Groovy Furniture: The Top Brands That Defined 1960s Style

The 1960s was an iconic era for furniture design. This was a time of great experimentation as well as a revival of some classic styles from earlier in the 20th century. Some of the most popular furniture styles and brands that emerged or re-emerged during this decade included Mid-Century Modern, Scandinavian, Art Deco, Pop Art, Rattan, and plastic pieces.

The economic boom following World War II meant more families could afford stylish furnishings for their homes. Many new modern homes were constructed during this period as well, necessitating new furniture. Popular magazines like House Beautiful promoted cutting-edge interior design ideas. Furniture makers embraced new materials like plastics as well as bold colors and patterns that reflected the youth-driven counterculture of the ’60s.

This guide will provide an overview of the most noteworthy furniture styles, iconic designs, and famous brands from the 1960s that helped define the look and feel of mid-century decor. The innovative designs of this period continue to inspire contemporary furniture makers and interior designers today. Much of the furniture from the 1960s has endured as classics of modernist design.

Mid-Century Modern
Mid-century modern or “Atomic Age” style furniture and home decor became exceedingly popular in the 1950s and 60s. Some of the most well-known and coveted mid-century furniture brands included Herman Miller, Knoll, and furnishings designed by Charles and Ray Eames.

The Eameses were some of the most influential and pioneering designers of the mid-century period. They created iconic chairs like the sleek molded fiberglass Eames lounge chair with ottoman and Eames molded plastic armchair made with innovative materials. Another one of their most famous designs is the Eames LCW (Lounge Chair Wood), constructed from molded plywood.

Charles Eames and Eero Saarinen designed the innovative Eames-Saarinen Tulip table with a futuristic pedestal base. This became a hallmark of mid-century style.

The Knoll furniture company was also instrumental in bringing clean-lined, modern designs for the home and office to the masses. Some of their most popular mid-century pieces include the Womb Chair by Eero Saarinen and the Barcelona Chair by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich.

Herman Miller is another legendary mid-century brand that produced furnishings from major designers like Charles Eames, George Nelson, and Isamu Noguchi. Some of their most iconic mid-century products include the Marshmallow Sofa by George Nelson and the Noguchi Coffee Table.

Scandinavian Design
Scandinavian design, also known as Scandinavian modern, became very influential in the 1960s. This style is characterized by simplicity, minimalism, functionality, and natural shapes and textures. Swedish furniture company IKEA was founded in 1943 and helped introduce Scandinavian design to the masses in the following decades.

Danish modern style also grew in popularity during this period. Inspired by the Bauhaus school, Danish designers used quality Scandinavian wood like teak to create clean, refined furniture and lighting. Names like Hans Wegner, Arne Jacobsen, and Poul Kjaerholm became well-known during the mid-century years. Their sleek, modern forms based on natural wood grains embodied Danish modernism.

Scandinavian influences shifted American furniture away from ornate, heavy, dark traditional styles. The teak, maple, ash and other light woods popular in mid-century modern pieces were often sourced from Scandinavian manufacturers. While keeping costs low, companies like IKEA brought a touch of Danish hygge to living rooms across the country. The Scandinavian principles of functionalism and simplicity revolutionized furniture design in the 1960s and beyond.

Art Deco Revival
The 1960s brought back a renewed interest in Art Deco style furniture and decor from the 1920s and 30s. After being out of favor for decades, the sleek geometric lines, exotic materials, and decadent details of Art Deco made a comeback.

Furniture designers in the 1960s embraced elements like accentuated grain patterns, glossy lacquers, inlaid wood veneers, and tapered legs reminiscent of the Jazz Age. However, 1960s Art Deco furniture had its own spin, often featuring bold colors, psychedelic prints, and mod shapes. This made it more playful and youthful than its 1920s inspiration.

Art Deco was viewd as glamorous once again in the Swinging Sixties. Its elegance and hint of nostalgia appealed to people looking for a touch of extravagance and escapism. But the revival was still influenced by 1960s culture and sensibilities. This new Art Deco furniture preserved the look of vintage style while giving it an eye-catching update for modern homes.

Pop Art Furniture
The Pop Art movement of the 1960s brought psychedelic, bold, and playful designs into home decor. Furniture embraced bright, saturated colors and mod geometric shapes. Pop artists like Andy Warhol inspired prints of icons like Marilyn Monroe and Campbell’s Soup Cans on furniture. The sharp lines and electrifying colors captured the youthful spirit of the era.

Manufacturers like Dunbar adapted the style in seating like the Angela Chair, featuring a sleek molded fiberglass seat in candy-colored glossy finishes. Directional’s Sasaki lounge chair made a sculptural statement with its angled back and ivory geometric base. Tables and storage units featured abstract patterns, plastic laminates, and Lucite accents. Kitschy details like metal flake finishes and simulated wood grains added dimensionality.

Pop Art furnishings brought whimsy, irony, and exuberance to the interior landscape. The edgy, futuristic designs encapsulated budding trends in art, music, and culture. The furniture expressed individuality and playfulness, energizing living spaces with its bold forms, psychedelic motifs, and arresting colors. From ultra-groovy seating to far-out occasional tables, Pop Art pieces made a splash in spirited 60s homes.

Rattan Furniture
Rattan furniture saw a major resurgence in the 1960s as people embraced casual, natural styles. Rattan is a strong natural material made from the stems of palms that originates from tropical Southeast Asia. It has a beautiful woven texture and comes in a warm brown color.

Rattan worked well with the casual, laidback vibe of the 1960s. It provided a lightweight and breathable alternative to heavier wooden furniture. Rattan pieces like chairs, tables, sofas, headboards, and storage units were popular. These were often left with a natural unfinished rattan look or painted in bright colors.

Rattan was an affordable material at the time, making it ideal for mass production. This allowed more people to enjoy the tropical look in their homes. Brands like Kroehler and Richardson Brothers produced rattan living room and bedroom sets. Popular rattan furniture designs from the 1960s include the peacock chair, bubble chair, and egg chair.

Rattan furniture gave a sense of the outdoors brought indoors. The natural material provided visual warmth and texture to contrast sleek designs in plastics and synthetics that were also popular in the 1960s. Rattan remains a staple today in casual, bohemian, and tropical style decor.

Sectionals & Modulars
The open floor plans that became popular in homes during the 1960s called for flexible furniture arrangements. Sectionals and modular sofas rose in popularity as they allowed homeowners to configure seating in different layouts.

Sectionals were sofas with pieces that could be arranged and rearranged depending on the needs of the room. Typical sectionals had an L-shape, U-shape, or squared C-shape with various chaise or corner components. Popular fabrics for sectionals included naugahyde and other easy-to-clean materials.