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Decorating a 1950's Style Living Room

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Living Room Decor from the 1950's

If you love the retro look, and you want to create a living room with period furniture straight from the 1950's you will find this lens helpful in your search.

I'll show you actual advertisements from the 1950's era for furniture that was selling at the time. You might be surprised at what was actually in fashion and available to the housewife decorating her home.

You will see styles and fabrics that were available for living room furniture that should make you smile and maybe even bring back some light hearted memories.

Image Credit: Bungalow by Petr Kratochvil

Helpful Book About Interiors of the 1950...
Living Room Furniture from 1951
Modern Retro And How To Live With Mid Ce...

Kroehler Manufacturing Company offered selections of sofas and chairs in this 1950 magazine ad. A classic straight back with curved arms and deep fringed bases in a green Mohair Jacquard Frieze fabric is the featured photo. You could purchase this set for $179.50.

Also shown in the advertisement is a set of Club style chair and sofa in a red mohair fabric. A Gray Lounge chair that matches the featured set. A really funky fabric for a sectional grouping.

In 1950, at least for this furniture manufacturer, the styles were still pretty traditional. However, the lamps and curtains are beginning to get interesting. Notice that red lamp in the featured photo and those are some bizarre looking drapes!

Image Credit: From author's personal collection of advertising

New Chair In Atomic Living Room Style

Many think of the Atomic Style when decorating a living room to fit the 1950s decor. This new chair has the look of the Fifties with the comfort of a new design. It is very mid-century modern.

Coaster Havana Retro Style Leather Sofa Club Chair Recliner, Brown

Amazon Price: $399.00 (as of 05/25/2012)
List Price: $999.99

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Designers of the 1950s

Helpful Book About Interiors of the 1950s

A fun look at the flooring and furniture used in living rooms and other rooms of the house during the 1950s.

Inspiring Interiors from Armstrong 1950s

by: C. Eugene Moore

Amazon Price: $19.76 (as of 05/25/2012)
List Price: $29.95

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Living Room Furniture from 1951

A green sculptured damask fabric covers the sofa and chair illustrated in this 1951 magazine ad from Kroehler. The furniture featured flowing lines, corded pillow backs, and heavy bullion fringe.

Also seen in this advertisement is a divided sofa with a table in between done in luscious lime green.

Kroehler pronounced (Kray-ler) advertised themselves as the largest funiture manufacturer in the world.

Image Credit: part of author's personal collection of advertising

Modern Retro And How To Live With Mid Century Modern Style

You will get some really great ideas from this book that are sure to inspire your decorating your 1950s style living room.

Modern Retro: Living With Mid-century Modern Style

by: Neil Bingham, Andrew Weaving

Amazon Price: $493.27 (as of 05/25/2012)
List Price: $19.95

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Newly Invented Item for the 1950's Living Room

Kleenex was invented in the 1950's so boxes could be found in the living rooms for the guests who needed a tissue.

Atomic Ranch Designs

Atomic Ranch: Design Ideas for Stylish Ranch Homes

by: Michelle Gringeri-Brown

Amazon Price: $26.23 (as of 05/25/2012)
List Price: $40.00

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Living Room Tables by Lane 1951

Lane, makers of the Lane Cedar Chests, advertised their line of tables for the 1952 living room in this magazine ad. Contemporary styles of Cocktail tables, step tables, and picture window tables are promoted.

Choices of wood colors included Blond Oak, Sierra Birch, Chinchilla Walnut and Mahogany. Styles were called Modern, Trestle, and Chippendale.

Image credit: scanned from author's personal collection

Barkcloth Drapes were the Rage in 1950's

Mid-Century Modern is another name for the furniture in a 1950s home

Mid Century Modern

by: Cara Greenberg

Amazon Price: $159.71 (as of 05/25/2012)
List Price:

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

1952 Living Room Sofas

Smartsets are featured by Kroehler in this 1952 magazine ad. The featured half sofas, in a barkcloth fabric in shades of gray and yellow, look very modern in their styling.

Notice the corner table between the half sofas with the lamp and accessories for the living room.

Other styles include more traditional fabrics for 3 piece sectionals, sofa-beds, love seats, and armless half sofas.

Image Credit: author's private collection

Decorate 1950s Style Living Room With A Modern Lamp

Going for that Atomic Age look from the 1950s? One of these new lamps with current and up to date wiring will certainly give you the look in your living room.

One Light Retro Table Lamp in Tan and Gold

Amazon Price: $349.80 (as of 05/25/2012)
List Price:

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Choose A Charly Harper Silk Screen

To Decorate Your Living Room

Modern Tapestry with a 1950's Room

Linen Lime Wall Tapestry
Buy at AllPosters.com

Very Modern Furniture

Cool Atomic Style Lamp on a blond credenza in my home.

New Table Lamp In 1950 Style

Modern Style Table Lamp In Gun Metal Bronze

Inspired from mid-century modern furnishings, this collection offers clean lines and geometric patterns that diffuse light tranquilly. Decorative spherical elements that are frequently found in mid-century modern design, complement the look of this lighting collection. The shades are sheer mesh with a cut metalwork pattern.

1950s Lamps For The Living Room Or Any Room

You can find mid-century modern lamps to decorate your living room or any room that you want the 1950s style by visiting the popular auction site, eBay.

Vintage Advertising Can Help With Decor Choices

Finding vintage magazine ads from the 1950s can help you select the decor items that you want for your living room. They can be a helpful resource when looking for authentic pieces of the era.

Your 1950s Living Room Needs A Cool Radio

I found some fun and funky mid-century modern radios to decorate your 1950s living room at the popular auction site, eBay.

Stop on in and leave your comments

Let me know you visited and give me ideas on other places to visit.

Reply

JoshK47 May 16, 2012 @ 9:16 am | delete

I've always been quite fond of the 50's aesthetic - thanks for sharing!

Reply

Pippi2011 Apr 27, 2012 @ 8:26 pm | delete

Great ideas, I love your Cool Atomic Style Lamp.

Reply

BestLaminateInc Apr 16, 2012 @ 10:59 am | delete

Takes you back to Father Knows Best and I Love Lucy! LOL Thanks for sharing!

Reply

Lenses_For_Sale Apr 13, 2012 @ 10:06 am | delete

These are beautiful! Great selection to complete the design.

Reply

jtbmetaldesigns Apr 12, 2012 @ 8:53 am | delete

Fantastic lens! Many of the metal art sculptures I make are of a midcentury theme. Take a look at http://www.etsy.com/shop/jtbmetaldesigns

Reply

KimGiancaterino Apr 5, 2012 @ 11:51 pm | delete

Nicely done!

Reply

KateHon Apr 1, 2012 @ 8:23 pm | delete

I have only recently begun to appreciate the beauty of mid-century modern style. Looking at it in the context of the time, it is revolutionary and daring - quite a change from earlier decades! Love your lens! Great job!