Midcentury Modern Flooring Style Ideas

Midcentury modern design combines sleek lines, organic forms and vibrant colors. This iconic style has made a resurgence in contemporary interiors, and creating your own dream vintage space starts with flooring. From rich hardwoods to bold tiles, this guide explores infusing your home with retro charm while embracing modern sensibilities. Learn how the right flooring can transform your space into the perfect blend of past and present. 

What Is Midcentury Modern?

After World War II, architecture and design in the United States took a new direction. Mass production and technology combined to create a new style. The movement lasted through the 1970s, earning the name "midcentury modern." Midcentury modern designs balance functionality with warm tones and clean lines. 

Features of Midcentury Modern Flooring

Midcentury modern has burst back onto the interior design scene. You might think it's all about the furniture and decor, but the retro aesthetic includes flooring. The hallmarks of midcentury modern floors include:

• Clean lines: This style favors simplicity and minimalism. Think geometric shapes, parquet square motifs or abstract designs. 
• Bold colors: While it may seem contradictory, the movement appreciated vibrant colors. Color blocking was popular in the mid-20th century. Designers combined solid blocks of contrasting color for an interesting visual effect. 
• Geometric patterns: Retro-inspired shapes like hexagons, diamonds or chevrons ooze midcentury modern style.
• Natural materials: Wood's warmth and simplicity make it a natural choice for this trend. The original movement preferred lighter shades with smaller planks than the current flooring. Hardwood is an ideal choice. Modern materials that mimic wood offer an alternative for cost- and maintenance-conscious homeowners.

Antique Hardwood Appeal

Midcentury modern wood floors are the easiest way to add antique character to your home. The trick is selecting the right color and size to complement your interior while staying true to the period. 

Opt for light-colored domestic hardwood flooring like white oak or neutral hickory. Do you prefer exotic species? You can also find Brazilian oak in lighter shades. Stick to straight grains and smooth textures for an authentic look, and avoid distressed wood with knotted grains. Remember, midcentury modern is all about clean lines and simplicity. 

If you have your heart set on hardwood, you must choose between solid or engineered. Engineered hardwood consists of a core layer with a solid wood veneer, while solid hardwood comes from a single piece of wood. Both options give the appearance of natural wood. However, differences in installation, durability and cost suit different needs. 

Retro Tile Revival

Wood is far from the only choice for capturing a bygone design era. Midcentury modern floor tile is another versatile option that fits the bill. Homes often featured oversized porcelain or stone tiles. Natural stone tiles like limestone or travertine come at a steep cost. Luckily, you can achieve the natural stone look with more cost-effective tiles, including the following: 

Porcelain Tiles

This tile can mimic midcentury modern tiles, including limestone, travertine, concrete and slate. Besides on-brand visual appeal, porcelain tiles offer many other benefits. They are tough enough to handle high-traffic areas, resisting everything from stains to fire. Some ideas for using these tiles to recreate a midcentury modern feel include:

• Polished concrete: High-gloss concrete forms a neutral backdrop for furniture and decor. Pair this flooring with anything from on-trend Eames chairs to decorative rugs. 
• Hex mosaic tiles: The hexagonal shape captures the midcentury spirit. Amplify the effect by adding a vintage bathtub to your hex mosaic-tiled bathroom. 
• Slate: Choose oversized slate-look porcelain tiles to stay true to the era. Slate blends natural shades and unique textures that work on entryways or porches. 

Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic tiles offer a sustainable way to achieve that midcentury stone flooring aesthetic. Choose a concrete look or large-format square tiles. Long-lasting ceramic flooring is low-maintenance, easy to clean and helps regulate underfoot temperatures. The nonporous surface works well in moisture-prone areas like kitchens or bathrooms. 

Vintage-Look Laminate and Luxury Vinyl 

Do you want a budget-friendly way to join the trend? Laminate or luxury vinyl flooring imitates the look of natural materials without the price tag. Pick a lighter-colored laminate in a hardwood pattern, or go vintage with pet-resistant Mohawk laminate. Opt for smaller panels like the homes of the '50s and '60s. For durable, affordable and easy-to-install flooring, you can't go wrong with laminate. 

Luxury vinyl flooring offers a more premium alternative to laminate. This material has many layers, making it thicker and more comfortable than other flooring materials. Two variations exist that imitate the midcentury style:

• Luxury vinyl plank (LVP): As the name suggests, LVP looks like natural wood planks. Following the vintage trend means choosing a lighter shade with a smoother texture and straight grain. Planks come in different widths, so you can select the right size to match the era. 
• Luxury vinyl tile (LVT): With LVT, you can recreate limestone or other stone tiles at a fraction of the cost. These hard-wearing tiles have a photographic layer printed with diverse patterns and hues. 

Both LVP and LVT offer easy maintenance. They resist spills, scuffs and scratches and would suit midcentury modern kitchen flooring. 

Quintessential Carpets and Rugs

Carpeting with bold patterns or linear shapes can satisfy your midcentury modern craving. Rugs or carpets can add warmth and vintage appeal to your space. When it comes to colors, go neutral or play around with vibrant, contrasting colors. Remember that bold colors are harder to match with decor or furnishings, so sometimes neutral is best. 

Geometric designs were all the rage during the midcentury modern period. Dare to experiment with squares, stripes or abstract motifs. If patterns feel overwhelming, you could try texture. For example, cut and loop rugs contrast looped and loose carpet fibers for a distinct look. Rugs are a safer alternative to full carpeting. They allow you to add retro style to a hardwood floor without committing to carpeting. 

How to Style Your Midcentury Modern Interior

You selected your midcentury modern floor. Now, it's time to complete the look with interior styling. The key is to bring a vintage feel into a contemporary home. Here are some helpful design tips:

1. Focus on minimalism: Avoid cluttering the space. Choose every item intentionally to contribute to a clean, simple look.
2. Accessorize with art: Select a few abstract pieces or sculptures. The artwork should have an organic style to complement the era. 
3. Functional over fun: Stay true to midcentury modern's functional ethos by choosing pieces that serve a purpose. Ideas include tables or chairs that double as storage. 
4. Keep furniture simple: Opt for unembellished, low-profile glass, plastic or metal furniture. Stick to clean lines and soft curves that complement the space. 
5. Introduce greenery: Midcentury modern favors organic forms. Placing indoor plants inside the room adds a touch of natural beauty. 

Shop Midcentury Modern Flooring at Carpet & Tile Mart

The right flooring can refresh your home's aesthetic. Do you want to jump on the midcentury modern trend? Carpet & Tile Mart can help you realize your dream. We offer top-quality floor materials that capture the style of the mid-20th century. Choose from warm hardwood, versatile tiling, comfy carpeting, or chameleon-like luxury vinyl and laminate. Our experts are on hand to help you choose your dream floor.

Discover convenience, competitive pricing and exceptional customer service. Come see (and feel) our flooring options for yourself. Visit one of our stores in Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Contact us today to find out more or discuss your unique flooring needs.