60's Furniture & Interior Design

Furniture created during the 1950’s and 60’s is usually described as Scandinavian Contemporary. This furniture style is marked by the use of natural wood and a utilitarian design. The influences of Scandinavian Contemporary are viewable in many of today’s modern furniture styles.


The furniture employed simple designs, straight lines, and virtually no ornamentation. A typical cabinet wood be boxed shaped and have two panel doors with drawers underneath. The standard pull design was a half-sphere attached, the base of which was attached to a small wooden cylinder. Oftentimes cabinets and other furniture used an oil varnish, wax, or stain as a finishing coat.


Other popular woods used during the construction of furniture include Birch, Elm, Maple, Oak, and Teak.


Comfort played an increasingly important role in furniture during the 1950’s and 60’s. Almost any furniture that a person would lay on or sit in was upholstered. This is a stark contrast from furniture created during the depression where comfort was oftentimes of least concern.


Furniture during these decades had less ornamentation than in the past. Furniture was not as much of a status symbol as it was in past times and thus not as much attention was paid to ornamentation. Rather simple designs, utilitarian in style were created.


English designer David Hicks was an important influence on interior design in the 1960s inspired by bright colours associated with India


David Hicks was famous for helping introduce the world of interior design to: Tight bold geometric prints, bright-colored furniture, mixing the old and new, shaking things up.

Photo used with permission The Estate of David Hicks