You don’t need to have a massive budget to decorate in mid-century style. If you want to decorate with mid-century modern style on a budget, you just need the right tips. Here are 9 tips perfect for those working with a smaller budget.
Patience is Key
When your budget is small, you have to practice patience. Creating an authentic mid-century modern look takes time, especially when you can’t just throw money at it.
You’ll need to be persistent and practice patience as you seek out the right pieces from dealers, Etsy, eBay, and other marketplaces. It’s also important to go into the process knowing you may need to buy some pieces needing a little work. If you’re willing to work with a furniture restorer or put in some work yourself, you might just find the perfect piece at a low price.
Get the Colors Right First
One of the easiest ways to bring mid-century modern style into your home on a budget is with the right colors. It doesn’t cost an arm and a leg to paint rooms within your home. Instead of feeling like you have to invest in the perfect vintage pieces, start with the colors.
Choose warm wood tones, primary colors that pop, and graphic design patterns found within your favorite mid-century modern designs. If you do a little bit of research and you put in the work, you can create a wonderful mid-century modern feel in any room starting with the colors.
Shop Regularly at the Right Places
Antique stores and furniture stores often have pieces that fit well, but they come at a high price. Instead of shopping the high-end spots, frequent thrift stores, garage sales, and flea markets. You might be surprised at what you find
It’s also a good idea to have a running list of the things you want/need handy. If you don’t find something on your first shopping trip, don’t quit. Keep shopping and you’re sure to find the right mid-century modern pieces over time.
Consider Reproductions
Finding the perfect vintage mid-century modern pieces isn’t always easy or cheap. It might be worth considering some reproductions to mix with the vintage pieces you find. Not only can this allow you to decorate faster, but it can also keep things within your budget a bit easier.
Start in the Kitchen
When you first get started with decorating your home in mid-century modern style, you’ll find the kitchen to be the easiest. It’s usually the cheapest room to decorate, as well.
For an authentic mid-century look, all you really need is flat-panel cabinet doors, stained wood cabinets, and a few accessories. Add in the right colors and you’ll have a wonderful mid-century modern kitchen within your tight budget.
Accent Statement Pieces Inexpensively
Each room may have a statement piece you absolutely love, but every piece in the room doesn’t need to make a statement. You don’t need to waste your entire budget on accents and accessories. Instead, let the statement piece be the more expensive item and the accessories less expensive.
For example, choose a statement sofa for the living room, but let the end tables, coffee table, lamps, and other pieces come in at a lower cost. There are several great accessories you can score for very low prices, especially if you shop thrift stores, garage sales, flea markets, and online marketplaces.
Bold Rugs Go a Long Way on a Budget
Furniture will eat up quite a bit of your decorating budget, which is to be expected. However, you can save money on the rug and still choose a bold pattern to give your living room a true mid-century modern feel. Plenty of rugs come in bright colors with bold patterns and won’t break the bank.
Remember, Minimalism is an MCM Principle
Less is often more when trying to decorate in mid-century modern style. While MCM certainly embraces bold colors and design trends, minimalism is found at the core. You don’t have to go over-the-top with your decor or your budget.
Let in the Natural Light
Another principle of mid-century modern style is nature. Many mid-century modern homes were designed to blur the line between the indoors and the outdoors. If you’re looking to decorate with mid-century modern style on a budget, let in more natural light.
You can open the curtains or get rid of them altogether to help you let in more light. While you probably cannot redesign your home to have more windows, you can certainly open them up and let the light flow.
Making your home look and feel like a mid-century modern home on a budget doesn’t have to be difficult. If you practice patience and persistence, you’ll find the right pieces, at a price you can afford.