Throughout the 1930s, vernacular house designs were heavily influenced by popular arts and crafts of that era. The predominant styles featured small cottage-style houses with low-pitched, gabled roofs, lightly colored walls, and windows adorned with metal-studded designs and leaded-glass panels. Vernacular designs often incorporate a porch, used as a place to relax or for entertaining guests. Similarly, these houses often feature open layouts with an updated form of classic symmetrical walls, which confer a sense of spaciousness and intimacy within a modest living space. Custom Homes of the 1930s typically feature comfortable living spaces, known for having “fun puzzlepiece” shapes, several open rooms woven together, and easy transitions between exterior and interior spaces. They generally have detailed, intricate, and richly colored interiors with dark wood floors and incorporate a lot of natural light. Their walls are often covered in wallpapers with whimsical designs, which offer a glimpse into the 30s era. Also, vernacular house designs were highly popular for utilizing hardwood, ceramic tiles, and carpeting for flooring.Vernacular House Designs of the 1930s
The Neo-Georgian house style is a recognizable form of architecture from the 1930s. Its main feature is an overall balanced symmetry of building elements and the use of classical motifs. This house style became more stylish and modernized when compared to its original counterpart, adopting the use of idea of symmetry more explicitly. The 1930s Neo-Georgian houses also adopted bigger, more elaborate doorways, windows, pediments, and ornamentation, making them larger and more impressive in their appearance. The Neo-Georgian house design often has large, symmetrical, two-story homes with flat roofs and taller windows. As with Vernacular house designs, they incorporate a porch as well, but typically more as an entryway rather than used as an outdoor living space. The main difference compared to Vernacular houses is the addition of a grandiose entrance with intricate and detailed components, such as molded trim or an ornamental door. The overall style of their interiors is quite formal with classy woodwork, Georgian-style fireplaces, and oil painted walls.Neo-Georgian House Design for the 1930s
The highlight of American Country Homes of the 1930s lies in their approach to classic rural architectural styles. During this era, architects favored traditional elements to compliment rural surroundings to give the homes a feeling of simple comfort -- a reflection of traditional country living, but also with a modern twist. These houses were made from wood or stone with natural finishes, and often included a wrap-around porch or a balcony. The American Country homes of the 1930s were built with open-style layouts and lacked any kind of complex ornamentation, and usually had a clean and uncluttered appearance. In terms of interiors, ceilings and walls were often painted in white and/or flat colors, meant to create a feeling of space and freshness. The floors were mostly covered with wood, and the furniture was made from wood and upholstery. The kitchen featured classic, streamlined fittings and appliances. Overall, the American Country Homes of the 1930s achieved an effortless blend of classic and modern design.American Country Homes of the 1930s
The American Tudor House design is a popular variation of the 1930s. It is characterized by its Tudor Gothic Designs, steeply pitched roofs, ornamental half-timbered decorative features, large stone fireplaces, and heavy, horizontal overhangs. The American Tudor house style borrowed heavily from Medieval English architectural elements and was meant to evoke the stories, culture, and folklore associated with the Tudor period. The American Tudor house style is usually one-and-a-half to two-story high with a mixture of brick, stone, and wood featured on the exterior. Materials used depend largely on the preferred style. The most common materials used in interior decoration are dark woods and exposed half-timbering designs. Interiors are usually decorated in bold colors such as red, blue, and green to evoke a feeling of the medieval English period. Most American Tudor Houses of the 1930s also featured a great entrance hall, lined with arches, and decorated with colorful stained-glass windows.American Tudor House Design
English Cottage house style was a popular style in the 1930s, with its overt charm and quaint rustic appeal. It is a representation of both rural and urban sensibilities and draws heavily from the traditional rustic and vernacular cottage styles. The English cottage style featured homes in a single level or two-story form, emphasizing comfort and safety and featuring textured walls with exposed stones, thatched roofs, and warm-hued cladding. The interior style of an English Cottage house often pairs bold colors with a simple design. Rooms may be aligned and partitioned into sections, making the most of space and the walls may be adorned with tapestries or wallpapers in cheery colors. Floors are usually made from wood or stone and may have area carpets to pull the look together. Overall, the English Cottage house style of the 1930s gave people a sense of comfort, safety, and contentment.English Cottage House Style of the 1930s
The Authentic Arts and Crafts style was typified by its rich and earthy interiors, utilizing natural materials and colors to include a feeling of warmth in the home. Usually, the homes featured strong geometric forms, inspired by earlier Gothic Revival and Tudor designs, as well as more traditional forms. The walls were often made of brick or plaster with intense colors, and wood was often exposed in either square, vertical, or horizontal patterns, highlighting natural beauty that is unique to each piece. Architects and designers of the 1930s also heavily relied on ornamental details, such as wooden beams, carvings, and patterned tiles, which were generally used to decorate the interiors to achieve both structural and artistic effects. The overall goal of Arts and Crafts house designs of the 1930s was to create a harmonious blend of nature and humanity to create a home that is cozy, inviting, and full of positive energy. Authentic Arts and Crafts 1920s and 1930
The 1930s Semi Detached House design
The 1930s Semi Detached House design was an architectural development of the era, and an important symbol of modernism. It combines the efficient use of space, with the simple modernist style of the time. The exterior of the house usually consisted of brick walls, with symmetrical window and door openings, and a simple roof, often with a slanting roof extension. The interior was often decorated with staircases, cupboards, and shelves, and a range of furniture. Lighting was usually a combination of natural light and electric lighting.
Adapting to Functionality & Efficiency
The Semi Detached House design was often adapted to cater for specific family needs. Floor plans were often tailored to the number and size of the people living in the house, allowing for a custom interior layout. This meant that the houses could be adapted to fit the particular lifestyle and budget of the family, as well as providing a level of privacy that other house designs of the time lacked. It was also an efficient use of space, as the design allowed for the house to be divided into two sections; one side could be used for living, while the other was for storage and utilities.
The Enduring Popularity of the 1930s Semi Detached House Design
The 1930s Semi Detached House design is still popular today, as it provides an efficient use of space, and is also a great example of modernist design. It offers potential homeowners a unique option for their home, as it offers the ability to customize a living space to suit their individual needs. As the house can be divided into two sections, it is perfect for larger families who would like both privacy and autonomy within their home. The 1930s design also offers economic advantages, as it often requires fewer materials and labor costs than larger houses.