How to Add Shutters to Enhance a Mid-Century Modern Home

With their clean lines and geometric shapes, mid-century modern homes showcase sleek minimalist style. While shutters seem like an antithesis to the spare ethos, they can actually accentuate mid-century architecture beautifully.

By using innovative shutter styles and creative configurations, the crisp modernist aesthetic shines through even more strikingly. These tips explore shutter selections and placements to complement your mid-century abode.

Benefits of Adding Shutters

Well-chosen shutters boost mid-century homes in these ways:

Provide privacy – Closed flat panels or angled louvers still allow light while obscuring views into and out of the large windows.

Reduce glare – Adjustable louvers filter intense sunlight coming through the expanses of glass to cut glare.

Add color pops – Vivid shutter colors contrasting the muted walls make dynamic accent statements.

Soften starkness – Movable louvers and wood warmth soften the rigid lines and impersonal feel somewhat.

Define space – Shutters delineate areas visually within the open floor plans mid-century homes feature.

Protect furnishings – Closed shutters prevent harsh sunlight from fading interior furnishings and fabrics.

Thoughtfully placed shutters amplify the modernist design strengths while balancing some weakness like glare and lack of privacy.

Selecting Shutters for Modernist Style

Certain shutter attributes best suit mid-century architecture:

Simple and streamlined – Avoid ornate carved shutters. Opt for flat, unembellished panel styles instead.

Bold colors – Vivid brights, pastels and sleek neutrals sync with the era’s color palette. Avoid natural wood tones.

Slender louvers – Thin louvers reading no more than 3 inches wide keep sightlines clean and modern.

Unique shapes – Custom arched, raked or angled shutters mirror the geometric forms of modernist homes.

Industrial materials – Perforated aluminum, stainless steel and glass reinforce the structured aesthetic.

Follow the architectural cues of straight lines, simplicity and solid colors when selecting shutters for a mid-century feel.

Ideal Mid-Century Shutter Styles

These shutter types suit mid-century facades beautifully:

Flat panel – Feature expansivepanels devoid of louvers in keeping with unornamented modernist style.

Raked – Angled shutters at an inverted “V” tilt mirror the slanted rooflines found on many modern homes.

Tiered – Stacked panel combinations reinforce strong horizontal lines. Stagger heights for interest.

Cutout – Geometric shape cutouts like circles, squares or triangles echo mod motifs.

Louverless – Solid yet visually lightweight sheer, frosted or perforated panel options.

Cafe – Combination solid lower plus open louvers on top follows clean delineation.

Sleek, eye-catching shutter styles make excellent additions to exterior and interior spaces in mid-century homes.

Prime Placement Areas

Strategically situate shutters to maximize their modern style impact:

Window wall dividers – Vertically stack contrasting color shutters to break up expansive glass walls.

Sliding glass doors – Flank doors with matching panel shutters to enhance the grid-like aesthetic.

Room dividers – Flat panels with cutouts partition space while maintaining open sightlines.

Staircase accent – Angle contrasting color raked shutters on staircase walls to inject geometric interest.

Bathroom privacy – Restore modesty in all-glass bathrooms using frosted shutter panels.

Take advantage of the ample vertical and horizontal surface areas mid-century homes offer to install stunning shutter displays.

Shutters for Modern Open Floor Plans

Large connected mid-century spaces gain definition from smart shutter layouts:

Entryway transition – Floor-to-ceiling flat panels designate the entrance while allowing light permeability from clerestory windows up top.

Kitchen dining nook – Tiered stacked cafe-style shutters frame an intimate eating zone adjacent to the open kitchen.

Living room separation – Contrasting black and white large panel shutter fronts distinguish the sitting area within the open concept.

Office partition – Perforated aluminum shutters divide workspace from living areas while letting air pass through freely.

Get creative partitioning the sprawling common areas to create functional spaces using shutters.

Modern Shutter Materials

On-theme materials like aluminum suit mid-century homes:

Aluminum – Lightweight metal panels bring industrial flair. Available perforated or solid.

Stainless steel – Brushed steel with cross-cutouts has a rigorously modern look.

Plastic/PVC – Durable, affordable, low maintenance option. Limited color selection.

Tinted or frosted glass – Sleek yet obscured visibility maintains privacy.

Opaque acrylic – Light permeates these panels without revealing what’s behind them.

Wood composites – Moldable faux wood looks stylish and contemporary in lighter stains.

Non-traditional shutter materials help maintain the pared down modernist aesthetic.

Adding Color with Shutters

Vibrant colors in moderation make exciting accents:

Bright white – Timeless and fresh, especially on window walls.

Bold primary hues – Blue, red and yellow form eye-catching color blocking.

Retro pastels – Soft aqua, peach, mint and buttercream evoke the era’s palette.

Glossy black – Striking contrast to light walls and natural wood tones.

Metallic sheens – Aluminum or silver leaf shutters add glam.

Punchy colors paired strategically energize mid-century homes without overpowering.

Maintaining Modern Shutters

The smooth durable finishes of modern style shutters make upkeep simple:

• Clean occasionally with mild detergent and soft cloth. Avoid abrasive scouring.
• Use a specialty product to polish glass, aluminum or acrylic panels.
• Apply protectant wax to maintain the glossy sheen of bold colored panels.
• For wood composite models, lightly sand and re-stain localized damage to match factory finish.
• Adjust hardware periodically to ensure smooth open and closure.
• Replace cracked or warped panels promptly to maintain the unblemished look.

With relatively minimal routine care, contemporary shutters stay looking bright, sleek and vibrant.

Shutters With Hidden Mounts

For a super streamlined look, install shutters using discreet rear mounts:

• On walls, use zigzag brackets secured along the window header and sill.
• For exterior window frames, use L-brackets attached at panel corners on rear.
• Add side mounted magnetic catches to secure movable panels.
• Conceal rear-mounted continuous hinge strips using trim strips for invisibility.
• Ensure mounts are robust enough for the shutter size and allow full range of movement.

Keeping mounts hidden preserves the stark uncluttered lines crucial to mid-century architecture.

Shutters With Built-In Blinds

Hybrid shutter-blinds maintain cleaner sightlines:

• Opt for concealed blades built between shutter panels rather than exterior mounted.
• Cordless operation works best. Avoid visible dangling pull cords.
• Blinds tilt to precisely filter light entering while shutters offer blackout privacy.
• Allows mix and match slat colors blending with shutter finish.
• Easy cleaning by simply wiping down the shutter surfaces.

Combination units merge the privacy of shutters with the adjustable sunlight control of blinds distinctly.

When to Use Caution Adding Shutters

Avoid shutters in these cases:

• On original period homes, use only designs that existed then. Research first.
• Overly ornate styles like raised panels clash with the simpler modern shapes.
• Fussy louvers spaced too closely together appear incongruent.
• Fake looking plastic and overly glossy finishes cheapen the refined effect.
• Poorly mounted shutters unevenly flush with window frames look unappealing.

Careful selection for historically compatibility and clean integration is crucial for shutter success.

Conclusion

With open floor plans, walls of glass and geometric lines, mid-century homes offer fantastic potential for creatively integrating shutters. The right streamlined shutter styles, materials, colors and configurations can both highlight and temper the stark modernist look beautifully.

Artful shutter arrangements provide privacy, glare control and pops of color while still celebrating the sleek minimalist architecture. They make functional accents that boost livability without detracting from the intended modernist aesthetic.

Our team can help assess your specific mid-century house and make professional recommendations for shutter placements and models that will enhance its distinctive appearance. Contact us to explore your modern shutter options.