Art Deco Vs Mid Century Modern: What’s the difference?

What Is Art Deco?

Art Deco initially became popular in the 1920’s and 1930’s when it was put on display at a large exhibit in France. The style itself wasn’t purely inspired by the native Frenchmen though; the style was deeply influenced by nomadic artists who wanted to break away from conventional designs to create something more extravagant, luxurious, and personal. The style as a whole reflected the progress of the times and suited the excess of the era. Iconic arches, bold patterns and colors, and luxurious finishes quickly established Art Deco as a highly rich, elegant style.

What is Mid Century Modern?

Mid century style was developing during the same era as Art Deco, but it didn’t become popular until the 1950’s (hence the title “Mid Century Style”). The style really rose in popularity after the conclusion of World War II as society sought to highlight beauty instead of the gruesome sights of the war. Mid century style sought to draw people back to nature through the use of natural materials, simple shapes, and a focus on practical design. Since its conception in the middle of the 20th century, mid century style has undergone a transformation to be “mid century modern.” This new aesthetic takes what is beloved about the original style and pairs it with modern colors and detailing to suit today’s sensibilities.

Key Design Differences of Art Deco & Mid Century Modern

• Art Deco: Art Deco is defined by its boldness. Rich jewel tones like emerald, sapphire, and ruby are at the forefront of the design along with lavish ornamentation and bold geometric patterns. To further cement the luxurious tone, Art Deco tends to use finishes like gold, chrome, glass, and shiny fabrics like velvet. 
• Mid-Century Modern: MCM strives to create a more simple, organic design than Art Deco. This style will use very simple clean lines, organic forms, and very little ornamentation to create a more minimalist space. However, mid century style is anything but boring as it draws on many natural wood materials along with earth tones to draw people to nature. These color tones and materials emphasize mid century style’s deep appreciation of all things natural.

Furniture and Decor Style

• Art Deco Furniture: Like its other accents, Art Deco furniture is styled to create an air of luxury and sophistication. These pieces may experiment with different geometric shapes and patterns on things like cabinet doors, but the actual shape of the furniture itself is very streamlined to complement the more complex elements of Art Deco style. Quality materials and intricate details are two other key components of this style. 
• Mid-Century Modern Furniture: Mid century modern furniture tends to have a lower profile and a very streamlined, simple frame. However, there are some highly iconic pieces of furniture from this era like the Eames chair or the Egg Chair by Arne Jacobsen. Caning and wood accents are also used frequently in accent furniture like buffets and side tables.