How our living rooms have changed through the decades

Living room design trends have evolved and shifted over the years, shaping the way we decorate our spaces today. From the 1960s to now, interior experts at Habitat have shared a snapshot of the standout trends from the past 60 years in celebration of the brand's 60th anniversary.

'At Habitat, we encourage people to express themselves through their own homes and to adapt to old and new interior influences in a way fitting to them,' says Kate Butler, Head of Design for Habitat. 'As interior design trends continue to change and inspire, more people are becoming braver with interior design and looking for ways to decorate their homes that express their own personality and create their own "safe space" from the outside world.'

Each decade has brought a new flare to the interior design industry – take a look at how living room design has evolved with some key trend insights.

During the 1960s, homeowners began to embrace flatpack furniture as European style came to the UK.

'Designers started to experiment with new materials such as plastics and combined more vibrant colours with new shapes and styles,' the team at Habitat explain. 'The bright colour palettes that defined the decade continued to influence British interiors for years to come.'

The 1970s saw households tap into bold hues, prints, patterns and exciting new shapes. Like the sofas in the image, Brits weren't afraid of floral motifs and vibrant colours. Who remembers this style?

'Inspired by preppy styles and lively colours, striking statement pieces continued from the 70s into the 80s. Designs in the 80s were unashamedly flamboyant in their patterns, while striking primary colours made it one of the most colourful decades,' explain Habitat.

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Orange-stained oak, rust hues and pine wood was the colour palette during the 1990s, as homeowners dabbled with natural decor. After years of adventurous colours, people opted for less flamboyant living room interiors.

The start of a new decade saw brighter and bolder designs, as well as antiques: 'People began to feature futuristic and modern pieces in their homes. Times were evolving, along with interior trends to match this new era.'

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During this decade, many homeowners were living in much more compact spaces, so began decluttering their home to make it feel more spacious. As well as this, practical furniture that doubled up as extra storage was a popular feature.

'Modern styles were evolving, and the popularity of having white and nude coloured walls shone a spotlight on the furniture and accessories.'

Living spaces might be much smaller, but this new decade will see people making the most of what they do have.

'In 2020 and beyond, people will likely embrace segmented rooms and create a space that feels engaging for one purpose and separate from the rest of the home. More modular and small space opportunities are rising, with a biophilic and eco-friendly approach to interior design.'

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