I love looking back at vintage advertisements to see what people were buying to outfit the interiors of their homes. From flooring, to wallpaper and even Formica tables, the advertising was everywhere.
Today’s post is for all kinds of furniture ads (not just one kind) from the 1920s to the 1960s with their vibrant colors, playful illustrations, and clever copy that grabs your attention and transports you back in time.
Let’s take a look!
1958 Bassett Furniture ad-Source: Etsy-PlentifulPages
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Vintage Furniture Advertising 1920s-1960s
I’m a sucker for classic Mid Century furniture pieces (and great wallpaper) like in this 1950s advertisement for the ‘Baumritter’s care free VIKO collection“.
“Yesterday’s basement transformed into a delightful, livable family-room”. ” Constructed of tubular steel, plastic upholstery, and heat and stain resistant plastic table tops for long, family service.”
Further Reading: Vintage Photos of Wallpaper Designs in Mid Century Homes
Source: eBay
1950 Samson Folding Furniture ad-“For tots…teens…and twenties”
Source: Etsy-PlentifulPages
1920 advertisement for Velmo Mohair Upholstery Fabric by LC Chase of Sanford Mills Maine.
While not technically an advertisement for furniture, it’s for what goes ON the furniture and I very much enjoyed the couch and chair featured in the ads illustration. So I decided to add it to the mix.
Source: eBay
Simmons Hide-A-Bed 1950 vintage advertisement featuring images of how the bed looks in the living room and how to easily pulls out to house guests.
Source: Etsy-PlentifulPages
One more sofa bed ad because I love Breeze Blocks! 1961 Simmons Hide-A-Bed advertisement featuring a breeze blocks table and room divider.
Further Reading: Mid-Century Cool: Breeze Blocks
Source: Etsy-PlentifulPages
1940 advertisement for Branchflower furniture. Home office furniture for the entrepreneur in your home.
Source: Archive.org
1929 KRAPPEN furniture ad for “vivid individuality in a small apartment”. Bold patterns and furniture pieces that stand together and on their own in the room.
I love the green chair at the bottom left of the ad.
Source: eBay
1950s Vista by Bassett advertisement for bedroom furniture. “For the woman who will be satisfied with nothing less than the newest”.
Source: eBay
“The new look in dinettes….says engaging ESTHER WILLIAMS”…”is one of functional beauty, the colorful, friendly, liveable beauty of a modern CHROMCRAFT dinette suite”. 1948 vintage ad for Chromcraft dinettes.
Further Reading: “Vintage Formica Tables”-Mid-Century Modern Design Ideas for the Vintage Home
Source: eBay
Vintage advertising print ad from 1956 for a Formica Furniture Shopper Guide featuring a dining table that also has storage. Perfect for small spaces.
1930s Harrods bedroom furniture suite advertisement. How glamorous even in black and white (the ad not the furniture).
Source: Etsy-AncientAds
1965 Kroehler Sofas advertisement. “Why the softest Kroehler sofa can’t give you a hard time”.
Source: Etsy-PlentifulPages
Cedar Chests for Christmas! A 1950s Cavalier vintage ad.
Source: Etsy-UnicornVintageAds
1930s advertisement-Lloyd Loom Woven Fibre Furniture. Love the green chair, matching lamp and other home decor items (the green wall sconce on the upper right side of the image, is fantastic!).
Source: whoppah.com
“Now…Million Dollar Luxury built to stand a “Heap o’ Living!” from Kroehler furniture. 1940s advertisement.
Source: Etsy-AmericanCenturyShop
1950s advertising for ” Swing King Contoured Reclining Chair”. “For your health and comfort!”.
Source: Etsy-AmericanCenturyShop
1936 Berkey & Gay Furniture advertisement featuring a beautiful bedroom suite (The Downing) and dining room suite (The Fairfax) illustrated here.
Source: Etsy-RetroReveries
1950s Thayer advertisement for baby furniture (“Better living for babies”). “Baby is so Modern”.
Source: eBay
Magazines covers were another form of advertising and this October 1935, House Beautiful cover featuring stunning red & white furniture with black walls and flooring, is a true standout (the curved chairs are super!). Love the game of backgammon setup for play as well.
Source: fineartamerica.com
1951 Cosco Furniture advertisement for colourful kitchen chairs, stools, baby high chair and a bar cart.
Source: Pinterest
1950s MENGEL Furniture bedroom sets vintage ad. “Do you keep your bedroom behind closed doors?”. “Open the door to compliments…with MENGEL Furniture”.
Source: eBay
Thanks for dropping by and browsing these fantastic vintage furniture ads. I once again had a blast putting this post together.
Please share in the comments section what your favourites were or any memories / comments you wish to share around the topic of this blog post. I love hearing from my readers!
Further Reading: Vintage Home Decor, Interior Design & Vintage Real Estate Inspiration 1920’s- 1960’s
Have a great day!
Liz
Love those breeze blocks! The Hide-a-Beds, not so much.
Great post!
I totally agree! lol!
Liz