How to Curate Authentic Mid-Century Style on a Budget

You don’t need to break the bank to achieve this iconic interior design style.

Characterised by clean lines, organic forms, and a blend of functionality with aesthetic finesse, the timeless appeal of mid-century modern design continues to captivate homeowners, interior enthusiasts, and anyone looking to redesign their space.

However, achieving this iconic style can sometimes seem financially daunting, with original vintage pieces often donning hefty price tags. The good news? Embracing the mid-century modern design style doesn't have to break the bank.

Below, we look at 7 ways to curate the authentic mid-century style on a budget.

1. Start with secondhand

Before you start looking at brand new furniture pieces in store and feel your heart rate rise after seeing their price tags, start your search on Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree. While it can get tiresome looking through pages of what feels like the same type of listing, more often than not you’ll find iconic pieces for a fraction of the price. When looking for secondhand furniture and decor online, enter terms such as: 'mid-century modern', 'vintage', 'retro', '1950s', 'teak', 'Eames' etc. to refine your search.

2. Visit your local thrift store

If you feel like you’ve exhausted all viable options with secondhand shopping online, look up your nearest antique stores and make a day out of sourcing some pieces IRL. From Parker credenzas to Herman-Miller armchairs, most antique stores are bursting at the seams with iconic pieces at digestible prices. If furniture is out of your price range, keep your eyes peeled for amber glassware, sculptural lamps, and chrome objets d'art; curating a collection of smaller MCM pieces will give your space that authentic mid-century feel.

3. Focus on colours

It can be intimidating (and expensive) to lash out on furniture when experimenting with a new interior design style. So, for those who want to dip their toes into the glorious world of mid-century modern design, start by playing around with colour. The style consists of bright, statement blues, pinks and yellows, alongside deep emerald or olive greens, and of course, mid-century signature brown tones. Start by playing around with smaller pieces in the home such as Cushion Covers and coffee table books, and then slowly integrate more MCM colours in the form of Bedding and furniture.

4. Source a statement piece

The MCM era produced some of the most iconic pieces of furniture which are still incredibly popular today. If you’re wanting to emulate the style at home, finding a statement piece such as an Eames lounge chair or Parker dining table or sideboard will instantly add some MCM flair to your space. If you’re looking for something a little smaller, a George Nelson Starburst Clock or teak bar cart will also do the trick.

5. Work with what you have

Before you begin your Marketplace browsing and antique store visits, take a look at what you already have at home. If you have a dining table with removable legs, look at potentially replacing them with hairpin legs for a more authentic look, or if your sideboard has bulbous drawer knobs, see if you can replace them with sleek brass handles. Mid-century furniture is all relatively simple and highly functional, so making changes to what you already have at home is a quick and easy way to achieve the look.

6. Focus on the finer details

While there is a big emphasis placed on mid-century furniture, decor and smaller items are just as important to obtaining this design style. If you’re on a budget, looking for smaller items such as lamps, clocks, and ornaments is a cheap and effective way to get the MCM look. Plants and natural materials are also a staple to this interior design style, so head to your local nursery and pick up some new plant friends to give your space that mid-century feel.

7. Go slow

Curating furniture and decor for your home is a marathon, not a sprint. It can be difficult to try and stop yourself from purchasing the first item you see, but you’ll save time and money by waiting for the perfect thing. Make a list in your phone of the types of pieces you want to source, and keep that in mind when you're visiting a new antique store or perusing Facebook Marketplace.

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You don’t need to break the bank to achieve this iconic interior design style.

How to Curate Authentic Mid-Century Style on a Budget

You don’t need to break the bank to achieve this iconic interior design style.

1. Start with secondhand

2. Visit your local thrift store

3. Focus on colours

4. Source a statement piece

5. Work with what you have

6. Focus on the finer details

7. Go slow

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