Mid-Century Modern
What is Mid-Century Modern Lighting?
Mid-century modern is the trend that just keeps trending. Since its inception in the 1950s, mid-century design has found life in every decade. The combination of classic furnishings with modern materials and finishes keeps this style fresh. It’s a perfect blend of traditional and contemporary, quirky and functional, and manages a clean, almost minimalist look without the fear of color and unique shapes. Lighting is a terrific way to dip your toe into the trendy mid-century modern water without saturating your space or your budget. It’s a smart approach to use in decorating new facilities because it’s clean and functional, but it’s also ideal for existing commercial facility updates because of the bold colors and geometric shapes available. In this lighting style guide, TCP shows you how to incorporate mid-century modern lighting ideas into your next commercial space.
Mid-Century Modern Design
Origins of Mid-Century Modern Design Geometric forms and the clean-lined Bauhaus and Danish modernist movements arrived in America via the 1939 World’s Fair in New York City. About a decade later, the new style was gaining serious traction. Americans embraced the future with designs paying homage to space travel and the Jetsons. Advancements in mass production and innovative materials like plastics and molded plywood inspired designers to boldly experiment with function, color, and shape. The result was iconic and timeless designs we know today.
Mid-Century vs Scandinavian
Scandinavian design became popular after World War II. Northern European countries such as Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden pulled inspiration from nature. Mechanical mass production hadn’t spread to the northern countries yet, so fine workmanship and natural materials became extremely important. They wasted as little as possible, making no room for unnecessary ornaments. Scandinavian pieces are functional, practical pieces with wood and other natural elements. The style is more minimalistic than mid-century modern, but there is no denying the similarities of clean lines and interesting shapes.

Mid-Century Modern Lighting Lamps
Table Lamps
Tree Lamps
Outdoor Lamps
Mid-Century Modern Lighting Features & Fixtures
When you incorporate mid-century modern lighting features in your design, you bring an old-school style to a new space. Unlike minimalist interiors where fixtures are either absent or barely visible, mid-century modern lighting relies heavily on the fixture itself. This is exactly where the TCP Light All Program specifically benefits architects. We offer start-to-finish solutions from prototype to installation, creating the bulbs, fixtures, and systems to match your specifications and demands. If you’re inspired by this lighting design style but can’t find the right fixture for your space, partner with us and we’ll create an incredible, custom piece.
Sconces
In 2020, the sculptural lighting trend continues with a focus on geometric fixtures. Don’t miss the opportunity to sprinkle in flush-mount lights like sconces that double as art. Multiple sconces create balance and consistent lighting in rooms or hallways, or you can pair them with mid-century modern lamps to make a room feel more spacious.
Pendant Lighting
Pendant lighting provides a decorative hanging focal point with concentrated light. Mid-century pendants distribute glare-free light downward and laterally, and they come in all shapes, sizes, and colors to match your vision for your space. Consider a trail of pendants across several restaurant booths or a bar counter for a sleek and widespread visual. For an even more modern lighting approach, call on TCP LED products. Your clients will notice and appreciate fewer bulb replacements, lower energy bills, and a positive move toward sustainability for the planet.
Chandeliers
Is a pendant not quite big enough? Upgrade to a chandelier and transform the atmosphere of your space. The possibilities are endless when it comes to finding these large lighting fixtures and shades with interesting angles and curves. One key piece that sums up mid-century modern style is the Sputnik chandelier. Designers found inspiration in the Sputnik space satellite when it became the first to circle the globe in the fall of 1957. The look features several antennas in varying sizes and metal finishes. To enlist some drama without the antenna look, select a statement shade like a large glass globe, saucer, or paper lantern. The oversized shade combined with a clean shape gives your space a bold yet balanced element. A reflective material inside your chandelier shade will help cast light back down toward the floor, while textured fabrics will add warmth and shadow to a room.
TCP OFFERS A TOTAL, END-TO-END COMMERCIAL LIGHTING SOLUTION NO MATTER YOUR LIGHTING STYLE
Any budget, any style.
TCP understands sourcing and installing the right commercial lighting from start to finish. That’s why, from the first design consultation to the post-project follow-up, we’re there offering our expert guidance, helping you capitalize on efficiency rebates, and ensuring your commercial lighting project turns on.
Contact an expert about your project today.