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If you’re in the market for retro-feeling yet timeless home design, perhaps no style is as enduring–or as worth the investment–as the best midcentury modern furniture. This period of design, which began post-World War II and continued into the 1960s, is identifiable by its soft-edges and functional style. At the time, craftspeople, architects, and furniture designers were looking for a way to create new and innovative pieces that leaned minimalistic, using materials like wood, vinyl, and glass to create organically-shaped furniture. Rather than the angular shapes and straight lines that were seen before, midcentury modern furniture embraced funky seating, rounder tables, and unusual shapes. This era of design has continued to be popular today in part because of its balance of utility and eye-catching details.
Whether you’re in the market for a new comfortable couch or an angular bookshelf to store your coffee table books, midcentury modern furniture may be the best choice for you. These days, many luxury furniture brands create pieces that replicate the style, with a fresh twist. If you’re committed to the genre, you can also find iconic designs from the time period that are still being made today, such as the Eames Lounge Chair. No matter which room in your home you’re designing, there is a midcentury modern piece that will fit perfectly.
Here, shop the 25 best midcentury modern furniture that will instantly elevate your home.
End Table
Blend utility and style with this sculptural end table. Its flat top is the perfect spot to put down your morning coffee, while the flipped end doubles as a magazine holder (to store your vintage issues of Harper’s Bazaar, of course).
The GE1 Bench
This solid oak and leather lounge chair is an investment in high-quality materials. You can choose your preferred wood stain and even opt for fabric instead of leather. Whichever finish you choose, the design, comfort, and timelessness of this piece will endure.
The GE1 Bench
gestaltnewyork.com
$8645.00
Muse Sofa
A puffed, modular sofa is a funky, bold addition to your living room. You can opt for either tw0 seats or three, and customize the color of the upholstery. Choose a muted orange for extra personality, or tone it down with beige bouclé for a more refined look.
Paraggi Walnut Wood Credenza
Adding storage options to your home doesn’t mean settling for clear plastic boxes. This stunning credenza has cabinets and drawers to store everything from cutlery to your TV’s remote controls. In fact, you could choose to make this credenza a media station with the simple addition of installing your television above it.
Paraggi Walnut Wood Credenza
cb2.com
$2499.00
Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman
The Herman Miller Eames lounge chair, with an accompanying ottoman, is one of the most iconic mid-century modern pieces you can invest in. It’s also one of the most comfortable places to lay back and relax. Whether you’re a mid-century modern obsessive or not, this chair can blend into several home styles.
Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman
dwr.com
$5916.00
Jaya Coffee Table
This circular coffee table will quickly become the center of your living room. Its width allows many people to use it at once, and thanks to its clever design, it will never wobble on your floors.
Jaya Coffee Table
modani.com
$620.00
Elbow Outdoor Lounge Chair
If you’re lucky enough to have outdoor space to call your own, you know how challenging it can be to find sturdy furniture that fits your home’s aesthetic. This outdoor piece could double as a dining chair, but its sealed wood structure and wicker seat mean you can leave it on your balcony without worrying about the elements.
Elbow Outdoor Lounge Chair
roveconcepts.com
$462.00
Audrey Nesting Coffee Table Set
Nesting tables are one of the best ways to adjust your space when guests visit your home. Since the smaller table can rest underneath the larger, you can enjoy a smaller surface when you’re only serving yourself, or pull them apart for a larger gathering.
Audrey Nesting Coffee Table Set
anthropologie.com
$499.95
Draper Media Console
Whether your ideal form of relaxation involves listening to vinyl records, watching TV, or reading novels, this vintage-inspired media console can do it all. You can either hide or display your collection with the sliding doors, and even open up the top for easy access to a record player.
Draper Media Console
urbanoutfitters.com
$329.00
Avalene Bar Cabinet
Many mid-century modern furniture pieces revolve around creating community spaces, and nothing brings people together as much as enjoying a beverage at the end of the day. This wooden bar cabinet has ten bottle spaces and two drawers for bar accessories. There is even room to hang champagne flutes and store additional glassware.
Avalene Bar Cabinet
anthropologie.com
$1198.00
Afteroom Bar Chair Plus
A fully stacked bar deserves a classic wood-and-leather barstool. Enjoy sipping on your dirty martini while leaning back against this minimalist, classic seat. This stool is very sturdy, and thanks to the back, comfortable for anyone who prefers to lean instead of perch at the bar.
Afteroom Bar Chair Plus
audocph.com
$636.97
Timber Olio Green Sofa
A comfortable couch is the centerpiece of any home. This green fabric version is created by Article, who makes contemporary pieces inspired by mid-century design. If a green sofa isn’t your vibe, you can also opt for gray beige or leather upholstery.
Timber Olio Green Sofa
article.com
$1299.00
The Plush Table
With fluted legs and a solid wood tabletop, this carefully made dining table will undoubtedly age gracefully. To customize it to your home, you can choose between seven different sizes, three different wood types, and even choose the thickness of the top.
The Plush Table
gestaltnewyork.com
$2023.00
Otio Toscana Tan Walnut Lounge Chair
Wood and leather are the hallmarks of mid-century modern furniture. You can put this piece in your living room, or even in the bedroom as a cozy nook for curling up. If you prefer darker furniture, you can also swap the black leather for brown.
Otio Toscana Tan Walnut Lounge Chair
article.com
$899.00
Helix Walnut Wood Wall Mount Desk
When storage is limited, tall vertical shelves come in handy. This piece is actually a minimalist desk, but the high-reaching shelves let you store books, artistic knickknacks, or work accessories up high.
Helix Walnut Wood Wall Mount Desk
cb2.com
$179.94
Low Table Concave Top Pebble
This amoeba-shaped coffee table is a great accessory for anyone looking to break up straight lines in their home. Its free-flowing, solid wood top curves up slightly at the edges, making it harder to spill or have items roll off.
Low Table Concave Top Pebble
ligne-roset.com
$4575.00
Floyd Bookshelf Walnut
Finding a stylish way to display your books is not just a great storage solution, but it also allows houseguests to get a glimpse of your personality. This angular shelf uses a zig-zag design to create a point of interest in your home, without sacrificing utility.
Floyd Bookshelf Walnut
modani.com
$790.00
Palma Reclaimed Console
Not only is this curved end-table a beautiful accessory for your couch, but it’s also made of environmentally-friendly materials. All of Taracea’s wooden furniture is crafted from trees that fall in natural events, such as storms, which allows her to use the material without cutting anything down. Then, the lumber is sent to a master craftsman who carves the wood into the final, distinctive pieces.
Palma Reclaimed Console
anthropologie.com
$1598.00
Parker Modern Home Office Desk
If you’re tired of your children using your dining table as a homework zone, consider upgrading to this classic mid-century modern desk. Not only is it equipped with storage and a drawer, but the low price point means replacing it won’t be a huge inconvenience once it gets covered in pen marks.
Parker Modern Home Office Desk
amazon.com
$259.99
Egg Chair
Statement chairs are one of the best furniture items to turn into a focal point in your home. The famous Egg Chair, designed by Fritz Hansen in the 1950s, has become a centerpiece in thousands of homes for the past few decades. You can choose a muted fabric to allow the design to speak for itself, or go wild with cowhide to really draw some eyes.
Alana Bookshelf
Wire-framed bookshelves were a popular mod choice in the 1960s. This contemporary version has four levels where you can perch everything from your favorite novels to decor items you love to display. You can also choose from four different colors to really make it fit into your home.
Alana Bookshelf
urbanoutfitters.com
$249.00
Sammi Nightstand
This modular nightstand is equipped with two large drawers that easily hides all your bedside necessities from peering eyes. With its curved line design, it can upgrade your bedroom’s wow-factor while providing plenty of storage. Plus, you can choose between a teal or black accent color, depending on your preferred aesthetic.
Sammi Nightstand
anthropologie.com
$448.00
Androgyne Dining Table
When investing in furniture, you can’t go wrong with a classic like a sturdy dining table. This version is designed by Denmark-based Norwegian architect Danielle Siggerud. Available in two different sizes and finishes, you can choose between a darker or lighter table that easily sits your entire family.
Androgyne Dining Table
audocph.com
$4800.00
Zola Black Leather Dining Chair
This wood and leather dining chair may be one of the most comfortable seats on the market. The leather cushion is easy to wipe down, making it much easier to clean food scraps than traditional upholstery.
Zola Black Leather Dining Chair
article.com
$30.00
Solid Wood Nightstand
At bed time, it’s essential to have a nearby nook to store anything from a phone charger to hydrating hand cream. This open design makes it easy to reach over and get exactly you need without opening up a drawer.
Solid Wood Nightstand
amazon.com
$37.99
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