The post 10 Things You’d Find in Every 1960s Living Room first appeared on Crafting Your Home.
Step into a 1960s American living room, and you will recognize its basic purpose immediately. There was a sofa, somewhere to sit, a place to put down a drink, and usually a television.
The 1960s brought bold colors, new materials and changing ideas about interior design. At the same time, many households still relied on familiar furniture and decorative pieces popular for years.
A Television Set
The television was increasingly becoming a central feature of American family life.
The television itself could be a substantial piece of furniture, often enclosed in a wooden cabinet rather than looking like the slim screens found in homes today.
A Boxy Sofa
Depending on the household and design style, it could feature straight lines, rounded forms, patterned fabric, or muted colors. Some living rooms also had matching chairs or a coordinated furniture set.
A Coffee Table
It provided a convenient place for magazines, books, drinks, and decorative objects. Designs ranged from simple wooden tables to pieces featuring glass, metal and other modern materials.
Ashtrays
They might sit on a coffee table, end table, or another convenient surface. Decorative ashtrays were also available in numerous shapes and materials, making them functional objects that could double as accessories.
A Magazine Rack
It could sit beside a chair or near the sofa, keeping reading material within easy reach. Many designs were made from wood or metal and were intended to complement the room’s furniture.
A Table Lamp
A lamp might sit on an end table beside a sofa or on another piece of furniture, providing softer illumination than the main ceiling light. Lampshades came in a wide variety of shapes, colors, and patterns.
Patterned Curtains
Curtains and drapes could introduce color and pattern into a living room, with floral designs, geometric patterns and other prints appearing in homes throughout the period.
Decorative Ceramics
Vases, figurines, bowls, and other decorative pieces provided an easy way to add personality to a room. Some families displayed vacation souvenirs or gifts from relatives alongside more traditional decorations.
A Record Player or Stereo
Many households had a record player, while stereo systems became increasingly important for consumers who wanted to listen to music at home. Depending on the setup, the equipment might be housed in a substantial cabinet that also served as furniture.
A Family Photo Display
Pictures of children, weddings, vacations, and relatives might appear in individual frames on tables and shelves or be grouped on a wall.
A Living Room Built for Family Life
Television and home audio equipment were becoming increasingly important, while furniture and decorative styles reflected the decade’s interest in modern design. At the same time, familiar household staples such as family photographs, lamps, magazines, and upholstered seating remained firmly in place.
What makes these rooms especially interesting today is the combination. A modern-looking piece of furniture might sit beside an object that had been in the family for decades.
And unlike today’s rooms, where many functions have moved to a phone or computer, the 1960s living room held physical objects for nearly everything: entertainment, reading, music, conversation, and displaying memories.
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