midcentury

Midcentury, short for the mid–20th century, refers to cultural trends roughly dating from the end of World War II to the late 1960s. The term is used to describe a range of design, architecture, and lifestyle aesthetics that spread from the United States to Europe and beyond during a period of rapid economic growth and social change.

In architecture and design, midcentury modern became a defining style. It favors clean lines, open floor plans, large glass surfaces, seamless outdoor–indoor flow, and the use of new materials such as molded plywood, fiberglass, and plastics. Furniture and products often feature modularity, organic forms, and a pared-down aesthetic. Notable practitioners include Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, Arne Jacobsen, Alvar Aalto, and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, whose work helped popularize the look.

Culturally, the era coincided with postwar optimism, suburban expansion, and the rise of television and mass media. The midcentury aesthetic permeated homes, offices, schools, and public buildings, influencing furniture, graphic design, advertising, urban planning, and fashion. The period also reflected changing roles, technology, and consumer culture.

Legacy: The midcentury look remains influential in contemporary design, architecture, and fashion. It is celebrated in preservation and revival movements and remains a recognizable shorthand for a specific postwar optimism, even as later critiques challenged its uniformity and environmental footprint.