Trend Focus: Mid-Century Millennial

By Ana Zuravliova

Trend Specialist at Blinds Direct

Tue 16 Aug 2022

We know about mid-century style and are even avid lovers of mid-century modern. However, there is a new twist on the mid-century style, and it’s known as mid-century millennial. You are probably wondering, can a generation have a take on the interior style that was predominant around the time of baby boomers? Well, we are about to enlighten you and inform you on how to recreate this look in your home…

What is mid-century millennial design?

What is mid-century millennial? Well, think of the classic clean lines and exposed wood of well-loved traditionally mid-century style, but with a twist of industrial finishes and a deluge of strong colours. Featuring everything from delicate pastels to deep, enriching shades, a mid-century millennial scheme is filled with contrasting combinations of soft round items, with hard angles which can easily create an eclectic masterpiece in the home.

Mid-century millennial style has become a strong feature within many stylish homes and we’re certain it will be a style that remains. This is due to the flexibility of the furnishings and colourways. Items and ornaments can be repositioned throughout the home and compliment a variety of colour palettes, making re-decorating less overwhelming.

Mid-century millennial colours

As discussed, mid-century millennial colours are often opposites, but that doesn’t affect your options. Whether you utilise pastel shades inspired by turn of the millennium teen bedrooms, or the polar opposite with dark, rich domineering shades, you’ll be able to add a millennial twist to your mid-century space. This is how to best use either style:

Pastels

Pastel shades are the more popular choice to go for when creating a mid-century millennial style. With a heavy influence of scallop shaped sofas in a range of pastel pinks and purples, accessorised with gold accents and house plants, the millennial twist on mid-century is easy to notice but it also has a delicate charm we can’t help but love.

Pastel colourways are a fun, captivating way to add warmth to a home without being too overbearing. Subtle injections through cushions and lampshades will set you on the right track for transforming your mid-century modern home, into a fun and engaging mid-century millennial home.

Enriching dark shades

To create something on the more traditional and studious side, dark colours offer a wealth of opportunities which while less impactful, are equally suitable for mid-century millennial spaces. The use of navy blues, emerald greens, and deep teals are popular, with a strong emphasis on the walls – be it in wallpaper or paint. Injections of mustard yellows and burnt oranges can also be pocketed throughout a room to elevate its charm and power. For some, a combination of dark shades and pastel tones is a perfect choice for maximalist mid-century millennial.

Mid-century millennial fabrics

Fabric selection has a foundational and integral role to play in interior design. Making sure the right fabrics are used on the right furnishing is therefore very important, as it can effortlessly elevate the space. So how do we find the best fabric for today’s trend? let’s start with velvets and voiles.

Velvets

Loved by many, velvet is a great choice for enriching a space while adding longevity to the furnishings. Beyond its versatility, the charm of velvet comes from its gleeful interactions with light, and the shimmer and sparkle which it adds to a space. The texture and its twinkle helps to create a vignette of playfulness, but also one of quality and durability – perfect for mid-century millennial designs.

Voiles

From a heavy fabric to a lightweight sheer, voiles are one of the more popular window dressings of choice for millennials. Maybe it’s paying a nod towards growing up with voiles around the family home, or due to the practical elements they offer, from light filtration to protecting privacy.

Sticking with pastel colours, the addition of voiles in these shades will add to the mid-century millennial scheme. Combine these window dressings with velvet cushions to achieve maximum mid-century millennial impact!

Pattern play

Like fabric, choosing the right pattern can make or break a scheme, and when it comes to mid-century millennial décor, there are two types of pattern that spring to mind; geometric and stripe.

Timeless stripes

Popular with millennials, stripes are a timeless pattern. Whether you choose vertical or horizontal they can play tricks on the mind making the space look and feel bigger than it actually is – making this an added bonus for small flats. Selecting striped furnishings, be it striped curtains, Roman blinds or cushions, in the colourways mentioned above, will transform your home into a millennial infused mid-century scheme.

Geometric shapes

Geometric patterns are seen splattered throughout millennial homes, maybe the popularity of these prints comes from being around grandparents’ homes in their early years and seeing these striking patterns enjoyed around the home. Geometric patterns are a fun way to add a modern yet retro feel to the space and when combined with mid-century furniture the create a truly captivating environment.

Mid-century millennial interior design is a trend on the cutting edge of fashionable interior design. The popularity of dark walls, mid-century styled furniture in pastel tones and the implementation of antiques are all becoming increasingly popular, and we see a bright future for the trends that make great use of them! Mid-century millennial is here to stay – will you use it in your home?