Mid-Century Modern Houses for Sale – CIRCA Old Houses (2024)

FAQs

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.

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.

Even some 60 years since its heyday, the style has endured and serves as the inspiration for many of today's most prominent trends. Instantly recognizable, homes built with midcentury modern designs continue to attract buyers who are looking for a contemporary layout with stylish finishes.

“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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Rarity and demand for specific mid-century pieces

Pieces that are unique or limited in production may be more expensive compared to those that are more common or mass-produced. Additionally, if a piece has become sought after by collectors due to its popularity, it may also fetch a higher price than comparable pieces.

Beach Houses and Mediterranean-style homes are the most expensive in the U.S. and are often found on prime land close to the ocean. Large windows and balconies accentuate the use of natural light, which adds a feeling of luxury and simplicity to a home.

Do mid-century modern homes have baseboards? ›

Mid-Century Modern homes feature clean, unadorned baseboards, with gentle curves to provide a simple accent rather than an eye-catching statement.

Farmhouse style can blend effortlessly with Mid Century Modern (MCM) design. Both embrace simplicity, as the farmhouse style celebrates the humble joys of life on the farm, while MCM designs reflect clean lines and simple geometric shapes.

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.

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.

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.

The harsh lines, overwhelming geometric structure, and characterless asymmetrical forms have become increasingly popularized in this modern era. Corporate America has become consumed with the toxic ideal of making the most profit possible, pushing aside the need for character and personality within buildings.

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