Boy, did we have some interesting ideas about home décor back in the 1960s! While some mid-century modern pieces have made a comeback, there are plenty of design trends from our era that are better left in the past. Let’s take a nostalgic (and sometimes cringeworthy) look at some home decorating choices that defined our homes during the groovy sixties.
Table of Contents
- 1 1. Wall-to-Wall Shag Carpeting
- 2 2. Plastic Furniture Covers
- 3 3. Conversation Pits
- 4 4. Wood Paneling Everywhere
- 5 5. Foil Wallpaper
- 6 6. Astroturf Patios
- 7 7. Bathroom Carpeting
- 8 8. Bean Bag Chair Rooms
- 9 9. Hanging Beaded Curtains
- 10 10. Inflatable Furniture
- 11 11. Macramé Everything
- 12 12. Pole Lamps with Plastic Globes
1. Wall-to-Wall Shag Carpeting
Remember when we thought putting thick, luxurious shag carpeting in every room – including bathrooms – was the height of sophistication? Those deep-pile carpets in harvest gold, avocado green, or bright orange were impossible to clean properly and became matted down in high-traffic areas. And let’s not forget trying to vacuum those deep fibers with our old Hoovers!
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2. Plastic Furniture Covers
We were so determined to protect our precious upholstery that we’d cover everything in clear plastic. Those sticky summer days when you’d peel yourself off the couch with a distinct “thwack” sound! The worst part? We’d leave them on even during formal gatherings, making our guests suffer through squeaky, sweaty discomfort.
3. Conversation Pits
Those sunken living rooms seemed so sophisticated at the time – until someone had one too many martinis and took a tumble! These architectural features were impossible to childproof, a nightmare for accessibility, and created permanent structural changes that were expensive to remove. Today’s open-concept living would never accommodate these hazardous holes in the floor.
4. Wood Paneling Everywhere
Dark wood paneling was everywhere – living rooms, dens, basements, and even bedrooms! That fake woodgrain pattern made every room feel like a cave, and most of it wasn’t even real wood. Those sheets of processed composite material darkened with age and were nearly impossible to paint over properly when tastes finally changed.
5. Foil Wallpaper
Those metallic foil wallpapers with bold geometric patterns were all the rage. We thought they made our dining rooms look sophisticated, but they just ended up looking like the inside of a disco ball. The worst part? Trying to remove it years later – that backing would stay stubbornly glued to the wall while the foil peeled off in tiny, maddening strips.
6. Astroturf Patios
We actually thought covering our concrete patios with artificial grass was a great idea! That plastic grass would get blazing hot in the summer sun, fade to an unnatural blue-green, and harbor all sorts of mildew underneath. The texture was always wrong, and it would make this weird swishing sound when you walked on it barefoot.
7. Bathroom Carpeting
What were we thinking when we carpeted our bathrooms? Those plush wall-to-wall carpets around the toilet and tub were a breeding ground for mold and mildew. Even worse were those fuzzy toilet seat and tank covers matching the carpet. Talk about unsanitary!
8. Bean Bag Chair Rooms
Some folks went all-in on the casual living trend and furnished rooms with nothing but bean bag chairs. Try getting up from those things with any dignity! The vinyl would crack, the beans would escape, and everyone would be practically sitting on the floor by the end of the evening.
9. Hanging Beaded Curtains
Those noisy plastic beaded curtains were everywhere – doorways, room dividers, even windows! They’d get tangled, break easily, and make an awful racket every time someone walked through them. And don’t get me started on how they’d catch dust and become impossible to clean properly.
10. Inflatable Furniture
Those clear inflatable chairs and sofas seemed so futuristic and cool. You sat on them in shorts, and your legs stuck to the plastic! They’d develop slow leaks, making embarrassing squeaking noises as you gradually sank to the floor during visits from your in-laws.
11. Macramé Everything
We went absolutely crazy with macramé – hanging planters, wall hangings, room dividers, and even lampshades! Those intricate knotted creations would collect dust like nobody’s business, yellow with age, and become impossible to clean. By the end of the decade, our homes looked like giant spider webs had taken them over.
12. Pole Lamps with Plastic Globes
Those tension pole lamps with multiple plastic globe lights were considered space-age modern. The plastic would yellow and crack with age, and the poles would gradually lose tension and come crashing down at the most inopportune moments. And cleaning those dusty globes? What a nightmare!
