Skip to main content
Skip to footer content
Shop New Summer Arrivals
Free shipping on orders over $99!
Find a Showroom
Help Center
label.header.login
label.header.login
Sign In
Submit search keywords
Clear search keywords
Clear search keywords
Submit search keywords
Submit search keywords
Sign In
label.header.login
label.header.login
View Cart
View Cart
0
Your Shopping Cart
0 Items
View Cart
New Arrivals
Ideas & Inspiration
Buying Guides
Featured Products
#MySignatureStyle
Back
Close Menu
Close Menu
Bathroom Vanities
Bathroom Vanities
Shop by Category
Single Sink Vanities
Double Sink Vanities
Floating Bathroom Vanities
Undermount Sink Vanities
Console Sink Vanities
Vanities Without Tops
Bathroom Vanity Tops
Shop All Bathroom Vanities
Shop By Size
Shop By Size
Shop By Size
24" Bathroom Vanities
30" Bathroom Vanities
36" Bathroom Vanities
42" Bathroom Vanities
48" Bathroom Vanities
60" Bathroom Vanities
72" Bathroom Vanities
Shop All Sizes
Shop by Finish
Shop by Finish
Shop by Finish
Solid Wood Bathroom Vanities
Teak Bathroom Vanities
Bamboo Bathroom Vanities
White Bathroom Vanities
Black Bathroom Vanities
Blue Bathroom Vanities
Grey Bathroom Vanities
Shop All Finishes
New & Trending
New & Trending
New & Trending
Modern Bathroom Vanities
Traditional Bathroom Vanities
Farmhouse Bathroom Vanities
Narrow Depth Bathroom Vanities
Offset Bathroom Vanities
Quartz Vanity Tops
Shop All New & Trending
Buying Guides
Buying Guides
Buying Guides
Bathroom Vanity Buying Guide
Bathroom Vanity Top Buying Guide
48" Holmesdale Vanity - Black
Bathtubs
Bathtubs
Shop by Category
Freestanding Tubs
Clawfoot Tubs
Japanese Soaking Tubs
Alcove Tubs
Drop In Tubs
Jetted Tubs
Tub Plumbing Parts & Supplies
Shop All Bathtubs
Shop by Material
Shop by Material
Shop by Material
Cast Iron Tubs
Acrylic Tubs
Copper Tubs
Solid Surface Tubs
Stainless Steel Tubs
Shop All Materials
New & Trending
New & Trending
New & Trending
Round Japanese Soaking Tubs
Acrylic Freestanding Tubs
Best Selling Bathtubs
Shop All New & Trending
Buying Guides
Buying Guides
Buying Guides
Freestanding Tub Buying Guide
About Air Tubs
59" Hibiscus Oval Acrylic Freestanding Tub
67" Conroy Acrylic Freestanding Tub
Sinks
Sinks
Shop by Category
Kitchen Sinks
Farmhouse Kitchen Sinks
Bar & Prep Sinks
Bathroom Sinks
Sink Parts
Shop All Sinks
Shop by Installation
Shop by Installation
Shop by Installation
Undermount Sinks
Drop-In Sinks
Farmhouse Sinks
Vessel Sinks
Wall Mount Sinks
Pedestal Sinks
Semi-Recessed Sinks
Console Sinks
Shop By Installation
Shop by Material
Shop by Material
Shop by Material
Cast Iron Sinks
Granite Composite Sinks
Copper Sinks
Fireclay Sinks
Stainless Steel Sinks
Stone Sinks
Porcelain Sinks
Shop All Materials
New & Trending
New & Trending
New & Trending
Fireclay Farmhouse Sinks
Copper Bar Sinks
Workspace Kitchen Sinks
Atlas Sinks Collection
Laundry Sinks
Shop All New & Trending
Buying Guides
Buying Guides
Buying Guides
Kitchen Sink Buying Guide
Farmhouse Sink Buying Guide
36" Linwald Dog Washing Station
Faucets
Faucets
Shop by Category
Kitchen Faucets
Pot Fillers
Bar Faucets
Bathroom Sink Faucets
Tub Faucets
Shop All Faucets
Shop by Installation
Shop by Installation
Shop by Installation
Single-Hole Faucets
Widespread Faucets
Wall-Mount Faucets
Bridge Faucets
Pull-Down Faucets
Centerset Faucets
Vessel Sink Faucets
Tub Mounted Faucets
Shop By Installation
Shop by Finish
Shop by Finish
Shop by Finish
Chrome Faucets
Brushed Nickel Faucets
Stainless Steel Faucets
Oil Rubbed Bronze Faucets
Copper Faucets
Polished Nickel Faucets
Matte Black Faucets
Brushed Gold Faucets
Shop By Finish
New & Trending
New & Trending
New & Trending
Copper Bar Faucets
Greyfield Faucet Collection
Matte Black Kitchen Faucets
Shop All New & Trending
Buying Guides
Buying Guides
Buying Guides
Kitchen Faucet Buying Guide
Bathroom Faucet Buying Guide
Tub Faucet Buying Guide
Ridgeway Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet - Matte White
Showers
Showers
Shop by Category
Shower Systems & Faucets
Shower Heads & Arms
Clawfoot Tub Shower Kits
Outdoor Showers
Shower Drains
Shower Curtain Rods, Hooks, & Rings
Hand Showers & Slide Bars
Shower Components
Shop All Showers
New & Trending
New & Trending
New & Trending
Rainfall Shower Systems
Exposed Pipe Showers
Shower Panels
Wall Mount Shower Heads
Linear Shower Drains
Hand Held Shower Heads
Shower Body Jets
Shop All New & Trending
Buying Guides
Buying Guides
Buying Guides
Custom Shower Buying Guide
Shower Head Buying Guide
Shower Drain Buying Guide
Lexia Thermostatic Shower System with Hand Shower
Tinsley Freestanding Outdoor Shower Panel With Hand Shower
Toilets & Bidets
Toilets & Bidets
Shop by Category
Toilets
Bidets
Toilet Seats
Toilet Parts
Shop All Toilets & Bidets
Shop by Size
Shop by Size
Shop by Size
15" Toilet Bowl Height
16" Toilet Bowl Height
17" Toilet Bowl Height
19" Toilet Bowl Height
21" Toilet Bowl Height
Shop All Sizes
New & Trending
New & Trending
New & Trending
Smart Toilets
Electronic Bidets
ADA Compliant Toilets
Shop All New & Trending
Buying Guides
Buying Guides
Buying Guides
Toilet Buying Guide
Bidet Buying Guide
Smart Toilets Benefits
Kerrick Dual-Flush Two-Piece Elongated Skirted Toilet
Arnelle Dual-Flush Wall-Mount Elongated Toilet
Bath Accessories
Bath Accessories
Shop by Category
Bathroom Hardware
Bathroom Mirrors
Medicine Cabinets
Tub & Shower Accessories
Bathroom Cleaning
Bathroom Shelves
Grab Bars
Shop All Bath Accessories
New & Trending
New & Trending
New & Trending
Frameless Mirrors
Rectangular Mirrors
Recessed Medicine Cabinets
Surface Mount Cabinets
Modern Medicine Cabinets
Clawfoot Tub Accessories
Shop All New & Trending
Acrewood Oval Wood Vanity Mirror
35" Antioch Freestanding Teak Towel Rack
Hardware
Hardware
Shop by Category
Registers
Appliance Pulls
Cabinet and Drawer Hardware
Coat Hooks & Racks
Shelf Brackets
Door Handles & Locks
Cremone Bolts
Barn Door & Gate Hardware
Pocket Door Hardware
Door Hardware & Hinges
Window Hardware
Shop All Hardware
New & Trending
New & Trending
New & Trending
Mortise Lock Sets
Window Cremone Bolts
Shop All New & Trending
Buying Guides
Buying Guides
Buying Guides
Door Hardware Buying Guide
Cabinet Hardware Buying Guide
Registers Buying Guide
Larona Wooden Double Hook
Simbury Enamel & Brass Cabinet Pull - Matte White/Satin Brass
Lighting
Lighting
Shop by Category
Chandeliers
Pendant Lighting
Flush Mount Ceiling Lights
Wall Sconces
Outdoor Lighting
Bathroom Vanity Lighting
Shop All Lighting
New & Trending
New & Trending
New & Trending
Linear Chandeliers
Shop All New & Trending
Buying Guides
Buying Guides
Buying Guides
Home Lighting Buying Guide
Pentley Outdoor Entrance Wall Sconce
Glencroft Pendant - Sage Green
Sale
Sale
Shop by Category
Bathroom Vanities Sale
Bathtubs Sale
Sinks Sale
Faucets Sale
Showers Sale
Toilets & Bidets Sale
Bath Accessories Sale
Hardware Sale
Lighting Sale
Shop All Sale
15" Atlas Stainless Steel Undermount Prep Sink - Pewter
63" Rosalind Acrylic Tub
New Arrivals
Ideas & Inspiration
Buying Guides
Featured Products
#MySignatureStyle
Submit search keywords
Clear search keywords
Clear search keywords
Submit search keywords
Submit search keywords
Home
Ideas and Inspiration
Style Guides
Essentials Of Mid Century Interior Design Style Guide
Essentials Of Mid Century Interior Design Style Guide
The Background
The roots of mid-century modern design began in post-World War I Germany, when architect Walter Gropius had sought to reform art education and founded the Bauhaus, a school of art and design, in 1919. His teaching sought to unite fine art with architecture, keeping function slightly ahead of form, and creating designs that could easily be mass produced.
What was once a school became a movement when Bauhaus closed its doors in 1933. Its principals created a lasting effect on design and architecture both in Germany and, eventually, overseas. Bauhaus design was introduced to the American market post-World War II, after many German architects, including Gropius, made the move across the Atlantic Ocean and into the United States to set up shop. Along with their businesses, they brought with them their techniques and ideologies of designing with functional art, which they had already made popular in their homeland. Advances in technology and an improving American economy led to an expansion of urban development, and created an opportunity for them to introduce their methods into new designs. The Bauhaus style was the perfect fit for the new demand, and quickly gained popularity to become the modern look from the 1940s to 1970s. Today, we refer to this design style as mid-century modern, and Gropius is now revered as one of the pioneers of modern architecture.
Functional Shapes
A major characteristic of mid-century furniture and decor is geometrical shapes and clean, sleek lines. Keep designs simple yet stylish, with an emphasis on functionality. Ornately carved corners and heavy inlays found on traditional furniture is very limited on mid-century pieces, as they often contain continuously smooth surfaces and subtle curves to create an uncluttered minimalistic appeal.
Broad Range of Colors
Mid-century art encompasses a vast variety of colors, ranging from natural, dim tones to bold, vibrant hues. Don't shy away from contrasting colors, either. Mixing a pastel blue with a burnt orange, or showing spring green alongside mustard yellow will work very well. Mid-century modern design embraces the use of a diverse range of tints and shades while using heavy doses of black and white.
Mixture of Materials
New technology and advancements in the construction industry allowed for materials other than wood to be used for mid-century style. Durable plastics are used heavily in furniture and decor, as well as metals, glass, plexiglass, vinyl, leather, and acrylic. Blend a variety of materials in your space to create contrast and fully embody the mid-century modern look.
Mid-Century Design for your Bathroom
Hairpin legs or angled peg feet are symbolic of cabinets and other furniture from this period, so choose a mid-century modern vanity that features this detail. If you decide on a vessel sink vanity, be sure that the sink that you choose to pair with the cabinet reflects the clean, sleek design of the cabinet.
Tile and countertops should be relatively simple in style. A white or black background with pops of color here and there is a quintessential mid-century modern method. Get creative by adding geometrical patterns within your tile scheme.
If a shower is in your layout plans, consider a glass shower enclosure. Glass was a frequently used material during this era, so adding it wherever possible is a great way to achieve the look. Offset the rectangular shape of the enclosure with a big, round vanity mirror to create contrast.
For bathtubs, opt for styles that have clean, crisp edges. Rectangular freestanding tubs contain the straight, modern lines that are essential to mid-century modern design. Pair the tub with a very simple and functional freestanding tub filler. Ensure that your bathroom sink faucets complement the design of the tub filler.
Bath stools and swinging makeup mirrors are a few examples of accessories that add flair to your space. Mid-century modern is all about function and style, so select items that serve both purposes.
Remember, when planning your bathroom layout, the key is to keep in mind that the overall feel should be clean, geometrical, and sleek.
Ideas for Other Rooms
Lighting –
Pendant lights and modern chandeliers
fit perfectly into a mid-century modern redesign. Lighting fixtures can often become the centerpiece of your room, so take your time choosing the right fit. Don't be afraid to choose something bold.
Wallpaper – Sure, choosing from a vast variety of wallpaper can be intimidating, but the result can also be glamorous. Consider adding wallpaper that contains clean, geometric patterns or striking graphic prints. If you aren't a fan of wallpapering an entire room, test out the idea by only doing one section and creating an accent wall.
Bar Carts – Bar carts were extremely popular in the 1950s, which was the heart of the mid-century modern movement. Scavenge your local flea markets and antique shops to find a vintage bar cart and use it to display your favorite liquor and cocktail set.
Mirrors – Mirrors are an essential accessory of this design era. When shopping, look for
mirrors that are cut into asymmetrical shapes
or feature simple, retro-looking frames. Mirrors with sunburst frames were a popular choice during the period.
Wall Decor – Don't overdo it. Choose one or two statement pieces for the walls—the goal is glamour, not gaudy.
If the whole retro vibe of bold colors and geometric shapes isn’t for you, don’t fret. Read about other interior design styles below to help inspire your home’s redesign.