6 Mid-Century Modern Exterior Renovation Ideas for Every Home

Of all the home design styles that have come back into fashion recently, “mid-century modern” is making quite the wave among homeowners—and for good reason.

In addition to being a classic style that stands the test of time, there are tons of options that can help you achieve this look by upgrading the exterior of your home.

With the right style of high-quality windows and doors, you can complement your home’s natural design and bring out the classic qualities that Mid-Century Modern aesthetics are known for—including clean lines, minimalism, and an emphasis on function over fashion.

So, let’s dive into six ways to make your home exterior stand out in that easy-going, artful way with Mid-Century Modern exterior renovation ideas.

1. Sliding Windows for a Subtle Dash of Style

One of the easiest ways to add a dash of mid-century modern style to the outside of your home is by installing sliding windows.

Sliding windows are staples in this corner of home design for the simple fact that they are low-profile, like the timeless style of mid-century modern itself—and they don’t draw much attention to the windows themselves!

While it might seem counter-intuitive, by keeping things simple, you can make the most out of your home’s modern appearance. After all, sliding windows are all about keeping a consistent look highlighting that whole “close-to-the-ground” vibe that’s synonymous with the minimalist style.

Pella’s sliding windows come in a variety of materials, with added hardware, grille, and screen options that emphasize the feel you’re going for.

2. Picture Windows for Breathtaking Views

Picture windows are another key fixture of mid-century modern homes.

Sort of like giant picture frames that capture a gorgeous view of the outside, these windows may not open, but they work great on their own, or when paired with other windows—especially when your main goal is to bring in as much extra light into the home as possible, all while making a statement with your home’s exterior.

Picture windows come in a variety of sizes, and thanks to their minimalist style that emphasizes an uninterrupted view, they allow for a seamless connection to the outdoors and make for a peaceful, easy feeling whether you’re enjoying the view from the inside or the outside.

Pella offers several styles of our picture windows, with grille options available to add a custom sense of style to your new installations.

3. Awning Windows for Added Support and Airflow

If you’re leaning towards adding picture windows to your mid-century modern renovation plans, then pairing them with awning windows are a no-brainer.

Like the perfect sidekick or co-pilot, awning windows are all about complimenting the larger-than-life view that picture windows bring to the table—all while adding a key ingredient of comfort to your home: ventilation.

Strategically place your new awning windows (like next to your picture windows) to allow for cool airflow without cramping your style. And because they open outwards from the top, the rustic look of awning windows goes hand-in-hand with the soft-spoken identity of most mid-century modern homes.

At Pella, we offer several styles of awning windows to revamp the exterior of your home, including custom hardware, grille, and screen options to bring a strong, supportive personality to your home’s exterior.

4. Casement Windows for Minimalist Flare

Much like awning windows, casement windows are popular choices for nailing down a mid-century modern style because they look great on their own or next to other windows, and they pack a punch with functional benefits.

Like awning windows that extend outwardly, casement windows swing open from the side instead of the top, which is awesome for emphasizing a continuous look throughout your home, as these windows mirror the way your front entry door swings open sideways.

And because they bring an air of subtlety as well as dramatically improve the airflow of your home, these windows perform double duty as upgrades for both your home’s interior and exterior.

At Pella, we have casement windows that can get the job done while accenting the stylistic integrity that you’re going for. We have options available in several frame materials, in addition to offering different choices in terms of hardware, grilles, and screens.

5. Sliding Patio Doors for the Beauty in Simplicity

Now that we’ve discussed the right kinds of windows to compliment your mid-century modern home, let’s move on to one last area of artistic opportunity: doors—specifically, sliding patio doors.

Sliding patio doors align perfectly with the hallmark quality of minimalism, with their sleek lines and simple shape—not to mention the fact that since these doors glide gently to open, you don’t need a bunch of extra space that would otherwise be needed for a traditional, swinging door.

Plus, with the window panels on the door, you can let a bunch of natural light inside your home, embracing the outdoors just the way the mid-century modernists intended!

Pella offers sliding patio doors in several styles, with diverse options for hardware, grilles, and screens to add a slight charm to your new installation.

6. Fiberglass Doors for Effortless Synergy

Fiberglass doors also make for a perfect fit when it comes to the mid-century modern look.

One of the features that makes fiberglass doors stand out is their ability to adapt to basically any design preference that you might have. Whether you want to introduce a pop of vibrant color or stick with a minimalist finish, fiberglass doors can be customized to reflect your unique style.

And with our in-house custom pre-finish team, the possibilities are virtually endless! From bold reds to calming blues or classic neutrals, you can pick the perfect shade to make a statement that captures the era.

And if you want to power-up your home with natural light, fiberglass doors with glass inserts are an even better option. These doors work well with the clean lines and open spaces of mid-century homes—whether you’re looking for glass with geometric patterns or minimalist frosted glass panels.

Pella offers a wide array of fiberglass door options to complement the distinctive charm of mid-century modern homes. Plus, you can rest assured knowing that our fiberglass doors are built to stand the test of time and take on the elements, meaning you can enjoy your mid-century modern look for years to come.

Embracing Minimalist Designs with Pella Windows and Doors

Incorporating a minimalist design style that’s part and parcel with the mid-century modern aesthetics is a fantastic way to make a huge impact on your home using simple renovations.

With Pella Windows and Doors of Omaha and Lincoln, not only do we have an expansive selection of windows and doors that will help you scratch this itch—but we also have the expertise, reliability, and attention to detail to make sure that you find the windows and doors that are right for your home, and that your installations will stand the test of time.

Plus, we have you covered in more ways than one, thanks to the Pella Care Guarantee. This guarantee is a shining example of how, at Pella, we have some of the strongest warranties in the industry, so that you can relax knowing that your installation is protected under a package of warranties.

No matter what avenue you want to take to get your home to the mid-century modern destination of your dreams, we can help you get there. Schedule a free consultation today and let one of our window and door experts help you begin the transformation of your home’s exterior the way only a true mid-century modernist could!