Mid-Century Modern Décor Ideas for Salons
These salon stations have all the markings of timeless mid-century modern design
Are you obsessed with the mid-century modern (MCM) aesthetic? Don’t worry – we are, too! What’s not to love about an aesthetic that blends modern and contemporary design with classic accents and vintage touches?
Not only is this a popular aesthetic for homes and stores, but it has also become a highly desirable look for salons, spas and even barber shops. Whether you’re looking for inspiration on mid-century modern design for salons or ready to shop décor with this aesthetic, Minerva Beauty has a variety of mid-century modern salon equipment. Fill your Pinterest mood board with some of our favorite mid-century modern salon looks and design ideas!
Shop Minerva Beauty’s Mid-Century Modern Salon Furniture
On this page:
- Mid-century modern design elements
- How to add MCM design to your salon
- 15 examples of salons & spas rocking MCM décor
- History of mid-century modern style
- 4 Iconic MCM designs
What Is Mid-Century Modern?
Before we get into the kinds of mid-century modern salon furniture you need, let’s learn more about the intricate details that make up the aesthetic. Mid-century modern design blends the past, present and future to create a look that seems very clean and modern while also paying homage to classic and vintage design aspects. The term was coined in 1984, but it’s an aesthetic that takes on new iterations and goes through waves of popularity with every new generation.
The following characteristics define mid-century modern interior design:
- Large Windows – The mid-century aesthetic believes in blending interior and exterior worlds through large windows that let in natural light.
- Natural, Exposed Building Materials – Mid-century modern design prioritizes exposed wood, steel and different types of stones.
- Minimalism – Mid-century modern design believes that form should follow function, which often means that minimalism is centered by having clean, geometric lines and little to no décor or clutter.
- Geometric Shapes – When it comes to mid-century modern furniture, you will see lots of geometric shapes and natural wood finishes.
- Pairing Neutral & Bold Colors – Following the minimalist aesthetic, the mid-century modern design prioritizes neutrals, but it thoughtfully weaves in bright colors in statement pieces like chairs and couches.
- Plants – Since the mid-century modern design likes to blend interior and exterior, you will always find plants in mid-century modern spaces.
How to Use Mid Century Interior Design in Your Salon
If you are ready to give your salon the mid-century modern makeover you’re dreaming of, learn how colors, furniture and décor can instantly change the look and feel of your space.
Start with a Mid-Century Modern Color Palette
As mentioned above, this aesthetic prioritizes neutral colors with fun pops of color here and there. Some of the most popular mid-century modern colors are gray, beige, navy, orange, mustard and burgundy. We suggest painting your walls a neutral beige or gray and then sprinkling the other colors sparingly around the salon.
Another way to go back to the Mid Century Modern era in your salon is to celebrate its combining of neutral color with muted pop tones. Cream or gray colors are paired with rust or avocado colors. The color teal is brought in on a walnut and cream interior. The pop should remain as an accent to the neutral palette.
In the salon environment, these colors can be implemented in many different ways including the vinyl color of a salon chair, the stained finish on a styling station, a colorful wall mural, salon plant decor, brushed gold stylists tray…etc.
This inviting living dining space has a backdrop of concrete and cream walls infused with warm walnut tones. The moss sofa set with rust and gold pillows completes the welcoming ambiance.
Invest in Mid-Century Modern Styling Stations
At Minerva Beauty, we have a variety of styling chairs as well as an entire collection dedicated to Mid-Century Modern style. These pieces are geometric and incorporate intricate wood designs to match the mid-century modern aesthetic.
Incorporate More Mirrors
If you are in a space that doesn’t have a lot of windows or natural light, you can still create a mid-century modern look with floor-length mirrors. Mirrors reflect light and can mimic windows, which will give you the perfect balance you need. If you need to fill your salon with a lot of furniture, don’t forget to take advantage of our salon equipment financing.
Fill Your Waiting Room with Statement Couches
If your salon follows the minimalist approach prioritized by the mid-century modern aesthetic, add a bright statement couch to your waiting area — think orange or green.
Invest in Statement Light Fixtures
While the mid-century modern look is more minimal, it does incorporate lighting fixtures that are bold and pay homage to a vintage look. If you can, incorporate staggered glass burst lights.
Fill Your Salon with Plants
Give your salon that perfect blend of interior and exterior with all the plants. Foliage will not only give your salon a fresh feel, but the plants also purify the air and give you a mid-century modern look. If you’re not sure where to start, take a look at our picks for the 10 best salon plants to spruce up your place today.
Keep Decor & Clutter Minimal
Mid-century modern salons always look organized and clean. Use floating wall shelves for small decorative accents and always be sure to keep storage hidden.
Are you feeling inspired to give your salon the mid-century makeover it needs? Your salon is unique so it’s okay to veer from the rules of mid-century modern while also incorporating design elements from the style to create an aesthetic that feels true to you.
Use Geometric Patterns
Simplicity in form is key on Mid Century Modern pieces and spaces. Incorporating geometric patterns to embellish walls, finishes, or upholstery is an instant way to adopt this style.
Embrace Walnut Tones
Walnut toned woods became very popular in the post war era. From black walnut, teak, and mahogany, exact types of wood are not as important as the color. As long as the wood is naturally brown, rich, and warm, it will fit nicely into a mid-century design salon, spa, or barbershop. As shown earlier, sculpting and bending wood was a manipulation technique to create artistic furnishings. Minerva offers a very versatile mid century modern salon chair that calls back to the Eames lounger. Introducing timeless mid century design at its finest, the Kona Styling Chair.
Choose Angular, Clean Lines
Design Inspiration: 15 Salons & Spas Embracing MCM Décor
Check out a few of our favorite mid-century styled salon and spas featuring Minerva Beauty equipment:
For more inspiration on how to achieve the look for yourself, check out Minerva Beauty's Mid Century design section in our ever-helpful Style Guide! There's bound to be a styling station/styling chair combo you love—but if not, feel free to browse our Mid Century Modern and Designer Series collections for even more options.
Celebrate Vintage Appeal with Mid-Century Modern Design
With the growing environmental problems in the world; extreme temperatures, wildfires, super storms, everyone has learned to appreciate vintage items. There is a motivation to reuse and give things a longer life cycle, and this especially holds true in the world of interior design. The re-emergence of Mid Century designs was inevitable. Mid century design is such a versatile style that has been back for the last several years with staying power. It dates back to the Bauhaus movement in the post war era after World War II. The masters of material manipulation were blossoming and the results are the furniture and fixture icons we have today.
Popularized during the 1940s, mid-century modern design has stuck around as a beloved favorite for interiors. Defined by clean lines, organic forms, minimal ornamentation, and a keen sense of functionality, it is no wonder this style has aged so well and continues to hold universal appeal. Using beautiful materials and embracing negative space is key to bringing the look to any interior. Wood furniture and accents are especially popular components of the style.
Iconic Designs that Started the Mid Century Modern Movement
The Eames Lounger
The Tulip Chair
Bubble Lamps
George Nelson, prominent architect and head of design at Herman Miller, created the bubble lamps in 1947 out of revolutionary self webbing plastic originally developed for the military. It efficiently propels and directs light, appearing as space aged glowing objects.
Wishbone Chairs
The clean lines and modest proportions of the architecture, furniture, and accessories of that era give Mid Century Modern Design a timeless appeal. The designers mixed manmade and natural materials (mainly wood and stone), combining natural, earth-tone hues with pops of vintage-inspired colors.
When it came to chairs, there was particular attention to adding comfort to the human form. Wooden legs on most all pieces were cylindrical or tapered and splayed outward. This timeless style also implies edginess. A person of the modern era that celebrates new breakthroughs can appreciate the style that was born of the post war era.
In the fast paced beauty industry where staying on top of trends and cutting edge styles is vital to a professional’s career success, the Mid Century Modern aesthetic is widely embraced in salon and spa interior design for its classic and iconic furnishings as well as its versatile style that grows and evolves with the trends of the modern world.
Mid-Century Modern Design: Ideal for Salon Interiors
Mid Century Modern is a timeless design style that mixes well with many types of interiors because of its simplicity. With any style you are trying to achieve, a little goes a long way. This timeless aesthetic can easily be incorporated into your salon, spa, or barbershop aesthetic:
- Use geometric patterns in upholstery, finishes, or accessories
- Celebrate walnut tones and bent, manipulated wood furnishings adds to the mid century modern flair
- Select iconic pieces with angular lines, like furnishings with tapered angular legs to instantly call back to this style
- Choose a salon color scheme with classic neutrals & add a secondary pop of color such as avocado, rust, or teal to bring in that edgy energy
If you value keeping up with contemporary news and movements that influence style, then Mid Century Modern is your ideal salon aesthetic. If you can’t get enough of vintage design, get inspired by ‘70s retro salon interior design for your salon!