THE AVERAGE AMERICAN HOME – 1960s VS TODAY

Since the 1960s, the typical American home has dramatically changed. Bright colors and flashy designs are what the 1960s were known for, and the typical American home was no different at the time. 

A house in the 1960s was intended for family life and entertainment and was filled with shag rugs to wood-paneled walls. While homes are still being constructed for families today, they are typically more subdued, and comfort focused.

Continue reading to find out other ways in which the average American home has changed from the 1960s.

Home Style

During the 1960s, ranch-style homes were the most popular. Also common during this era were Cape Cod and split-level Mediterranean style homes. Exterior features that many houses back in the day had included screened porches, attached garages and low roofs.

Craftsman style homes are ranked #1 for preferred home style according to Trulia who surveyed 2,000 individuals to figure out what their favorite architectural style was for a home. 43% of individuals replied with craftsmen. A big front porch, pillars and sloping roof characterize this style. According to the study, ranch and colonial homes are currently the second and third ranked styles.

Interior Walls – Color & Texture

You would find bright colors throughout a home of the 1960s. Popular decisions were bold colors such as orange, taupe and grass green. Furthermore, wood paneling was a common choice in most households at that time. In every room in the house, wood paneling was seen – even in the kitchen. Additionally, wallpaper was another popular option in the 1960s. Wallpaper was often flashy and bright, like color choices in general at the time, and paisley and floral patterns were preferred.

Simple colors such as white, black and grays are preferred today. The demand for darkly painted walls has risen, but these days white and gray are the preferred choices. Sometimes accent walls are used to create a pop of color in a room. Some individuals even choose to have a full accent space, which has painted all four walls in a bold color. These colorful walls are intended to add personality to the home, like the wood paneling and wallpaper of the '60s.

Furnishings

In the mid-1960s, furniture was designed to be disposable and temporary made with new materials, such as plastics. Designers experimented with colors and shape. Much of the this was influenced by the hippie movement and the Space Race. New synthetics supplied mass production of inexpensive "fashionable" items intended to last only for a brief period of time. Wood was popular but not like you see today. Much of it was made of particle board with Formica tops and tapered legs.

Wood furniture is prevalent today, such as Oak and Cherry pieces. Handcrafted pieces such as Amish made are popular choices because today’s consumer wants to buy furniture that lasts and can eventually be handed down in the family. Often times, today’s wood is reclaimed, and generally more natural and lighter in tone. Rather than buy pieces separately, many opt to buy room sets so pieces match which many feel is aesthetically pleasing. A focus on sustainable woods and materials is also increasing.

Oak For Less® furniture is known for it’s lasting quality and value. Oak For Less® has improved our selection over the years so we are not just oak! We offer thousands of quality furniture items crafted from oak as well as other hardwoods.  Oak has a strong grain pattern, but many items are also available in other woods, such as alder, birch, or cherry wood which have a finer grain pattern. Through our Amish furniture makers, we also offer other beautiful woods such as solid quarter sawn white oak, cherry, maple, elm, walnut, and hickory.  No matter what kind of wood it is made of, all furniture is for sale at our low discount prices. Utilizing a variety of manufacturers both here in the U.S. as well as a few select imports, we offer a huge selection and we can customize some things as well.

Flooring

Shag carpeting achieved its peak in the 1960s as far as flooring is concerned. The trend of shag carpeting lasted through the seventies and became linked with the hippie movement. It was even used in Kitchens and Bathrooms! Can you imagine?

These days, hardwood flooring is the preferred choice. It was top demand for potential home buyers in a recent study in which 54% of individuals said they'd pay more for a house with hardwood floors.

Bedrooms

Sleeping in separate beds was normal for couples in the 1950s, and this practice lasted well into the 1960s. The practice began on television when married characters were seen getting into their own beds separated by a tiny table. Americans followed suit, and for some couples the practice continued well into the 1970s.

Today, bedrooms are seen as an escape for couples to spend time together, sleeping in the same bed. Beds are typically king and queen sizes. 

Oak For Less® has been providing quality, natural wood bedroom furniture to customers for 25 years. We carry a wonderful collection of bedroom furniture in a variety of woods, including oak, cherry, birch, and maple as both separates and room sets. We also are proud to carry a unique and beautiful collection of wooden bedroom sets for your home. From cherry 5-piece bedroom sets to solid oak, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for in our online store.

For example, this Amish made Cedar Lakes Solid Oak Bedroom Suite - King Size - comes with 1 bed, 1 chest, 1 dresser, 1 mirror, and 2 nightstands.

Check out our selection of bedroom furniture as well as Amish Bedroom Suites.

Living Rooms

As for living rooms, large sectionals were the couch of choice for most homes in the ’60s. The sectional sofa has a long history in the US, dating back to the Civil War. It wasn’t until the 1940s that the sectional really became popular, however. In the 1960s, it was common for almost every home in the US to have this type of couch.

While sectionals are still a choice today, individuals tend to choose couches that are smaller in both seating and space. Loveseats which usually fit two individuals, have become an increasingly common option as have overstuffed chairs.

Are you looking for new living room furniture? Then Oak For Less, the best furniture store in Mesa, Arizona, is the perfect place for you. We have some of the best living room furniture you can get anywhere, all of which are made from high-quality materials and is built to last. From chairs to living room tables, you’re sure to find the perfect wood furniture that fits your style perfectly. We have handcrafted Amish living room furniture, as well as finely crafted wood tables, wood chairs, wood coffee tables, and more. When you need high-quality living room furniture, be sure to come to the experts at Oak For Less.

Kitchen/Dining

Kitchens in the 1960s were typically wood or particle board and brightly painted. The kitchen was regarded as a room to entertain in, so most were decorated with bright colors and easy-to-clean countertops in laminate. Tables were often laminate with vinyl chairs. Dining rooms were well…not much better.

Kitchens are more subtle in terms of colors today, and devices made of stainless steel are highly common. Stainless steel started out as the material of choice in restaurant kitchens because of its resistance to wear and tear. More recently though it is known as a stylish and minimalist design esthetic and is more and more common in American kitchens.

Here at Oak For Less, we only carry the best handcrafted wood furniture. Made with high-quality, durable materials, our furniture is built to last and will look amazing for years. Our dining room furniture will look great in any environment. You get your favorite set or mix and match pieces to create a unique set just for you. Our dining room furniture includes:

• Dining room tables
• Dining room chairs
• Amish dining room furniture
• Drop-leaf tables
• Bars & cupboards
• And more!

For example, this (pictured) Amish made Classic 4 Leg Table and 6 Wood Seat Side Chairs in Solid Brown Maple that would be welcome in any kitchen or dining room.

Home Size and Space

As the baby boom peaked in the 1960s, families migrated to the suburbs where the bigger homes were. By 1960, suburban baby boomers made up one-third of the U.S. population. These suburban homes were known to have "family rooms," large yards, and more open floor plans.

The latest trends today are downsizing, tiny homes, and spaces that serve multiple purposes. A typical kids ' room today, for instance, doubles as a playroom. It is more about maximizing the space you have rather than increasing it. These days it is also all about decluttering thanks to Marie Kondo and this also means ensuring that the furniture you have can pull double duty as storage.

Do you remember the styles of the 1960s? What are some of your favorite changes you see today?