Step back in time with us to the swinging 60s! A decade of cultural revolution and innovation, where new styles and trends were emerging left and right. The 1960s was a time of change, and this change extended even to the way homes were designed and decorated. Let's take a closer look at the typical design features of a home from this iconic era.
Exterior
The exterior of homes in the 1960s often had a distinct look, with brick, cement, and reconstituted stone with gray grouting being popular choices. Built-in glass blocks were also common, allowing natural light to flow inside. Here are some other notable exterior design features:
Gable roofs with a 25-degree slope and black, concrete double pantiles.
Long windows with low ledges and two panes, painted wooden frames.
Teak doors with groove designs and glass panes at the side of the door rather than in the door itself.
One-story detached houses were still common, but split-level houses were also on the rise.
Interior
The interior of a 1960s home was all about embracing the new and the modern. Check out some of the interior design features that were popular in this era:
Wall-to-wall carpets and vinyl, with tiles and natural stone in the hall.
Glass interior doors with patterned or etched glass, and stainless steel door handles with bone-white, black, or gray plastic handles.
Brick fireplaces as a popular focal point in the living room.
Seagrass and woven patterned wallpaper, and plastic and fabric shades for lighting.
Teak and mahogany furniture with slim, neat legs on sofas and upholstered chairs. Futuristic shapes, like the Jetson armchair, were also trendy. Muted shades of blue and gray were commonly used.
Half-tiled walls and herringbone tiling in the bathroom, with colorful bidets making a comeback. Perstorp launched their plastic flooring, which was more expensive than tiles but easier to clean and could also be used as a wall covering. Ceramic floor tiles measured 4 by 4 inches (10 by 10 cm).
In the kitchen, ceilings and woodwork were typically painted white, with cupboard doors often being a darker color, such as gray, blue, or green. Wooden handles on doors and drawers, glass or metal knobs on cupboards, and Gaboon veneer were commonly used. Pantries built against outside walls were being replaced by fridges and cool cupboards.
There you have it – a glimpse into the design features of a typical home from the groovy 1960s. The era may be over, but its design elements continue to inspire and influence modern interiors. If you're a fan of retro style, why not try incorporating some of these design features into your home décor?