How to blend Mid-Century Modern style with contemporary living

If everything old is new again, then Mid-Century Modern is the shining star of home design trends. It continues to inspire and resonate with homeowners decades after it gained popularity in the 1970s, but now there’s a contemporary element that’s taking the style to the next level.

Blending the clean lines and functional spaces of its origins with the comforts of contemporary living, Mid-Century Modern delivers a timeless appeal through its simplicity, functionality and connection to nature. Here’s how you can use Hardie™ exterior cladding products to blend authentic Mid-Century Modern style with contemporary living.

Credit: Adore Magazine

What defines a Mid-Century Modern house?

Mid-Century Modern architecture is typically characterised by its focus on functionality and simplicity. It embraces – and indeed elevates – the concept of ‘form follows function’, where every element serves a practical purpose and ornamentation is kept to a minimum.

The building structure showcases exposed uprights or beams, with exquisitely detailed fixtures that attach structures together. Then there’s the dominant roofline (usually flat or gently sloped) that defines the shape of the home, with beautiful deep overhangs.

Happy Haus, who are master designers of Mid-Century Modern homes, complement these eye-catching rooflines with Axon™ Cladding or Linea™ Weatherboard to elevate the overall exterior.

In addition to open floor plans that promote indoor-outdoor living, another defining feature is using large windows to let natural light flood the interiors and create a stronger connection with the outdoors. The facade and rear of Mid-Century Modern homes typically feature more glass than cladding, which is not only aesthetically pleasing but also boosts the liveability of the home and makes it feel more spacious.

Modernising the Mid-Century style

While the original Mid-Century homes were groundbreaking in their design, today’s homeowners are updating the classics with modern conveniences and materials. This is where contemporary design elements can be seamlessly integrated with Mid-Century Modern principles to deliver a remarkably stylish and functional home, as seen in the emergence of the mid-century coastal design.

“It’s one of those classic styles that is getting a resurgence,” says architect Julian Brenchley. “And why not? It’s got a fresh coastal appeal about it, and Mid-Century Modern can be quite engaging in terms of getting that indoor-outdoor lifestyle working.”

Many homeowners are infusing contemporary appeal into their Mid-Century Modern designs by using Hardie™ exterior cladding solutions. With all the durability and low maintenance demanded by today’s busy Australians – without compromising on the classic Mid-Century aesthetic – Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding has a smooth, render-like finish that emphasises the geometric shapes and clean lines typical of Mid-Century Modern design. It’s perfect for bold, minimalist façades as well as contemporary indoor spaces that will remain timeless.

Then there’s Hardie™ Brushed Concrete Cladding, which mimics the look of softly brushed concrete. It adds a tactile element to the home’s exterior and creates visual interest. When paired with large windows and minimalist landscaping, this cladding can further modernise the Mid-Century aesthetic.

How Hardie™ exterior cladding will deliver the Mid-Century look

Hardie™ exterior solutions not only offer the visual appeal needed to replicate the classic Mid-Century Modern look, but also have the functionality that modern homes demand. Moreover, homeowners are starting to see the value in bringing what were traditionally exterior materials inside the house.

“The benefits of using Hardie™ cladding products inside are exactly the same as the benefits of using it outside,” Brenchley says. “It’s durable. It’s easy to paint. That sounds to me like the exact product you want in your house when you’ve got kids running around with a soccer ball.”

Take, for example, Axon™ Cladding – an excellent solution for homeowners who want to capture the vertical groove detailing that’s so common in mid-century architecture. Available in multiple groove spacing sizes, Axon™ Cladding pays homage to the wood panelling trends of the 1970s. It has the look of timber with the benefits of Hardie™ fibre cement, including being low-maintenance, fire resistant and rot resistant. Use it to create striking vertical lines that draw the eye and add height to the structure, like in House 13 by Three Birds Renovations.

Creating a harmonious blend of past and present

But it’s never just about choosing the right materials. Instead, Mid-Century Modern homeowners want to build a property that feels cohesive and comfortable, while still paying tribute to the design principles of the past.

Start by focusing on the flow of the home’s interior spaces. Open floor plans – a hallmark of Mid-Century design – are incredibly popular today thanks to their ability to create spaciousness and fluidity. Build in large, unobstructed windows to maintain that connection with the outdoors, and choose furnishings that reflect both Mid-Century and contemporary aesthetics.

Pair a classic Eames® Lounge Chair with a sleek, modern sofa, or mix vintage light fixtures with contemporary artwork. The key is to create a balance between the old and the new, making sure every element complements another without overpowering things.

Landscaping is also a major consideration. Mid-Century Modern landscaping is inherently minimal, with hard-wearing, low-maintenance plants at the fore – such as ornamental grasses and native shrubbery. For a contemporary twist, you might want to add a mix of cacti and succulents in varying heights and species, reminiscent of the Palm Springs-inspired Mid-Century Modern homes.