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"The effect is to make houses more transparent, more open to the outdoors." American wages soared, unemployment fell, and there was money to spend again. Many also wanted kids, and the baby boom exploded with nearly 37 million children born in the 1950s. American factories were still retooling, so there was no capacity for making stoves and refrigerators in a spectrum of colors. And as Americans worried about polio, which swept the nation in the 1940s, white appliances looked sanitary and safe. The 1930s were the golden age of radio, and living rooms were arranged around the family radio cabinet, which was treated like a piece of furniture, much like TVs in the latter part of the 20th century.
Vintage appliances
Arced, curved, or boomerang-shaped coffee or end tables, very common in the 1950s, still remain popular today and include the ubiquitous Noguchi coffee table in many mid-century modern décor schemes. With lighter weight and tapered legs, these tables are often perfect for smaller areas that won't accommodate a heavier rectangular table. A few more analog touches will make even modern rooms feel like they're steeped in decades past. Consider adding details like tattered books, vintage office chairs, or a sweet collection of old cameras. Ken Fulk is a design impresario and a creator of experiences large and small. He is renowned for his layered interiors, high-concept brand identities, and unforgettable parties.
Furniture: Simple, Functional, and Comfortable
Seeking respite amid uncertain times, some homeowners found comfort in spa bathrooms with deep garden tubs and steam showers. To fill vast rooms in huge houses, furniture got the super-size treatment. Living rooms were furnished with oversized leather sofas and armchairs called chair-and-a-halfs that were big enough to accommodate two kids and the golden retriever.
Architectural Characteristics
Fashion changed from functional and conservative during war-time poverty to accessible and playful. For a 1950s kitchen that has floor-to-ceiling appeal, pair your bold color palette with an eye-catching floor. We don't know who needs to hear this, but a 1950s-inspired kitchen does not have to be devoid of modern touches.
She has a diverse portfolio of residential, commercial, and hospitality projects. Each illustrating the boutique firm’s impressive commitment to architectural integrity, working within a broad range of design styles. In the late 1950s, interior design was a reflection of the changing times, with a nod to both the past and the future.
For many, the pale pastel colored kitchen appliances were a must have for any 1950s stylish kitchen décor. The appeal of these appliances is the curved lines and use of chrome, such as chrome refrigerator handles. Knotty pine paneling was all the rage, and it was a sought after den (family room) wall treatment. Each was cut in the Pickwick tongue and grove style with a warm glowing golden finish. Well, it’s clear that the interior design trends of this vivacious decade were nothing short of a creative explosion, much like the rock ‘n’ roll tunes that filled the airwaves. Many 1950s homes sought a hint of the tropics, often spurred by the return of servicemen from overseas locations following WWII, per Wired.
How Scandinavian Modern Design Took the World by Storm - Architectural Digest
How Scandinavian Modern Design Took the World by Storm.
Posted: Mon, 23 Oct 2017 07:00:00 GMT [source]
The rise of tiki culture and tropical décor was evidenced by a proliferation of bamboo and rattan furniture, as well as Asian or tropical-style patterns of bark cloth used for upholstery and drapery. Much as 1950s consumers were obsessed with space, they also adored the innovation of robots (via Singularity Hub). It seems like just about everyone who lived through the 1950s was obsessed with atomic and space age vibes, reflecting a culture on the cusp of scientific breakthroughs in both energy and warfare.
Introduction to Fifties-Era Interior Design Style
And while many of these appliances are no longer made, they can easily be found at vintage shops or online specialty stores. The design of ranch houses allows for easy indoor-outdoor living, with a focus on blending the interior space with the surrounding landscape. Additionally, ranch houses usually emphasize large windows and spacious patios, whereas bungalows are known for their charming front porches or verandas. Understanding these architectural distinctions can help homeowners make informed decisions when choosing between ranch houses and bungalows.
Blend iconic pieces with lesser-known gems to create a dynamic and eclectic atmosphere. If you find vintage furniture that needs a little love, consider reupholstering or refinishing it to seamlessly integrate it into your 1950s-inspired decor. Embracing retro furniture not only adds character to your home but also allows you to express your individual style with a nod to the past.

Liling Tseng Lampell is a California-licensed interior designer serving the SF Bay area for more than 10 years. She specializes in creating sophisticated modern interiors and luxurious livable spaces. Her comprehensive cutting-edge style has drawn distinguished clients throughout the United States and abroad. Clients praise Just The Touch‘s intuitive customer service, innovative problem-solving, and attention to detail included in every project.

Offering a full range of design services, JAC Interiors design studio brings vision and organizational skills to each project, making beautiful transformations happen. With comprehensive ingenuity, meticulous project management, and uncommon responsiveness, JAC co-founders Andrea Putman and Christine Thompson elevate environments with superior start-to-finish design. Naomi Alon Coe is the founder of Little Crown Interiors and author of the nursery design book, Your Perfect Nursery. After seeing that there was a niche in the market for nurseries and child spaces, Naomi founded her firm in 2008 to bring this specialized skill to the market for her clients (in-person and virtually).
Today she collaborates with sunlight, ocean breezes, and local flora to create unique environments for adventurous homeowners in Southern California. In this early era of the 1950s, interiors were a testament to resilience, aspiration, and the pursuit of a brighter future. As we move through the decades, we’ll explore how these design elements and influences continued to evolve and define the ever-changing landscape of fifties interior design. In this journey through time, we invite you to explore the enchanting world of 1950s interior design, a realm characterized by a unique blend of nostalgia, innovation, and unapologetic style. To bring this era to life, we’ve enlisted the creative power of AI with the help of Midjourney AI, our favorite AI image generation tool.
"You see an industrial look, leaving things as they are. You see a lot of adaptive reuse in design and decor." The World Wide Web entered the mainstream, and techno and grunge music rose to prominence. Since much of pop culture came from the Pacific Northwest, color palettes became more muted. Sage, greige, dark green, rustic golds, terra-cotta, earthy reds, and beige filled homes across the nation. Houses got larger, with the average reaching 2,000 square feet by the end of the decade.
Houseplants were replaced with silk floral arrangements and overstuffed sofas covered in floral chintz, an effect of the English cottage style made popular by Laura Ashley. With a nod to the outdoors, kitchens featured wood cabinets, butcher-block countertops, and appliances in harvest gold, avocado green, and brown. Terra-cotta tile floors were also popular, and sunken living rooms replaced patios as the place to socialize. Open floor plans surged in popularity, and huge windows brought the outdoors inside. "Ranch houses were perfect in terms of space planning because you could connect all your living areas without stairs. There was an abundance of land, so houses could spread out," Gomez-Lanier says.
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