Fashions in Furniture - mid 20th century

Following the end of World War II, the country was ready for regeneration, hope and colour. Architecture, fashion and decor all reflected the fascination with technology and the future.

The Festival of Britain in 1951 was a celebration of modern design and innovation, with exciting forms, colours and concepts. Inspired by the growing interest in space exploration and science, the exhibition introduced techniques, shapes and ideas that were a world away from the heaviness of previous generations.

Carl Jacobs 1951 bent plywood chair, chosen for the South Bank restaurant at the Festival of Britain

These new ideas were adopted into British furniture design, which increasingly looked to the Danish Mid Century Modern movement for inspiration. This movement, which began in the 1930s and reached a peak in the 1950s, used organic shapes and elegant simplicity to create functional but beautiful pieces that still look modern today. The Mid Century Modern aesthetic continues to be hugely popular, with much contemporary furniture based on the designs of the '50s and '60s.

The 1950s

A G Plan 'Tola & Black' librenza

The 1950s was a time of transition in the UK, as home fashion gradually moved from the preferences of the early 20th century to the new space-age designs that were to come. In pieces from this period, we often see darker woods mixed with black paint finishes and brass accents, with decorative patterns that can seem overly fussy to a modern eye. There was a clear Art Deco influence, with clocks and furniture using motifs that look like they may have come from a 1920s cinema. But we also saw a rise in 'Atomic' and 'Sputnik'-inspired design, with splayed legs, spheres with radiating spokes, starbursts and bright colours. Most furniture was delivered fully assembled, often using traditional carpentry techniques, and was made to last.

The Ercol Windsor sideboard in ash, 2026 Collection (credit ercol.com)

The Ercol Windsor sideboard in elm, late 1950s

Alongside these trends, we also saw simpler pieces in light oak and elm that are still popular today - Ercol and G Plan both continue to retail pieces that are virtually unchanged from their 1950s designs.

The 1960s

G Plan Quadrille range, 1965

Teak became the dominant wood in the '60s, with influence from the Danish MCM style becoming increasingly evident. Less brass was used, with handles often made from solid teak. Task-specific furniture became more popular, with telephone benches, vinyl record cabinets and drinks cabinets found in many living rooms. Light design, with furniture raised from the floor on delicate legs, continued to be preferred, and sofas of this period look more elegant than comfortable with teak frames and streamlined upholstery. Furniture was still bought to last a lifetime, and came fully assembled with care instructions, with the option to return to the manufacturer for restoration if needed.

The 1970s

G Plan Sierra modular units, 1972 (credit High Wycombe Furniture Archive)

Teak continued to dominate, but styles started to become heavier again, with plinths preferred to legs, squishy sofas upholstered to the floor, and larger, less delicate handles. Floor to ceiling and wall to wall living room sets with sideboards below and bookcases above became fashionable, giving plenty of storage but somewhat overwhelming the room. There was a partial return to traditional designs inspired by nature and history, with floral patterns, earthy colours and old country whimsy, often co-existing with the needs of new technologies such as TVs and tape players. Furniture was becoming more affordable, with makers such as Schreiber launching competitively priced ranges using cheaper materials such as teak-effect plastic laminate over chipboard, sold from their own Schreiber Furniture Centres.

The 1980s

G Plan New Seasons dining set, 1985 (credit High Wycombe Furniture Archive)

Another period of transition, the 1980s saw the continuation of teak furniture, chintzy florals and practical storage solutions, but with a noticeable lightening of colour and design. Paler woods became popular, with light paint finishes replacing the darker trends of the '70s. Affordable flat pack furniture allowed families to change their decor more often, and pieces were less likely to be bought and retained for generations - unfortunately this could also mean a reduction in quality. IKEA opened its first UK store in 1987, and many of the manufacturers that had thrived during the earlier mid century period found their popularity waning by the end of the decade.