13 Magnificent Midcentury Modern Homes (2024)

Design Styles

Midcentury Modern

By

Deirdre Sullivan

13 Magnificent Midcentury Modern Homes (1)

Deirdre Sullivan

Deirdre Sullivan is an interior design expert and features writer who specializes in home improvement as well as design. She began her career as an assistant editor at Elle magazine and has more than a decade of experience. Deirdre contributes content for brands including The Spruce and Realtor.com, and has been a featured speaker at various conferences.

Learn more about The Spruce'sEditorial Process

Updated on 03/25/22

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13 Magnificent Midcentury Modern Homes (2)

What makes authentic, midcentury modern homes so irresistible after all of these years? Perhaps it is because of their radically simplified shapes. Think sleek lines or organic curves, often punctuated by large windows that unified interior spaces with the great outdoors.

The midcentury design movement, which kicked off in the 1940s and wrapped up in the early 1960s, celebrates the marriage of form and function with minimal and often modestly designed residential architecture and home decor. It also was the period that ushered in the era of home enjoyment, which endures to this day. For the first time, average homeowners started personalizing their living spaces both inside and outside, to reflect their taste and lifestyle. Maybe this celebration of self at home is why midcentury modern homes are still an architectural favorite. To get our gist, behold the following examples.

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    Charming Midcentury Cabin

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    The typical midcentury house is known for its single floor and close to the ground design often punctuated by sizable windows. However A-frame homes, like this California cabin featured on Glamping Hub, were equally popular as second homes. Thisabode has an open floor plan, two floors with the upper being loft-style, and of course large windows. The yard's minimal landscaping is also rooted in the midcentury aesthetic. The outdoor space feels like an extension of the dwelling because of is glass-covered facade.

    15 A-Frame House Interior Ideas to Inspire You

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    Classic Two-Story Midcentury Modern House

    Here is aclassic midcentury residence built-in 1951 and recently updated by architect, Carib Daniel Martin. The home's exterior bears a few of the standard details of the classic style. Note the large groupings of windows, a low-pitch gable roof parallel to the front facade, and a mix of siding materials, brick, wood, and metal, which all add visually appealing patterns and textures. The interior features an open-living arrangement topped off with high vaulted ceilings.

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    Sleek and Modern Remodeled Ranch House

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    Professional house flipper James Judge restored this midcentury modern ranch to its former, gorgeous glory. Blue and white paint punched up the brick exterior. The sleek turf and pebble yard combined with stylish frosted fencing take the home's curb appeal to a new chic level.The frosting on this proverbial cupcake is the extra-large street number—making this abode a real traffic stopper.

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    Sprawling Midcentury Modern Ranch House

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    Built-in 1962, this midcentury modern beauty shared by Terrie O'Connor Realtorsis a sprawling ranch house brimming with Mad Men appeal. Glass walls and clerestory windows both hallmarks of high-end ranchers, flood the interior with natural light during the day. The interior features an open concept, which if you are not in the know, became a thing during the modernist movement.

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    Woodland Home Inspired by a Midcentury Ski Chalet

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    Back in the 1950s, Scandinavian chic was just as widely accessible as it is today. This midcentury cabin spotted onGlamping Hub, is reminiscent of a nordic ski chalet. Its exterior features a dramatic pitched roof and ceiling tall windows. The latter marries a gorgeous outdoor view with the main indoor living area. A deck made of cedar carves out a highly enjoyable outdoor room that is perfect for summer dining or kicking back with a hot cider in the fall.

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    Midcentury Ranch House

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    The Ranch-style house is a midcentury classic. The small single floor house quickly became a staple in southern California in the 1940s and then spread out east. Ranchers like this example from Glamping Hubhave striking low profiles because of their nearly flat angled roofs and close to the ground construction.

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    Gorgeous Retro Remodel

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    Here is another stunning retro remodel by James Judge. The goal of this project was to retain the abode's original, modernist charm while adding brand spanking new details correct to the era. Note the clever use of wood slat panels. The ones directly in front of the home, offer shade and privacy, while the slats on the roof conceal an unattractive ACcondenser—ingenious right? Everyone home should have outdoor lighting. Here a globe pendant brightens up the street number at night while lending a little Don Draper style.

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    Midcentury Dome Home Built for Sustainable Living

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    Arguably, the dome home is one of the most visionary types of midcentury, residential structures. Architect and inventor Buckminster Fuller conceived these highly efficient adobes for sustainable living. Their spherical shape makes the most of their footprint by providing more livable square footage than traditional homes. These curved homes are also more energy-efficient thanks to their surface area to volume ratio.

    This pitch-perfect example of a dome home was built in 1953. It is a historical masterpiece dubbed the Sunflower.It wasdesigned by James Dresser a former Frank Lloyd Wright apprentice. One of its unique exterior features is the peaked, geometricwindows that allow in natural light while blocking harsh direct rays. This video by Modern Mode Realty Networkshares more about this one of a kind home.

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    Midcentury Modern Home With Lots of Curb Appeal

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    Way beforexeriscaping became a thing, homeowners living in warm climates had gravel-covered yards throughout the '50s, '60s, and '70s. This midcentury home remodeled by James Judge includes a new modernist-inspired landscape suited to the area's dry and steamy weather.

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    Midcentury Modern Butterfly Roof

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    A butterfly roof, which mimics the shape of the insect's wing, is another common feature seen on some midcentury homes like this one spotted on Palm Spring Homes. The exterior feature typically paired with tall windows, extended the ceiling height inside to dramatic levels. Note the circular driveway—once a staple for large estates become a covetable feature for midcentury suburbanites with sizable yards.

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    House in a Midcentury Modern Subdivision

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    There are many neighborhoods across the country filled with classic Midcentury homes, some restored to their original splendor.

    Arapahoe Acres in a town called Englewood in Colorado is one example. Construction of theclassic middle-class abodes populating the neighborhood started in 1949 and wrapped up in 1957.

    The work of Frank Lloyd Wright deeply inspired the designed of these homes like this, for instance, photographed by Butterbean. The house has a low slung roof, and a window covered front, both hallmarks of midcentury residential architecture. Take a closer look at the facade and notice that the structure is made up of reinforced concrete blocks and steel window frames. Both building materials were considered thoroughly modern at the time.

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    Standard Midcentury Modest House

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    Any suburban neighborhood that is at least 75 years old has a few modest midcentury houses with traditional peaked roofs and attached garages. Additional standard features in these structures, which were typically less than 1200 square feet, includepicture windows and a well-landscaped, yet simple front yard and driveway.

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    Midcentury House With a Flat Roof

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    Palm Springs is known for its magnificent and luxurious midcentury houses—some with flat roofs as shown. It is important to note that houses with level toppers are only suited for warm climates. That is because flat roofs do not encourage drainage and have complicated gutter systems. Both can be a problem when it comes to four-season areas that deal with deadleaves and snow.

Midcentury Modern Home Failures

Introduction

As an expert in interior design and home improvement, I have extensive knowledge and experience in various design styles, including midcentury modern. I have worked as an assistant editor at Elle magazine and have contributed content for reputable brands like The Spruce and Realtor.com. With over a decade of experience in the field, I have a deep understanding of the principles and aesthetics behind different design styles.

Midcentury Modern Design Style

Midcentury modern design is characterized by its sleek lines, organic curves, and the integration of large windows that connect interior spaces with the outdoors. This design movement emerged in the 1940s and lasted until the early 1960s, celebrating the marriage of form and function in residential architecture and home decor. It was a period when homeowners began personalizing their living spaces to reflect their taste and lifestyle.

Key Concepts in the Article

The article discusses various examples of midcentury modern homes, highlighting their unique features and design elements. Here are the key concepts discussed in the article:

  1. Simplified Shapes: Midcentury modern homes are known for their radically simplified shapes, featuring sleek lines or organic curves.

  2. Large Windows: These homes often have large windows that unify the interior spaces with the outdoors, allowing for ample natural light and a connection to nature.

  3. Form and Function: Midcentury modern design celebrates the marriage of form and function, emphasizing both aesthetic appeal and practicality.

  4. Personalization: This design movement marked a shift where average homeowners started personalizing their living spaces to reflect their taste and lifestyle.

  5. A-Frame Homes: A-frame homes were popular as midcentury modern second homes. They feature an open floor plan, loft-style upper floors, and large windows.

  6. Classic Two-Story Homes: Classic midcentury modern residences often have large groupings of windows, low-pitch gable roofs, and a mix of siding materials like brick, wood, and metal.

  7. Ranch Houses: Midcentury modern ranch houses have low profiles with nearly flat angled roofs and close-to-the-ground construction. They often feature glass walls and an open concept interior.

  8. Retro Remodels: Retro remodels aim to retain the original modernist charm of midcentury homes while adding new details specific to the era. They may incorporate wood slat panels, outdoor lighting, and other design elements.

  9. Dome Homes: Dome homes are highly efficient adobes designed for sustainable living. Their spherical shape maximizes livable square footage and improves energy efficiency. They often have peaked, geometric windows.

  10. Butterfly Roofs: Butterfly roofs mimic the shape of a butterfly's wing and create dramatic ceiling heights inside. They are often paired with tall windows and circular driveways.

  11. Midcentury Modern Subdivisions: Many neighborhoods across the country are filled with classic midcentury homes, inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright's designs. These homes often have low slung roofs, reinforced concrete blocks, and steel window frames.

  12. Modest Midcentury Houses: Modest midcentury houses are often found in suburban neighborhoods and feature traditional peaked roofs, attached garages, picture windows, and simple landscaping.

  13. Flat Roof Houses: Midcentury houses with flat roofs are common in warm climates like Palm Springs. However, they can pose challenges in areas with four-season climates due to drainage and gutter issues.

By understanding these key concepts, you can appreciate the distinct characteristics of midcentury modern design and gain inspiration for your own home.

13 Magnificent Midcentury Modern Homes (2024)

FAQs

Where is the highest concentration of mid century modern homes? ›

Palm Springs, California

Palm Springs has one of the highest concentrations of preserved midcentury-modern homes in the world, as the style's emphasis on indoor-outdoor living is perfectly suited for the area's desert climate.

What state has the best mid century homes? ›

Key Findings. –New York, NY ranked number one for the best city for mid century modern home buyers with a city score of 40.11 out of 50. –Palm Springs, CA offers the most MCM builds for sale per capita with 271.43 listings.

How much does it cost to build mid century modern home? ›

A mid-century modern home costs $200 to $500 per square foot to build because you may need custom materials and features, like windows or roofs, that cost more per square foot. A true MCM home typically has around 1,500 to 2,500 square feet, so your total project cost could range from $300,000 to $1,250,000.

Will midcentury modern go out of style? ›

As Courtney Newman, owner of ModernWay in Palm Springs, California, said to the Washington Post: “Because it's so well-made and so iconic in style, [MCM furniture] kind of never leaves the marketplace.”

Why do people like mid century modern so much? ›

Mid-century design combines natural materials with industrial manmade materials. So you can expect to see wood, metal, marble, and glass mixed with plastic, lucite, fiberglass, and vinyl. This combination of materials helps keep the retro style feeling contemporary even today.

What is the difference between mid-century and mid-century modern homes? ›

Midcentury decor refers to a more ornate style, such as Art Deco, and some might argue this includes Art Nouveau. Midcentury modern decor refers to a style with more of a utilitarian aesthetic incorporating clean lines and basic shapes.

Which US state has the most modern houses? ›

This type is the most common home in just four states, but one – California – is the nation's largest housing market. The modern style is marked by geometric but asymmetrical silhouettes, large windows and open floor plans. In addition to California, contemporary homes are common in Hawaii.

What is the hardest state to buy a house in? ›

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Hawaii tops the list of “the hardest state in which to buy a home”. It has been a tourist favorite since becoming the 50th U.S. state in 1959, with the yearly visitors outnumbering the residents in 2022.

What city has the most overpriced homes? ›

20 Most Overpriced Housing Markets in America
  • Miami, Florida. ...
  • Deltona, Florida. ...
  • North Port, Florida. ...
  • Charlotte, North Carolina. ...
  • Orlando, Florida. ...
  • Lakeland, Florida. Home Overprice Percentage: 37.21% ...
  • Las Vegas, Nevada. Home Overprice Percentage: 38.05% ...
  • Knoxville, Tennessee. Home Overprice Percentage: 38.43%
Mar 8, 2024

What is the most popular housing style in the United States? ›

One-story ranches are the most common house style in the United States, but Colonial homes, bungalows, and Cape Cods are also seen throughout the country.

What are the disadvantages of modern houses? ›

Disadvantages To Living In A Modern Home

One of the biggest drawbacks of living in a modern home is the cost. Because these homes are often filled with high-end finishes and appliances, they can be quite pricey. Additionally, modern homes require more upkeep than traditional homes.

What are the disadvantages of modern architecture? ›

Modern buildings use materials like asbestos, lead, etc., which are very hazardous and are not recyclable or disposable, these materials harm the environment and promote global warming and pollution.

Do people like mid-century modern? ›

Defined by simple, functional, and wooden furniture, midcentury modern still remains a popular interior design choice today. Now, we see many replicas of midcentury modern furniture on the market, but the real deal is still extremely popular (and valuable!), too.

What are the disadvantages of old house? ›

Cons Of Buying An Older Home
  • Higher maintenance costs: The older a home is, the more problems it's likely to have. ...
  • Not as customizable: When you purchase an older home, you kind of have to work with what you get. ...
  • Less spacious floor plan: Many older homes aren't exactly open concept.
Feb 19, 2024

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