When it comes to mid-century modern architecture, the focus is often on clean lines, innovative materials, and a harmonious blend of indoor and outdoor living spaces. One of the most impactful ways to accentuate the design language of mid-century modern homes is through exterior paint colors. A well-chosen palette can enhance the structure's silhouette, emphasize its unique features, and create a welcoming atmosphere.
In this guide, we'll explore some of the most harmony-inducing exterior paint colors that complement the mid-century modern aesthetic. We'll also provide insights into how to choose the right hues, inspiration from notable mid-century modern homes, and tips to create a cohesive and balanced look.
Understanding Mid-Century Modern Color Palette
The mid-century modern era, roughly from the 1930s to the 1960s, saw a shift towards vibrant and bold colors. However, it's essential to remember that these colors were used thoughtfully and sparingly to accentuate rather than overshadow the architecture. The color palette often revolved around earthy tones, softened by pastels and accented with primary colors.
To evoke the spirit of mid-century design, consider using a combination of the following colors for your exterior:
- Earth tones: Neutrals like cream, beige, gray, and black can provide a solid foundation for your color scheme.
- Pastels: Soft shades such as mint green, baby blue, and lavender can add a touch of playfulness without overpowering the design.
- Primary colors:atriotic-inspired hues like red, blue, and yellow can be used sparingly as accent colors to create visual interest.
Earth Tones: The Backbone of Mid-Century Exterior Color Schemes
Earth tones form the basis of many mid-century modern color schemes as they harmonize with the natural surroundings. Colors like Adobe (Behr), Cement Umber (Farrow & Ball), and Warm Stone (Benjamin Moore) create a grounded and cosy atmosphere. For a more modern take, consider deeper, almost-neutrals like Iron Ore (Sherwin-Williams) or Dark Night (Behr).
By keeping the primary surfaces of your home – walls, roof, and perhaps even the driveway – in earth-toned hues, you'll create a solid backdrop that emphasizes the home's architecture and other design elements. Additionally, these colors help to integrate the building with its natural surroundings, aligning with the mid-century modern philosophy of blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces.
Pastels: A Touch of Softer Shades
In the mid-century era, pastels were embraced for their ability to infuse a space with light and a touch of soft, approachable color. Today, pastels continue to be popular choices for mid-century modern-inspired homes. Consider incorporating pastel hues for exterior accents, such as trim, doors, and Feature walls. Popular mid-century modern pastels include:
- Blush Pink (Farrow & Ball's Setting Plaster)
- Palm Green (Sherwin-Williams' Acacia Haze)
- Baby Blue (Benjamin Moore's Toucan Tide)
- Lavender Mist (Behr's Serenity)
When using pastels, be mindful of the undertones in your chosen color. Opt for hues with warm or neutral undertones to complement the earthier tones in the color scheme. Additionally, pastels work best in well-lit spaces, so consider the sunlight exposure of your home when deciding on the placement of these colors.
learning from Iconic Mid-Century Modern Homes
For inspiration, look to some of the most iconic mid-century modern homes and their exterior color schemes.
The Eames House
The Eames House, also known as Case Study House #8, is a prime example of mid-century modern design. The home's exterior features a combination of wood, brick, and concrete, all left in their natural or raw state. The charred cedar siding and exposed concrete bond beams add a warm, earthy tone, while pops of color can be found in the landscaping and accessories.
Echo this look by using natural or stained wood siding paired with rugged materials like brick or concrete. Keep the color palette earthy with warm neutrals and perhaps a touch of russet or mustard for accents, evoking the spirit of the Eames House without replicating it directly.
Charles and Ray Eames' Pacific PalisadesHome
The Eameses' Pacific Palisades home features a striking blend of earth tones and primary colors. The house itself is clad in warm, horizontal wood siding, while the garage door and portée feature a bold red hue. The landscaping incorporates both lush greenery and vibrant primary colors through plants and accessories.
Emulate this look by choosing a warm earth tone for the main surfaces of your home, then introduce a bold accent color – such as red, blue, or yellow – as an accent on a door, garage, or distinctive architectural feature. Be sure to balance these bold hues with plenty of greenery in your landscaping.
Walter Gropius' lek House
The Gropius House in Lincoln, Massachusetts, exemplifies a more Bauhaus-inspired take on mid-century modernism. The home features an exterior palette of cool grays, warm woods, and pops of color from red and blue window frames. The result is a harmonious, low-key look that emphasizes the home's clean lines and unique features.
Draw inspiration from the Gropius House by opting for a neutral palette, combining cool grays with warm woods and sparingly introducing bold colors through window frames, doors, and other architectural details. This approach allows your home's architecture to take center stage while still incorporating mid-century-modern-inspired pops of color.
Creating a Cohesive and Balanced Look
When choosing exterior paint colors for your mid-century modern home, it's essential to strike a balance between maintaining the integrity of the architectural style and expressing your personal aesthetic. Consider the following tips to create a cohesive and balanced look:
Consider the Home's Architecture
Mid-century modern homes are characterized by clean lines, flat or hipped roofs, open floor plans, and an emphasis on indoor-outdoor living. When selecting exterior paint colors, keep the home's architecture in mind. Choose colors that complement the home's unique features and enhance its silhouette.
For example, consider using a darker hue on the lower half of the home to make it recede visually, emphasizing the clean lines and openness of the upper level. Alternatively, you might choose to draw attention to certain architectural features, such as a prominent gable or porch, by using a contrasting or complementary color.
Balance Neutrals and Accents
To create a harmonious exterior color scheme, strike a balance between neutral and accent colors. Earth tones should make up the bulk of your palette, providing a solid foundation for your home's color scheme. Limit the use of primary colors to accents, like doors, trim, or architectural features, to keep the focus on the home's architecture rather than the colors themselves.
One helpful strategy is the 60-30-10 rule. Divide your color scheme into three parts: 60% should be a neutral color, 30% a secondary color (typically a warm earth tone or pastel), and 10% an accent color (a bold primary hue). This balance helps to create a cohesive, well-thought-out look that emphasizes the beauty of your mid-century modern home.
Coordinate with Landscaping
The exterior of your mid-century modern home should seamlessly blend with its surroundings, both indoors and out. When choosing exterior paint colors, consider the plants, hardscaping, and other design elements in your landscaping. Opt for colors that complement your home's architecture and strike a harmonious balance with your outdoor spaces.
For example, consider using a green shade that complements the hues in your landscaping for a garage door or feature wall. Conversely, you could introduce a pop of color from your landscaping into your home's exterior color scheme, such as using a vibrant plant hue as an accent color on a door or trim.
The mid-century modern aesthetic is all about celebrating the home's architecture and integrating its design with the natural world. By thoughtfully choosing exterior paint colors that complement your home's unique features and harmonize with its surroundings, you'll create a space that is both stylish and inviting.
Embracing the mid-century modern aesthetic is an exciting journey that allows you to express your personal taste while honoring the era's unique design principles. By exploring the world of exterior paint colors, you can enhance your home's architecture and create a welcoming environment for you and your guests to enjoy.