Back to the Future: 16 Mid-Century Rental Ideas That Feel Totally Modern

Vintage-inspired patterned wallpaper walls, $140, from Designer 8 Event Furniture Rental offer a decorative way to divide up a large space for seating areas. The partitions are available in Southern and Northern California, Las Vegas, and Phoenix.

Inspired by the open construction of Mayan hammocks, the Acapulco chair was a hit in the 1950s and '60s (as was its namesake tropical destination), and its pear-shaped frame still works well as an outdoor seating option. A version (pictured), $50, from Yeah Rentals comes in black, teal, white, and green and is available throughout Northern and Southern California.

Mid-century modern furniture formed lounge areas for the Whitney Museum of American Art's Art Party at Highline Stages in May 2014. Designer Ron Wendt sourced the items from a collector, aspiring to match event sponsor Max Mara's aesthetic.

The curved open structure of Designer 8 Event Furniture Rental's Marco coffee table, $120, works with retro or modern decor and is available in Southern and Northern California, Las Vegas, and Phoenix.

Blueprint Studios' Lolland sofa features pale gray fabric outlined in white piping, along with tufted cushions and roll pillows. The seating is available nationwide; pricing is available on request.

In celebration of the space shuttle Endeavour, the theme of the California Science Center's Discovery Ball in March 2013 was “Space Exploration: Past, Present, Future.” The 1960s—the height of America's fascination with space travel—inspired the cocktail reception area's out-of-sight lounge furniture.

Yeah Rentals' Modernica daybed, $400 ($450 with ottoman), in a muted green fabric sticks to minimal mid-century design and is available throughout Northern and Southern California.

Designer 8 Event Furniture Rental's Eames chair, $110, looks like it came straight off the set of The Brady Bunch. The seating, which is covered in an eclectic patchwork fabric, is available in Southern and Northern California, Las Vegas, and Phoenix.

The mid-century-inspired Draper Collection from Cort Event Furnishings showcases iconic silhouettes and a simple aesthetic for a complete lounge look. Available nationwide, prices for items are available on request.

The Stockholm chair, pricing on request, from Blueprint Studios sports rounded lines, dark walnut legs, and one of the period's favorite shades—chartreuse. The seating is available nationwide.

The Moroccan pouf, $35, from Yeah Rentals adds a bohemian touch to a casual event; it comes in a mix of bright and natural leather shades and is available throughout Northern and Southern California.

Guests can grab their old-fashioneds and Pink Ladys at the six-foot textured wood Lloyd bar, $495, from Designer 8 Event Furniture Rental. The bar is available in Southern and Northern California, Las Vegas, and Phoenix.

In late January 2013, Jodi Moraru of Evoke designed and planned a Mad Men-inspired corporate event at the National Building Museum in Washington. Futuristic red stools dotted the space, while a lighting projection on the floor displayed the image of a falling man from the show's opening credits.

A white sofa and sleek tulip tables allowed the mesmerizing black-and-white backdrop, which was inspired by Roger Sterling's office on the show, to pop at the 2013 corporate party in Washington.

Gray, red, black, and white furnishings, along with patterned accent pillows, mimicked the show's logo design.

Reminiscent of office furniture, the vivid red Pori lounge chair from Blueprint Studios is designed more for pleasure than business. The chair is available for rent nationwide; pricing is available on request.