If you are looking to add a touch of the 1950’s to your home decor, the best way to do this is by scouring vintage photos. Why? Well clearly its the best example of how people ACTUALLY dressed up their homes (as opposed to what you see in the magazines). So for today’s post I have searched the internet for these images so that those who are interested, can begin decking out their homes in true 1950’s style.
Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay, are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Note: If the item you clicked on is no longer available, just do a search for like items. There are loads of vintage items being added to Etsy and eBay daily!
Decor ideas from the homes of the 1950’s
The Vintage Photos…
Lets begin with Gladys of Sioux City in her front room-June, 1956.
First up Gladys is cute as button. Her mirror on the fireplace is fantastic and the flower stand by the window is outstanding and very mid century.
Family Dinner. Lots to look at in this photo. From the dishware to the fridge to the cute border on the kitchen curtain, it’s all so very 1950s.
1953 Dance Party. The colour in the curtains match part of the flowers in the wallpaper (good job!). Also can we take a moment to admire the dresses in this post. According to Flickr , Patrick Q the lady in the green dress was his grandmother and she held onto that dress until the day she died around 40 years later.
The fiberglass lamp shade is amazing!
February 1, 1958 a young woman on the phone her 1950s gown before heading to the dance.
Cute Baby alert in a 1958 living room. The chairs and table are so mid-century cool and coveted pieces in today’s modern world.
You can never have enough lamps….apparently. Not sure if I would adopt this look in my home though.
A flower couch and shiny flower wallpaper is the backdrop for this young 1950s couple posing on their couch.
1950s/ Mid Century Modern Vintage Photo of Mom and Daughters Standing in Kitchen, View From Living Room. SO much home decor inspiration in this photo!
Source: Etsy
A nice streamlined 1950’s interior design look (I’m really digging the couch and the pillow).
Mid Century Kitchen, with the coolest floor (see my vintage post on Linoleum Flooring HERE).
The brown bathroom with a pink tub and double sink.
Birds and sunflowers shower curtain.
Mental Note: Take photos of your child’s first communion in front of your first TV so you can remember them both fondly. Mix and match curtains and wallpaper again.
Young boy in his bedroom -1955.
1955 Bedroom Interior.
Well friends, I hope you enjoyed taking a look at true 1950’s decor and if your redesigning your home in an authentic 50’s style, I hope it helped!
Question time: Do you like 1950’s decor? Or are you a fan of other era’s? Share in the comments below.
FURTHER READING: Check out my archive of ‘Vintage Home Decor‘ Posts HERE.
Liz
I love the photo of the ladies all dressed up and having a party in someone’s house. I have a few like that of my parents and their friends from the 60s. I love that they got so glammed up! xx
Ahhh the glamorous days when people would dress up to party at home..love it! I have some photos as well of family doing the same thing, it’s awesome 🙂
I’m growing to appreciate the 50s furniture, but nothing could make me love a brown bathroom! I’m still so happy to have gotten rid of our dodgy 70s/80s brown and green bathroom decor. What a relief!
The kitchen photo reminds me a lot of one of my dad and his family in their childhood home! That would have been in the 60s so probably still the 50s style!
Nope to the brown as well! I’m not a fan of the pink that is super popular but I would take that over brown any day lol!
My friend said the kitchen reminded her of her grandparents home, so it must of been a popular style 🙂
Love that lady cleaning her teeth! Do you think it was a surprise shot or they were celebrating the new bathroom?!
I think it was a surprise, she looks a bit “Ummm I’m busy here” in the photo lol
you always have hte most amazing photos
Thanks! It’s so much fun looking for them 🙂
Very nice! I like this article so much. Thanks a lot for sharing.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Liz
Hi LIz!
Nice photos. I like the 50s vibe. The lamps and curtains are just lovely.
The Lamps and Curtains are pretty awesome. Thanks for stopping by!
Liz
Thanks for this post! I came across your site while doing an image search for 1950s kitchen decor. I recently moved into an 1880 home which has a 1950s kitchen complete with metal Geneva cabinets. So I’m trying to decorate it to the time. Looks like kitchen decor was pretty sparse then. I love the kitchen towel calendar in the one picture. My grandmother always had those and I forgot about them!
Hi there! So glad that my blog could help just a little bit in your vintage home decor update. I would recommend you also check out Retro Renovation for more inspiration for decorting your 50’s kitchen (link below).
Good luck!
https://retrorenovation.com/
Liz
This makes me wistful. Those were much better times in many regards, although a lot of terrible things happened – wars, Jim Crow, fear of atomic bombs, the Cold War. However, even through all of that, it was still somewhat of an age of “innocence,” of family, and of hope for a better future — all of which is long gone in today’s insane world of political division, fanning the fires of hatred, and rise of evil in the world (which will be defeated yet again, but at what human cost!).
Excellent observations Terry. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, I really appreciate it.
Liz