Mid-century style is a highly desired aesthetic among many homeowners who love simple lines, pure form and function. Adopting this interior design style means choosing furniture pieces that capture its essence. Although every item in the room doesn’t need to be strictly mid-century, incorporating emblematic pieces like the Herman Miller Eames Lounge Chair or the Noguchi Coffee Table can bring some of the style’s signature character into your home.
What Defines Mid-Century Modern Furniture?
Based on the principle that beauty and functionality should coexist harmoniously, mid-century modern furniture is both stylish and practical. Instead of including purely decorative details, as was common in popular styles of the time, it embraces the idea that each element must serve a purpose while contributing to the space’s overall aesthetics.
The use of natural materials such as wood, leather, teak and linen, as well as moulded plywood and plastic, is a common trait in the furniture. It is also characterised by organic shapes and tapered legs, open and raised off the floor, with an open, airy design. Some of these features can be seen in its most iconic pieces.
Its Most Notable Furniture Pieces
Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman
This chair is one of the most significant designs of the 20th century and a hallmark of mid-century modern style. It has been popular since it first appeared back in 1956. It has many of the mid-century defining features, like organic form, the use of high-quality natural materials, and a design that is as functional as it’s beautiful.
Despite its iconic status, the comfortable Herman Miller Eames lounge chair is surprisingly versatile. It works beautifully as a statement piece in a living room, where it can be positioned beside a floor lamp to create a cosy reading corner.
It also suits a home office, library, and a spacious bedroom, where it can add warmth and sophistication without overwhelming the room. Because the chair has such a distinctive presence, it doesn’t need elaborate styling. A textured wool rug, a ceramic vase, and a leafy indoor plant are often all that’s needed to complete the look.
You can pair it with other mid-century classics, such as the Noguchi coffee table and an Arco floor lamp, to complement its timeless yet modern aesthetic. If you’re introducing the aesthetic into your living space for the first time, pairing this chair with other iconic pieces is often enough to make an impact. Rather than recreating a period-inspired room, this approach injects mid-century style while creating a unique look.
Mixing styles can create a personal and contemporary interior. This said, the Eames Lounge Chair can also sit comfortably alongside modern sofas, minimalist shelving, Scandinavian furniture, and industrial accents. Just use complementary colours and natural materials to keep a sense of balance.
Saarinen Tulip Table
The Saarinen Tulip Table is another notable piece of mid-century modern furniture. It was created in the mid-1950s to solve what Eero Saarinen called the “slum of legs” found beneath traditional tables and chairs. His goal was to create a cleaner and streamlined silhouette that would make interiors feel lighter and less cluttered.
With its smooth, rounded form and minimalist profile, this table captures the simplicity and practicality that define mid-century modern design. What makes it unique and recognisable is its single pedestal base, which replaces the usual four legs. This sculptural design gives the table an elegant, floating appearance. The pedestal is usually made from cast aluminium with a durable finish. The tabletop, on the other hand, can be made from marble, wood veneer, or laminate.
Again, the Saarinen Tulip Table is versatile. Artistic and iconic, it lends itself to a variety of interior styles. You can pair it with other mid-century pieces designed between 1950 and 60 like the eponymous Platner Side Chairs. When paired together, they represent the same design philosophy: modern, functional, and timeless.
Also, its clean design allows it to be paired with chairs in styles besides mid-century. You could surround it with Scandinavian chairs such as wishbone or bentwood chairs, minimalist chairs with slim metal frames and neutral upholstery, or contemporary upholstered dining chairs with curved silhouettes. To create a balanced look, choose pieces with clean lines that complement the table’s sculptural form.
Noguchi Coffee Table
Another furniture piece that blurs the line between art and function is the Noguchi Coffee Table. Designed by Japanese-American artist Isamu Noguchi in 1944, it was first created as a custom piece for the home of the president of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). The design later entered production through Herman Miller and quickly became one of the defining pieces of mid-century modern interiors.
The table features a thick freeform glass top resting on two identical curved wooden supports. These sculptural base pieces interlock without the need for screws or complex hardware. The flowing organic shapes reflect Noguchi’s background as a sculptor, while the transparent glass keeps the table visually light.
Although eye-catching, the Noguchi Coffee Table doesn’t overwhelm a room. Instead, it acts as a subtle focal point that complements a wide range of interiors. It pairs with a low-profile mid-century sofa, but it also works alongside modern, contemporary, and minimalist furniture.
