The 1930s was a defining time period: architecture and town planning radically changed with more people moving away from the city centre. The world was modernising with new products, new forms of entertainment and pastimes that also reflected in a change in the culture. People desired to move to smaller villages and set up family life in semi-detached homes, which were typically set out in a terraced pattern.
New homes were constructed quickly and were produced in a somewhat repetitive fashion, with very little distinguishing traits in design or style. Despite the somewhat hom*ogenised, boxy shaped approach, homes still had a specific style that developed during the 1930s. This can be emulated even today as part of refurbishment or restoration projects. We’ll give you a quick guide to restyling your home, whether you simply wish to copy the 1930s style, or your home was built in the period.
Looking for a 1930sdoor for your property?
We design and make 1930s style front doors. Our period doordesigns are thoroughly researched, so they’re true to the era. Our doors are specially designed to match the charm and character of your property. Each door is handmade in our Nottingham workshop usinglong-lasting, durable timber and fitted with a secure”Diamond Standard” snap proof lock. Although we’re based in Nottingham, we can also arrange delivery across the rest of the country.
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Retro Architecture:
1930s houses had a very typical layout with a room off the front hall with a second living room and kitchen at the rear. Upstairs in these small homes were usually two bedrooms, a small room and a bathroom with a toilet. There would also be a detached garage.
The exterior of these homes mixed red brick and pebbledash with herringbone brickwork, weather boarding, and tile hung walls. The windows had wooden frame and often diamond-shaped leaded panes. The traditional doors of the time were of a subtle pastelcolour with and made of oak or pine and featuring iron nails and door furniture. The door might have a window panel and mail slot, as post boxes were not common yet. Each door helped to compartmentalise the home rather than go with the open plan used later on in many homes.
During this time, there were Georgian Revival, Modern, Avante Garde and Art Deco styles both on the exterior and interior of these homes. Many of these homes have been somewhat neglected, but are currently undergoing a revival in interest among housing restoration novices and experts alike. As interest in the 1930s and these specific architectural styles have grown, more do-it-yourselfers are taking on these home projects.
Pictured right: one of our 1930s front door designs, featuring a brick archway.
Period Furniture:
You have the look, the tile and windows even the door, but now you have got to refurnish the place right. A three piece suite is a good choice; a two or three-seat settee along with two arm chairs is a perfect addition to your living room. For displays, such as a hutch, make sure that its front is glass doors and use it to display a nice set of china. Furniture was often painted in various shades of brown and green during this time period.
Many companies now offer reproduction pieces from the 1930s so that both interior furniture, decor and the exterior accents can be added during the restoration process at an affordable price rather than trying to hunt down original pieces. This also includes replacing interior and exterior doors to bring your 1930s home back to its former glory.
Renovating your 1930s house?
We can provide you with a bespoke 1930’s-style door, researched from our large library of text books for added authenticity, and crafted using traditional, time-honouredtechniques. We can design the perfect doorway to compliment the architectural features of your 1930’s property. If needed, we can design beautiful stained glass panels in the typical 1930s style.
Our quality, handmade1930s stylefront doorswill finish off any restoration project and will make a great entrance to your home.
Contact us now on: 01159 588 755
Image credits: 1930s living room.
FAQs
Wooden wall panelling was used frequently and while it provides a stately feel to the house, it also tends to render the interior quite dark. An easy way to update this feature is by painting it a modern colour. Patterned wallpaper for a whole room or a feature wall also echoes the interior design style of the times.
What were the design styles in the 1930s? ›
Art Deco and Streamline Moderne were the two most popular furniture styles in the 1930s. Art Deco, which first appeared in France, celebrated the modern world through architecture, art, and even home furnishings. Streamline Moderne echoed industrial products and represented the machine age.
What were the trends in the 1930s home decor? ›
In homes, a 1930s interior is characterised by striking colour combinations; usually golds, oranges and blue shades and, of course, monochrome. Bold geometrics appeared in tiling, parquet flooring, door panels, lighting and metalwork.
What were the styles of homes in the 1930s? ›
1930s: Colonial Revival
Colonial Revival homes are easily recognizable. Their combination of pitched gable roofs, half-timbered exteriors, brick and stucco, decorative chimneys and often asymmetrical design make them stand out on any street.
What are the typical features of a 1930s house? ›
Imagine a typical 1930s house: red brick walls, bay windows, and often a hipped or gabled roof. Many of these homes feature decorative elements like patterned brickwork or stained glass in doorways and windows, a nod to the craftsmanship of the era.
What are 1930s interior design elements? ›
Furniture would often feature low-lying horizontal structures, with strong lines and rounded corners, much like a ship. Neutral colour palettes like creams, ivory and light pastels became more popular for home interior furnishings and wall paint. One thing that did follow on from the twenties was mirrors and metallics.
What is the name of the interior design style in the 1930s? ›
Art Deco, movement in the decorative arts and architecture that originated in the 1920s and developed into a major style in western Europe and the United States during the 1930s.
What is the 1930s fashion? ›
At home or in public, women most commonly wore dresses with wide shoulders; puffy sleeves; modest necklines; higher, belted waistlines; and mid-calf flared hemlines. Frilly bows, ruffles, buttons, and other details often decorated dresses.
What is 1930s architecture called? ›
Art deco is a design style from the 1920s and 1930s in furniture, decorative arts and architecture characterised by its geometric character.
What were the interior colors of the 1930s? ›
1930s paint colours are typically soft and subdued. An authentic palette is rich in cool tones like grey and blue. Muted pinks and dusky shades are also synonymous with this era, while forest green and burgundy are ideal for those looking for something more sophisticated.
A fad introduced late in the '30s was the art of goldfish swallowing. The first account was performed by a freshman student at Harvard University who was encouraged to perform the swallowing by his fellow classmates in his campaign for student presidency.
What was a popular trend in the 1930s? ›
What were popular trends in the 1930s? Jazz and swing music, the Art Deco movement, and inexpensive forms of recreation were popular trends in the 1930s. Movies and plays with the themes of hope and humor were central to American life.
What is a 1930s style? ›
Fabric prints are an iconic style feature of this time and came in cubism influenced geometric pattern, dots, lettering and even picture prints of popular objects or animals. Colours in print were contrasting but earthy tones in daywear were popular. Eveningwear was often white, champagne or black.
How to decorate a 1930s semi? ›
Clean white walls and woodwork, a modern stair runner and pale parquet flooring also brighten the interior dramatically without stripping away period character.
Are 1930s houses Art Deco? ›
But, while the 1930s was a boom time for British house-building, relatively few private homes were designed to the Art Deco style.
What colour should I paint my 1930s house? ›
1930s paint colours are typically soft and subdued. An authentic palette is rich in cool tones like grey and blue. Muted pinks and dusky shades are also synonymous with this era, while forest green and burgundy are ideal for those looking for something more sophisticated.
What style was popular in 1930? ›
1930 Fashion Overview
1930s clothing brings to mind bias cut evening gowns in liquid satins and silks, tweed suits, flounces and frills and topped off by a cute beret or tilt hat. 30s Fashion certainly seemed fussier than the 1920s with its relentless ornaments of bows, trims and frills.
What era is a 1930s house? ›
The Edwardian period ended abruptly with the outbreak of the First World War in 1914. After the end of the war, the Interwar Period covered the 1920s and 1930s, leading up to the Second World War in 1939.
1930s houses had a very typical layout with a room off the front hall with a second living room and kitchen at the rear. Upstairs in these small homes were usually two bedrooms, a small room and a bathroom with a toilet. There would also be a detached garage.
You have the look, the tile and windows even the door, but now you have got to refurnish the place right. A three piece suite is a good choice; a two or three-seat settee along with two arm chairs is a perfect addition to your living room. For displays, such as a hutch, make sure that its front is glass doors and use it to display a nice set of china. Furniture was often painted in various shades of brown and green during this time period.
We can provide you with a bespoke 1930’s-style door, researched from our large library of text books for added authenticity, and crafted using traditional, time-honouredtechniques. We can design the perfect doorway to compliment the architectural features of your 1930’s property. If needed, we can design beautiful stained glass panels in the typical 1930s style.