This past weekend I attended a vintage event in Toronto at the gorgeous and historic, Todmorden Mills. On site they have an adorable 1940s cottage with the most amazing original flooring from the 40s in their kitchen. The flooring was linoleum and just look at the pattern….wow! So wow that when I posted it on Instagram the ‘Vintage Gal’ commented that it would be a fantastic pattern for an outfit and I00% have to agree with her!
I will be honest I did not truly realize how colourful and fantastic 1940s flooring was (I think I was distracted by all the other items to look at in images), and this discovery intrigued me to see what other designs were out there. So Friends……
Welcome to the Beautiful World of 1940s Linoleum Flooring
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!
Why Linoleum?
Well very simply it was known for being clatterproof, easy to clean, and resistant to stain. So ideal for a room in the house like the kitchen.
Example of Linoleum Designs as seen in Vintage Advertising:
1939 Geometric linoleum patterns.
Source: Cooper Hewitt
1941 featured abstract shapes with stars in muted colours. On side note, why does the kitchen look like it should be outside?
Source: Flickr
1945-Green’s in every shade!
Source: Flickr
Can’t make up your mind on which floor style to go with? Why not go with 2 of them?
Source: About Home
When you have pink polka dots as a design element, then your linoleum floor 100% needs to be less flashy.
Source: Mid Century Home Style
In 1945 the below colour scheme of Burgundy, Grey and Gold was considered a big departure from the old ways of doing things.
Source: Source: Mid Century Home Style
This kitchen in 1949 with this fun floor could have been yours for only $50 (a lot of money back then).
Source: Vintage Caravans
1940 Armstrong’s Linoleum Floors Vintage Ad. This ad is from the June, 1940 The American Home magazine. Look at all the different colours and patterns?!
Source: Etsy
The Linoleum floor in this kitchen is my absolute favorite. It really is darling, don’t you agree? This kitchen reminds me of the movie Dumbo and the pink elephants for some reason.
Vintage linoleum advertising continues…
“Kitchens to match YOUR LIFE”….
Which style to choose for your kitchen? -1940s vintage ad-
Source: Etsy
If your kitchen is all doors and windows here are some style options. 1949 Armstrong’s Linoleum Floors Vintage Ad.
Source: Etsy
Linoleum was not regulated to only the kitchen. It was also found in other places in the home, like the bedroom.
Source: Etsy
And the washroom / bathroom as seen in the most adorable space ever! I love the “designated” areas for each of the family’s items.
FURTHER READING: Vintage Bathroom Advertising – Be Inspired!
Source: Retro Renovation
1944 Vintage Ad – “We’ll have three babies…a dog…and a heavenly blue kitchen!”.
Source: eBay
Green was a very popular colour during the 1940s (1941 Washroom).
Source: Remarkably Retro
Now here is a couple of images from my 1942-1943 Montgomery Ward Catalog of the Linoleum flooring available for purchase (there were pages and pages).
Here is one more from an Eatons Fall & Winter 1940-1941 Catalog that I own.
Phew, that was a lot of colour, patterns and green going on in these rooms (why so much green?). Did you have a favorite style of linoleum from this post or from your vintage travels? Please share in the comments section below.
If you have not checked the website ‘Retro Renovation’ you really should. There are tons of great ideas on how to return your home into a mid-century masterpiece. Especially the piece on 1940s decor which was a great help for this post today.
Lastly, I am NOT an expert on linoleum floor. I just googled the content for this post and then shared it here. So while I wish I could help you age your floor or help you find a matching tile, I sadly cannot. Sorry!!
You can also shop on Etsy. I have put together a collection of 1940s-1960s (Mid Century) Home Decor items. It is updated monthly. You can find it HERE.
FURTHER READING: Check out my archive of ‘Vintage Home Decor’ Posts.
Liz 🙂
Oh I love all of these! They’re very reminiscent of 1930s linoleum, which is when it all started to become popular. It was part of the whole stripping out the past Victorian cluttered look and replacing it with smooth, clean, modern lines that were practical.
I also think many of these would make a fabulous fabric and I think my favourite has to be the floral and square patterned one from the kitchen for under $50. xx
These floors are beyond gorgeous! As someone who fully intends to incorporate environmentally friendly linoleum in her own retro renovation (also the name of a blog that I, like you, adore), and the owner of a house that still has some classic (1940s?) linoleum “carpets” in the upstairs bedrooms, I loved this post. Thank you for finding those inspiring vintage photos!
How exciting that you are doing a retro renovation! And I’m so glad you are finding inspiration here and on RR. Best of luck with the changes and please share when done I would love to see what you did.
Liz
I will take the washroom with those named lockers and the kitchen for under 50 dollars please! Really fabulous.
I loved that too!! So fun!
Well, that was fun. thanks for the trip.
No problem, glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Haha! I’ll take the kitchen with the built-in play pen! How funny.
hehehehe that WOULD be perfect for you right now 🙂
Absolutely love all the colours! I wish so bad we could still buy these today. I miss colour in the house; today is very “griege”…. Thanks for the post!
I concur about needing more colours today, they were so fun all those years ago.
Thanks for stopping by!
Liz
These are amazing! I always hated lino (too long in rented houses with chatty kitchen floors), but these have changed my mind. I’ll definitely be checking out the options for my kitchen.
When I used to hear the word Linoleum I thought of the UGLY 1970s floors at the cabin we used to rent, but just like you not anymore! The styles from the 1930s-50s were stunning.Glad you changed your mind as well.
Liz
So hard to pick a favorite! I love vintage linoleum flooring. I wish someone would reproduce them so I could redo my kitchen and bathroom floors. The geometric patterns are so fabulously colorful!
I so agree about wanting a reproduction version. New business venture for someone maybe?
Liz
A couple look like my grandmas kitchen floor in her two room cabin. But different color.
Oh that is cool! I’m sure many of our grandparents kitchens looked like that. I need to find photos of mine to see if they did as well. Thanks for stopping by!
I love the pictures and the linoleum flooring. My husband and I want to do our kitchen flooring, but have no idea where to look for vintage linoleum. If you could kindly let us know by email where you suggest for us to find it, it would be much appreciated. We can go anywhere from Toronto out east to the Oshawa area.
Hi Tamara, Let me drop a line to a couple of friends who might be able to help you out (I’m not 100% sure but I’m going to ask).
I live in Los Angeles and would like to know, that’s if you know, where I can find a store(s) that carry the 40’s style linoleum. Thank you, Tina
Hi Tina,
I had to consult a friend who answered this question for me last time (but her response I forgot). Her only suggestion to me was to check with Armstrong Flooring. Here is the link to find a store in Toronto http://www.armstrong.com/flooring/products/linoleum?intcid=link_TopNav_Products_Linoleum
She mentioned last time… “that Most major flooring distributors would carry it. Installing linoleum isn’t easy though. It’s considered a “rolled” product so has to be installed with the right equipment”.
Hope this helps a little bit.
Liz
My brother had linoleum in his bedroom that had different games.
Maybe checkers among others.
Wish you had a picture of it.
He was born in 1934.
The house he moved into was built in 1935-37, I think
I’m communicating with a friend, my brothers age.
I’ll ask him if he remembers.
OH WOW! That sounds very very cool. Thanks for sharing that info, I have never heard about that before. Love it!
Liz
IS THERE A PLACE WHERE I CAN BUY VINTAGE LINOLEUM? I AM ESPECIALLY INTERESTED IN THE ARMSTRONG BRICK PATTERN #5352. PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
Hi Suzi,
I have had this question before and a friend who is in that world and she said to check with major flooring distributors (Especially Armstrong since they are still around) as they may carry what you need. Also you can reach out to the website ‘Retro Renovation’ it’s chalked full of resources that might be able to help. https://retrorenovation.com/
Hope that gives you some direction
Liz
Hi: Do you know anything about Armstrong asphalt tile inset pictures? We have 19 of them. We know they are from 1949. But that is about t. Thanks for your help.
Hi Carol,
I unfortunately have limited knowledge, but I would reach out to the website ‘Retro Renovation https://retrorenovation.com/ with your question. They would have an answer for you.
Liz
vintage fashion look, thanks for your article， it’s very useful..!!
I am looking for a linoleum with perhaps little flowers or birds on it. I would like it to be in very light warm colors. A pattern that would off set the anglularity of my kitchen.
Hi there, I don’t sell Linoleum so I wish I could help you but you could enquire at Retro Renovation (website) if they know where to find a pattern like that.
Good luck!
Liz
I looked for the linoleum my brother had in his bedroom but didn’t see it. There were squares with different games. Checkers, etc
Fantastic post! You explained the topic clearly which kept me engaging. I’m excited to read more from you! https://floorscenter.com
Do these vintage 1940 linoleum floors have asbestos? I can’t get a clear answer.
Probably but I don’t know myself. I would reach out to ‘Retro Renovation’ for an answer, she would have a more professional answer.
Good luck!
Liz