Between 1940 and 1950, the concept of prefabricated houses gained widespread attention. Prefabricated houses of this period varied in design from curved, single-paneled walls to traditional pitched roofs. These homes were designed to be easy to assemble and maintain and were cost-effective. Some of the most popular prefabricated homes were small wooden structures with laminated roofs and panels. These homes were usually outfitted with a kitchen, one or two bedrooms, a living area, and a bathroom. Prefabricated Houses of the 1940s
Prefabricated Houses of the 1940s
During the 1940s, several architectural innovations and new building materials began to be used in house designs. For instance, a popular style during this period was the Art Deco house. Architectural innovators of the 1950s began to incorporate curved windows, curved walls, and pitched roofs in their designs. Other innovative materials used in this period included reinforced concrete and steel. Architectural Innovations of 1948 Houses
Architectural Innovations of 1948 Houses
Another style of house designs that was popular during the 1940s and 1950s was the ranch house. This style usually featured one or two stories with a pitched roof and a one-story façade. The walls of these homes were typically made of wood and covered with a white-painted façade. Some of the most popular features of ranch-style homes of this period were sliding glass doors, built-in planters, and an attached garage. Popular House Designs of the 1940s and 1950s
Popular House Designs of the 1940s and 1950s
The early 1940s was the period when house designs began to exhibit a less traditional look and feel. Houses of this period had a more contemporary feel with open interiors filled with natural light and large windows. Wall-to-wall carpeting, bright colors, and large windows were popular features of houses of this period. A popular style of house designs during this period was the Tudor-style which often featured a steep, pitched roof, peaked chimneys, and exposed stone exteriors. Characteristics of 1940s Homestyle
Characteristics of 1940s Homestyle
Farmhouse designs of the 1940s also featured a range of new building materials and designs. These homes typically had large windows and porches of stretched brick. Pitch roofs were also popular with farmhouse designs, along with two stories or more. These houses often had a split façade, with the right side of the house featuring a turret-style roof. 1948 Farm House Design
1948 Farm House Design
Moderate houses of the 1940s often included an open-floor plan, with the walls and ceilings painted white. This contemporary style often included vinyl flooring, exposed brick walls, and plenty of natural light. Some moderate houses contained several extensions, such as an attached garage, sunroom, or patio. The 1940s was also the period when homes began to feature built-in bookshelves, spacious closets, and other unique features. Contemporary Design in 1948 Houses
Contemporary Design in 1948 Houses
The 1940s was also the period when the Victorian-style house emerged. These houses often included a variety of styles, including elaborate doorways, elaborately decorated façades, and large windows with stained glass. Victorian-style houses of this period often contained two or three stories and a steep roof. Ornate woodwork and intricate detailing were also popular features of Victorian-style houses of this period. Victorian-Style House Design of the 1940s
Victorian-Style House Design of the 1940s
Floor plans of houses of the 1940s often included radiators in the middle of the house to provide heat. The placement of radiators in houses later changed to accommodate the emerging trend of wall-mounted air conditioning units. Houses of this period also often featured passageways, such as a central hallway connecting two main rooms. This style was common in moderate and farmhouses of the 1940s. Floor Plans for 1948 Houses
Floor Plans for 1948 Houses
Midcentury modern house designs also emerged during the 1940s period. These houses were modern and featured large windows, sleek lines, and asymmetrical designs. These houses often had walls made of concrete, stucco, and even brick. Midcentury modern homes of this period often featured minimalist entryways, open-plan kitchens, and wrap-around porches. Midcentury Modern House Design of the 1940s
Midcentury Modern House Design of the 1940s
To care for houses of the 1940s, homeowners had to take certain maintenance and repair steps. These steps included patching holes in ceilings, repairing cracks in walls, and replacing roof shingles. Homeowners also had to inspect homes for damage due to pest infestations, termite colonies, and other potential problems. Regular routine check-ups and maintenance were essential to ensure that houses of the 1940s remained in good condition. Maintenance and Repair for 1948 Houses
Maintenance and Repair for 1948 Houses
Living in Style and Comfort with 1948 House Design
After two global wars in the span of 30 years, the people occupying the post-WWII world were in need of a reprieve from the world of destruction they had just emerged from. The 1948 level of house design provided a vision of solace and comfort as people began rebuilding their lives. This design has endured to the present and many of the same indicators of home design that were popular in 1948 are still present on today's homes.
Basics of 1948 House Design
At the end of WWII, home designers took lead from Scandinavian and British influences to craft an amalgam of designs that focused on simplicity and functionality. The 1948 design focused heavily on providing an innate sense of convenience and relaxation for the people living in the homes. The basic elements of a 1948 style house include small rooms with low ceilings. The rooms would also have recessed archways and built-in shelving and closets for storage. The focus on furniture and accenting of this style was to use symmetrical, geometric forms, and colors that often matched or offset the walls.
Where Matters of Efficiency Meets Style
One of the most iconic parts of the 1948 house design is the inclusion of efficiency-based appliances and gadgets. Taking the lead from the Industrial Revolution, the designers of the 1948 era sought to implement more efficient ways of appliance usage. For example, some of the homes featured built-in vacuum systems or energy-efficient ovens and stoves designed to provided the family with a level of ease and convenience that had been unseen up to that point.
The Technique of Exterior Accenting
Finally, the 1948 house design incorporated a number of exterior accented features that have withstood the test of time. This includes small slated roof designs, long window panes, and exterior siding in wood or brick. While these features are commonplace today, they helped to bring a modern flare to home design in light of the advancements of the Industrial Revolution.
With its combination of style and comfort, the house design from 1948 stands as the basis for many of the homes that were built during that time. While some elements have faded out, others remain fully intact and can still be found in newer homes as well.
