subject: 1950s Furniture: Form and Function Rolled into One [print this page] 1950s Furniture: Form and Function Rolled into One
1950s furniture remain in demand at present. Vintage pieces from that particular decade is still very popular with both designers and collectors these days. While the appeal of 1950s furniture is mostly derived from the eye-catching color scheme, it should be known that they are more than eye candy.
1950s furniture is a combination of form and function. One should not be fooled by the loud appearance of the individual pieces; these are actually usable. The 1950s was the decade that immediately followed the end of World War II. After the global conflict, attention was shifted from the war effort to the consumer. This transition eventually resulted in interior design changes as well. To begin with, post-war houses were smaller. Due to the lack of space, designers had to create pieces that would maximize the existing floor area. This is the reason why stackable furniture became a hit.
Aside from the decade's signature colors, 1950s furniture was also known for the different materials utilized for its manufacturing. The likes of PVC, Formica, fiberglass, aluminum, vinyl, melamine and rubber were used for furniture production. As for the color options, a consumer could choose to go either bright (red, lime green, yellow) or pastel (pale blue, bubblegum pink, pistachio green). Tables were upgraded with either a Formica or Fablon tops, while the chrome and vinyl chairs stood out with their day-glo colors.
Though 1950s furniture were practical, it does not mean they are not whimsical. They are definitely utilitarian, but with a twist. For instance, the decade made use of printed fabrics. Not just any fabrics, though: these fabrics were bright, with abstract and other patterns. Science-inspired prints (like atoms, starbusts and calyxes) and more traditional prints became popular in 1950s furniture alongside animal prints such as leopard spots and zebra stripes.
