Furniture Through the Ages

There’s no doubt about it, sustainability is the talk of the season – and about time too. There’s a sure shift away from buying little and often, and a profound focus on buying things that will last and have minimal impact on the planet.

Opting for timeless, high-quality pieces can help ensure your sustainable choices don’t go out of style, while also elevating your interior to create a home sprinkled in nostalgia. From the ‘S’ shaped chairs of the sixties to statement mirrors in the nineties, investing in a key piece that stands the test of time is the best way to furnish your home sustainably.

Join us as we take a trip down memory lane, from the fabulous fifties, all the way to the nostalgic noughties, and follow the journey of key design trends through the ages.

50s

Furniture styles of the fifties embodied a clash of post-war minimalism with post-war optimism, featuring bright colours inspired by the media of the time.

The need to mass-produce to replace what was destroyed in the war led to simple, small and modern furniture. Enter organic shapes, including round pieces with splayed legs and clean surfaces, which add flow and balance to a space.

Launched by ercol at The Furniture Exhibition at Earl’s Court in 1950, a classic Windsor chair embodies the best of British industry and design of the era. So, it’s no surprise it is still making a statement in cosy living rooms and lounges today.

Pieces also nodded to a Scandinavian influence with practical designs in beech, birch, and ash – soon recreated with darker wood to suit the UK market.

60s

The swinging sixties was a decade of cultural shifts that saw increased freedom in society, as well as in home expression and furniture taste. Interiors were exuberant and exotic, with an eclectic mix of styles, including Edwardian, Victorian, and art nouveau.

Furniture broke the rules. Think plastic chairs, bean bags, and transparent blow-up furniture. Shapes took on a whole new futuristic dimension with a space-age feel, with the birth of ‘S’ shaped pieces, egg chairs, and round beds.

70s

Then came the boho seventies. Wicker and Rattan took over and were utilised in chairs, lampshades and headboards – and they are still making a comeback in today’s home interiors.

Capture the laid-back seventies vibe with a rattan bed frame to pay homage to the era. Get creative by mixing nature-inspired pieces, from bamboo bookcases to rattan dining room chairs.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, nothing made the seventies smoother than a bright velvet sofa. Adding a touch of luxe to the home, velvet sofas were the talk of the town – and still are today! Think bold colours, like mustard yellow, vivid citrine, and avocado green that complemented other hues of the decade, like earthy brown tones.

Make the ultimate seventies statement with an animal print rug. Suiting any home from modern to bohemian, mix up the ordinary with a statement piece that will never go out of style.

80s

A concoction of tastes, the eighties were home to Japanese zen, floral textiles, and modern retro. Launched in the early 1970s, the Togo sofa by Ligne Roset is a truly iconic piece that encapsulates the style of the eighties and oozes modern luxury.

Even city dwellers fancied themselves as country bumpkins thanks to Laura Ashley’s floral bedding. The era had an abundance of frivolous ruffles and romantic frills – even side tables were prettied up with a skirt.

90s

The nineties encapsulated a kaleidoscopic ‘pick and mix’ of colour, texture, and form. Nothing was off limits – from inflatable furniture to concrete walls and chandeliers.

In fact, many of our current trending styles were born from the eclectic spirit of the 90s. Neon signs are a wallet-friendly way to transform your living space into a nineties den. We also have the nineties to thank for statement mirrors and leopard print.

The humanity boom of the noughties in the US also shone a light on our impact on natural resources. So, it’s no wonder the shabby-chic style made strides, with an upcycled look that lends itself to sustainability.

The decade was a wrestling match between maximalism and minimalism. Think minimalist high design with clean lines, versus homes adorned with decorative prints and patterns.

00s

Y2k fashion and interiors from noughties nostalgia are everywhere you look today – we’re talking psychedelic lamps, rhinestones, and beaded curtains. In fact, 2023 sees the 60th anniversary of the fascinating lava lamp.

The noughties also brought about the rise of flatpack furniture in line with the growing popularity of DIY and clean line Scandinavian styles. This is also about the time concerns for the environment were starting to grow, and home styles adapted to this with antique-inspired décor.

2010s

The 2010s can be divided into two types of styles. The early part of the decade was characterised by the recession and a stripped back style embodied in raw metals, painted accents, and safe colours like beige, blue and grey.

Minimalist silhouettes reigned the winner, and Scandinavian influence reappeared from the post-war period of the 1950s. Chevron patterns and warm metallics added a little excitement, as mid-century modern spread into the mainstream.

The latter end of the decade became bolder, brighter, and more daring. It relaunched Maximalism from the eighties – and raucous colours and geometric shapes from the Memphis movement regained popularity.

Think Grandmillennial homes with statement mirrors, pattern mixing, and open shelves. Eclecticism surfaced as a way that people could bring individuality into their homes, with hand-worn finishes, global tastes, and mixtures of natural and artificial materials.

2020s: Where are we now?

It’s no secret that sustainability is at the forefront of our minds this decade and going into the future. So, it’s even more important to start investing in key pieces that will last a lifetime, through decades of aesthetic changes to come.

We expect to see a fusion of each style era with key pieces bringing our interiors together. There’s a nod to the sixties with a drive towards ‘S’ shaped snug furniture, along with 1970s’ rattan furniture and huge 90s’ statement mirrors showing up in every room.