mid-century modern - Furnishly

The Best Places to Shop for Mid-Century Modern Sofas, on Any Budget

by Furnishly | Apr 4, 2022 | Design Inspiration, Style

We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission.

It’s not hard to understand the evergreen popularity of mid-century modern sofas. Characterized by clean lines, sleek silhouettes, and no-frills designs, a classic mid-century modern sofa never feels dated and complements every style of decor, from minimalist to maximalist and anywhere in between. For those reasons, if you’re in the market for a new couch, the decision to go with an MCM-style option is often an easy one. What isn’t such an easy decision? Figuring out exactly where to buy your new sofa — with countless retailers to choose from, it’s understandable to feel overwhelmed by too many options. To help narrow things down, we’ve rounded up 16 of the very best places to shop for mid-century modern sofas online, ranging from affordable to high end. Happy shopping!

Wayfair has one of the widest selections of affordable furniture on the internet. Luckily, their site allows you to filter for mid-century modern sofas, so you won’t have to spend as much time scrolling past options that aren’t your style. The deceivingly expensive-looking sofa bed above is a great example of what they have to offer — from the stylish upholstery to the channel-tufted back, everything about it exudes classic mid-century modern charm.

It’s hard to think of anything you can’t buy on Amazon, so it’s not necessarily shocking that the online retailer offers mid-century modern furniture. What may be new to you, though, is Amazon’s in-house brand, Rivet — it’s dedicated entirely to affordable MCM-inspired pieces, many of which feel anything but cookie-cutter or cliché. For example, the sleek silhouette and tufted back place this sofa squarely in the mid-century category, while the gold legs and button-tufted upholstery add a modern-glam update.

West Elm is practically synonymous with impeccable mid-century style; the trickiest part about shopping for a sofa there will be narrowing down your favorite options. That said, the Zander Sofa should definitely be in the running. Not only does it boast all the most coveted hallmarks of MCM style — clean lines, flared wood legs, top-grain leather upholstery that’ll only look better with wear — but it’s also ridiculously comfy, thanks to overstuffed down-blend cushions on both the seat and arms.

Just like Wayfair, Overstock’s selection of sofas is huge. Also like Wayfair, though, the site lets you filter for just the mid-century modern ones, which helps narrow things down so it’s not too overwhelming. You’ll still have enough options to find the specific features you’re looking for at just about any price range — like this classic MCM stunner that looks like a retro find but has durable performance fabric upholstery and power ports to conveniently charge your devices when you’re cozied up.

Industry West has a knack for creating timeless MCM-style pieces that feel totally fresh, as this buttery leather sofa makes abundantly clear. From the clean, curved edges to the way the smoked oak legs blend into the leather upholstery, everything about it invites you to look twice. For an investment piece that’ll anchor the whole room, you can’t do better than this one — that said, you can get this sleek loveseat for less than half the price, so don’t rule out Industry West if your budget is a bit smaller.

It’s no secret that we are big fans of Burrow’s modular sofas. If you’re ready to buy your first “grown-up” sofa, Burrow’s Nomad collection could hardly be more perfect. Beyond the fact that each piece is comfy, built to last, and absolutely dripping with timeless mid-century style, the award-winning modular design guarantees your investment will pay off in the long term. As your needs evolve, it’ll be easy to upgrade your sofa rather than replace it.

Walmart has a surprisingly impressive selection of mid-century modern sofas — and, less surprisingly, they usually come at equally impressive prices. The sofa bed above is a perfect example: Priced at under $300, it’s about as budget-friendly as it gets, but the unique diagonal stitching, linen upholstery, and solid wood legs ensure it looks anything but cheap. Like many of Walmart’s MCM offerings, it’s an ideal option for a first apartment, especially since the multifunctional design doubles as an extra bed for guests.

If designing the MCM sofa of your dreams seems out of reach, check out Inside Weather ASAP. The millennial-friendly retailer makes buying a custom piece not only attainable but also surprisingly convenient and affordable. For example, if you’re ordering their Jett Sofa, you’ll make it your own by choosing everything from the upholstery to the armrests to the shape and style of the cushions. Inside Weather will custom-build it in San Francisco and ship it to your doorstep for free. If it’s not what you expected, you have a year to return it for a partial refund.

Target is another big-box retailer with an impressive selection of affordable mid-century modern sofas. With over 100 options in the category, there’s something for every budget and lifestyle. Target has a particularly great selection of MCM loveseats and compact sofas for smaller spaces, like this petite two-seater with flared legs and button-tufted upholstery.

Apt2B has an incredible range of classic mid-century modern sofas, and just about every one of them is available in upwards of 40 different upholstery styles. Take their gorgeous Walton Sofa, for example — the 46 options range from luxe velvet in hot pink Flamingo to woven fabric in pumpkin pie-spiced Clementine, and you can also choose the wood finish on the legs. If you’re feeling indecisive, you can order free fabric swatches of your top picks to see them IRL before making a final decision.

The section of World Market’s site that’s dedicated to mid-century modern furniture is full of hidden gems. The pieces nail the timeless practicality that makes MCM-style design eternally popular, and they also tend to deliver excellent value for the price. Take this 76-inch classic beauty, for example — with its sturdy frame and flared legs both crafted of solid hardwood, it has the quality construction and high-end look of a far more expensive piece.

Another member of the Wayfair family, Joss & Main is one of our go-to sources for affordable furniture of all types, including mid-century modern sofas. Their wide selection has something for everyone, and you can often find deep discounts on their already-reasonable prices. Such is the case with this gorgeous square-armed sofa, which is upholstered in a blend of linen and polyester, has slightly tapered block legs, and features a classic Chesterfield silhouette.

Allform is another editor-favorite source for modular sofas that’ll stand the test of time. All of their pieces come in the same basic style, which is a timeless, minimalist take on the classic MCM look. This comfy three-seater will make an excellent addition to any home, and should you choose to add more pieces down the road, the durable, stain-resistant upholstery and quality construction mean it’ll keep looking new.

Yet another member of the Wayfair family, Perigold is definitely the most grown-up, successful sister of the bunch. The luxury retailer gives you online access to the type of high-end furniture that would otherwise be available exclusively in trade-only showrooms — and while the prices aren’t cheap, they’re pieces you can hand down to your grandkids. Consider the Embassy Sofa by Gus* Modern: Featuring a kiln-dried wood frame and comfy feather-blend-filled cushions, this quintessential MCM design will literally always be cool, and the leather upholstery was carefully selected because its grain develops a beautiful patina over time.

Before Design Within Reach was founded in 1999, you’d have to be someone fancy to access high-end designer pieces like Ted Boerner’s sleek Theatre Sofa. Engineered with an angled back and elevated armrests, it’s far, far comfier than you’d ever guess by looking at it. Obviously, it’s also a major splurge, but if you’re confident you’ll never get tired of looking at a minimalist MCM sofa, the investment may be more than worthwhile.

Sarah M. Vazquez also contributed to reporting.

The One Thing You Should Preserve on a Mid-Century Modern Home

by Furnishly | Apr 4, 2022 | Design Inspiration, Style

You’ve probably heard the term mid-century modern in reference to furniture and interior design, but it was actually the mid-century modern architectural style, which flourished in the U.S. following World War II, that gave rise to the now-popular decorating aesthetic.

Today, anything in the mid-century modern category has wide appeal, and mid-century modern homes are in the midst of a major resurgence across the country. They are characterized by low profiles, wide floor plans, large windows, and a connection to the outdoors.

Bill Janovitz is a real estate agent and Vice President at Compass. He’s also part of a marketing partnership specializing in modernist houses in Boston’s western suburbs. While Janovitz doesn’t consider himself a preservationist per se, he believes that there are certain aspects of these types of homes that are key to the integrity of the style.

According to Janovitz, the main thing to preserve on a mid-century modern home is the slim-profile look of the exterior windows — although he’s not opposed to swapping out uninsulated glass for something more energy-efficient, particularly for homes in colder climates.

“Often, these homes had big sheets of uninsulated single pane glass. And they can be a tremendous source of heat loss and therefore bad for the environment,” says Janovitz.

If you’re going to replace the windows on a mid-century modern home, he recommends investing in glass that’s eco-friendly but still has a low-profile look. “It’s going to be a very big cost usually, but you just want to keep the exterior sympathetic to the original profile of the home,” he says. “So, you don’t want to replace big sheets of single pane windows with double-hung bullion windows with grids in them. In the ’80s and ’90s people were changing the look of these homes by replacing the original windows with cheaper ones.”

For the rest of the home, Janovitz suggests sticking with renovations that will add value. “The best way to preserve these homes is to make them livable by today’s standards,” he says. “What we see is people opening up the floor plans even more. These houses, very often, are post-and-beam construction, which means there’s very little in the way of interior load bearing walls. So, people open up the kitchen into the living room and things like that.”

Another idea: add a garage that can also be used for storage purposes. “Many of these houses didn’t have garages or real basements or attics, so there’s usually a storage issue,” says Janovitz. “Adding a garage that is sympathetic to the original design is usually a pretty good idea.”

He adds that it doesn’t hurt to hire an architect, especially if you’re making structural changes to the home. “It’s an expense, but it’s usually a worthwhile expense, especially if you’re going to do anything on the exterior that’s going to change the profile or an addition,” he says. “And if you’re going to hire an architect, you’re going to want to hire one that has an affinity and understanding of the history of mid-century houses.”

This piece is part of Throwback Month, where we’re revisiting vintage styles, homes, and all kinds of groovy, retro home ideas. Boogie on over here to read more!

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by Furnishly | Apr 3, 2022 | Design Inspiration, Style

Sarah Magnuson

Contributor

Sarah Magnuson is a Chicago-based, Rockford, Illinois-born and bred writer and comedian. She has bachelor’s degrees in English and Sociology and a master’s degree in Public Service Management. When she’s not interviewing real estate experts or sharing her thoughts on laundry chutes (major proponent), Sarah can be found producing sketch comedy shows and liberating retro artifacts from her parents’ basement.

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These West Elm Mid-Century Modern Storage Pieces Are Beautiful, Functional, and on Sale

by Furnishly | Mar 28, 2022 | Design Inspiration, Style

We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission.

Do you ever feel like your quest for a more streamlined and organized home comes at a cost — mainly, aesthetics? Most organizational solutions have a distinct utilitarian focus, often sacrificing design accents and thoughtful silhouettes for functionality.

Luckily, West Elm does not subscribe to this limited line of thinking. The AT-favorite retailer is constantly churning out beautiful and functional decor, much of which teams their signature mid-century modern aesthetic with useful extras like hidden storage compartments, extra drawers, and roomy shelving. The best part? Now for a limited time, you can shop some of our favorite MCM storage designs at a wallet-friendly discount, scoring up to $200 off in some cases! The functional, beautiful home of your dreams is a few clicks away from becoming reality.

99 Ways You Can Use Fabric To Decorate Every Room of Your Home

by Furnishly | Feb 20, 2022 | DIY, Uncategorized

99 ways to use fabric to decorate your home — Source: One Kings Lane

September is National Sewing Month, and in honor of the occasion, we’re taking a deep look at one of the most versatile materials out there: fabric! From sewing pillows to creating statement wall pieces, there’s no limit to the way you can use fabric in the world of interior design. Here are 99 of our favorite tips on how to use fabric to decorate every room of your home. You don’t have to be a tailor to use textiles in your space. From no-sew curtains to fabric as wallpaper, there’s a project out there for everybody!