Styles certainly come and go, but some tend to stick around longer — and enjoy more frequent resurgences — than others. The mid-century modern style provides a great example of this. Mid-century modern was likely the leading style employed in U.S. homes for nearly 30 years, and it remains popular with people to this very day.
These homes often featured a number of similarities, from their actual architectural designs to a reliance on natural materials. But we find the wood flooring used in many mid-century modern homes to be the most interesting thing about them. Read on to learn more about the mid-century modern style, some of the hardwood floor types these homes would feature, and some of the other floor materials often incorporated into these homes.
What Is the Mid-Century Modern Style Like?
While its name is an allusion to the fact that the mid-century modern style flourished during the middle of the 20th century, it actually became popular in the 30s and largely ushered in the end of the art deco period.
The style had a number of key characteristics, which emphasized:
- A less-is-more approach to design. Typically, homes in the height of the mid-century period featured fewer decorations in favor of bolder decorative items, such as sculptures.
- Current art movements of the time. This style was strongly influenced by the expressionist movement and utilized many abstract shapes and bold colors.
- Open spaces and design concepts. Open concept living spaces became popular during this time, and many people started opting for homes that featured fewer, but larger rooms.
- The presence of numerous windows. Many mid-century modern homes incorporated a number of large windows to provide natural light and help connect interior spaces with the outdoors.
And, as mentioned earlier, mid-century modern style homes often featured gorgeous floors, which we’ll discuss in greater detail in the next section.
While there are obviously still homes available that embrace the mid-century modern style, and some people continue incorporating some of its design elements, it started being less popular when the pop-art and psychedelic styles of the late 60s and 70s began to replace it.
What Kinds of Wood Floors Were Common in Mid-Century Modern Homes
Mid-century modern architects and designers really embraced the aesthetic contribution that hardwood floors can provide a home. But it wasn’t just about choosing hardwood floors instead of other options; it was also about the types of hardwood floors they incorporated.
While the floors in these homes certainly varied, there were a few common trends seen in these types of homes:
- A reliance on oak. While several different wood species were used during this time period, including teak, cherry, and walnut, oak was far and away the most popular choice.
- The increased use of matte and satin finishes. While high-gloss finishes were often embraced during earlier time periods, most mid-century modern designers opted for more natural-looking finishes.
- Lightly finished floors. In addition to relying on matte and satin finishes, most floors in mid-century modern homes tended to be lightly finished (or even unfinished) and embraced the natural appearance of the wood.
- Natural textures. Mid-century modern designers didn’t try to “hide” the fact that the floors were wood; instead, they embraced the organic feel of wood and tried to show off grain patterns present.
In addition to these trends, there are two more relatively contradictory tendencies that were common during that time. Some designers would embrace wide floor planks, in part for the way they make spaces look larger. On the other hand, other designers incorporated parquet wood floors, consisting of numerous small planks, which were arranged in various geometric patterns, such as herringbone, chevron, or basketweave.
Other Popular Mid-Century Modern Floor Styles and Materials
While hardwood floors were quite common during the height of the mid-century modern style’s popularity, some homes did feature other types of floors. A few notable examples include:
- Terrazzo: Terrazzo floors consist of small pieces of quartz, marble, or glass that are set into a concrete base layer, yielding an eye-catching and durable floor.
- Linoleum: A cost-effective choice, linoleum floors of the time were available with several different kinds of bold geometric prints that mesh well with the mid-century modern style.
- Tile: Both ceramic and stone tiles were popular during this time period, and they were not only used in kitchens and bathrooms, but living areas too.
- Carpet: Carpet was commonly used in some spaces, but the colors were generally muted, which reflects the reliance on natural finishes for hardwood floors.
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Mid-century modern design choices are enjoying a resurgence in popularity, with many homeowners looking for flooring options that produce this kind of aesthetic feel. But whether you’re considering installing a parquet floor or going with a traditionally installed, wide-plank floor, we can help! Contact us now or stop by our Bloomington, Hopkins, or St. Paul showroom to get started.