10 Interesting Furnishings from the Last 10 Decades

Introducing different pieces of furniture from times gone by can be an exciting way to freshen up your home. Whether you’re into Art Deco style or prefer a ‘70s boho-chic look for your decor, here are some cool furnishing ideas from the last century.

1920s – Lamps

The roaring ‘20s was a time filled with jazz and excitement. It is an era associated with extravagance and opulence prior to The Great Depression in the ‘30s following the Wall Street Crash of 1929. Art Deco design garnered great popularity during this decade, although the style itself first came into existence in the mid to late 1910s. As a result, there are many wonderful furnishings from the 1920s that have been crafted in this style, table and standing lamps being just some of them. You can find original Art Deco lamps for sale in antique shops and online, but modern versions of them are still manufactured today as well. They look wonderful on a side table in your living room or placed on a desk in a study.

1930s – Armchairs

Art Deco design was still prominent in the 1930s; however, midway through the decade, a new type of design developed off the back of Art Deco. Streamlined Moderne was a form of furnishing style that reflected the rise in the use of machinery to mass-produce products all over the world. This design style had fewer intricacies than typical Art Deco designs, and perfect symmetry could be seen throughout. Due to the nature of this style, it can be seen as an inspiration for modern interior designers today, especially in armchairs.

1940s – Couches

Wartime was a challenging period that shook nations all over the world, and after the horrors of World War 2 were over, it wasn’t surprising that people looked for escapism in the Hollywood movies being released at the time. Although Hollywood has changed quite a bit over the decades, it still holds a sense of glamour, and that was even more prominent in the 1940s. People liked to try and capture some of the allure of Hollywood in their own homes, and popular couch designs at the time included plush cushions and rounded arms. Perfect for settling into and enjoying sidecar cocktail.

1950s – Dining Tables

Mid-century designs were not dissimilar to the Streamlined Moderne styles. They were symmetrical and simplistic in looks, with wood and metal being used as the main materials. However, the ‘50s furnishing had a sleeker look to them and felt more refined. Popular dining tables from this decade were made from teak wood with chairs to match. Another popular choice for dining furnishings at the time were Formica tables and chairs, a look that was often seen in ‘50s American diners as well as in homes.

1960s – Bean Bag Chairs

It was in the latter part of this decade that the bean bag chair came into existence. With the flower-power movement of a generation, the bag was invented by designers in Italy as a way to try and capture these new attitudes that didn’t conform to those of older generations. They became very popular with the hippie crowd, and this popularity spread to other groups throughout the 1960s. Oversized bean bag chairs are still a much-loved choice for consumers today.

1970s – The Peacock Chair

This piece of wicker furniture was often seen during the 1970s. Wicker furniture was popular in the Victorian era, and Peacock Chairs had been around for some time, but they had somewhat of a renaissance during this particular decade. There is drama to this style of chair, and it resembles a throne more so than your average garden furniture. This look fits in with the bohemian attitudes of the 1960s, so it is easy to see how it became popular once more during this time period.

1980s – Coffee Tables

The 80s was a decade that brought about new technological advancements (such as the first commercial cellphone) and a whole new style that burst with color. Some homes donned country-style furnishings for a cozier look, while others opted for bold, bright colors, geometric patterns and abstract art prints. A popular choice in most homes was glass-topped coffee tables, usually with metallic frames, but sometimes with wood.

1990s – Inflatable Furniture

This was certainly a questionable choice for a trend, but the ‘90s style did adopt a space-age feel, so it’s not surprising that inflatable furniture morphed out of it somehow. These pieces were more popular choices for kids and teenagers than adults, but they were all the range. It was possible to get armchairs, two and three-seater sofas to inflate in your living room. This trend also spilled over into the fashion world as consumers began to see inflatable bags in stores, too. Although it is one that probably shouldn’t be revived, it was a furnishing choice that is synonymous with the 1990s.

2000s – Entertainment Units

During the 2000s, large flat-screen TVs grew in popularity, and with the rise of DVDs, it saw more people wanting to incorporate home cinemas into their domestic spaces. As a result of this, large wooden entertainment units became a bigger feature in the average home. These units enabled people to keep everything in one place, with their large TV set taking center stage, and their DVDs, books and games displayed on the shelves around it. They were practical, and some people still have them today, but it is seen less and less in livings rooms, probably due to the decline in DVD purchases thanks to online streaming services, resulting in less demand for storage space.

2010s – Revival of Mid-Century

In the most recent decade, there has been more of a revival of mid-century furniture stylings instead of anything overly original. People are returning to the sleek, minimal looks that were popular in the 1950s but adopting a more up-to-date tone and color scheme.

There you have it! A century’s worth of furnishing fashions. With the new 20s era beginning, it will be interesting to see if the interior design world comes up with original ideas or if we are to keep rehashing old trends from decades past.

Thanks to Zaklina