Welcome to our site where you will find incredibly simple yet functional Mid-Century foyers. Mid-Century design is entrenched in functionality, clean lines, and minimalism, which is what really reflected the world during that time period. The combination of natural materials and manmade materials, make it extremely appealing to many homeowners who love to replicate that retro style in a more contemporary way today.
Be sure to scroll through our curated interior photos so you can read all about the details of each design. We hope to inspire and ignite creativity on your design journey.
1. Bold & Bright Mid-Century Foyer
Layout: This large retro-styled Mid-Century foyer features a burst of orange color which creates a cheerful and inviting space.
Furniture Selection: The wood credenza provides plenty of storage and blends perfectly with the retro design.
Flooring: Charcoal tile flooring is the perfect choice for this design as it contrasts nicely against the crisp whitewalls.
Wall Decor: Framed art hangs above the credenza and the large side windows allow nature to act as art streaming inside.
Lighting: A retro-pendant light hangs from the ceiling which adds a bit of bling to the room while providing ambient lighting at the same time.
2. Minimal Mid-Century Foyer
Layout: I love the sleek yet minimal and functionally designed space in this Mid-Century foyer.
Furniture Selection: A black leather bench is great for removing shoes upon entering and the wood console can display collectibles or vases with fresh flowers.
Flooring: Light hardwood floors compliment the simple and minimal color palette in this design.
Wall Decor: A large mirror hangs above the console table and creates the effect that the room is larger.
Lighting: The large semi-flush globe light has a very retro feel while the white light sconce looks somewhat futuristic but really works in the design.
3. Palm Springs Influenced Mid-Century Foyer
Layout: Gorgeous colors and texture in this functional space create a fun & luxurious Mid-Century foyer.
Furniture Selection: Velvet side chairs and a wood & brass console create a cute seating vignette for storage and a place to remove your shoes before entering.
Flooring: Light wood laminate flooring adds a soft touch and compliments the diamond patterned wallpaper.
Wall Decor: The diamond print wallpaper adds texture and depth to the design, while the sunburst mirror is very reminiscent of the Mid-Century era.
Lighting: There is no overhead lighting but rather a small brass dual-task lamp, which provides ambient lighting and functionality.
- Source: Houzz
4. Rich Blue Mid-Century Foyer
Layout: Layers of blue dominate this cheerful and bright Mid-Century foyer.
Furniture Selection: A stone built-in planter takes the place of furniture in this entry and brings nature indoors.
Flooring: Herringbone slate floors contrast nicely against the blues and add texture to the design.
Wall Decor: The choice of blue in this space works so well to create a simple but bold palette for the room.
Lighting: A unique circular light wall sconce adds the perfect ambience and functionality for this entryway.
- Source: Houzz
5. White & Wood Mid-Century Foyer
Layout: Crisp white walls and wood elements create a neutral and relaxing space in this Mid-Century foyer.
Furniture Selection: There is no visible furniture in this simple layout, however it feels spacious and open.
Flooring: Natural hardwood floors compliment the gorgeous wood ceiling and the white stone walls, which is definitely very standard in a Mid-Century home.
Wall Decor: Blue canvas art adorns the white brick wall upon entering and adds that pop of color that is needed.
Lighting: A single white pendant light hangs from the ceiling right when you enter create ambient lighting.
- Source: Houzz
6. Salmon Colored Mid-Century Foyer
Layout: This streamlined design with salmon colored walls creates a beautiful foyer.
Furniture Selection: White planters for indoor plants & mid-century side chairs for seating leave the room feeling airy yet functional.
Flooring: Dark hardwood floors add a rich texture and compliment the color tones in the design.
Wall Decor: Gorgeous salmon tone walls are the show stopper of this entryway.
Lighting: Modern & simple black light sconces adorn the walls for ambient lighting down the long foyer.
- Source: Houzz
7. Eclectic Nature-Inspired Foyer
Layout: You feel like you’re in nature upon entering this foyer but suddenly you notice bold wall art which creates an eclectic vibe.
Furniture Selection: The long natural wood credenza is the perfect size for this space, along with the weathered bench which can be used for seating.
Flooring:
Wall Decor: The red & white bold wall art is funky and seems a bit out of place in this predominately nature inspired design.
Lighting: Recessed lighting throughout provides a soft but functional ambient feeling.
- Source: Houzz
8. Calming Mid-Century Foyer
Layout: Soothing color tones and minimal design create a relaxing buy stylish foyer.
Furniture Selection: Just a simple indoor planter and greenery which allows your eyes to focus on the minimalism of the room.
Flooring: A high-gloss tile flooring contrasts perfectly against the soothing matte finish of the paint.
Wall Decor: Pale green painted wood walls provide a perfect backdrop for much needed art.
Lighting: A single but large recessed light hangs in the center of ceiling by the entryway and doesn’t distract from the design.
- Source: Houzz
9. Wood Infused Mid-Century Foyer
Layout: Shed style ceiling and walls of wood dominate this Mid-Century foyer.
Furniture Selection: A simple wood slat bench for seating a indoor planter brings in greenery that compliments the space.
Flooring: White terrazzo flooring is the perfect match for the wood walls, it brightens the space and adds depth.
Wall Decor: The beautiful wood paneled walls add a rich warmth to the space so no art is really needed.
Lighting: Because there are large picture windows on one wall, tons of natural light streams in so no manmade lights are needed.
- Source: Houzz
10. Vaulted Ceiling Mid-Century Foyer
Layout: Vaulted ceilings create a large open vibe in this minimal Mid-Century foyer.
Furniture Selection: A simple console table and indoor planter create a minimal vignette in this spacious design.
Flooring: Dark slate flooring contrasts against the white walls and compliments the wood in remaining part of the home.
Wall Decor: Built-in storage closets act as wall decor as do the windows that surround the front door.
Lighting: Who needs lighting when you have a wall of stylish windows allowing tons of natural light to enter.
- Source: Houzz
11. Luxe Designed Mid-Century Foyer
Layout: You’re greeted by a luxurious seating area when entering this Mid-Century foyer.
Furniture Selection: A burlwood coffee table is paired with side chairs and a stone bench to create a lovely seating vignette.
Flooring: Gorgeous light hardwood herringbone floors add texture and depth to the room.
Wall Decor: Large canvas art adorns the wall when you enter and add a splash of color.
Lighting: The gorgeous brass chandelier hangs from the ceiling and provides warmth and glamour to the design.
- Source: Houzz
12. Indoor Outdoor Mid-Century Foyer
Layout: Stunning indoor outdoor vibes in this beautiful Mid-Century foyer.
Furniture Selection: A single Hans Wenger turquoise chair sits in the corner by the large windows.
Flooring: The floors are a light hardwood which brightens the space and continues the feeling of natural elements indoors.
Wall Decor: Who needs art when you have giant picture windows allowing tons of natural light to stream in.
Lighting: Some recessed lighting adds soft ambient light to this already bright space.
- Source: Houzz
13. Pollack Infused Mid-Century Foyer
Layout: Long narrow entry with tons of character and texture in this Mid-Century foyer.
Furniture Selection: Natural wood Herman Miller bench provides a place to sit or remove your shoes upon entering.
Flooring: Beautiful high-gloss terrazzo tile flooring adds depth to the space.
Wall Decor: Large Pollack-style canvas art hangs on the wall and provides color and texture in the space.
Lighting: Modern white track lighting in the ceiling provides ambient light above.
- Source: Houzz
14. Artist Inspired Mid-Century Foyer
Layout: The wood shed-style ceiling and concrete floors create a perfect backdrop for this Mid-Century designed foyer.
Furniture Selection: The white coat rack has a mid-century vibe while the wood console table is more traditional in style, and the retro bike adds whimsy to the space.
Flooring: Stained gray concrete flooring is layered with a bright rug by the entry and is complimented by the wood shed ceiling.
Wall Decor: A mix of framed and canvas abstract art adorns the walls of this entryway to add depth and color.
Lighting: There appears to be a single gray flush-mount light in the center of ceiling that probably only serves as a spot light in the evening.
- Source: Houzz
15. Retro Style Mid-Century Foyer
Layout: Spacious entryway with vaulted ceilings and textured walls are very reminiscent of Mid-Century homes from the past.
Furniture Selection: A white leather bench by front door creates a place to sit while the planter allows for indoor greenery.
Flooring: Rich hardwood flooring really contrasts against the crisp white walls and blue door.
Wall Decor: Trellis patterned walls create an art installation feel and loads of texture to the space.
Lighting: A woven white pendant light hangs from the ceiling which creates depth.
16. Organic Infused Mid-Century Foyer
Layout: Rich woods bring a natural element and contrasts well against the concrete in this modern Mid-Century foyer.
Furniture Selection: There is no furniture in this foyer however the wood paneled dividers act like furniture and add layers to the room.
Flooring: Dark gray concrete flooring is the perfect choice paired with the gorgeous wood doors and wall dividers.
Wall Decor: The wall decor in this space would have to be the gorgeous wood doors and wall dividers that add so much dimension to the design.
Lighting: A single white track light hangs from the ceiling to light up the entry, however the natural light coming in through the transient windows is all you need.
Mid-Century Design
Mid-century design is a cool, stylish way to create a welcoming foyer in your home. While many people say that they enjoy mid-century modern décor, they often have a hard time explaining exactly what that is. It’s a nebulous term that can mean different things to different people.
Because the term is so broad, it can be difficult just to create a new entryway according to what you see in mid-century foyer design ideas. However, if you learn the history and principles of this design genre, you can be well on your way to making it fit in your foyer.
History
As you can probably guess from the name, mid-century interior design began in the middle of the 1900s, around 1945. The architects who started this genre were primarily people fleeing from Nazi rule. As World War II raged on, builders and architects had to learn to work with new materials like plywood and steel.
After the war, the mid-century modern homes became all the rage. The large glass doors connected the outdoors to the inside of the home. The low windows sparked the imaginations of children everywhere. Now, decades later, some homes from the 1960s are even historical sites.
Design Elements
Mid-century foyer design ideas have a style all their own. Sometimes, it feels like stepping back in time. However, there are many ways to update a mid-century style to blend with today’s traditions. Whether you’re going for a classic style or something fresh, there are some features you should include.
Split Levels
A few steps between the entryway and the living spaces can create a mid-century look and feel. These split-level floors were popular from the mid-1940s until the 1980s. If your home doesn’t have one right now, you can find other ways to incorporate changes in elevation.
Playful Colors & Function
Mid-century design isn’t limited to just one color scheme. If you want to paint your entryway a bright yellow, you can make that work in a mid-century home. If you prefer neutrals on your walls, go with some white and accent colors of your choice. Mid-century homes don’t include a lot of frivolous decoration. Everything in your new foyer should serve a particular purpose in the room.
Related: Mid-Century Living Room Ideas | Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Ideas | Mid-Century Modern Kitchen Ideas | Mid-Century Modern Bedroom Ideas | Mid-Century Modern Architects | Mid-Century Modern Bathroom Ideas