it’s not too heavy on the senses, keep on reading to find out 21 ideas on how to create a stunning mid century modern bedroom that will elevate your space!
The Pillars of a Mid Century Modern Bedroom
Unlike other styles, which can leave more space for personal interpretation, mid century modern decor requires a bit of preparation and studying to hit the perfect look.
Especially if this is not a decor you have often encountered in real life and you are looking to do a big renovation, make sure to familiarize yourself with the core principles of this design. Explore some vintage interior magazines and understand the importance of the materials and color palettes you’ll be working with.
Always remember: the more simple the decor, the more each item needs to be aligned with the overarching theme. Keeping this in mind, let us look at 21 ideas for you to create the perfect mid century modern bedroom.
21 Ideas To Copy For an Elegant Mid Century Modern Bedroom
1. Wooden Vintage Bed Frame
It would be an interior design crime to talk about a mid century modern bedroom and not mention the importance of a beautiful wooden bed frame.
If you have a limited budget and are only looking to invest in a few pieces, this should be one of your priorities as it can change the look of the entire room.
Opt for a warm wood in a natural color and choose simple lines with well-placed items of decor. The key word here is understated elegance: let the frame speak for itself and stay away from over-the-top ornaments or bulky designs.
2. Statement Mid Century Chandelier
An element that can help combine functionality and beauty in your bedroom is a chandelier.
Use a modern version of this piece to counterweigh your more vintage furniture. The balance between modern and essential mid century is what makes this decor so visually interesting and charming.
Bonus points if you select a chandelier that reminds you of a work of art – it will shine against the simple lines of the rest of your bedroom.
3. Classic Patterned Bedding
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- Patterned Throw Pillows (Option 1, Option 2)
- Patterned Throw (Missoni-inspired)
- Green Bedsheets Set with Embroidery
One of the items that allows you to play with color in your mid century modern bedroom is your choice of bedding.
Explore the combination of different colors and patterns to make your space more interesting as these pieces are placed against more neutral surroundings.
However, be mindful of the overall composition; whether it’s the number of throw pillows, the variety in patterns, or the bedding layers, you should still aim for a simple look.
4. Wooden Accent Panelling
If you are looking to renovate your bedroom and are willing to splurge a bit, then this idea might be a perfect match for you.
Nothing is as iconic as the wood panelling of mid century modern bedrooms. Whether it’s incorporated in a custom-made bed frame, or directly applied onto your walls, a wood accent panel will bring a new level of authenticity to your mid century modern decor.
I would suggest choosing a bed frame before looking into paneling – you will need the materials to match each other after all.
5. Vintage Dresser
Just as charming as it is practical, a wooden dresser is a pillar of mid century modern bedrooms.
If you are working with a small space, this can be a great way to increase storage while seamlessly leaning into the purely vintage aspect of mid century decor.
If you are a renter, leverage the additional surface space to display some of your favorite art or your TV for maximum efficiency without compromising on style!
6. Streamlined Gallery Wall
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Raise your hand if you have ever spent an embarrassing amount of time trying to style a gallery wall (I am right there with you!)
This idea provides the solution to this problem, while perfectly representing the clean straight lines that are so characteristic of mid century modern decor.
Find a series of prints or personal photos that you love and style them in a straight line with minimalistic frames – there you have it: a sophisticated and fool-proof mid century gallery ready to transform your bedroom.
7. Vintage & Modern Decor Pairing
Oftentimes, it’s a bit challenging to give a twist to modern mid century decor. It is a style quite set in its fundamental pillars.
A creative way to approach this and introduce a more personal touch to your bedroom is to play with materials.
Especially if you would like to lean more into the modern aspect of this style, try to introduce a few key pieces in an unexpected material like colorful velvet. It will add a touch of originality to your decor while ensuring you don’t excessively strain from the overall design.
8. Layered Rug
Another idea for those looking to introduce more modern pieces to your mid century bedroom is to play with rugs.
A minimalistic natural rug in a neutral color, especially when layered on carpet or contrasting wooden floors, can help you ground your furniture while bringing a slight touch of contemporary spirit.
9. Elegant Color Palette
One of the key lessons in interior design is to never underestimate the power of color. A few layers of paint and you will find it difficult to recognize your bedroom.
A classic, sophisticated color like sage green or mustard yellow can create the perfect palette to bring a vintage atmosphere to your space. It will pair exceptionally well with mid century materials like dark wood or warm linen.
Here is a great website to come up with your own color palette. Check it out!
10. End-of-Bed Bench
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If you are trying to furnish a large bedroom, you might be scratching your head about what pieces of furniture to add that can fill the space while providing at least some level of functionality.
A wood bench placed at the end of your bed can provide additional storage space (hey, now you know where to place all your throw pillows when it’s time to go to bed!) as well as a beautiful piece of decor.
Once again, choose simple lines that are visually light to stay true to the mid century modern design.
11. Wood Wardrobe
If you are willing to invest quite a bit in your mid century modern renovation, an authentic vintage wardrobe can be a worthy investment.
These pieces are not as easy to find, so you might have to do some research to find an option that has the dimensions you are looking for. Scour your local antique shops – there might be a hidden gem waiting for you!
12. Accent Wall
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We are back to discussing color: a fantastic way to transform your bedroom even on a small budget!
If you are not ready to paint your entire bedroom, an accent wall can be a precious, low-effort ally in drastically changing the appearance of your space.
Choose a color that can exalt the warm colors and materials so typical of modern mid century decor. For instance, a dark blue like the ones used in the inspiration photo above will immediately highlight an orange wood frame, making it the central start of your bedroom.
13. Vintage Photo/Prints
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We all know how challenging it can be to find good wall art that is not an overpriced printed poster. However, the search is often worth the effort as unique art pieces can bring new character to your space.
For wall decor that works in a mid century modern bedroom, head to your local antique and second-hand market. I can promise you there will be hundreds of small vintage frames and prints ready to be picked up.
Mix and match your vintage finds with simple modern frames for a beautiful contrast!
14. Simple Bedding
Nothing is more classic than high-quality, light-colored bedding. Something that could belong in a wedding trousseau from the 50s.
Opt for small decorative items like refined border lace or embroidery for a bedding set that you will treasure for a long time.
15. Upholstered Corner Armchair
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The perfect bedroom should include a comfy armchair that serves as a cozy reading corner, as well as the resting place for your clothes after a long night out. Rules are no different for your mid century modern bedroom.
Thanks to its popularity, you will find plenty of options online for beautiful upholstered armchairs with wooden frames.
The combination of sleek lines and natural or vintage materials has become truly representative of what mid century modern design encompasses.
16. Wooden Ceiling Fan
Few things scream retro more than vintage-inspired appliances.
For a charming addition to your mid century modern bedroom, consider adding a wooden ceiling fan. It will be the perfect finishing touch, tying together your decor from the floor to your ceiling.
17. Patterned Curtains
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A beautiful feature of vintage decor that, unfortunately, has become less popular over time is patterned curtains.
While they can be a bit tricky to style – I wouldn’t recommend this idea to you if this is the first room you have ever decorated – they can easily become a statement piece.
Make sure to select a classic pattern like plaid and opt for colors that are well aligned with your palette: you’ll be adding a charming piece of decor that will have plenty of character and take up barely any space at all!
18. Hidden TV for Elegant Convenience
Nobody can argue against the fact that Netflix nights in bed are a fundamental right. However, a flat-screen TV is hardly the perfect centerpiece for your mid century modern bedroom.
Luckily for you, fellow design lovers at Samsung have combined art and functionality into the marvelous Frame TV.
This TV will blend seamlessly into your mid century modern decor while providing hours of entertainment. I have seen it numerous times in store, and I can vouch that the art displaying feature is quite impressive. You may experience some reflection if your bedroom has a lot of natural light but nothing more than a framed poster.
19. Tall Dresser
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If you love the idea of a beautiful mid century dresser but are working with a small space, no need to give up on it.
It will not provide as much surface space for additional decor, but a tall drawer dresser will still capture all the style and character you are looking for while occupying a fraction of the floor real estate.
20. Mid Century Vanity Corner
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No bedroom would be complete without a stunning vanity corner that makes getting ready each day an experience you are looking for.
Once again, mid century modern design allows you to create such a space using just a few simple but stunning pieces.
A solid wood vanity desk and a brightly-colored but classic ottoman are the perfect combination for a fun corner that can provide plenty of functionality and character to your space.
21. Mid Century Fun Sconces
For those of you who embrace the ultimate rule for perfect ambiance, i.e.: never use the big light, this idea will help you make sure you never have to worry about bad lighting in your bedroom again.
Lean into the modern aspect and add fun, colorful sconces to your mid century modern bedroom for a lighting choice that will make a statement.
My suggestion is to mix a classic, fabric lampshade with a modern, minimalistic base – you will create a unique piece that will add a wonderful, personal touch to your bedroom!
To Conclude
Creating a mid century modern bedroom is all about combining clean, retro lines with modern simplicity and fun accent pieces.
Take inspiration from both 50s and 60s interior photos, while keeping an eye on more modern trends to achieve a timeless and sophisticated look that can transform your bedroom into a character-filled escape from the world!
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