Colour Through The Decades

It’s a known fact that our homes continue to evolve and change in many ways over the years. For example, the way we use our space, the furniture styles, and the choices of colours, textures, and patterns are all trends.

These trends are influenced by fashion, music, technology, and, of course, Pantone’s colour of the year.

Let’s travel back in time to examine how the colour in our homes has changed over the years.

1920s

The 1920s were all about luxury, elegance, happiness and adventure. The Art Deco era symbolised wealth and sophistication and influenced designers, architects and artists around the world. People experimented with new ways of dressing, dancing and travelling.

Art Deco colours are bold and contrasting. Bright, rich yellows, cadmium red, and ultramarine are used along with golds, silvers, and black. Soft creams and beiges are often used in bedrooms and living areas to complement the lacquered wood furniture of that period.

1940s

This decade saw decorating styles adopt a more sombre and sentimental palette, with the outbreak of war in 1939 putting a stop to the glitz and glamour of the 1920s and 30s. The generation of the 1940s was grateful for what they had, and their homes were smaller, practical, and clutter-free.

Primary colours were used alongside muted military hues of olives, greens, and browns. Charcoal, greys, and white were also common and reflected the sombre mood of this era.

1950s

From rationing and recovery to optimism and prosperity. Postwar 1950s homes were filled with happiness. Open-plan living and fitted kitchens were hugely popular.

Families had money to fill their homes with lots of furniture, and colour became a huge focus during this period. Did you know that you could even buy coloured toilet paper during the 1950s?

There were three major colour trends during the 1950s. These were Pastel, Modern and Scandinavian.

Ice cream shades of bubble-gum pink, baby blue, pale yellow and mint green were popular pastel hues.

Primary colours of electric blue, reds and vibrant yellows were used with black and white to achieve contrast and bright ‘Mid-Century Modern’ colour schemes.

The Scandinavian influence saw colour palettes of browns, cream, greys and greens.

1960s

It’s safe to say that the 1960s didn’t really have ‘a colour’! The swinging 60s was the age of peace, love and psychedelic palettes. It was all about creating maximum impact with clashing colours and large bright prints and bold furniture.

Tangerine orange and fuchsia pink were popular colours of the decade, used side-by-side and mixed with contrasting black and white. Other colours widely associated with this era were blue, purple, avocado green, dessert yellow, and burnt sienna red. These colours exploded onto everything, from fashion and accessories to walls and furnishings.

1962 was the year that Pantone was founded.

1970s

From the vibrant, happy colours of the 60s, the colour palette swung 180 degrees to sullen, earthy tones in the 1970s. The design industry took time to reflect on nature and current environmental concerns. Because of this, graphics and prints became bolder but colours more muted and mellow.

Now, the dominant colours in every home were mustards, rust brown, burnt orange, earthy greens, and beige. People were looking for a more natural aesthetic to connect more with nature.

The 1970s was the decade of the avocado bathroom!

1980s

The 1980s was the era of contrast!

Gone were the muddy, earthy tones of the 1970s, and in came extreme fluorescent neons and subtle, soft pastels.

Electric and bright colours were back on trend and it wasn’t uncommon to mix colours that shouldn’t be mixed.

Geometric patterns were hugely popular, such as mint green, flamingo pink, dusty rose, and Caribbean blue.

Every colour had its neon counterpart. Going over the top with interiors and having ‘no rules’ was big during the 80s.

1990s

After the bold colours of the 1980s, the 1990s saw a more pared-back and simple colour palette with softer and more muted tones. Earthier colours were back! Tans, forest green, midnight blue, muted greys, ivory, and light beige were all popular colours for rooms around the home.

Furniture and décor were paired back to create a more subtle and soothing environment. Black and white started to appear on wallpaper, and hints of burgundy and mauve were used as accents.

2000s

The era of the indoor/outdoor lifestyle was born in the 2000s, with the creation of luxurious outdoor living spaces blending into relaxing, stylish indoor areas. A more casual approach to everyday living was illustrated.

Warm neutral tones were popular with teals, eggplant, charcoal, black and other moody colours edging their way into people’s homes.

Hundreds of subtle variations of greys, beige, taupe, whites and metallic hues provided neutral but expressive colours to continue with the minimalist movement.

Stainless steel appliances were big during this era, and the year 2000 saw the release of the very first Pantone Colour Of The Year.

2010s

In a decade when technology was king, we became multicultural and interconnected, and access to trends and inspiration was instant. We kept things neutral but added individuality with key pieces of furniture or artwork.

Earthy hues mixed with greens and blues are on trend, and interiors feature rustic wood finishes, stone surfaces, polished copper and brass accents, off-whites, and subtle tones.

And, of course, who could forget ‘Millennial Pink’? It is the most iconic colour of the decade.

And there you have it…

There isn’t much you can do to avoid colour trends! And like anything in history, don’t be surprised if many of these palettes make a comeback in future years.

Just remember that colour is a personal choice. While trends are great to follow, there isn’t much point in having a tangerine-coloured feature wall if it doesn’t positively affect you or your lifestyle.