Midcentury modern style has experienced a major resurgence in recent years, with Eames replicas, tulip tables, walnut dressers, and more making their way into today's homes. And why stop there? If you're embarking on a tile project in your kitchen, bathroom, entryway, or elsewhere within the home, you may wish to consider introducing midcentury modern designs into your space. After all, midcentury modern tiles are easy to incorporate into any room given that they're extremely versatile, come in a wide variety of colors, and can breathe so much energy into any room.
Midcentury modern tile is pretty easy to recognize due to its geometric look. "Popular midcentury modern tile was made from simple shapes, such as squares, rectangles, and hexagons," interior designer Karen Nepacena, of Destination Eichler, says.
Nepacena specializes in creating midcentury modern style spaces and has creatively incorporated all types of tile into her projects, some of which are featured below. She notes that what differentiates midcentury modern tile from other styles is how it's installed. "Popular installation during the period was straight set or 'stacked' to give a repetitive, uniform look, versus a more traditional staggered or offset subway tile pattern."
Whether you crave colorful accents or are drawn to neutral designs, you won't want to miss the 15 beautiful spaces below that all feature different types of midcentury modern tile. Pick your favorite shapes and colors and get ready to liven up your home.
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Say Yes to Blue and White
Blue and white is a common color combination for the bathroom already, as it's reminiscent of water and sky. Note that midcentury modern tile is commonly used in bathrooms; you may come across it in backsplash form or within the shower, as seen above. "Tile works great in areas that can get wet," Nepacena says.
And there's no reason to stick with simple hues, she adds. "To give a nod to midcentury style, look for tile in fun colors such as pastels such as yellow, mint green, or turquoise blue."
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Create an Accent Wall
Why not use tile to create an accent wall in the bathroom? Here, blue and white tile pops above the sink. An accent wall adds flair to any space and is ideal for those who crave a bit of color but aren't full-on maximalists. Additionally, given that tile can be expensive, installing tile in a smaller area can be a great way to jazz up your space without breaking the bank.
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Mix and Match Tile Styles
This geometric shower tile is bound to wake you up as you get ready for the day! Of course, you can always draw inspiration from a variety of time periods in your home. Here, the MCM tile complements the adjoining penny tile—which is associated with bathrooms of the early 20th century—perfectly.
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Embrace Color in the Kitchen
Let's get cooking! Make meal prep feel like an exciting adventure by coating your kitchen walls with a fun triangular backsplash tile pattern. Blues, yellows, and other hues are unexpected in this type of space but add lots of energy.
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Stay Classic With Black and White
On the other hand, perhaps your kitchen features colorful cabinets and you're looking to keep your tile colors a bit more simple. Black and white is a timeless pairing and still adds plenty of pizzazz to this kitchen.
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Make Your Entryway Sing
Midcentury modern tile makes a splash in the entryway of this Liverpool, UK, home. If you wish to extend the use of such tile to the living room or even into the backyard, by all means, go ahead and do so.
"Midcentury modern tile also works well for areas like fireplaces, which commonly were built with tile hearths and surrounds," Nepacena says. "Midcentury modern tile can also be used in outdoor areas, such as in an outdoor kitchen to swimming pools."
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Get Wiggly
Who says kitchens have to be all white? In this cooking space, blue and white tile featuring a curvy design adds plenty of visual interest above the countertops.
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Play With Multiple Patterns
Say hello to circles! This funky pattern is featured in the same kitchen shown in the previous photo and proves that mixing and matching different types of midcentury tiles in the same space is completely fair game.
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Install Wow-Worthy Floors
Don't forget about the floors! Maybe you're hoping to keep your walls and backsplash more simple but are still looking to invite a pop of color into the room. This diamond shape pattern looks extremely elevated.
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Bring on the Walnut
Midcentury modern spaces feature tons of natural wood detailing, and this kitchen is no exception. Just add patterned tile in the design of your choosing to complete the look.
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Swap Out Your Existing Vanity
Black and gray certainly aren't boring in this bathroom! For a full midcentury modern look, consider swapping out your builder-grade vanity and bringing in an authentic MCM chest for a cohesive look.
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Create an Optical Illusion
This floor has us seeing double! In this otherwise neutral bathroom, a bold floor is truly the star of the show.
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Wake Up to Pink and Red
While we don't see pink and red used in the bathroom ultra frequently, there's no reason to steer clear of these peppy hues if they make you happy. After all, this shower is certainly a stunner.
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Opt for a Forever Fave
Blue and white is a timeless color combo, whether your aesthetic leans grandmillennial, coastal, or yes, even midcentury modern. Here, a bold cobalt pairs nicely with wooden accents in an airy kitchen.
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Dress Up Your Shower
Make a statement wall in the shower with eye-catching tiles. These squares also play tricks on the eye, while the remaining walls are covered in simple subway tile to balance things out.