Is Midcentury Furniture Still in Fashion in 2023?
Put simply, yes! Midcentury furniture has been in fashion for a long time, since the 1930’s to be exact, and it doesn’t look like it’s going away any time soon! Even in 2023, midcentury furniture is a timeless classic that fits beautifully with modern furniture and décor styles in homes all over the world today.
With it’s unique character, elegant design and clean lines midcentury furniture is always a popular choice among those looking to add a touch of sophistication and interior design ‘know-how’ to their home. Not only is it well-made, but its timeless style ensures that it never goes out of style and remains in fashion for years to come.
Why is midcentury furniture still around in 2023?
Midcentury furniture is always in fashion for a number of reasons: it’s very well designed and so many designs are still copied or derivatives from the originals are made today and pieces were made in a time of quality craftsmanship rather than quantity over quality. You can still easily find midcentury furniture from sofas to sideboards, lamps, lighting and other décor items, to kitchen and coffee tables that are still standing the test of time over 70 years later! A lot of midcentury furniture was made from teak or walnut which are long lasting timbers and the design focus of the era was all about creating the most beautiful and elegant lines and shapes with simple techniques that have stood the test of time.
Midcentury furniture also doesn’t look out of place amongst modern furniture because the lines and designs are so classic that they’ve been copied and adapted since this time so many newer furniture pieces sit well alongside the originals. Most well-made midcentury furniture works in a variety of settings, from the most casual room or outdoor area where cane and rattan were extremely popular materials that are still in fashion today and have stood the test of time physically, to more sophisticated and elegant spaces that utilise teak, walnut brass and velvet. The versatility and appreciation for this style make it perfect to add to any interior furnishing project or space in your home.
Midcentury furniture lines are clean and classic which is one of the most important tenets of interior design and because of this midcentury furniture is always deemed classic enough to be mixed with other eras without looking out of place.
Where can I buy midcentury furniture and decor?
One of the brilliant things about midcentury furniture is that it’s still relatively easy to purchase through a reputable vintage or retro store where most pieces come rejuvinated for a new life in modern homes. They will have been repaired, cleaned and are ready to live on for another 50 years and handed to further generations. Looking at the rug below, would you think on first glance that it’s over 70 years old? The classic checkerboard patter, and the contemporary colours make it look brand new! It was actually handmade in Turkey in the 1970s and made from cotton and wool, both natural materials, means it’s lasted – looking new – until today! You can still buy amazing pieces like this from sellers online.
You can still find good quality midcentury furniture in op-shops or at garage sales; but if you’re buying this way it’s a good idea to know what you’re looking for and whether what you’ve found is good value and in reasonable condition. Another place to still find original midcentury furniture is through online sites like Facebook Marketplace, eBay, Pamono, Chairish, 1st Dibs and auction rooms which are now mainly online and the like but be warned as it can be a a very mixed bag as to what condition pieces are in and how overpriced a lot can be. But if you know what you’re looking for and have some restoration skills or know of a reputable restoration expert this can be a great way to buy and lots of fun too.
Is replica midcentury furniture good to buy?
Another simple answer; no! A great resource on this subject is the Authentic Design Alliance. As an interior designer who spent a lot of time learning about this at university and has seen the results in real life, I just ask of you to steer clear of replica midcentury furniture, and there are a number of very sound reasons for this.
Yes, I know it seems like a cheap way to buy gorgeous midcentury furniture for your home and why shouldn’t everyone have access to beautiful furniture? I used to think this way but after learning more I have definitely changed my opinions on this. Replica furniture may look good from afar and for a short time, but that’s it! Take a look at the two chairs above. Both look similar at first glance, but on closer inspection you will see very big differences. The reproduction looks stiff and more flimsy than the vintage version. If you inspect it closely you will also see big differences in the materials both externally and internally and the way it has been assembled. Honestly, I know some of you may think they look the same, but the difference to an experienced eye is huge and you won’t get away with a knock-off for long!
Replica midcentury furniture is mass-produced, usually in China, from lesser materials like chipboard, MDF, PU and vinyl leather look fabrics and are never, ever anywhere near as well made as the original midcentury pieces were. I’ve seen fakes, which is really what replicas are, after a few months of use and the vinyl is peeling, screws have come out and they don’t wear well internally and look lumpy.
When you buy replica you basically miss the entire point of buying well made vintage furniture; you are just contributing to throw-away, ‘fast’ fashion in the furniture field because it will not last and it uses more unnecessary materials. Original midcentury pieces made from solid timber, real leather, chrome metals and the like are still with us today because of the high quality of the materials as well as their good design.
But won’t midcentury replica furniture increase in value?
A replica piece of furniture will never increase in value as an original would; buying them again misses the point of finding a well-made original midcentury piece of furniture. They don’t increase in value because of the reasons detailed above – low quality materials and mass production techniques. The other big problem with replicas is that the original designers or design house has usually had their copyright broken, which is not only illegal but leaves the original designer without compensation for something they’ve created and honestly deserve recompense for.
I completely understand that purchasing an original midcentury piece of furniture, especially a famous design is extremely expensive in some cases and in others costs as much as a new piece, but you will still end up better off because these pieces will increase in value but your Freedom Furniture sofa won’t and your knock off Tessa looking vinyl couch will definitely never increase in value; it will only be good for the tip!
After all, we are all (I hope) in agreement that buying knock-off handbags and clothing from well-known design houses is tacky and pretty embarassing? Doing the same with replica furniture is just as bad. Just don’t do it. Instead, save up for the real thing and treat it well, I promise you won’t regret it.
Or if that’s not in your nature go looking at op shops or lie in wait on auction sites or stores to find less well-known pieces that you love to make your own and you never know, you may just purchase a winner that will increased in value many times over what you pay for it today.
Good luck in your search and please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you need some help finding a special piece of midcentury furniture or décor that you’ve been looking for or would like to discuss the best way to incorporate vintage and retro pieces into your home. Take a look at the blog post Mixing Modern & Vintage for Eclectic Style for some great tips on mixing different furniture eras to create your own unique, eclectic style!
