It’s a common belief that we, design enthusiasts, have an obsession with midcentury modern furniture. The design movement, which swept through Europe—and eventually the United States—in the decade or so following World War II marked a sharp departure from the highly ornate and extravagant styles that dominated the 1920s and 30s. In fact, the hallmarks of the best midcentury modern furniture included sharp lines, organic materials, and as few unnecessary decorative details as possible.
In the years after the war, when people were hyper-focused on streamlined functionality over all else, designers such as Le Corbusier, Hans Wegner, and Charlotte Perriand emerged as stars. For one reason or another, their iconic furniture has stood the test of time because anyone with a penchant for design has a midcentury piece—whether it’s from the Post-War era or inspired by the same period.
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Best for Storage
Midcentury Cabinet
West Elm
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Best for Low Ceilings
Norre Bed
West Elm
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Best for Mies van der Rohe Fans
Midcentury Modern Accent Chair
Art Leon
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Best for Small Spaces
Mccurley Coffee Table with Storage
Mercury Row
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Best for Vintage Collectors
Bamboo Rattan Sofa
1stDibs
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Best Lighting
Italian Sconces
Chairish
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Bet for Relaxing
CH25 Lounge Chair
Hans J. Wegner
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Best for Breakfast Nooks
Round Dining Table
Eero Saarinen
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Best for Large Living Rooms
Arco Floor Lamp
Achille Castiglioni
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Best for Home Offices
Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman
Eames
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Plus, the simple yet elegant style paved the way for brands like West Elm, which is famous for its midcentury modern-inspired collection of sofas, low-profile beds, and boxy walnut end tables. That said, if you’re a collector or eager to get your hands on the real deal, you can lose track of time on a site like 1stDibs, which sells thousands of vintage pieces that ship from boutiques all over the world. (Lucky for you, we even have an exclusive discount going on with the online marketplace that you can catch here.)
But whether you’re an expert in the movement or have never even heard of it until now, you may feel overwhelmed when it comes to sifting through the midcentury modern inventory, so we’ve rounded up a few of our favorites to inspire your search. The best part? We’ve included picks at every price point.
Best for Storage
West Elm
Midcentury Cabinet
Best for Low Ceilings
West Elm
Norre Bed
Best for Mies van der Rohe Fans
Art Leon
Midcentury Modern Accent Chair
Best for Small Spaces
Mercury Row
Mccurley Coffee Table with Storage
Best for Vintage Collectors
1stDibs
Bamboo Rattan Sofa
Best Lighting
Chairish
Italian Sconces
Bet for Relaxing
Hans J. Wegner
CH25 Lounge Chair
Best for Breakfast Nooks
Eero Saarinen
Round Dining Table
Best for Large Living Rooms
Achille Castiglioni
Arco Floor Lamp
Best for Home Offices
Eames
Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman
Best for Minimalists
AllModern
Mags Solid Wood Nightstand
What is midcentury furniture?
Midcentury furniture is anything designed and produced in the two decades that followed World War II. Typically, midcentury furniture is simple in its aesthetic, comprised of natural materials, and lacks unnecessary decoration.
What qualifies as midcentury modern furniture?
To serious collectors, authentic midcentury modern furniture includes pieces designed in Post-Ware Europe and the United States. That said, these days, midcentury modern furniture is a style that encompasses clean-lined wooden pieces with little or no hardware.
What kind of wood is midcentury modern?
The most common wood used to build midcentury modern furniture was either teak or oak.
As design lovers, we have done our research to make sure we’re showing you the most authentic midcentury modern furniture on the market. If it can’t be from the era itself, it will be an accurate representation at the very least!
Jessica Cherner
Jessica Cherner is House Beautiful’s associate shopping editor and knows where to find the best high-low pieces for any room.
