When we think of interior design, visions of swanky furniture, avant-garde lighting, or maybe just a good old shag carpet come to mind. But let’s face it: not all trends age gracefully.
In the spirit of nostalgia, let’s take a whirlwind tour of the past century’s interior design highs, lows, and downright “what were they thinking” moments.
1. 1920s: The Jazz Age Goes Geometric
Cool: The Roaring Twenties brought us Art Deco, and boy, was it fancy. Think geometric patterns and lacquered furniture that screamed, “I have a gramophone and I’m not afraid to use it!”
Cringe: Too much geometric enthusiasm meant rooms often looked like they’d been attacked by a protractor.
Carpeted: Area rugs were bold and jazzy—perfect for concealing the aftermath of one too many champagne cocktails.
2. 1930s: Depression-Era Elegance
Cool: Sleek, streamlined furniture and soothing pastel colors brought a touch of optimism to tough times.
Cringe: Every home suddenly had a built-in china cabinet, even if no one owned china.
Carpeted: Linoleum floors disguised as “stylish” alternatives ruled the day. The carpet was for the rich—or the wildly optimistic.
3. 1940s: Wartime Simplicity Meets Florals
Cool: Functionality took center stage, with multipurpose furniture and practical layouts.
Cringe: Floral EVERYTHING. Curtains, sofas, wallpaper—it’s as if a daisy exploded indoors.
Carpeted: Small scatter rugs dotted living rooms like little islands of questionable taste.
4. 1950s: The Rise of Mid-Century Modern
Cool: Mid-century modern pieces brought sleek, low-profile furniture and functionality. Cue the Eames chair.
Cringe: Kitchens so drenched in mint green and bubblegum pink they looked like a toothpaste factory’s fever dream.
Carpeted: Wall-to-wall carpet started gaining traction. People really leaned into beige.
5. 1960s: Psychedelic Explosion
Cool: Bold color blocking and pop art brought personality to interiors. Andy Warhol would have approved.
Cringe: Lava lamps. Let’s just leave it at that.
Carpeted: Shag carpet debuted in wild hues, which made vacuuming an adventure.
6. 1970s: Earth Tones and Avocado Phones
Cool: Bohemian chic and natural materials became a thing. Wicker furniture was oddly charming.
Cringe: Kitchens were drowning in avocado green, harvest gold, and brown. You could practically hear the walls begging for help.
Carpeted: Shag ruled again, now in shades of burnt orange and swamp green. Bonus points if it climbed halfway up the walls.
7. 1980s: Bigger, Brassier, and Blushier
Cool: Sleek glass coffee tables and the rise of “high-tech” interiors added some sophistication.
Cringe: Oversized everything—sectionals, beds, hair… oh wait, wrong list. And don’t get me started on pink-and-grey color schemes.
Carpeted: The ultimate flex? Carpeted bathrooms. Nothing says “luxury” like mildew.
8. 1990s: Beige Overload Meets Techy Toys
Cool: Minimalism entered the scene, along with ergonomic furniture and feng shui fascination.
Cringe: Inflatable chairs and faux finishes were inexplicably popular. “Tuscan kitchen,” anyone?
Carpeted: Beige carpet everywhere. It was the Switzerland of flooring—neutral and utterly uninspiring.
9. 2000s: Shabby Chic and Stainless Steel
Cool: Open-concept living and stainless-steel appliances took over.
Cringe: Word art like “Live, Laugh, Love” became a staple. The cringe is still reverberating.
Carpeted: Carpeting was banished to bedrooms and basements. Hardwood floors staged a comeback.
10. 2010s: Instagramable Interiors
Cool: Minimalist Scandinavian design, subway tiles, and open shelving dominated Pinterest boards.
Cringe: Edison bulbs. No one needed that much-exposed filament in their life.
Carpeted: Area rugs made a strong comeback, usually over hardwood or faux concrete. Wall-to-wall carpet? Not unless you were on a nostalgia trip.