1950s Retro Floors

Design

• The quintessential 1950's flooring design is the black and white checkerboard identified with most diners and soda shops of the time. In an effort to bring people back home, many 1950's kitchens used this same design to bring the diner feel to their own kitchen and encourage kids and teens to stay home. In addition to the checkerboard, 1950's flooring used alternating colors in other patterns; some varying smaller squares; rectangles; and even smaller squares within larger ones. The other classic 1950's flooring pattern is best described as using "flecks" of alternating color, or seemingly arbitrary small hints or strokes of one color against another.

Colors

• The kitchen was the heart of the 1950's home, and flooring of the time reflected this. With improvements in linoleum production, floors were redone to reflect the mood of the time. Black and white were predominant colors in 1950's flooring in keeping with the popular hangout of the time: the diner and soda shop. In other kitchens, vibrant colors such as turquoise, flamingo pink and bright yellow celebrated the post-war vibe whereas pastels celebrated the same on a different level, especially in living rooms and bedrooms. Any of these color schemes can provide the flavor of 1950's retro flooring.

Materials

• Linoleum, a floor covering made mostly of natural materials, was given new life in the 1950s as its previously industrial use became more of a domestic mainstay thanks to manufacturers who made it available in the various 1950's color palettes and graphic designs. Today, linoleum is still a good choice for flooring, especially given its environmentally-friendly characteristics. However, other materials, such as tile, cork and concrete can also be used for 1950's retro flooring provided the design and colors are circa 1950.

Considerations

• While there is a 21st century trend for 1950's retro design, it is certainly a distinct look that is not appreciated by everyone. Flooring with a minimal 1950's retro look can be very modern and even chic. Pay close attention to the design elements around your 1950's retro flooring, and keep the cohesive design modern for resale value.