Mid Century Modern Curtain Concepts

Mid-century modern style emerged in the 1940s and 1950s as a design movement that embraced clean lines, minimal ornamentation, and integration with nature. This distinctive aesthetic extended to mid-century modern curtains, which feature graphic prints, solid blocks of color, natural fabrics, and an emphasis on functionality.

As mid-century modern decor enjoys a revival, ideas for curtains in this style are in high demand. Read on for a guide to selecting and styling curtains that capture the spirit of mid-century style.

Defining Mid-Century Modern Style

Before diving into mid-century modern curtain concepts, it helps to understand the origins and principles of mid-century decor. This distinctive style flowered in the years following World War II alongside mid-century modern architecture.

Origins and History

Mid-century modern design arose as a reaction against the ornamental styles of previous decades. Mid-century architects and designers opted for simplicity, clean lines, and integration with nature. They embraced new materials like plastic and lucite and adopted production methods from wartime manufacturing.

Distinctive Mid-Century Style Elements

Mid-century style is recognized by:

• Clean lines and minimal adornment
• Abstract shapes and atomic-era motifs
• Bold, contrasting colors
• Natural materials like wood, linen, and rattan
• Influence of Japanese and Scandinavian design
• Indoor-outdoor connection in spaces

This aesthetic extended to mid-century fabric patterns and furnishings like curtains. Mid-century modern curtain styles reflect the era's graphic prints, embrace of new materials like synthetics and metals, and seamless integration of indoor and outdoor living.

Scandinavian and Japanese Influences

Mid-century style draws heavily from Scandinavian influences like Danish modern furniture and architectural principles from Japan. This cross-pollination is evident in mid-century curtains:

• Scandinavian-inspiredsolidearthen tones, blonde woods, woven textures
• Japanese-influenced interplay of indoor/outdoor spaces, clean lines
• Emphasis on natural shapes and asymmetry over symmetry

Hallmarks: Simplicity and Funtionality

Above all, mid-century curtains embrace minimal and functional forms. They act as walls rather than decorative frills, demarcating space rather than embellishing it. Read on for suggestions capturing this utilitarian spirit.

Ideal Mid-Century Curtain Features

When selecting or sewing mid-century modern curtains, pay attention to qualities aligning with mid-century principles:

Floor-to-Ceiling Curtain Panels

For a quintessential mid-century look, opt for floor-to-ceiling curtain panels. These lengthen the appearance of a room for a sleek, polished aesthetic. Consider extra-long curtains paired with low-profile or eyeball-style curtain rods.

Solid Colors and Graphic Prints

Think block color, opaque window panels over frilly sheers. Patterned mid-century curtain fabric opts for bold shapes: bursts, blobs, geometrics. Abstract atomic or Sputnik prints maintain a streamlined, mod sensibility.

Natural, Unfussy Fabrics

Fabrics follow the mid-century edict of clean and uncomplicated. Linen, cotton, wool, and wood star over ornate jacquards or heavy silks. Even embellished panels keep to bold embroidery rather than frills and florals.

Metals and Plastics

For texture contrast, incorporate materials aligned with mid-century modernist principles. Metals like steel and aluminum suggest factory precision in rod types and grommets. Lucite and acrylics lend space age appeal.

Hidden or Discreet Hanging Methods

Drawing hardware distracts from mid-century simplicity. Curtain heading styles like hidden tab tops and concealed rods promote visual calm. Exposed grommets can suit industrial spaces but avoid frilly pole tops or decorative finials.

Selecting Complementary Fabrics

Which fabric patterns and palettes capture mid-century style? Here are leading options for print and color trends:

Atomic and Space Age Patterns

Nothing says mid-century quite like space age blobs, bursts, and constellations. Abstract starbursts and satellites connect back to themes of postwar optimism and atomic symbolism.

Retro Geometrics and Moderns

Graphic shapes popular in mid century fabric owe inspiration to Piet Mondrian, Alexander Girard, and international style architecture. Consider black and white grids, multi-colored squares, intersection circles.

Organic Shapes

Mid-century modern also embraced organic shapes like leaves, seed pods and nautilus shells. Biomorphic curves softened harsh geometry as did rhythmic wave and ripple prints.

Global Folk Inspirations

Non-western motifs fused with modernist styles in mid-century patterns. North African tilework patterns, Mexican serapes, and Japanese kimono prints mashed up cultural influences.

Earth Tones and Primaries

Mid century palettes revolve around organs tones from nature like oak brown, olive green and adobe orange. Pops of primaries keep things bright and energetic.

Deliberate Texture Mixing

For complexity, blend matte and shiny fabrics. Pair nubby wool boucle with sleek satin curtains or sheer cotton underpanels with chunky woven over-curtains. Contrast is compelling.

Creative Window Treatment Options

Beyond convention curtains and drapes, mid-century spaces utilize a range of window treatments. Consider options like:

Roman and Roller Shades

Both roman and roller shades provide clean horizontal lines befitting mid century style. Opt for wood, bamboo or aluminum materials over frilly fabrics.

Mid-Century Modern Wood Blinds

Slat-style window shades connect back to Japanese shoji screens and their graceful framing of nature. For a softer effect, consider woven raffia, reed or bamboo options.

Cafe-Style Curtains

For kitchens and casual spaces, cafe curtains ending mid-window feel fresh and provide adjustable privacy. Play up cheery retro prints or muted geometrics here.

Blackout Shades

For bedrooms and media rooms, opt for full blackout. Choose opaque linen or nubby textures over luxe looks. Top with patterned roman shades for light filtering and privacy options.

Motorized Curtains

Nothing says modern convenience like curtains adjusting at the touch of a button. Motorized drapes suit mid century spaces for their unfussy tech.

DIY Mid-Century Style Curtain Projects

Looking for custom mid-century modern curtains on a budget? Try these simple DIY upgrades for storebought panels:

Painted/Stenciled Curtains

Pick up a single color curtain panel, then paint on bursts, dots and circles. Use stencils for Ben-Day dots, honeycomb grids, starbursts.

Fabric Upgrade Curtains

Upgrade readymade curtains by sewing on fabric tabs, sashes, bias binding or contrasting lining. Shape with sharkfin corners or curved hems.

Fringe trim refashions stock curtains with texture and movement. Consider bullion, ball or knot options on bottom hems or as tiered cafe curtains.