50’s 60’s Interior Design
What’s the Difference between Vintage Design and Retro Design?
Recently, I was invited to contribute to an article in a Swiss newspaper published by the Swiss home owners association – the Zeitung des Schweizerischen Hauseigentümerverband – and was asked to elaborate on this exact question. Since there is no exact definition of these terms, I was fully aware that my opinion may differ from that of other experts. In this post I will share my definition, but above all, much like in my post about early 20th century design, I will take you on a journey into the past, back to the 1950’s and 1960’s to be exact.
Interior Design in the 50’s and 60’s (image on the bottom left: Eames house, California)
Vintage or retro?
In my opinion vintage seeks its inspiration in the 1940’s and 1950’s, a time of war and post-war. The most prominent material used during that time was wood. Aside from some floral wallpaper and curtains, the colours were rather subdued and earthy colours were the most common. Real vintage furniture dating back to that time is very much en vogue and at the same time continues to inspire contemporary furniture designers in their creations. One typical feature of vintage furniture are the tapered (angled) wood legs on cabinets, tables and chairs, such as the Eames plastic chairs.
Retro on the other hand, I believe refers to the 1960’s up until the 1980’s. The early part of this era was defined by the material plastic, wild patterns and bold colours, such as the brightly coloured Panton chairs. Add bulky shapes to the mix and you are all set for the look of the 1980’s. There are still some original true vintage pieces on the market, but there is certainly also lots of new furniture in production that imitates the furniture style of the 1960’s and 1970’s.
Clockwise from top left: Neil Armstrong, Winston Churchill, Charles and Ray Eames, Elvis Presley
The Impact of Society and Economy on Design
I always find it fascinating to dig a bit deeper and explore a style also from a historic point of view. Architecture, interior design and furniture design have always been strongly influenced by the socio-economic environment of the particular times. The 1950’s were strongly impacted by the aftermath of World War II. It marked an entirely new era, in particular with regards to political powers. The war had destroyed much of the industrial infrastructure, caused the European economies to collapse and left many people homeless. As a consequence there was a shortage for furniture much like for everything else and interior design had somewhat come to a halt. People made with what they had.
However, as the economy started to recover and people were becoming more optimistic about the future, design also started to change. In addition the 1950’s and 1960’s saw massive technological advances with the first video recorders, the first man in space and Neil Armstrong’s landing on the moon.
Schools in the UK in the brutalist style and tower block buildings in London
Architecture and Buildings
As modernist architecture was further developed, the so-called Brutalist style became increasingly popular, flourishing from the 1950’s until the mid 1970’s. The word derives from the French word ‘brut’ (literally: raw), referring to raw concrete (béton brut), the material of choice. Schools and other public buildings were often built in this style and tower blocks started to emerge. The characteristics of the style were rectilinear forms, plain surfaces without ornamentation, open interior spaces and the use of glass, steel and reinforced concrete.
Clockwise from top left: The Wireless (1940’s onwards), vintage phone, 1950’s fridge/ freezer ad, 1950’s toaster ad, pin up art
Interior Design and Modern Life
The fast technological advances, the growing consumer market and the change in lifestyle greatly affected interior design. The TV became a focal point, modern household appliances and kitchen design rapidly changed and thus became more integrated into the living space. Central heating also had a major impact on domestic living, because people could now utilise larger areas of their homes at the same time. The general public became increasingly design conscious and keen on new and unusual objects. The style was most often rather eclectic, with a mix of furnitures of different types. Many of today’s well known furniture manufacturers, such as Knoll International, Fritz Hansen and Vitra emerged during that time and they still hold the licences to produce furniture dating back to that era.
Iconic design furniture from the 1950’s including the Standard Chair, the Egg Chair, the Wire Chair and the Eames Lounge Chair
1950s and 1960s Furniture Design
In late 1940 and 1950 the Scandinavian style, known for its simplicity, minimalism and functionality, started to surface and had a major impact on design throughout Europe for many years to come. The Egg chair by Arne Jacobson is one of those famous design classics from that era. The idea of creating beautiful and functional everyday items for everyone was a social movement made possible by low-cost materials and mass production. IKEA, today’s largest furniture retailer, was found by then 17-year old Ingvar Kamprad in Sweden in 1943. With the opening of IKEA, design became more mainstream and more accessible to the masses than ever before.
Iconic design furniture from the 1960’s, including the Ball Chair, the Cone Chair and the Panton Chair
Furniture Designers and their Iconic Furniture Pieces
During the late 1950’s and 1960’s interiors became more bold and colourful and plastic was the preferred material for modern style furniture. The Danish designer Verner Panton was one of the most influential designers of the 20th century and he created the world’s first moulded plastic chair, which was named after him – the Panton chair. Around the same time, the American power couple Charles and Ray Eames designed some of the most iconic mid-century furniture pieces, such as the Eames Lounge chair and the Eames plastic chairs. These timeless vintage pieces look as modern and stylish today as they did 70 years ago as you can see in this minimalistic apartment I designed in Basel!
Clockwise from top left: Andy Warhol pop up art, 1960’s electric guitar, Andy Warhol pop up art, 1960’s fashion, vintage TV, washing machine advertising from 1950
The 1950s and 1960s Beyond Design
It was not just interior design and furniture design that changed drastically during the middle of the last century, but also the world of the arts, music and fashion were revolutionised. Pin up art, Pop art, mini skirts and rock’n’roll define that era just as much. In fact, they mutually inspired one another.
Mid-Century Modern Interior Design: Why This Style Remains Timeless
Although the term mid-century modern is often associated with post-war American interiors, the influence of 1950s and 1960s design can be seen far beyond the United States. Today, designers around the world continue to draw inspiration from this era, not necessarily by recreating the look, but by embracing the principles behind it.
Some of the most typical features of authentic mid-century furniture are wood, walnut in particular, organic shapes, craftsmanship and comfort. These elements are not only timeless, but also feel grounding, bringing warmth and a connection to nature into contemporary interiors.
Rather than filling a room with retro pieces, many interior designers today use vintage-inspired elements as accents or as a focal point: a beautifully crafted chair, a sculptural light, a curved sofa or a timeless wooden piece that adds character and a touch of nostalgia.
The enduring appeal of this era lies in its ability to combine functionality with beauty. Whether in an American mid-century home, a Scandinavian-inspired interior or a contemporary European residence, these design principles continue to influence the way we create spaces today.
Bringing Vintage and Retro Design Into Contemporary Interiors
The beauty of vintage and retro interior design lies in its ability to tell a story. Whether it is an iconic mid-century chair, a beautifully crafted wooden sideboard or a statement light fixture, carefully selected pieces can add character, warmth and individuality to a modern interior.
Today, many designers and homeowners are rediscovering the timeless appeal of 1950s and 1960s design, combining authentic vintage finds with contemporary furniture, natural materials and modern comforts.
Finding the right pieces, however, is part of the journey. From specialist vintage dealers and design archives to carefully curated furniture collections inspired by the era, there are many ways to bring mid-century style into your home.
Where to Find Vintage and Mid-Century Inspired Furniture
Whether you are searching for an original design classic or a contemporary interpretation of a vintage piece, these carefully selected sources offer inspiration for creating unique and timeless vintage inspired interiors.
Coming Soon
Stylish regards,
Simone xx
