Living Room Looks over the Decades

Posted on January 12th, 2018 by haynesbrosfurniture.

The world has changed remarkably over the years, but one thing has stayed the same. Throughout the decades, the living room has remained the center of family life.

Whether they lived in a tiny bungalow or a huge mansion, families still gathered in the living room, to watch TV, play games, and just share stories. Here are some of the ways the living room has changed over the years.

The 1960s

The 1960s was a decade of change, and many of those changes were reflected in living room design. By the 1960s, the traditional look of the 1950s was already starting to fade, and many emerging trends were already evident.

By the 1960s, rebellion was in the air, with dynamic, graphic and above all colorful décor taking the lead. There was also a distinct English influence in living room décor, largely thanks to the Beatles and other bands of the British invasion.

Nature was big in the 1960s, with nature inspired colors and a distinctly natural look. But not all was natural; the 1960s was also the decade of the tie-dye, along with psychedelic designs, trippy colors and paisley and floral fabrics. Paisley couches were very popular during the 1960s, as were floral fabrics and tie-died curtains.

Metal, glass, wood and PVC were popular fabrics in the 1960s, and they were often combined in unusual and intriguing ways. The 1960s was also the era of space travel, with a lot of space age furniture design and futuristic shapes. Finally, shag rugs were popular during the 1960s, much to the chagrin of fussy housekeepers.

The 1970s

As the 1960s faded, living room design changed once again. The hippie era was still in full swing, with so many psychedelic designs and pizzazz. The reliance on natural design still stuck around; with rich, dark natural colors.

By the 1970s, however, those rich dark colors were accented by insanely bold artwork, including emerging artists and their self-taught counterparts. Large long couches and sofas were the centerpiece of family life in the 1970s, but furniture still retained its experimental futuristic look.

Geometric patterns were big in the 1970s, with books used as home décor. The family bookcase was tasked to do double duty, much to the delight of avid readers and interior decorators.

The 1980s

By the 1980s, the excesses of the 1960s and 1970s were largely gone. The 1980s was a time of down to earth simplicity, with large overstuffed couches setting the tone. Twee floral patterns were all the rage in the 1980s, but much of home décor had a serious business feel. Walking into a 1980s living room, you could easily think you had landed in a corporate office instead.

When it came to color, light pastels were seen all over in the 1980s; there was plenty of busy, patterned wallpaper as well. This was also the era of glass and light-colored wood, and many contemporary living rooms reflected this popular style.

The 1990s

The 1990s was a time of grunge rock, but it was also the era of fun, useful and themed designs. There was a lot of bold wallpaper and equally bold paint, along with frilled fabrics and wicker furniture. Indoor wicker furniture was very big in the 1990s, and those wicker tables often held faux plants, which were equally popular at the time.

In the 1990s, patterns fought for dominance, and many patterns were displayed on top of one another. There was not one overarching theme to the 1990s; instead there were many competing themes, all working in harmony with one another.

The 2000s

At the dawn of the new millennium, homeowners were looking for something new. In the early 2000s, living room décor took on a distinctly natural and neutral tone, with a minimalistic look that would become emblematic of the ear.

Reclaimed furniture was very popular in the 2000s, with homeowners scouring thrift shops, antique stores and yard sales in search for that perfect piece. This reliance on reclaimed furniture was partly about saving money, but even well-heeled homeowners loved the look.

The 2010s

Now we have come full circle, to the most recent decade. As the 2010s got underway, living room design took a turn toward matching woods, although the clean simplistic look was still very much in style.

This was a time of neutral and natural colors, all in service of a warm and homey feel. In the 2010s, comfort took precedence over looks, and that tendency continues to this day.

Living room décor has changed a lot over the years, but through it all, the living room has remained the locus of family life. Now that you know what was popular in previous eras, you can enjoy the current decade and decorate your own living room in style with Haynes Bros.

Tags: color, color trends, Daytona Beach, decor, decorating, Family, Furniture, Haynes Bros, Haynes Brothers, home

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