Mid-Century Modern Lighting Ideas That Stand the Test of Time
Design trends come and go… and then often come back again, like bell bottoms and bangs. But some have staying power, and perhaps none more so than Mid-Century Modern design. It first became popular in the middle of the last century, and barely went out of fashion before experiencing a resurgence in the ‘90s. Whether you are fully committed to a mid-century aesthetic or just want to dip your toe into the waters, lighting is a great way to partake in this classic look.
What Defines Mid-Century Modern Lighting?
Born during the time of the split-level home, multipurpose living areas, and innovations in space technology, Mid-Century Modern was influenced by the changing landscape and zeitgeist of the modern world. In it you can find nods to molecular chemistry and interstellar exploration, as well as a commitment to clean lines, curving shapes, functional beauty, and integration with the natural world.
In mid-century lighting, you’ll find many of these same principles at play. Modern forms and uncluttered simplicity, shapes that curve to give a soft feel, and deliberate asymmetry are all hallmarks of the style.
Materials and Finishes in Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Mid-century designers also became enamored with modern fabricated materials such as plywood, aluminum, steel, and fiberglass. In lighting inspired by the era, you’ll still see this at work, as well as a warmth and organic impulse. In the late 1930s, Finnish architect and designer Alvar Aalto felt that design should go beyond reason and function to include human psychology and physiology, that it should emanate from very human values. So mid-century lighting fixtures are often playful and warm as well as lovely.
Can Mid-Century Modern Lighting Work with Contemporary Decor?
In today’s design landscape, unless you are looking to create a nostalgic interior that harkens back to the 1950s and 60s, you’ll see that mid-century design has been somewhat toned down from its original expression. Many interior designers start with the house itself and its original features when they’re looking for inspiration, then incorporate mid-century touches to pay homage to the style in a more contemporary way. Let’s look at a few of the different types of fixtures inspired by Mid-Century Modern design that will work beautifully in 21st century homes.
Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers
Sputnik Chandeliers
Named after the Sputnik, the first satellite launched into space in 1957, these starburst-shaped chandeliers became popular shortly afterward. At the time, they were considered to be futuristic and high-tech, along with other recent innovations like refrigerators and modern cars. Today’s Sputnik chandeliers come in a variety of colors and finishes, as well as sizes, all with the trademark starburst shape. When one is installed, it becomes a centerpiece that draws attention, so it’s usually a good idea to keep the rest of the light fixtures in the space comparatively understated.
Brass and Glass Chandeliers
Brass fixtures with glass globes are another popular mid-century look. These are often asymmetrical and inspired by atomic shapes, with long arms that stretch out over the room to evenly distribute light. Another option is a smaller chandelier with less of a wingspan, that still draws upon mid-century inspiration.
Other Mid-Century Modern Ceiling Lights
Mid-Century Flush Mount Fixtures
If you don’t have headroom for a chandelier, you can still bring a mid-century ethos to your room with an atomic-inspired flush-mounted ceiling fixture. As a rule, a ceiling mounted light should hang at least 7 feet off of the floor, so if your ceilings are less than 10 feet high, then these will create the effect you’re looking for without your family or houseguests bumping their heads.
Nelson Bubble Pendant Light
George Nelson was a founder of Mid-Century Modernism in America, and a wildly prolific designer. While he was director of design for Herman Miller, he created light fixtures that have become modern icons, with shapes that range from orbs to saucers. Their wide and gently flowing lines look simultaneously space-age and captivating as they shine soft light around a room.
Globe Pendant Light
Mid-century modern globe pendant lights can be installed in almost any room, including living rooms, dining rooms, kitchens, bedrooms, and hallways. Used either as a single pendant or in a pair, they work well as a primary source of ambient light. If you want to add a bit more drama, then consider a multi-globe pendant fixture.
Elliptical Glass Pendant Light
Ellipses were also a popular shape among mid-century designers, and still have staying power. This elegant shape is a perfect match for almost any interior design style, whether it be classic or modern. Look for an elliptical glass pendant light with a clear glass shade and a single lamp that is suspended downward from the center.
Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Famed French lighting designer Serge Mouille began researching and designing light fixtures in the mid-1950s, when he was supervising the gold smithing department at L’École des Arts Appliqués in Paris. The minimalist, multi-armed lamps that he created were designed with a basic principle in mind: that “lamps are there to be touched,” bringing the human element back into design.
Arco Floor Lamps
The Arco is perhaps the most famous mid-century floor lamp. It was designed in 1962 by Italian brothers Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, to solve the problem of lighting a table that needed to be moved around. It includes an arched, pivoting arm that dramatically juts out over the room (and so can double as overhead lighting if positioned correctly), a shade suspended overhead by the slender arm, and a counterweight, which was originally a block of marble that weighed more than 100 pounds. Today, you can find fixtures that are inspired by these ideas but put a fresh twist on classic designs, such as a stunning brass floor lamp with a curved arm, or a nickel and black floor lamp with an angular arm.
Tripod Floor Lamps
As the name suggests, a tripod floor lamp has a three-legged base and typically sports a simple and understated shade. The bases come in many different looks, whether sleek and minimal or chunky and made out of organic materials like natural oak or waxed wood.
Other Mid-Century Floor Lamps
Loved for their simplicity, large size, and the great amount of light they bring to a room, orb-shaped floor lamps feature a tall minimalist stem topped with a circular globe. And a tapered column floor lamp starts larger at the base and gently tapers as it goes upward toward the lampshade. If you choose a tapered floor lamp, opt for a larger, more substantial shade to maximize the visual effect.
Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Cone-Shaped Desk Lamp
During the 1940s, French designer Jean Prouvé designed a wall lamp that was simple in concept and execution: a conical shade fixed to a long metal bar and supported by a steel wire. He even designed a lamp shade that would match, in different sizes and iterations. Other designers followed suit, such as Danish designer Svend Aage Holm-Sørensen, who created a series including a pendant, wall lamp, and floor lamp where form and function are both paramount. Today, the basic shape of a cone is particularly popular in desk lamps. Perfectly streamlined, they showcase both modern and industrial vibes, with a slim arm and a deliberately refined conical shade.
Wood Table Lamps
Wood has been used to make tools and furniture for thousands of years, especially woods like teak and walnut, which have a tight grain and sturdy composition. Walnut table lamps became increasingly popular in the last century thanks in part to the influence of Paul McCobb, one of the major figures of Mid-Century Modern furniture design. Sleek and stylish, in a wide range of wood finishes and enchanting shapes, wood table lamps are a great choice for anyone looking to incorporate a mid-century aesthetic.
Mid-Century Modern Wall Sconces
Starburst Wall Sconce
With a shape reminiscent of the Sputnik chandelier, starburst wall sconces are back in style. Made of metal with finishes that range from antique brass to stainless steel, these sconces not only shine focused task lighting for reading or illuminating architectural features, they will also serve as an art piece in your space.
Bullet-Shaped Wall Sconce
Another timeless mid-century design is the bullet-shaped lampshade. These can be retro or contemporary in form, and are an excellent addition to your lighting plan when installed above your bedroom side tables, in the living room, or at the entrance to a modern home.
If Mid-Century Modern Is Your Thing, We’ve Got You Covered
At Visual Comfort, we have a wide variety of fixtures inspired by mid-century design, often with a contemporary twist. Visit visualcomfort.com to find your perfect fixture.
FAQ
What makes lighting mid-century modern?
Inspired by lighting design that started in the mid-1900s and never went completely out of style, it features clean lines, curving shapes, a dedication to simplicity, and both natural and fabricated materials.
Can I use mid-century modern lighting in any home?
Because of their simple and often-stunning design, mid-century lighting fixtures will complement almost any décor, adding a touch of whimsy to traditional spaces or a hint of space-age modernism to contemporary homes.