'50s Patterns and Backgrounds for Mid-Century Retro Designs

Design in the 1950s was defined by an array of patterns, shapes, and colors. Geometric shapes drawn in strong lines, pastel hues, and muted color tones are all staple elements of mid-century design. Vintage dress patterns, wallpaper patterns, upholstery patterns, and more: Designs with a distinct geometric pattern composition covered everything in the ’50s!

It’s clear that decades later, those classic, colorful patterns have stood the test of time! Even now, fifties patterns and backgrounds add a unique mid-century flair to everything from textile prints to wallpaper. There’s a reason ’50s pattern stock illustrations are still being used by designers today!

1950s Patterns

The digital prints and patterns in this article feature a wide selection of mid-century designs in a range of vintage colors. All of them are perfect for digital and print purposes, so whether you’re making a business card or a website header, you can expect exceptional quality when using these resources.

If you’re ready to explore some of the best digital download patterns inspired by mid-century design, dive into the selection below!

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1950s Retro Seamless Patterns

This collection of seamless vector patterns takes its inspiration straight from classic wallpapers you’d find in a ‘50s-style diner or home. The swatches are fully editable in Adobe Illustrator and are perfect for giving flyers, posters, and other hi-tech print projects a pure retro vibe.

Mid-Century Illustrated Patterns Vol. 1

This mid-century-inspired set boasts bold illustrations and playful abstract patterns. Bring these patterns to life as a textile print (or any kind of print that requires a pattern background texture) when you place a linen swatch, which is included, on your design.

Mid-Century Illustrated Patterns Vol. 2

Geometric shapes, distinct outlines, and bold and muted tones fill this collection of novelty mid-century patterns. The designs include geometric pattern squares, triangles, and other abstract shapes. It also comes with Hessian and torn paper textures so you can turn any of the papers into a pattern background texture, which elevates your design with an even more authentic look.

Seamless Mid-Century Patterns

If you’re looking for an abstract pattern design composition with a splash of color, this citrus orange and pear-green pattern set is perfect! Bonus: The files in this set are vector files, so you can customize the colors to fit your design if orange and green aren’t quite your thing.

Mid-Century ’50s Patterns

Does your design call for a more feminine ’50s look? This collection features 25 playful patterns of bubble-gum pinks, sky blues, sunny oranges, and moody mauves. The patterns can also be made seamless in Adobe Illustrator.

Mid-Century 1950s Atomic Patterns

Take a blast from the past with these fun atomic mid-century patterns! This set is perfect for web banners, packaging, scrapbooking, and apparel design.

Retro Lines Seamless Patterns

When it comes to this collection of retro patterns, the design is all in the lines! These are seamless vector patterns, making them tileable for a flawless finish. Use them as a YouTube header, a Facebook or Instagram ad background, or even a wallpaper for your mobile device or desktop.

Back to the ’50s Patterns

These tileable seamless patterns take us straight back to the ’50s with their simple geometric shapes and clean lines. This set includes a mix of vintage color options, from soft purples, browns, and greens to bright blues, pinks, and yellows.

Mid-Century Modern Patterns

Burnt orange, olive green, mustard yellow, and mud brown are a classic 1950s color combo. These mid-century modern patterns are textbook vintage designs that will give your project a nostalgic ’50s vibe. They can also be made seamless in Adobe Illustrator.

1950s Backgrounds

Here are our favorite ’50s-inspired backgrounds that can be used for posters, advertisements, book covers, and much more.

Retro 1950s Digital Papers

This cute sherbet-colored collection of ‘50s-inspired digital papers features a combination of star-dotted prints, wavy-lined patterns, and geometric-shaped designs. They’re perfect if you want to add a playful punch of pastel hues to your design!

1950’s Atomic Digital Papers

These digital papers bring atomic patterns back in a bold way. They’re non-seamless and non-tileable but are perfect for scrapbooking, invitations, greeting cards, web banners, and blog layouts.

Retro Themed Digital Papers

The geometric pattern compositions like the ones in these retro-themed digital papers are a staple in 1950s design. The floral and green leaf patterns bring an organic mid-century aesthetic to any project, from paper crafts and printable designs to digital banners and blog layouts.

1950s Retro Atomic Style Starbursts

Brighten up your next design project with these energetic atomic-style starbursts! These retro star patterns bring high-level energy to party invitations, birthday cards, and other festive projects.

1950s Mid-Century Atomic Starbursts

The digital starburst-studded papers in this set come in a palette of blue colors ranging from light pastel to dark teal. These designs are perfect if you’re looking for a cool-toned retro star pattern reminiscent of true 1950s fashions!

Retro 1950s Digital Paper Pack

This pack of digital prints is complete with 12 handmade fifties designs. The various prints feature classic vintage colors like red-orange, pastel blue, and mustard yellow, all placed on a beige vintage background pattern. You’ll find a pattern with drop shapes, boomerangs, starbursts, and other classic ‘50s shapes too!

1950s Digital Papers

Dress things up with this pretty pack of red, gray, and peach-colored geometric patterns. The papers are 12×12 inches and suitable for an assortment of print projects, including party decorations, business cards, scrapbooking elements, and more.

1950s Retro Pink and Grey

Pink and grey make a beautiful color palette, which definitely shows in this adorable collection of patterns! These non-seamless designs are perfect for baby shower invitations, bridal shower invitations, or any project that calls for a soft, pastel touch.

Mid-Century Modern Digital Paper

This mid-century burnt orange digital set delivers if you’re looking for a bright, energetic wallpaper with a pattern background. The pattern of gold mixed in adds to the warm, sunshine vibe too! This is an atomic-themed set that is non-seamless, ideal for digital or hi-tech print purposes.

Mid-Century Cocktail Digital Paper

Raise a glass to the past with this cute collection of pink cocktail-themed designs! These mid-century modern patterns are a perfect fit for any design that calls for a celebration (Think: wedding shower invitations, birthday cards, and more.)

Blue Mid-Century Cocktails

Love the cocktail pattern but need something a little more moody? These cocktail-themed patterns come in a beautiful color palette of blues and are a fantastic alternative. Cheers!

Mid-Century Atomic Digital Paper

The 50s-style green patterns in this set offer a more earthy, muted look to the same abstract pattern design compositions we know and love. These mid-century modern patterns are non-seamless.

1950s Atomic Kitty Digital Paper

This atomic kitty digital paper set is one of the most unique pattern sets around! Give your project a whimsical, catty vibe with these patterns, complete with cute fishbone and boomerang shapes.

Green and Blue Starbursts

Blue and green are two popular vintage color options. Whether you need a ’50s style green pattern, ’50s style blue pattern, or a mix of both, this set will give you both.

Mid-Century Modern Textures

These fully-editable mid-century modern textures work for both bold and neutral backgrounds. Simply adjust the shades, hues, and color tones to fit your design’s overall look!

Looking for more retro patterns and backgrounds? See these collections:

Final Thoughts on ’50s Patterns and Backgrounds

There’s no shortage of personality and fun when it comes to retro fifties designs!

Whether you’re looking for a digital wallpaper with a pattern background for web banners and graphics, or you’re needing a mid-century pattern for a hi-tech print project, you’re sure to find a design that fits your needs in this roundup of ‘50s patterns and backgrounds.

What are you waiting for? Download your favorite eye-catching prints and start your next ‘50s-inspired project today. Happy crafting!