5 3D printing projects that bring ’60s aesthetics to modern technology

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There’s something about this mid-century modern design that feels timeless. Reaching its peak in the 1960s, mid-century modern style is known for its clean lines, simple shapes, and lack of striking style, with an emphasis on functionality. This era was defined by design that didn’t embarrass you, while showcasing high-quality construction that remains in demand today.

Many people love the classic look of previous generations, and a ton of new gadgets rely on nostalgic designs to stand out from the crowd. If you own a 3D printer, you know that you can print all kinds of gadgets that you can use every day, even taking advantage of some fun prints to help you capture the mid-century modern look of the 1960s for yourself. We’ve scoured the internet to find some really fun designs that can give your modern tech a retro makeover.

Whether it’s turning a simple smart bulb into a work of art that wouldn’t look out of place in any ’60s home, or a fun desktop dock that will make your smartphone look like it belongs in an episode of “Mad Men,” these designs are sure to delight fans of that classic 1960s aesthetic.

If you’re looking to really create that 1960s vibe in your living space, this 3D printed lamp is sure to delight. Inspired by Danish design, this mid-century modern lamp has that organic feel that helps define the aesthetic. The Sputnichoke pendant lamp by user mroven looks like an artichoke with all the leaves open, or an early Soviet satellite.

Designed for an LED bulb like the SYLVANIA Wifi LED Smart Bulb, a modern smart bulb allows you to get many stunning color choices that really accentuate the overall design. That said, this design comes with plenty of parts to print thanks to this really neat design. It’s almost 100 parts in total with 78 sheets, 12 ribbed structures, and several additional support units to print. But if you have some time on your hands and want a truly unique piece to add some color to your living space, the Sputnichoike pendant lamp is sure to get people talking at your next get-together.

There is probably nothing more modern in terms of technology than the desktop computer. And for those looking for a more mid-century look and feel, the FOIFKIN M2 PC case offers a really nice design. But what if you want to keep that retro style beyond the case while helping your PC run better and last longer? The solution you need might be this print for 4″ hairpin legs from user huczekdesign. This print allows you to create some retro mid-century modern inspired legs, glue them to that old slab of wood you’ve been saving in the garage for a random project, and have a very clean, vintage-looking stand for your PC tower. It’s a very simple 3D print that can add a touch of style to your workspace while still keeping your PC elevated and improving air circulation.

These types of hairpin legs were a popular design trend in the 1950s and 1960s, giving furniture a sleek, streamlined look. And for those who really love the retro aesthetic, you can use these legs for non-tech projects, like perhaps a plant platform for any small potted plants you might have.

It seems like everyone has a Bluetooth speaker somewhere at this point. There are even fancy speakers that take advantage of that mid-century modern style, like the Edifier Retro Wood Bluetooth Speaker, available on Amazon. But if you have a Raspberry Pi and some spare parts from an old speaker, you can create your own retro-looking speaker and live that truly retro Lo-Fi lifestyle.

Inspired by New Zealand’s vintage La Wood speaker line, this Lofipi Lo-Fi Speaker print from user thenickdude will look great on any shelf and blend in with those seeking a 1960s/1970s aesthetic. The print even features that authentic wood grain pattern, giving this speaker a really cool overall look.

Although the print is simple, the overall project is a more advanced build and will require basic technical knowledge. You’ll need a Raspberry Pi, amp, power supply, speaker, fan, buttons, and assorted wiring and electronics. You may already have a lot of the parts you need if you have an old speaker or radio, and thenickdude’s printout includes a breakdown of each part that you can salvage yourself.

There is probably nothing more iconic than a humble revival. It’s an incredibly nostalgic design, with two domed bells protruding from the top of the clock that ring when struck. This type of awakening helped define an entire generation of children and adults. With a 3D printer, you can now take this iconic design and turn it into a practical stand for your Google Home Mini smart speaker.

The Retro Alarm Clock Stand for Google Nest Mini from user StealySteeff gives the modern smart speaker a very 1960s aesthetic and adds a bit of fun to a relatively boring piece of modern tech. Taking advantage of the Google Nest Mini (2nd Gen) speaker, this 3D print is simple and matches the speaker incredibly well. Not only that, but it also serves as a nice stand that tilts the speaker for better sound projection. You can even print the necessary screws and nuts, so you don’t need additional parts like the other prints featured on this listing.

The iPhone is a fantastic piece of technology that has helped replace many of the gadgets we once relied on. The bedside alarm clock and desk clock are among the gadgets that the modern smartphone has long replaced for many people, myself included. Many people simply leave their phone on a nightstand or desk, or even use a stand. But if you’re a fan of the retro aesthetic, there’s a 3D printing project you might want to check out.

User Rawsen Mitchell’s iPhone 15 Pro Max Standby Dock (Midcentury Modern) features a soft, rounded rectangular storage box resembling a vintage alarm clock from the 1960s. The iPhone’s screen helps elevate the overall look with its clock mode, which gives the room that much-loved vintage style. There’s even room for storage, making it a great addition to a desk as well. And although it is designed for the iPhone 15 Pro Max, it can be modified for other iPhone models.

When looking for 3D printing projects that bring a 1960s aesthetic to modern technology for this functionality, we dove into several popular 3D printing project websites to find the most fun, most unique, and easiest designs to print. Although each chosen design varies in complexity in terms of construction and external requirements, the actual printed parts are clean and simple to produce, even on the cheapest 3D printers you can find on sites like Amazon. Each design is also highly rated on its respective platform, making them a great choice for those looking for their next unique print project to add a little flavor to their space.