Contemporary Design vs Mid Century Modern in Outdoor Furniture
There are so many different design terms; it can be confusing to someone that is not a seasoned professional to understand the difference. Maybe you have struggled to decipher the difference between modern, traditional, transitional, retro, minimalist, farmhouse, antique industrial, rustic, art deco, Victorian, Chippendale, craftsman, or colonial design styles. Or asked sheepishly, what's the difference between "contemporary design" and mid-century modern? Don’t worry you are not alone in your curiosity or confusion.
Frequently Asked Questions: Contemporary vs. Mid-Century Modern Outdoors
Contemporary is current; MCM is 1950s–1970s inspired. Contemporary evolves every decade with sharp angles and cool, neutral palettes. Mid-century modern recalls post-war design: clean lines, comfort, natural materials, and bold warm colors. Both value simplicity, but their mood and material emphasis differ.
Minimal, angular, and often cool-toned. Expect straight lines, dramatic angles, and movable pieces. Common materials include wood, steel, and plastics; resin and polycarbonate are popular. Colors lean to crisp white, cool hues, and neutrals that echo contemporary architecture.
Use flexible layouts and sleek finishes. Outline a patterned rug with sling chaises and modern sofas. Keep cushions tone-on-tone. Choose polished wood, sleek metals, or stone tables. Freestanding metal screens define zones; a concrete fire pit and string lights complete the scene.
Clean lines, comfort, and natural materials. Rooted in mid-20th-century design, MCM emphasizes simplicity and ease. Teak or ipe wood, glass, and metal (aluminum outdoors) pair with bold brights and warm tones—reds, yellows, oranges—grounded by earthy browns.
Feature wood grain and sculptural curves. Center a natural teak dining table with club chairs and patterned cushions, or anchor with a curved aluminum sectional. Add outdoor heated table lamps and a wood-plank accent wall with geometric planters for organic texture.
Yes—there is natural overlap. Start with contemporary’s clean, movable framework and cool neutrals. Layer in MCM warmth via teak accents, curved silhouettes, and color pops. Keep lines simple and the layout uncluttered so the blend feels intentional.
Pick by mood, palette, and materials. Choose contemporary for forward-looking minimalism, crisp whites, and sleek metal/stone accents. Choose mid-century modern for nostalgic warmth, wood grain focus, and bold color accents—all while keeping comfort and simplicity central.
Some styles are distinctly different, but other style characteristics cross over so defining features might not be that recognizable. Some styles are so similar they are seen as interchangeable such as mid-century modern and contemporary. There are actually subtle differences between these two-design aesthetics. If you are an industry outsider in the market for outdoor furniture and you want to impress a designer with your use of terminology or navigate a trade show with ease, then keep reading below to unpack these two common categories of outdoor furniture styles to increase your expertise.
What is “CONTEMPORARY DESIGN”?
The Canton outdoor sofa set by Ebel - beautiful contemporary patio deep seating furniture with a fun, playful style that is distinctly modern while still being timeless.
At its core, contemporary design is centered on simplicity and minimalistic design. This design concept can be both current, futuristic, and forward-thinking. Contemporary is popular, present, and trendy; this style is not stagnant and changes every ten years. Contemporary furniture features sharp corners and dramatic angles reminiscent of contemporary architecture. This furniture is most often crafted from wood, steel, or plastic. Resin and polycarbonate are popular materials for contemporary outdoor furniture. The contemporary color palette leans towards cool hues, neutrals, and crisp white.
The Diva sofa set by Ratana - beautiful modern outdoor wicker woven around a sturdy cast aluminum frame, with a contemporary aesthetic that looks and feels great.
Imagine an outdoor space outfitted with contemporary design aesthetics. A small porch or patio might be home to two white rope hanging chairs with white cushions. Calling in tone-on-tone colorways, there might be a white wove tall stool between the two. Envision a sleek and modern look. A larger landscape would feature straight lines in the physical furniture pieces and arrangement. Contemporary patio furniture is notably movable so the owner an push the boundaries of design. A combination of sling chaise lounges and modern outdoor sofa sets might outline the perimeter of a symmetrical patterned outdoor rug. The seating might have smooth textured natural fiber fabric cushions that emphasized a minimalistic design. The occasional tables would be minimal materials like polished wood, sleek metals, or stone. If the exterior is grandiose, then perhaps there might be freestanding movable metal screens or railings as a space divider separating an outdoor dining area. The space divider would not only offer function and flexibility but it would also create an air of sophistication and exclusivity. A concrete fire pit would add to the ambiance. String lights on trees or fencing would be the finishing touch of contemporary outdoor décor.
What is “MID-CENTURY MODERN DESIGN”?
The Tango outdoor sofa set from Harmonia Living exemplifies Mid-Century design principles - natural elements and angles and architecture that were popular in the middle of the 20th century.
While contemporary characteristics are more current, mid-century modern calls back to 1950s nostalgia. The Art Deco 1920s was the start of the mid-century modern era that ended with the 1970s now vintage styles. World War II sparked a whole new epoch of creativity and technology that influenced interior and exterior home designs. Mid-century modern design revolves around clean lines, simplicity, and comfort. Mid-century modern furniture is most often made of natural materials like wood (especially for teak wood patio furniture or ipe patio furniture), glass, and metal (especially chrome for indoor furnishings, and aluminum patio furniture for your outdoor space). The mid-century modern color palette is characterized by bold bright colors. The fabrics are warm tones like warm reds, yellows, and oranges; the furniture incorporates earthy colors and deep hues like brown woods.
The Augusta patio sofa club set by Ebel brings mid-century aesthetics into parity with more modern color schema.
Envision a mid-century modern exterior living space. The sliding glass doors of the home might open up to an outdoor dining room with a natural teak wood table front and center on display. The textured wood grain table would be complimented by matching club chairs and soft comfortable cushions that have woven pattern upholstery and color pops. Or perhaps an aluminum curved sectional set is the hallmark of the exterior space; the curved clean lines accompany the sleek silhouette of the metalwork. In the right environment, the space might be accented by outdoor heated table lamps which are both functional and warm. A featured accent wall would be an additional organic element to a mid-century modern classic outside space. Think of a wood plank wall with shelves or shadow boxes as staging space for greenery in geometric shapes. Mid-Century modern patio sofa seating is a fantastic way to relax outdoors and make your outdoor living space feel like a natural extension of your home.
