Home Design & Decorating Room Design Bedrooms

27 Midcentury Modern Bedroom Decorating Ideas

Midcentury bedroom with wooden headboard and black nightstand next to fiddle leaf houseplant

The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto

Midcentury modern bedrooms are calm, tranquil, timeless spaces that never seem to go out of style. Midcentury modern refers to the decorating style that rose to popularity in the 1950s and 1960s. It's characterized by lots of natural wood, simple lines, a mostly muted palette, and a less-is-more, form-meets-function aesthetic.

The enduring style remains so popular that you can find authentic or reproduction furniture, lighting, and decor at any price point. Midcentury modern design blends well with other design aesthetics from coastal to boho style to Scandinavian, allowing you to create a look that suits your interior style.

Check out these midcentury modern bedrooms for ideas and inspiration.

Dark Wood Paneled Walls

Dark wood walls in modern bedroom
Sharyn Cairns

Use rich, dark wood paneling to show the moody side of midcentury. This sophisticated bedroom, photographed by Sharyn Cairns, shows off several midcentury modern decorating staples: the wood paneling on the walls, the pendant light, and the classic molded plastic chair.

Blue Midcentury Bedroom

Blue accent wall in modern bedroom
Jamie House Design

Blue might not be the most common accent color in midcentury modern design, but look how beautifully it's used in this bedroom from Jamie House Design. The grayish-blue accent wall, wonderful small chair, and colorful throw pillows really add pizzazz to this otherwise rather simple space.

Try White Walls and Wood

White modern bedroom
Matthew Niemann Photograhy

Simple, neutral color is a common palette in midcentury design. This lovely and serene bedroom from Matthew Niemann Photography shows off a tranquil color scheme of white and natural wood.

Midcentury Modern Boho Style

moroccan midcentury modern bedroom

Michelle Boudreau Design

Many original midcentury modern interiors mixed in Moroccan decor pieces like Beni Ourain rugs to add texture and contrast with the period's clean lines. Michelle Boudreau Design took a similar approach in this boho style bedroom by complementing dark wood midcentury modern furniture with Moroccan accessories from the pompom blanket to the rug, pouf, and throw pillows that add softness and color.

Minimalist Bedroom

minimalist midcentury modern bedroom

Home Consultant

Midcentury modern style lends itself to clean lines and minimalist interiors. Home Consultant kept it simple in this tranquil midcentury modern bedroom with exposed wood ceilings, wood and woven accents, and a small midcentury desk that turns the space into a bedroom office.

Consider Colorful Midcentury Bedroom

colorful midcentury modern bedroom

Dazey Den

While modern designers tend to focus on the neutral side of midcentury modern design, the period was also known for its bright and bold colors and groovy designs. Dazey Den channeled the brighter side of the era with colorful textiles and wall paint that is complemented with vintage lighting and nightstands.

Midcentury Modern Nightstand

Mid-century modern nightstand
Lauren Nelson Design

As this bedroom from Lauren Nelson Design shows, all it takes is one signature piece of midcentury modern furniture to give your bedroom a shot of style. Nightstands are especially easy to find, and many are quite affordable.

Rustic Midcentury Bedroom

Modern bedroom with wood paneling
Ryan Rhodes Design

Use a mix of natural wood finishes to add a rustic feel to a midcentury modern bedroom. Ryan Rhodes Designs chose textiles patterned with circles and geometrics, along with touches of global style to add a splash of retro flair to this relaxing midcentury modern bedroom.

Clerestory Windows

midcentury modern bedroom decor ideas

Tyler Karu Design + Interiors / Photo by Erin Little

Clerestory windows are a hallmark of midcentury modern rooms, providing light and privacy in the bedroom. Tyler Karu Design + Interiors integrated them into the design of this midcentury Maine ranch house with a vintage stained wood bedframe that fits nicely beneath them and a tall plant in the corner.

Midcentury Modern Headboard

midcentury modern bedroom with rattan flower headboard

K Shan Design

A vintage or reproduction rattan flower headboard will add midcentury modern charm to your bedroom. K Shan Design paired the headboard with neutral linens and a pair of matching vintage bedside lamps.

Midcentury Modern Dresser

Mid-century modern dresser
Kelly Deck Design

Use a midcentury dresser to easily incorporate the design style into your bedroom (and give you a clean-lined storage solution). This dresser is classic midcentury modern style: clean lines, raised legs, straight edges, and natural wood. The squat golden yellow lamp on top is the crowning touch in this bedroom from Kelly Deck Design.

Matching Wood Furniture

midcentury modern bedroom in Palm Springs

Michelle Boudreau Design

Matching nightstands and a built-in vanity give this Palm Springs midcentury modern bedroom from Michelle Boudreau Design a retro feel. Palm print wallpaper and a Jonathan Adler retro-style pendant light hanging from the painted wood ceiling complete the breezy desert look.

Tip

Although the words "contemporary" and "modern" are often used interchangeably, they are not the same. Modern refers to a specific decorating style that first arose in the 1920s evolved into midcentury modern during the 1950s and 1960s. Contemporary refers to more current design styles.

Modernist Lounge Chair

Bedroom with mid-century modern chaise chair
Jenny Wolf Interiors

Choose an iconic piece of furniture to add authenticity to a midcentury modern-style interior. Jenny Wolf Interiors chose an early modernist LC4 Lounge Chair originally designed by Le Corbusier in 1928 to create a focal point in this midcentury modern-inspired bedroom.

Unexpected Red

Mid-century modern bedroom
Chris Nguyen

Add a pop of red to instantly liven up a more neutral midcentury bedroom. This midcentury modern bedroom from designer Chris Nguyen has an authentic feel. The color scheme, furniture, and artwork are all hallmarks of this popular decor style.

Midcentury Modern En Suite

midcentury modern bedroom furniture ideas

Michelle Boudreau Design

In a midcentury modern primary suite with a bathroom that's visible from the bedroom, coordinate furniture styles and finishes. Michelle Boudreau Design repurposed a walnut credenza as a sink vanity that echoes the sideboard in the bedroom for a cohesive look.

Add a Eames Lounge Chair

orange mid-century modern bedroom
Hart Studio

One of the most iconic pieces of midcentury modern design is the Eames lounge chair and matching ottoman. This bedroom from Hart Studio demonstrates exactly why this comfortable chair is such a classic.

Midcentury Modern Bed Frame

midcentury modern bed frame

Louis Duncan-He Designs / Eymeric Wildling Photography

A midcentury bed frame will bring some vintage style to your bedroom. Louis Duncan-He Designs matched the dark wood stain of this midcentury modern bed and matching nightstands to the hardwood floors for a seamless look.

Midcentury Modern Daybed

midcentury modern daybed

Louis Duncan-He Designs / Eymeric Wildling Photography

A midcentury modern daybed is a versatile piece of furniture that can work with other styles. Louis Duncan-He Designs placed a clean-lined, slim-legged midcentury modern daybed in front of the decorative carved wood fireplace in this primary bedroom that helps to balance the overall design of the room.

Hairpin Legs on Furniture

Modern bedroom
Virtual Studio Innovations

Hairpin legs on furniture, as shown on the bed in this room photographed by Virtual Studio Innovations, are a hallmark of the midcentury modern style. The legs allow furniture to float above the floor for an airy feel.

Macrame Planter Hangers

macrame plant hangers
Isabelle Palmer

The '70s mixed in lots of funky styles to the classic midcentury modern look. Here, macrame plant hangers from Isabelle Palmer of The Balcony Gardener show off retro good looks.

Coastal Midcentury Modern

coastal midcentury modern bedroom

Louis Duncan-He Designs / Heather Dunbar Photography

Blend midcentury modern furniture and lighting with a coastal palette for a modern mash-up. Louis Duncan-He Designs decorated this spacious bedroom with retro-style lighting fixtures and upholstered furniture, adding a turquoise shiplap accent wall, a patterned rug, and blue throw pillows for a coastal feel.

Board and Batten Walls

midcentury modern bedroom finishes

Michelle Berwick Design

Add detail to a midcentury modern bedroom with simple wood trim details. Michelle Berwick Design added board and batten to the white walls and soaring slanted ceilings of this lakeside cabin that give it a fresh and homey feel.

Built-In Bookcases

Built in bookcases in modern bedroom
Weiss Architecture

What avid reader wouldn't love an entire wall of built-in bookcases, as in this midcentury modern bedroom from Weiss Architecture? The classic midcentury armchair is the perfect spot to sit and enjoy your favorite book.

Midcentury Modern Glam

Abstract artwork in modern bedroom
Lori Dennis

Midcentury modern style can go rather glamorous, as demonstrated in this primary bedroom from interior designer Lori Dennis. The bold abstract paintings, luxurious fur throw, mustard armchair, and spare but elegant furniture creates a polished and sophisticated look.

About This Term: Primary Bedroom

Many real estate associations, including the National Association of Home Builders, have classified the term "Master Bedroom" as discriminatory. "Primary Bedroom" is the name now widely used among the real estate community and better reflects the purpose of the room.

Read more about our Diversity and Inclusion Pledge to make The Spruce a site where all feel welcome.

Hanging Bubble Chair

70s retro bedroom
Jamie Bush+Co

Who says midcentury modern can't have a sense of fun? Jamie Bush + Co. decorated this bedroom with '60s and '70s retro pieces, such as the pop art Beatles images and the acrylic hanging chair, this bedroom shows off the personality and whimsy of its owner.

Midcentury Boho Style Bedroom

midcentury modern boho style bedroom

K Shan Design

Midcentury modern blends easily with boho style decor for a light and breezy feel. K Shan Design mixed a midcentury modern cane and wood headboard with a macrame wall hanging for a boho-style feel in this relaxed bedroom with plenty of texture.

Midcentury Modern Sofa

midcentury modern bedroom furniture ideas

Tyler Karu Design + Interiors / Photo by Erin Little

Place a midcentury modern sofa at the end of your bed to create a stylish seating area in a primary suite. Tyler Karu Design + Interiors decorated this tranquil 1969 lakefront home bedroom with walnut wood, vintage lamps, and matching nightstands for a timeless look with a laid back coastal feel.

FAQ
  • What are the best colors for midcentury modern bedrooms?

    Neutral and earth tones, such as beige, tan, and grey, are paired with brighter, bolder colors, including orange, brown, olive, mustard yellow, red, and teal, in midcentury modern decorating.

  • Can you mix midcentury modern with other styles?

    Mixing two decorating styles together works well and adds a personal touch and taste to your home. Pair midcentury modern with anything from boho style to Scandinavian to coastal styles.

  • What type of wood is commonly used in midcentury modern?

    Midcentury modern furniture pieces are typically made out of teak, rosewood, walnut, and oak.