Mid-century Houses and Homes (2024)

FAQs

What are mid-century style homes? ›

A midcentury modern house plan is characterized by a very wide, low footprint with large, open spaces, floor-to-ceiling windows, and an emphasis on bringing the outdoors in. Although midcentury modern architecture boomed all across America from 1945 to 1969, it's seen a major resurgence in recent years.

Written by HomeAdvisor. Building a new, mid-century-style modern home costs between $300,000 to $1,250,000.

Even some 60 years since its heyday, the style has endured and serves as the inspiration for many of today's most prominent trends. Instantly recognizable, homes built with midcentury modern designs continue to attract buyers who are looking for a contemporary layout with stylish finishes.

“I think it's really the materials, the open flowing spaces, and the real sunny feel to them that draws people to the architectural style to this day,” explains Ike, who lives in a midcentury-modern home himself in San Diego.

The Mid Century Modern era refers to the period roughly between the end of World War II through the mid 1970s. Mid Century Modern style hit its peak in the middle of the 20th century, hence the 'mid century' part of its name.

Farmhouse style can blend effortlessly with Mid Century Modern (MCM) design. Both embrace simplicity, as the farmhouse style celebrates the humble joys of life on the farm, while MCM designs reflect clean lines and simple geometric shapes.

While metal roofing may be appropriate for some mid-century modern homes, your mid-century modern home exterior may lend itself more to a traditional shingle-style roof. Asphalt shingles are durable, cost-effective, and generally provide about 20 years of protection for a mid-century home.

As Courtney Newman, owner of ModernWay in Palm Springs, California, said to the Washington Post: “Because it's so well-made and so iconic in style, [MCM furniture] kind of never leaves the marketplace.”

–New York, NY ranked number one for the best city for mid century modern home buyers with a city score of 40.11 out of 50. –Palm Springs, CA offers the most MCM builds for sale per capita with 271.43 listings.

Beach Houses and Mediterranean-style homes are the most expensive in the U.S. and are often found on prime land close to the ocean. Large windows and balconies accentuate the use of natural light, which adds a feeling of luxury and simplicity to a home.

Is a 100 year old house worth buying? ›

If the home has been properly loved and maintained over the years, it may well outlive you. If it hasn't, you could be dealing with windows that won't open, doors that jam, cracks in the foundation and other expensive issues. Pests, too, may have taken their toll on a home over time.

Maintenance costs

Due to their age, some midcentury modern homes may require more upkeep than newer properties. Thoroughly inspecting the home's electrical wiring, plumbing and insulation might help identify any potential costs for down the road.

Mid-Century Modern homes feature clean, unadorned baseboards, with gentle curves to provide a simple accent rather than an eye-catching statement.

For a mid-century modern floor, you can expect to see warm tones as well as lighter colors, and some simple geometric patterns as well. This style features concrete looks, smooth hardwood, large vinyl tiles.

Design in the mid-1900s was characterized by a little bit of a minimalist approach, clean lines, functional use, ornamentation, and organic shapes. The mid-century modern interior design has a fresh vibe with a retro feel. Aesthetic design coupled with comfort and functionality makes it timeless and still in style.

Contemporary design aesthetics do notably differ from that of modern and mid-century modern in that its colors tend to be starker and more saturated than the warmer, more subdued design colors of modern styles. It's also a bit curvier, as opposed to modern design's preference for straight lines.