Midcentury modern design is making a huge comeback in home decor, and one of the best ways to incorporate this trend is with a stylish midcentury modern front door. These doors feature clean lines, minimal ornamentation, and often geometric shapes and patterns. Opting for a front door in this style will instantly give your home exterior a dose of Mad Men-era chic.
If you’re considering upgrading your front door to reflect this popular retro style, read on for 10 fabulous midcentury modern door options to consider. We’ll provide plenty of details on each door and how it encapsulates the mid-mod aesthetic so you can find your perfect match.
What is Midcentury Modern Style?
Before diving into the door options, let’s take a quick look at what exactly constitutes midcentury modern design. This style rose to prominence in the 1940s-1960s. It emphasized minimalism, natural shapes and materials, and a blurring of indoor and outdoor space.
Some key midcentury modern design elements include:
- Clean lines and simple geometric shapes
- Natural materials like wood, stone, and brick
- Large windows and glass doors
- Blending of indoors and outdoors
- Bright, vibrant pops of color
- Retro-inspired fixtures and hardware
- Minimal ornamentation and decoration
Opting for a front door that reflects these mid-mod design principles is a great way to introduce the aesthetic to your home’s exterior. Now let’s look at 10 fantastic options.
1. Andersen E-Series Narroline Gliding Door
The Andersen E-Series Narroline door beautifully captures the midcentury look with its long vertical glass panels. This gliding door features a durable fiberglass construction and a sturdy aluminum frame with narrow sightlines to highlight the vertically oriented glass.
The clean, minimalist look epitomizes midcentury style. The choice of a gliding door also reflects the mid-mod focus on indoor/outdoor living, as it provides a wide opening to blend your indoor and outdoor space. This door comes in a range of paint and stain finish options so you can complement your home’s existing color scheme.
Key Features:
- Long vertical glass panels for midcentury appeal
- Durable, energy-efficient fiberglass construction
- Available in custom sizes up to 10′ wide
- Gliding operation prioritizes open indoor/outdoor space
- Low-maintenance aluminum frame finishes
2. JELD-WEN Radiant Glass Door
The JELD-WEN Radiant door also features floor-to-ceiling glass panels for a quintessential midcentury look. This glass door has ultra-slim aluminum frame profiles to really highlight the vertical glass design.
The glass itself provides excellent thermal insulation to prevent energy loss while still allowing light to fill your home’s entryway. For enhanced energy savings, opt for the High-Performance glass upgrade. The sleek, reflective look of this door will instantly evoke midcentury style.
Key Features:
- Tall, narrow glass panels echo mid-mod style
- Ultra-slim aluminum frame profiles
- Energy-efficient glass construction
- Reflective look embodies midcentury aesthetic
- High-Performance glass option available
3. Masonite Divided Lite Door
For a midcentury door with a more decorative touch, consider the Masonite Divided Lite model. This steel door features a unique “divided lite” panel of small rectangles of glass across the top third of the door.
This lets light into the entryway while adding a dash of visual intrigue, evoking the geometric patterns popular in midcentury decor. The crisp white color enhances the retro-modern feel. Adding a pop of bright color to the door via a vibrant paint or stain finish would also feel right at home in a midcentury exterior.
Key Features:
- Divided lite glass panel adds geometric detail
- Crisp white color for retro appeal
- Steel construction with insulation provides durability
- Can be painted or stained different colors
- Available in standard or custom sizes
4. Pella Impervia Fiberglass Door
The Pella Impervia door line includes models with decorative midcentury-inspired window lites to infuse visual interest. This durable fiberglass door comes in a variety of configurations featuring horizontal, vertical, or square glass lites.
Opt for one of the narrow vertical window models to complement the clean lines of the midcentury aesthetic. The fiberglass construction provides excellent insulation, durability, and low-maintenance. Choose from a range of color finishes including bold, saturated hues that epitomize mid-mod style.
Key Features:
- Decorative window lites with midcentury shapes
- Durable, insulating fiberglass material
- Range of striking color finishes available
- Excellent durability and weather-resistance
- Custom sizing and design options
5. Milgard Tuscany Series Door
The Milgard Tuscany door incorporates a bold, geometric divided lite grid that seamlessly fits midcentury style. This vinyl sliding door comes in two- and three-panel configurations, with the choice of a sleek aluminum or warm hardwood frame.
The divided window grids lend visual flair while the expansive glass construction nods to indoor/outdoor living. Durable vinyl cladding resists weathering and provides excellent insulation. For added energy efficiency, upgrade to the SunCoat or SunCoatMAX glass.
Key Features:
- Large divided glass lites with midcentury vibe
- Sliding door allows indoor/outdoor flow
- Durable, low-maintenance vinyl construction
- Multiple grid patterns and finishes available
- Energy-efficient glass options
6. MMI Door Athena
For a more decorative midcentury look, the MMI Door Athena model features a geometric, faceted design. Its crisp edges and multi-sided angles effortlessly capture the mid-mod aesthetic.
Choose from a range of vibrant color finishes in hues like coral, turquoise, yellow, and more to really emphasize the retro-modern vibe. The Athena suits a variety of home designs including midcentury ranches, contemporaries, and more. Its fiberglass construction offers durability and energy-efficiency.
Key Features:
- Geometric, faceted design and hardware
- Range of lively color finish options
- Durable, insulating fiberglass material
- Complements various midcentury home styles
- Custom sizing available
7. Simpson Strong-Tie Rustic Collection Door
For a midcentury door with more natural, rustic flair, Simpson’s Rustic Collection includes models that blend clean lines with reclaimed wood details. The mixed material look provides appealing texture and suits the midcentury penchant for natural materials.
Doors in this line feature powder-coated steel frames and aluminum-clad reclaimed wood panels in your choice of vertical or horizontal orientations. The reclaimed wood grains add organic contrast to the door’s crisp lines for a unique mid-mod look.
Key Features:
- Mix of metal frame and reclaimed wood panels
- Horizontal or vertical panel orientation options
- Natural, rustic look embodies mid-mod style
- Powder-coated steel for durability
- Custom sizing available
8. Centor Integrated Screen Door
Another option for letting the midcentury indoor/outdoor living aesthetic shine is the Centor Integrated Screen Door. This innovative door features a retractable screen that easily rolls down from the top of the door frame at the touch of a button.
When not in use, the screen fully retracts into the top of the frame for a clean, seamless glass door look. When unfurled, the fine mesh screen allows air circulation while keeping out insects. The sleek functionality epitomizes midcentury ideals.
Key Features:
- Retractable screen seamlessly integrates into door
- Allows indoor/outdoor air flow when screen down
- Disappears into top of frame when not needed
- Sleek, concealed functionality fits aesthetic
- Fits most door types and frames
9. Marvin Modern Door
Marvin Windows and Doors offers a line of distinctly modern doors perfect for midcentury homes. The Modern Door collection includes minimalist models with floor-to-ceiling glass as well as divided lite doors with slim muntin bars.
Made of durable extruded aluminum, these doors feature sleek contemporary profiles and ultra slim sightlines to highlight the clean glass designs. Many models come with matching transoms and sidelights to further emphasize the verticality.
Key Features:
- Tall, narrow glass designs echo midcentury style
- Extruded aluminum frames with slim profiles
- Matching transoms/sidelights available
- Minimalist hardware options keep it simple
- Custom sizing and finishes offered
10. Milgard Trinsic Series Door
The Milgard Trinsic Series features doors with an unmistakably midcentury look. Floor-to-ceiling vertical windows stretch the door into an elongated shape that complements the midcentury facade.
The fiberglass construction resists all weather conditions – perfect for maximizing indoor/outdoor living opportunities. Bold pops of color can be added to the exterior frame, handle, and panel accents to pump up the retro vibe. Clean lines and minimal adornments keep the style authentically midcentury.
Key Features:
- Floor-to-ceiling vertical windows
- Elongated profile embodies midcentury lines
- Durable, insulating fiberglass construction
- Pops of color customize the retro style
- Weather-resistant for indoor/outdoor living
What Style Works For Your Home?
When selecting your midcentury modern door, think about your home’s existing architectural style. If you live in an authentic midcentury home, choosing a door that seamlessly matches the original style makes the most sense. The Andersen Narroline or Milgard Trinsic models are great options for midcentury ranch houses or contemporaries.
For traditional home styles, choose a door with mid-mod inspired details – like divided lite patterns or bright pops of color – to infuse the retro vibe without overwhelming the architecture.
Measure your entryway carefully before purchasing to ensure an accurate custom fit. With the right sizing, installation, and maintenance your midcentury door can provide both curb appeal and performance for years to come.
Common Questions About Midcentury Doors
How much do midcentury modern doors cost?
Prices can vary widely, but expect to invest $1000-$5000 for a typical midcentury-style entry door. Premium wood models with ornate details or oversized dimensions can range up to $10,000.
What materials are best for mid-mod doors?
Fiberglass, steel, vinyl, extruded aluminum, and wood are all common midcentury door materials. Each offers different benefits in terms of insulation, durability, and maintenance.
Should I choose a sliding or hinged model?
It depends on your home layout and preferences! Sliding doors allow for easier indoor/outdoor flow in midcentury homes. Hinged doors take up less exterior space.
How energy efficient are midcentury doors?
Many midcentury-style doors are designed specifically for energy efficiency. Upgrades like multi-pane glass, low-E coatings, and insulated frames and panels can offer excellent thermal performance.
Do I need to repaint or stain a midcentury door?
It depends on the material. Wood doors should be stained and sealed regularly to prevent weathering. Fiberglass and steel doors are more low maintenance but can still be painted to refresh the color.
What is the best way to clean a midcentury door?
Use a mild soap and water solution with a soft cloth. Avoid harsh cleaners or abrasive brushes/sponges. Be gentle around glass panes. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a soft towel.
Bring Midcentury Style to Your Entryway
Adding a dash of midcentury style to your home’s entrance with a retro-inspired front door is an eye-catching and affordable way to incorporate this timeless look. Whether you prefer sliding or hinged, dramatic colors or natural wood, decorative lites or clean geometric lines, there is a mid-mod door out there waiting to upgrade your curb appeal.
We hope our suggestions for 10 amazing midcentury modern door options have helped inspire you to find your perfect match. Any of these stylish doors are sure to provide an enjoyable dose of mid-mod charm and character to your home.
10 Midcentury Modern Front Doors to Get the Design Look