1960s bedrooms: counter-culture interior design

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The 1960s marked a huge moment for cultural change, which if you look closely enough, is evident in its characteristic interior design.

In this blog, we’ll navigate all the key colours, patterns, textures and signature pieces that filled British bedrooms in the ‘60s, along with the biggest cultural events and movements that defined the era.

Ready to journey back? Step inside our design time capsule, as we review our favourite 1960s room décor trends and teach you how to bring them into 2024…

• Vibrant colours: Everything during this time was dynamic, vivid and colourful. It was our experimentation with print and colour that really captured the essence of mod culture and the hippie movement. Picture bright oranges, yellows, pinks and greens – sometimes all at once – covering every surface of the home.
• Textures galore: We also saw a huge variety of materials in use; from smooth natural woods to sumptuous, plush velvets. Bedroom accessories ranged from textured shag rugs, thanks to hippie influences, to furniture made of lucite and coloured acrylics, inspired by the space-age trend.
• Floor-to-ceiling patterns: Arguably, the most distinctive motif of ‘60s room decor was the extensive use of patterns. Psychedelic prints such as paisley, florals and geometric shapes made their way onto most wallpapers, carpets and bedspreads, cementing the notion that more really is more!

Looking for more ways to introduce joyous colours and prints into your bedroom? Take a peek at our guide to dopamine decor.

Want to add a little retro to your room? When it comes to rocking a 1960s-inspired bedroom, it’s important to create an ambience that embodies the era’s free-spirited charm, while still ensuring you have the space and comfort needed for a good night’s sleep.

Of course, like every time period, there are some design trends that we’re happy to keep firmly in the past (carpeted bathrooms, we’re looking at you…). But, with a few modern twists, there are many ways you can inject some 1960s style into your bedroom, without it looking drab or dated.

You may even recognise some trends here that you already have in your home and didn’t realise originate from the ‘60s…

Create a bright and bold bed

Let’s start with the centrepiece of the bedroom: the bed. To replicate the distinct ‘60s style, consider a bedframe or headboard that features those signature curved edges.

Our Soren Wooden Bed Frame may be just the ticket, thanks to its rounded profile in rich walnut wood and mustard velvet upholstery. These warm tones create instant nostalgia and can be styled with neutral bedding colours such as cream, beige or sage green. Complete the look with a couple of mustard throw cushions and matching lamps to complement the velvet. Groovy baby!

If you’d prefer to keep your bed neutral, why not transform a corner of your bedroom into a cosy sixties-inspired haven? Our Vicenza Chair gives you oodles of squishy comfort, in an irresistible warm mustard tone. Its rounded silhouette oozes nostalgia, and looks beautiful paired with vibrant paisley or floral accent cushions and throws. Discover our full range of bedroom furniture for more cosy bedroom companions for your sixties retreat.

Add a statement wall

Worried about going overboard? Try adding a subtle nod to the Swinging Sixties by selecting one or two key elements that embrace the era’s self-expression. For example, instead of plastering the walls with busy prints that keep you awake at night, try creating a statement wall featuring a floral or geometric pattern.

Statement walls look best behind the bed, creating a clear focal point in the room. Why not create your own signature pattern with vibrant colour blocking to beautifully offset your headboard?

Credit: @ourcolourfulrosedale

Invest in mid-century modern furniture

In contrast to the loud prints, mid-century modern furniture was all about whimsical, smooth curves and rounded edges. Wardrobes, cabinets, bedside tables and sofas all took this sleek yet functional form. By investing in just one key piece, you can create a statement in your bedroom, to stylishly honour the past without creating a shrine to 1960s interior design.

You don’t have to make a big investment, either – mid-century modern design comes through in smaller details, too. Accessories such as like lamps, vases and mirrors embodied this unique design aesthetic, with soft wavy lines, colour blocking or beaded edging. The recently revived mushroom lamp is a great example of this and would commonly be found on many fashionable bedside tables.

Choose a funky rug

It’s fair to say that homeowners had a penchant for checkered floors back in the ‘60s. Whilst this trend has cropped up time and time again in rooms such as the kitchen and bathroom, it’s not so common to see a checkered floor in the modern-day bedroom. Nobody wants to be sleeping on a dance floor (though we could probably be convinced…). However, there is a contemporary way to adapt the look – adding a stylish checkered rug to the foot of your bed! Just look at how we’ve styled our Rosa bed frame here…

Use art for self-expression

Another simple way to bring the ‘60s into your bedroom is through wall art. Whether you want to channel your inner hippie with a psychedelic poster, or perhaps Andy Warhol’s pop art is more your thing; art is a great way to showcase your personality, brighten up your walls and embrace the creativity that was so synonymous with the decade.

Counter-culture

The ‘60s were a time of radical change and rebellion. Driven by the raging counter-culture, liberation was in the air, as young people navigated a post-war world which gave way to whimsy and fun. This sense of freedom and self-expression infiltrated every aspect of life; fashion, music, film, and art – even home decor. The result? An explosion of vibrant clashing colours in our homes, psychedelic prints and funky furniture pieces that are still popular now, 50 years later.

Flower power

The rise of the rebellious counter-culture also ushered in a number of new subcultures into society, most notably the hippies. Embracing experimentation with everything from fashion to music, the hippy ethos generally represented freedom. Naturally, the ‘peace and love’ way of life was seen inside the home too, with people mixing natural materials, colours and textures in a new bohemian style.

Space-age chic

It was also the birth of Space Age design. Since the ‘60s saw a whole load of technological advancements, scientific discoveries, and of course, the beginning of space exploration (hello first man on the moon!), these influences heavily impacted a new design aesthetic. Enter futuristic shapes and affordable, mass-produced materials like acrylic and fibreglass. You might say this kind of design was out of this world…

And there we have it! Our ultimate guide on capturing the carefree design spirit of the 1960s and bringing it into the modern home.

• Use bright and clashing colours like oranges, yellows, pinks and greens.
• Experiment with psychedelic patterns like paisley, floral prints and geometric shapes.
• Pick a wooden bed featuring smooth curves and rich tones to tap into the mid-century modern movement.
• Introduce plenty of textures like velvet armchairs, shag rugs and smooth, acrylic bedside tables.
• Evoke the senses and try out an earthy sandalwood incense, just as the hippies would have done.
• Accessorise with statement pieces like a checkered rug, mushroom lamp or curvy mirror.
• Don’t be afraid to have fun with your design! It’s the Swinging Sixties, after all…