Best Mid

By Jennifer Barton

There’s a reason mid-century furniture has such lasting appeal and continues to win over new generations as a versatile and stylish way to decorate a living space. Known for its simple, clean lines, organic shapes and new and unexpected material pairings, mid-century designers stripped back and reimagined furniture in ways dictated by function and form.

The enduring charm of mid-century furniture is that it manages to be nostalgic and modern at once, so there’s a timelessness to embracing the trend across your entire design scheme… or buying one or two standout pieces for your living room. It also makes it popular for both contemporary and retro lovers alike, adding a different vibe to a sleek, modern home, and complementing more vintage-inspired homes.

The good news is you don’t need to trawl through vintage furniture sites and antiques sales for the best mid-century furniture finds of 2023. Whether you’re in the market for a new bed frame or a plush sofa, our favourite online furniture stores have a broad selection of mid-century furniture and accessories that will slot into every room in the house. We've compiled our favourites below, along with some good insights into what makes mid-century furniture such an exciting trend.

While there is some dispute over the exact dates that “mid-century” refers to, it typically designates the architectural and interiors style popular from the mid-1930s to mid-1970s – think Don Draper’s penthouse in Mad Men, Midge Maisel’s pad in The Marvellous Mrs. Maisel and the space-age inspired stylings of Apple TV+’s new show, Hello Tomorrow.

“Mid-century is approachable and it can fit in more of a period setting as well as a modern one. It was designed with function in mind, but to create beauty out of function,” explains Angel Tan, CEO of The House Directory. “It's more about materials and layering and is an easy way to add more character and personality to an interior scheme.”

Mid-century furniture pieces tend to embrace simple silhouettes, curved lines and a mix of natural materials (wood, metal, glass) as well as man-made ones (bakelite, fibreglass, etc.), sometimes in juxtaposition with one another. And the design also marries aesthetics and function. Versatility is another hallmark of the period: the colours, silhouettes and materials work well with a range of other styles and suit smaller living spaces, too. (See: modular furniture, which became popular during this period.)

The terms “mid-century” and “mid-century modern” (often abbreviated to MCM) are often used to describe roughly the same time period and style of furniture, though mid-century modern tends to refer to those instantly recognisable furniture pieces designed from the mid-1940s to 1970 like the Eames chair, Florence Knoll sofa, Noguchi coffee table and Arco floor lamp. Danish makers like Arne Jacobsen and Hans Wegner, known for using unusual woods like teak and rosewood, as well as leather, in their furniture designs, are also associated with the mid-century modern aesthetic.

These mid-century modern furniture designers and pieces are synonymous with stylish interiors and many are still available to buy new today – plus, there are plenty of similar alternatives for those shopping on a budget.

If you’re looking for mid-century furniture originals, you’ll want to do your research before buying. Know the designer names to look for, check the piece for evidence of quality and craftsmanship, make note of any wear and tear and look for brand “identifiers” like a sticker, label or stamp.

You don’t need to go vintage to get the look though: mid-century-inspired furniture pieces are available at a host of price points, to suit your interior style and budget. Read on for our picks of the best stores, beds, sofas, dining tables and more for a mid-century furniture find in 2023.

From London’s 180 the Strand outpost – a celebration of 1970s style – to the '60s California vibes of Holloway House in Los Angeles, Soho House knows how to nail the eclectic-yet-elegant mid-century aesthetic, which is why Soho Home makes for a great starting point when you’re looking for mid-century furniture pieces that ooze style and sex appeal. Soho Home is especially handy when you’re looking to buy showstopper items: bed frames, sofas, armchairs and dining tables, and the extensive range – from velvet-and-wood framed beds to bouclé fabric sofas – illustrates the scope and variety available when you’re accessorising your space with mid-century inspired pieces.

Whether you’re after some mid-century-inspired abstract wall art or a more substantial furniture piece, Wayfair’s budget-friendly price point is an easy way to dip a toe into the mid-century trend without breaking the bank.

If you’re looking for mid-century inspired storage pieces like wardrobes, drawers, sideboards, bedside tables and more, then look no further than Oliver Bonas’ New Boys collection. Combining mango wood, cane and colourful accents, the eclectic pieces manage to feel retro and timeless at once and are sure to add a quirky touch to any room.

Ready to invest in a classic piece of mid-century furniture that’s stood the test of time, whether that's a lusted-after Eames, a Knoll Barcelona chair, or Vitra Noguchi coffee table? Heal’s is the shop to browse. There’s an extensive selection of pieces from the top designers of the period, as well as contemporary takes on mid-century styles.

Curved sofa silhouettes were popular in mid-century furniture design. Check out Italian architect Ico Parisi's work for a masterclass in how to do it. Oliver Bonas’ take on the silhouette, in a luxurious-looking velvet, adds a pop of colour to any living space. Choose from azure blue, mustard yellow or burnt orange. £975. At oliverbonas.com

This sleek sofa from designer Paola Navone is crafted in Italy from a choice of wood and 37 fabric/colour options, including leather, St Moritz wool, bouclé, cotton or velvet. It features a button cushion detail that pays homage to the now-classic Florence Knoll sofa from the mid-1950s – at a third of the price. From £4,469. At heals.com

This loveseat wins points for versatility: it fits seamlessly into a living room, foyer, home office or bedroom. The combination of wooden legs and plush fabric seating in the loveseat design nods to mid-century styling but slips effortlessly into any contemporary space. £303.99. At wayfair.com

Sofa-in-a-box-brand Swyft’s modular sofa can be purchased in individual pieces or a pre-set model, with 11 colours and fabrics to choose from to customise it to your living space needs (L-shaped, corner, etc.) and aesthetic tastes. From £2,495 at swyfthome.com

Ercol is an English brand with a Scandi feel: its mid-century designs are known for functionality, natural materials, clean lines – and having zero pretension whatsoever. This dark tulipwood dining table with tapered legs and a glossy finish works well in small spaces. There are a host of coordinating furniture pieces, from chairs to shelves, available in the range to help you tie the whole look together as well. £865. At barkerandstonehouse.com

Mid-century furniture is often characterised by an unexpected juxtaposition of materials, illustrated beautifully in this Perch & Parrow dining table, which has a chocolate wood base and white marble top. It's mastered both unique and classic in one fell swoop. £1,020. At perchandparrow.com

This natural oak dining table from Wayfair illustrates how mid-century design can be timeless, yet still affordable. The table’s rectangular shape, rounded edges and flared, tapered legs suit most dining spaces, whether you’re perching for a quick breakfast or inviting friends for a festive meal. P.S. This is the closest we’ve found to a budget-friendly version of the famed Ercol dining tables. £160. At wayfair.com

Add some ‘60s style cues to your bedroom with Soho Home’s velvet-upholstered solid oak Belsa design, which comes in four eye-catching shades (navy, steel, sage, tangerine). It’s a statement piece that elevates your bedroom to a more regal, yet still modern, look. £2,595. At sohohome.com

Combining a streamlined silhouette with sustainable credentials (kiln-dried wood, water-based finishes, GREENGUARD certified low emissions, Fair Trade Certified), this mid-century inspired bed frame will match most decor schemes. It's simple and stripped back, yet adds warmth thanks to the colour of the wood. £839. At westelm.com

Unusual materials, particularly natural ones, are a hallmark of mid-century style – as is the fusion of indoor/outdoor interior ideas. Embrace the look with Swoon’s rattan and acacia wood bed frame, with a rounded headboard and tapered legs. £899. At swooneditions.com

This bed has it all: sumptuous fabric (velvet), a selection of mid-century approved colourways (Lumino Platinum, Midnight Blue, Dusk Cinnamon), weathered oak feet and a winged silhouette inviting you to curl up inside. £1.545. At barkerandstonehouse.com

The geometric glass table lamp is a mid-century style staple – as is the faux tortoiseshell print, used to decorate an abundance of desk accessories and end tables in the 1950s and 1960s. And adding a few more style points, the design from Oka is handblown. £250. At oka.com

Mallet & Plane specialises in retro-inspired tables and TV stands made from different types of wood. This design in mango wood pays tribute to mid-century style with its antique knobs, hairpin legs and curved silhouette. £175. At malletandplane.com

Geometric nesting tables tap into the mid-century mood for clean lines and easy-to-move furniture pieces. These circular tables from Oka mix antique brass with mirrored glass, looking straight out of an early Bond film. £1,195. At oka.com

This well-priced design in chrome and marble operates with a foot switch and illuminates any space you need it to. It’s a stylish, budget-friendly alternative to that now-iconic staple of elegant lighting, 1962’s Flos Arco floor lamp from none other than Habitat. £170 at argos.co.uk

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