How to Make a Sofa Look Mid-Century Modern

Replacing a leg on a sleek couch can make it look more mid-century modern.

Mid-century modern décor features very clean lines, solid colors and right angles. Purchasing new mid-century modern couches can completely change the look of your home. Alternatively, tweak the look of the couches you currently have to more closely resemble mid-century modern couches. Choose options based on your budget and the amount of time you have to make the change.

Things You'll Need

• Couch legs
• Upholstery fabric

Instructions

1. Replace your couch's legs with mid-century style legs. These legs are often made of wood and are tapered. Some are slanted outward.

2. Reupholster the couch with a solid color or choose a solid color slipcover. Choose common mid-century modern colors such as bright red, orange, yellow or more muted but still mid-century modern such as grey or beige.

3. Tuft the couch to give it a more mid-century modern appeal. Button tufting helps the couch have a more modern and geometric look. You can button tuft the couch yourself or hire a professional upholsterer.

4. Remove throw pillows from your couch. Mid-century modern couches were sleek and rarely were styled with many pillows.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't attempt to make your sofa look more mid-century modern if the couch is a completely different style such as romantic or traditional. Couches with many curved or fluted edges are harder to transform into a mid-century modern style without serious couch reconstruction.

References

• Apartment Therapy: Before & After: Adding Style to an IKEA Karlstad Sofa
• Telegraph: Get the Mad Men Look; Maria Fitzpatrick; Nov. 2010
• Retro Renovation: Update: 28 Places to Shop for an Affordable Midcentury Modern Style Sofa