How to Create a 1960s Style Home Interior

We all love the colour and fun of ‘groovy’ 1960s home interiors, but it is a style that is often avoided in more contemporary home interiors. The bright and bold colour schemes and quirky accessories are a brave choice for some tastes and styles however this season the kitsch style of this period is making a huge comeback with more and more people choosing a retro look for their home interiors.

During the 1960s people turned away from the sterile and austere looks of the modernist period and began to embrace an amalgamation of historic styles such as Georgian, Victorian and Art Nouveau and balanced then with flamboyant and bold modern furniture that reflected the freedom and energy of the decade.

Pop art influences made their way into the home with cinema inspired images such as Andy Warhol’s Marilyn and David Hockney’s pool side imagery being adopted in murals and wallpaper. Opt for vibrant clashing colours such as fuchsia, tangerine and purple and don’t be afraid to clash colours and patterns together for a striking visual detail and appearance. These bold primary colours are a staple palette in 1969s interior design as well as glamorous and vogue colour schemes such as the sleek black and white style of Bridget Riley. If these bold ‘space age’ colours are a little extreme for your tastes then alternatively select a more neutral palette such as brown, beige and cream and add hints of colour with bohemian influences for a relaxed ‘Hippy’ style interior design.

1960s homes were all about the wallpaper! The bolder the better! Psychedelic designs in vinyl finishes look amazing on a striking feature wall and can be co-ordinated or clashed against your chosen furniture and upholstery. Look for ‘mod’ symbols, swirls and wave patterns that create a feeling of movement across the backdrop of your room.  Paisley print was also a hugely popular pattern and would often feature vibrant red, purple and orange colour tones that created a futuristic and contemporary feel but could also be used in more earthen colour tones for a more ethnic, hippy inspired finish.

Fabrics and upholstery feature large and eye-catching repeat patterns that often reflected Art Nouveau designs or graphic pop art imagery. Flower power was a huge statement of the 1960s and this was seen in fabrics, cushions and curtains that would feature vibrant and flamboyant floral imagery (like those of Mary Quant) in psychedelic colour schemes and patterns. Ethnic and Indian patterns were also popular in Bohemian interiors with embroidery, beading and fringing being a favoured embellishment of bedding, throws and lampshades. Living room and bedroom areas were completed with a large and eye-catching shag pile rug that could be used to create a pop of colour as well as a textural and cosy area in which to chill out.

The 1960s were a massive turning point in furniture design as traditional wooden items were replaced with futuristic plastic, inflatable and bean bag furniture that was a far cry from the classic styles of the preceding periods. ‘S’ framed items and egg shaped designs such as those by  Verner Panton and Eero Aarnio, gave a space inspired look that is bold and innovative while ‘disposable’ furniture such as the chairs of Peter Murdoch were a unique style statement that were intended to last for only three months, fitting in perfectly with the free spirited travellers of this period.  Bamboo and wicker items were also a prominent feature of 1960s home design and gave an ethnic feel that could be partnered with neutral decor or clashed with bold colour schemes for a classic 1960s mix and match look.

When it came to lighting your 1960s inspired home, nothing quite reflects this period more than the bold and mesmerizing lava lamp. The original designer Mathmos opened in 1963 and within the first 12 months almost every home in the UK and USA had at least one of their designs. The innovative floating wax design added to the image of movement and space age design that was popular during this period. Lava lamps had a strong revival in the mid 1990s and once again this lamp is making its way back into homes across the country as it fits perfectly into more minimal and retro contemporary homes.

Accessories were often rather kitsch in nature, with flamboyant flamingo crockery, Victoriana and royal family memorabilia placed on full display across sideboards, display cabinets and windowsills. For a more classic (but expensive) look then try and get your hands on some beautiful Fornesetti ceramics that were striking yet elegant and looked amazing hung on a wall or displayed as a tea set on a dining table or coffee table area.

For more inspiration on creating a 1960s inspired interior then take a look at the latest Pinterest board - Pinterest - 1960s Interiors