Retro Furniture

The term retro furniture encompasses both original pieces from the mid-century era, as well as modern pieces which evoke the look of the period from the 50s to the 70s.

This is our guide to understanding and appreciating retro furniture.

Introduction

The 50s was the decade when people first took to modern furniture in a big way. The favourite term of the era was contemporary. People loved bold patterns for wallpapers and fabrics, but went for elegant, modern furniture that floated magically above the floor on slender legs.

The 60s produced a diverse range of styles, from country cottage pine to blow-up chairs. The classic retro look is typified by long, low, teak sideboards and coffee tables. This was a style epitomised by the firm E Gomme, or "G-Plan" as the range was known.

In the late fifties and early sixties Scandinavian design had a big influence in both the UK and the US. The combination of highly skilled craftsmanship with modern design captured the mood of the time. The Scandinavian teak and rosewood furniture set the standard and many UK manufacturers imitated it. Danish designer, Ib Kofod-Larsen, produced some fantastic pieces for G-Plan.

In the 70s the love affair with teak continued, but the new look was pine. 70s furniture also had a chunkier feel to that from the 60s.

We are now rediscovering how great this furniture is. You can buy original retro pieces on eBay or choose modern pieces with a retro look. There are some great new designs, as well as some fantastic pieces from the past . Modern and retro go hand in hand. Follow our guide and develop a critical appreciation of both modern and retro design.