An Illustrated History of American Design Trends by Decade

Image via Complex Original

Key themes: Staying connected to nature, anti-mass-production, craftsmanship

The Arts & Crafts movement touched multiple areas of design, including architecture, product design, and decorative and fine arts. The main concept behind the movement was the notion of authenticity and to work without any division of labor rather than work without any sort of machinery. The style utilized simple forms melded with medieval, romantic, or folk styles of decoration. In a cultural light, the movement advocated economic and social reform through its anti-industrial over-tones.

Key themes: Fluid shapes, organic subject matter, ornate flourishes, rich colors

Although not as long-lasting as the Arts & Crafts moment, Art Nouveau was heavily influenced by the craftsmanship style, as well as Romanticism and Symbolism. The origin of the name Art Nouveau comes from an interior design gallery in Paris—Maison de l’Art Nouveau—that was an outlet for decorative creations by American Louis Comfort Tiffany, creator of the iconic Tiffany lamps. American architect Louis Henry Sullivan was also a proprietor of Art Nouveau; he frequently used plantlike Art Nouveau ironwork to decorate his buildings.

Key themes: Tubular steel, geometric patterns, mirrored surfaces

Art Deco first appeared in France after World War I. The movement made its way to the United States during the 1920s and influenced everything from fashion to architecture. In the U.S., the style made its way coast-to-coast from Miami Beach to Los Angeles. Some of today’s most iconic buildings were created in the Art Deco style, including Rockefeller Center in New York City.

Key themes: Geometry, light, anti-ornamentation, openness, glass and steel

International Style honors simple, honest, and clear design. In the United States, many architects, like Louis Sullivan, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Irving Gill, practiced this design. Their buildings embodied many of the requirements of the movement: rectilinear forms, light, taut plane surfaces, anti-ornamentation, open interior spaces, cantilever construction. Usually, the International Style buildings and designs would include glass, steel, and reinforced concrete. The trend can also be seen in the anti-ornamentation and aerodynamic styling of the cars during the era.

Key themes: Chrome, Formica, vinyl

Organic design is inspired by organic, flowing natural forms, undulating lines, and dynamic curves. The style was made popular by Modernist designers in the 1940s, including the Eames' molded plywood chair. With the increased popularity of mass-produced items, various industries were designing items with planned obsolescence in mind.

Key themes: Ceramics, pastel pink, teal, yellow, blue, Scandinavian Design, new appliances

Functionalism was born from the principle that objects should be designed based on their purposes. In the 1950s, with the rise of mass-produced objects, consumers were purchasing more than ever. With the influence of megastar designers like Norman Bel Geddes and Raymond Lowey, these mass-produced items were designed in the Functional style: streamlined and clean, promoting their efficiency.

Key themes: Shag rugs, Lucite, tie-dye, paisley

Sixties style was a mix of organic and futuristic design, more commonly known as Atomic Age or Space Age design. The themes of atomic science and the space races of the ’60s influenced all areas of design, from architecture to graphic design. Futuristic influences suggested an optimistic trajectory for society and the everyday consumer. New-age materials and production techniques were used to create furniture and solidified America as a powerhouse innovator of the time.

Key themes: Craft revival, terracotta, wood/orange, gold, avocado green

The ’70s were a time of rejection and rebirth for the socially conscious. The over-materialism and consumerism of decades prior positioned the era as a time to get back to nature and to embrace the environment. The social ideals of the day manifested themselves in terms of design through a crafts revival and a heightened use of natural colors and materials.

Key themes: Graphic primary triad patterns, grids, triangles, squiggles/metal, gold, enamel

Postmodernism began as an international style in the 1950s but didn’t become a full-blown movement until the late-1970s. The style was a reaction to the saturation of Modernism in design—it was said to be heralded by the return of “wit, ornament, and reference” to architecture. The identifying concepts of the trend are where styles collide, colors and materials follow no set guidelines, and form is created for its own sake, not for function. The era’s opulence, over-indulgence, and overpriced designs are apparent in architecture, automotive design, and product design.

Memphis was a very particular sect of Postmodernism. The crux of the trend was to melt styles, shapes, colors, and materials in a way that was unencumbered by design rules.

Key themes: Beige, overstuffed furniture, tech-centric/durable

The overload, ornamentation, and audaciousness of the ’80s forced the ’90s consumer to retreat into a more minimalistic and basic style: interiors and objects were toned down, minimal, and soothing.

Key themes: Reduced carbon emissions, recycled wood, paper, steel/natural colors, up-cycling

At the turn of the Millennium, consumers became more environmentally conscious and sought out designers that minimized the negative environmental impact. Sustainable architecture and automotive design became part of the norm, using a conscious approach to energy and conservation.

Key themes: Handmade, refurbished, industrial, raw

With the rise of Etsy and the interest in craftsmanship, the trends of today are centered on the handmade and the authentic. Revitalizing, renewing, and reusing vintage pieces is the new norm. An eclectic décor, as long as everything is well-made and authentic, is in fashion.