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

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    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.

13 Magnificent Midcentury Modern Homes

13 Magnificent Midcentury Modern Homes (2024)

FAQs

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

Palm Springs has one of the world's largest concentrations of preserved mid-century modern architecture.

What city has the best mid-century modern homes? ›

As we mentioned above, New York City is a mid century modern hotspot! Featuring iconic MCM builds by the top architects of the period, NYC is home to more mid century modern buildings than any other city in the U.S. (5,937, to be exact). From the Seagram's building by Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe to the Solomon R.

How much does it cost to build a midcentury 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.”

Is mid century modern going away? ›

Mid-century modern is “not even a trend anymore — it's the dominant aesthetic,” says Dunning, who curated an exhibit last year on modern chairs for the Palm Springs Art Museum in California. “It's either fascinating or depressing that we haven't replaced [it] with anything better.

What state has the most 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.

Why do people like mid-century modern homes? ›

“I think it's really the materials, the open flowing spaces, and the real sunny feel to them that draws people to the architectural style to this day,” explains Ike, who lives in a midcentury-modern home himself in San Diego. Elvis and Priscilla Presley honeymooned at this Palm Springs home by architect William Krisel.

Are mid-century modern homes energy efficient? ›

Many midcentury modern homes were designed with energy efficiency in mind, placing great emphasis on natural light, enhanced airflow and insulating materials.

What kind of roofs do mid-century modern homes have? ›

While metal roofing may be appropriate for some mid-century modern homes, your mid-century modern home exterior may lend itself more to a traditional shingle-style roof. Asphalt shingles are durable, cost-effective, and generally provide about 20 years of protection for a mid-century home.

What kind of floors are mid-century modern? ›

For a mid-century modern floor, you can expect to see warm tones as well as lighter colors, and some simple geometric patterns as well. This style features concrete looks, smooth hardwood, large vinyl tiles.

What city has a lot of mid-century homes? ›

According to the National Register of Historic Places, Palm Springs has the highest concentration of midcentury modern architecture in the United States, and it's no wonder: Long before Elvis stayed in his honeymoon hideaway and Frank Sinatra partied into the wee hours at his Twin Palms estate, this desert town ...

What does a mid-century modern house look like? ›

Key Elements

The geometric lines of the house are regular and rigorous. Flat roofs are common, though modern ranch-style houses had gable roofs. Large windows. Sliding-glass doors and other expansive panes of glass allow light to enter rooms from multiple angles.

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.

What are the negative effects of modern buildings? ›

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.

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.

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