The classic decor pieces we had in our homes as kids

While it’s been missing for a while, popular decor of the 1960s is beginning to come back in style as a clever way to introduce a ‘retro’ theme to the home. However back in the day, this interior design was completely contemporary and represented the freeing revolution of the entire decade. Take a trip down memory lane and see if you remember any of these key design elements that ruled the roost in the ’60s!

Patterns everywhere

Decor in the 1960s wasn’t exactly what you would call subtle. After a rather bland, picture-perfect interior decorative phase the decade before, the 1960s were all about pushing boundaries and exploring loud colours and patterns. Paisley became one of the most popular patterns to take over couches, table clothes and walls alongside bright oranges, yellows, pink and greens hues.

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Bean bags

Originally called Sacco, these comfy chairs arrived in the late ’60s and quickly became one of the most popular pieces of furniture to have in your house. The easy way it moulded to fit your body took relaxing in front of the newly invented TV to a whole new level. It was important to make sure the pattern and colouring of the fabric matched the rest of the house but god forbid the seams ever split as your house would be faced with a tsunami like flow of tiny polystyrene beads.

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TV Trays

As the excitement of the TV era was only just beginning, it was no surprise that the massive boxes became a focal point of many living rooms around the world. In the evenings, the family would gather around the TV and enjoy dinner together with the help of their nifty metal tray tables. In classic, 1960s flatpack-furniture fashion, the tables were usually foldable or at least came with detachable legs so they could slide away when not in use.

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Shag rugs

These popular, long rugs became a staple for homes in the 1960s. These were most likely linked to the trend of hardwood floors for those in a cooler climate to walk around their house in comfort. They were usually a loud, gaudy colour and nowadays might seem a bit unappealing. However, as most trends do, shaggy rugs are making a come back although today’s versions are definitely not as bright.

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Far-out wallpaper

Having wallpaper was a must in most homes of this decade. The already loud and provocative furniture people tended to choose for their houses meant wallpaper had to match. So choosing the most colourful and striking paper in the shop wasn’t unusual. Wallpaper was meant to tie everything together while still breathing new life into a room. With so much creative freedom, it’s no wonder there were some interesting choices for patterned wallpaper in the past.

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What’s your favourite piece of furniture from your childhood home? Do you still have any of these things in your house today?