Mid Century Modern House Plans

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Characteristics of a Mid Century Modern House Plans

Even if you don’t recognize the term Mid Century Modern House, you most certainly have seen them. If not face-to-face, up close, then on television. They were and are popular in the Los Angeles area and then spread around the country and, in fact, around the globe. Close your eyes and picture the house on THE BRADY BUNCH. That’s a house built on a mid century modern ranch house plans. Indeed, practically any television show set in California or the Southwest United States will feature mid-century house.

Looking at mid century modern house plans online, it is clear the minimalistic character of these houses. Detailing, decoration, and design is clean, with smooth lines. This facet is so pervasive that it inspired its own designs of furniture and decoration. Overstuffed, Victorian furniture and accessories would look sorely out of place in a mid-century modern home.

Most contractors, builders, or architects will tell you that an open floor plan is the first thing that comes to mind when someone says, ‘mid century modern home plan’. But what does an open floor plan mean? Open floor plans connect at least two rooms that were conventionally separate rooms in the traditional style of house plans. Open floor plans make for a more free-flowing feeling of space, while also not separating people as much as conventional floor plans.

Big, roomy kitchens with lots of counter space are a typical trait of mid century home. The roomy counters are a reflection and an indication of the feeling of the whole structure and property, a feeling of openness and freedom. It’s the exact opposite of the closed-in feeling of so many homes.

Indoors and Outdoors United into One

This feeling of flowing space is carried over into another feature of mid century modern home floor plans – a feeling of virtually unbroken connection between indoors and outdoors. This is achieved through big windows and the use of sliding glass doors, especially between the living space and the patio or porch. Many mid-century modern house plans include a swimming pool; this would be accessed by the connected indoor and outdoor spaces by the sliding-glass door.

The Patio

The porch of mid century modern home plans are obviously designed for maximum use. They are big and practically an extension of the living room, separated only by a sliding glass door. Also, they are meant to make the most of the warm climates in which they are often built. (Or of the annual warm season in more temperate regions.) They are a combination of inside and outside; of nature and humanity.

One Story Homes

By definition, mid-century modern houses are one story homes. Above all, it could hardly be otherwise. That one story is meant to open up onto the adjoining patio and other property, white a second story would smother the whole idea of a mid-century modern home.

The Garage

As the name suggests, the mid-century house style became popular after the Second World War. The post-war American economy boomed to a barely believable extent. In fact, one of the most sought-after items in America was the automobile. It was a point of pride, a sign of accomplishment and, increasingly, a necessity as the American population moved away from city centers. A garage became standard equipment of the mid-century modern house as a result of this trend.

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