British Trends In Interior Design From 1950s To 2014

British trends in Interior design come on the scene with every generation. It is hard to know what is going to become popular of fall out of favor. In history, interior design trends come and go again. It is sure that they stay for a while as a component of a style, or they are declared a style of their own, while others leave when the next generations of designers come of age. Some of them are often seen a few generations later with a new name, and new style with new flourishes and new colors added.

 In 1950s, British interior design is typically characterized by modernism, open living spaces and appliances upon appliances for literally anything.  In 2010s, British homeowners are making use of smaller living spaces and furniture with built in storage.

It is so exciting to know how British interior design trends and decorating style have been shaped and modified by the changes of economy, culture and social viewpoints.

1950s

Optimism reigned in the 1950s. That positive outlook translated to bright, happy paint colors and lots of them. Hopeful, young, married couples moved into newly-built, ranch-style homes with petal-pink bathroom fixtures and tile. Kitchens were more striking than in decades past, with Formica tables, touches of bright red, and accents of chrome.

The pretty pastel colors weren’t just in the bathroom; they took over the rest of the house, as well. Mint green walls welcomed guests into living rooms, and out-of-this-world, spacecraft-inspired light fixtures were a must-have of the decade. Furniture and design trends in the 1950s were some of the most sunny and breezy styles of the last 100 years.

1960s         The Sixties were a time of enormous change, both technologically and socially. The space race was on and the American culture was focused on Sputnik, the Cold War and jet airplanes that were able to transport people faster than ever before.

London was also a major influence on design and trends, especially with their most famous export, The Beatles.

Flower power was in full-force by the mid-1960s. Home decorating was more about making a bold declaration of the freedom of self-expression than it had ever been before. Paisley fabrics and floral prints invaded living rooms and bedrooms, unique furniture designs (such as pod chairs and bean bag chairs) communicated a much more informal welcome, and that lovely shag carpet made walking through the house barefoot a sensory adventure for your soles.

1970s  

Colors were a big part of interior decorating during the 1970s. Popular colors included green, yellow, orange, brown and turquoise. White was popular, with accents in any of the preceding colors.

This new direction for home decorating bloomed from a desire to bring elements of nature indoors, including a garden’s worth of house plants in macrame hangers and skylights for natural illumination. The shag carpeting and wood paneling stuck around, and was complimented by wicker furniture, geometric wall art, and more nature-inspired elements.

1980s  

Kitchens had laminate flooring, frosted glass, goose decor, and of course wallpaper. Furniture seemed to be designed for displaying busy floral fabrics first and sitting second.

Floral schemes made a comeback during this decade of lace, ruffles, primary colors, and oddities such as the little girl’s canopy bed. There were a few strong decorating trends during the 1980s. The stereotypical middle-class family’s home decor featured frills, foo-foo bedding, and lots of hunter green and burgundy.

1990s

In the 1990s “modern” became synonymous with “minimal” and “bland”. Home decorators tossed out the frills of the ’80s, stripped the wallpaper, and banished the floral sofas. Large entertainment centers and computer desks were found in family rooms, and kitchens became a place for gadgets and starkness.

With the arrival of a new millennium came a departure from some bad decorating traditions. A more eclectic and balanced interior design viewpoint took hold, and the outcome was comfortable and individualized. Oversized living room furniture and giant entertainment centers were replaced with classic furniture designs that will stand the test of time. Our TVs became low profile, as did our home office.

2000s  

The wisdom we gained in the early 2000s continues, and we’ve added to it openness and an “anything goes” mentality. The key is to blend trendy elements with timeless elegance, creating a cohesive and welcoming space.

Furniture and fabrics inspired by the vintage designs of the ’50s and ’60s are increasingly popular. Our modern kitchens are designed to be inviting, open areas where families can gather and connect. Color is back, and the muted, drab schemes of the ’90s have been exchanged for cheerful paint choices, once again.

Individual style reigns in today’s home. Expressing yourself through your interior design has become as important as doing so in your personal wardrobe.