Mid Century Color Palette

Noah Moore

Written By, Noah Moore

Updated on 30 Oct., 2025

8 min read

Mid Century Color Palette
AI Generated Image: Murloft

Table of Content

    Table of Content

      Mid-century interior signifies warm and natural materials and sculptural lines. It is a blend of bold designs with sleek lines and organic forms with a focus on functionality. However, one of the most important elements of a modern mid-century look is the unique colour palette. The colour palette has a major impact on extending mid-century vibes and adding a pop of vintage vibes to homes.  The colour palettes are an amalgamation of bold and muted hues. This blog primarily focuses on the different colour palette to evoke the charm and elegance of the mid-century era.

      The Primary Mid-century Colour Palette

      There are different colour palettes for mid-century homes, such as bold colours, earthy tones, and neutral colours for a balanced look. Here are the main categories:

      Bold Colors

      Bold Mustard Yellow Wall of Living Room
      AI Generated Image: Murloft

      The bold colours such as bright red, dark blue and sunny yellows are the primary bold colours which are often used as accents or to highlight a particular area. Mid-century designs embrace these colours to bring warmth and energy into the space. These colours prove to be a perfect contrast against the neutral background.

      Neutral Palette for Balanced Backdrop

      Bright and Airy Living Room Furnished in a Mid-century Modern Style
      AI Generated Image: Murloft

      Neutral colours play an important role in adding a timeless and balanced backdrop to any space. Neutral colours such as beige, brown, taupe, white, grey and black allow other bold colours to dominate the space and seek attention.

      Earthy Colour Palette

       Dining Room Featuring Bright Green Walls and Wooden Dining Table
      AI Generated Image: Murloft

      Avocado green, brown and olive colours are the earthy tones which add warmth to the space and also remind us of the existence of beautiful natural surroundings. Earthy tone can be used in cabinets, knobs, walls and other parts of the house.

      Warm Colors

      Bright Orange Room With Round Wooden Table and Chairs
      AI Generated Image: Murloft

      Warm colours such as orange, yellow, or red create an inviting, cosy and calm ambience in the homes. These colours can be used in living rooms and bedrooms.

      Various Colour Combinations to Add a Perfect Mid-century Vibe

      Classic Neutral Pair of White and Wood

      Minimalist Kitchen and Dining Area
      AI Generated Image: Murloft

      This timeless combination can never go wrong. To accentuate the look, you can add colours in the form of some wall art or any other form, which will also brighten the space.

      Neutral Pair of Warm Grey and White

      Modern Living Room Interior Featuring Grey Sofa With Colorful Pillows
      AI Generated Image: Murloft

      The best way to add mid-century vibes in the space is to bring in various shades of these colours and use accent colours in the form of decor or artwork. To set the tone, you can place wood furniture.

      Timeless Pair of Black and White

      Classy Black and White Color Combination
      AI Generated Image: Murloft

      There are multiple ways to incorporate black and white colours. You can use patterns to avoid the space looking monotonous. You can also combine different furniture, curtains or wall decor pieces in black and white combinations.

      Blue and Orange

      Modern Living Room, Featuring a Blue Rug and Armchair and Bright Orange Wall
      AI Generated Image: Murloft

      Use the same shade of blue and orange for a cohesive look, but you can use as bright or as muted as you want. These colours complement each other, creating a perfect mid-century modern design.

      Add a Pop of Relaxing Vibes With Blue and Green

      Green Oval Shaped Dining Table With Blue Background Wall
      AI Generated Image: Murloft

      A combination of blue and green can be used to add a bright and bold look with brighter tones of these colours, or muted shades to add relaxing vibes by opting for muted shades of these colours.

      Combine Teal With Wood Tone

      Comfy Teal Sofa on a Wooden Floor
      AI Generated Image: Murloft

      Teal carries calmness and elegance, but the impact depends on the space where it is used. You can use the brighter or muted shades of teal based on your preferred look. Complete the mid-century look with a classic decor piece or statement lighting.

      Soak the Space in Orange, Red and Yellow

      Brightly Colored Bedroom Interior Showcasing Yellow, Red and Orange
      AI Generated Image: Murloft

      Warm and muted shades of orange, red and yellow act as the primary colours in any space. You can use white and wood tones to balance the look. Complete the look with statement lighting or any wall decor pieces.

      Perfect Colour Combination of White and Blue

      Pretty Blue and White Cozy Living Room
      AI Generated Image: Murloft

      A breathtaking combination of white and blue is one of the most popular choices for mid-century spaces. Blue is a versatile colour with a distinct charm that goes well with any colour. The combination of blue and white extends a classic look. You can use black and gold in the form of furniture or statement pieces to enhance the look.

      Create a Nature-inspired Look With Green and Neutral Colours

      Green Velvet Sofa With a Round Ottoman
      AI Generated Image: Murloft

      When green is paired with neutral colours such as white, black or beige, it adds a calmness to the space. You can combine these colours depending on the kind of impact you want.

      Add Drama With Black and Blue

      Modern Blue and Black Combination Living Room
      AI Generated Image: Murloft

      Black and blue combo looks great in bedrooms, dining room and kitchen. To balance the look, bring in some lighter tones such as white, grey or beige.

      Tips to Transform Any Space Into a Mid-century Design

      • Combine bold and muted shades for a balanced look.

      • Combine complementary shades like orange and teal.

      • Add a neutral backdrop to allow bold colours to stand out.

      • Add depth and interest with patterns.

      • Choose a versatile colour that can seamlessly transition between different design elements.

      • To maintain authenticity of a true mid-century vibe, stick to popular colours of the mid-century era of the 1950s and 1960s.

      Conclusion

      Colour plays an important role in adding mid-century vibes in any space, and there are numerous colour palettes you can combine. These colours are used in different shades (bright, bold and muted) based on the desired visual impact.