This post first ran in 2016.
Mid-century modern homes have been enjoying something of a renaissance over the past few years. Originally intended as functional, affordable family homes, they’ve become sought-after properties, thanks to their unique style and their location in some of the Bay Area’s most desirable communities.
If you’re lucky enough to own a mid-century modern, you know that while they have a special appeal, they do have their quirks. Built in the 1950s and ’60s, they often need updating in order to meet the needs of today’s families.
You may have bought your home in original condition, with no major updates since its construction, and are looking to renovate. Or maybe your home’s previous owners have done renovations that aren’t in keeping with its essential mid-century modern aesthetic, and you want to get it back some of its original charm.
Pam Theroux, a Realtor with Marin Modern Real Estate, has some tips on how to ensure your renovations keep your home’s character and retain its value.
1. Keep It Authentic
Mid-century modern homes are prized for their simple, sleek and streamlined looks. Make sure you’re working with your home’s architecture, not against it.
“I’ve seen some really awful renovations that definitely lower the value of the home,” says Theroux. “Things like putting colonial cabinets or marble countertops in a mid-century kitchen or adding multi-paned French doors to a living room work against the architecture.”
But staying authentic doesn’t necessarily mean scouring antique showrooms for furnishings or fixtures from the 1950s. Many contemporary designers offer products that are perfectly in keeping with the mid-century look and feel while offering the advantages of new materials, finishes and technologies.
“Scandinavian can work well in mid-century homes,” says Theroux. She suggests visiting open homes for ideas of what to do – and what not to do. “Even looking around an Ikea showroom can give you ideas about things like cabinets and fixtures that work with the mid-century modern aesthetic,” Theroux says.
2. Take Inspiration from Nature
Indoor/outdoor living was one of the driving ideas behind mid-century modern homes. Open floor-plans and large glass walls that seamlessly transition from interior to exterior suggest a harmony with the environment that resonates even more urgently today.
To maximize that harmony, Theroux suggests looking for natural fibers, textures and colors when considering new carpeting, cabinets, flooring, painting or furnishings. Make sure your interior design is in harmony with the home’s exterior and landscape.
3. Think Multi-Functional
One of the things many contemporary families find most challenging about living in a mid-century modern home is a lack of storage space, Theroux says.
Most of these homes have no attic or basement, and closets and wardrobes tend to be small, so think about selecting furnishings that do double duty. Platform beds with drawers, kitchen islands with cabinets, and cabinet-style vanities can increase storage options without detracting from a design’s simplicity.
Adding built-in storage where possible can also keep a room from appearing cluttered, and helps maintain a clean, streamlined look.
4. Harness New Technologies to Solve Old Problems
Ductless Heating and Cooling
With our climate heating up, many people are thinking about adding cooling systems to their homes. Because many mid-century modern homes use radiant rather than forced-air heat, there are no air ducts that can be used to add home cooling.
In the past, if you wanted to add cooling (or heating, if the radiant system no longer worked), the only options were to run ugly duct-work over the roof, stick boxy air-conditioning units in windows or add obtrusive baseboard heating.
Ductless heating and cooling systems – sometimes called mini-split systems – can add climate control options without spoiling your home’s mid-century modern look. These consist of one or more small indoor air units that can sit unobtrusively against a wall or behind a beam, and a small outdoor condenser, connected by a low-diameter conduit run through the roof or exterior walls.
Tankless Water Heaters
If your water heater is in a closet (or in a garage you plan to convert to living space), you can save room by replacing it with a tankless system.
Not only are tankless water heaters compact, they are more energy efficient than traditional tank water heaters because they work on an “on-demand” basis: water is heated as it is needed rather than stored and kept hot in a large tank. If your hot water needs are high, you can install several tankless heaters, such as dedicated units for the laundry or dishwasher.
Improving Windows
The large, single-paned windows that grace many mid-century moderns are beautiful, but not especially safe or energy efficient.
Ideally, says Theroux, you’d replace them with double-paned windows, but in a home with lots of floor-to-ceiling glass, the cost adds up quickly. A more budget-friendly option, she says, is to have safety film applied to your windows. These products are cost-effective and prevent potentially lethal shattering – especially important for families with young children. They also block up to 99 percent of UV rays, protecting both your skin and your furniture, and keep your home cooler on sunny days.
5. Look for Experts
One of the most important pieces of advice Theroux offers is to use architects, contractors and designers who really understand mid-century modern.
“Working with an architect or contractor at the outset who is familiar with the both the challenges and possibilities of these homes can save you both aggravation and money in the long run,” she notes.
Theroux has horror stories of heating contractors unfamiliar with mid-century modern homes who missed leaks in radiant heating pipes and flooring contractors who drilled down and punctured pipes in the home’s concrete slab.
Contractors who know mid-century modern are sprinkled throughout the Bay Area, serving clients from the South Bay to Marin. “It’s worth going a little farther and paying a little more to find real experts willing to come to your area,” Theroux says. Roofers who understand how to address the issues of flat or low-slope roofs, or heating specialists who have special expertise in radiant heat systems, for example, are worth seeking out.
And it’s important to vet them well, says Theroux. “Ask for references and check out their work,” she says.
Resources
- Theroux has lists of vendors she recommends – contact her at 415-640-0336 or Pam@MarinModern.com.
- Eichlernetwork.com has a list of vendors and other information and resources on remodeling mid-century modern homes.