This past weekend I attended a vintage event in Toronto at the gorgeous and historic, Todmorden Mills. On site they have an adorable 1940s cottage with the most amazing original flooring from the 40s in their kitchen. The flooring was linoleum and just look at the pattern….wow! So wow that when I posted it on Instagram the ‘Vintage Gal’ commented that it would be a fantastic pattern for an outfit and I00% have to agree with her!
I will be honest I did not truly realize how colourful and fantastic 1940s flooring was (I think I was distracted by all the other items to look at in images), and this discovery intrigued me to see what other designs were out there. So Friends……
Welcome to the Beautiful World of 1940s Linoleum Flooring
Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay, are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Note: If the item you clicked on is no longer available, just do a search for like items. There are loads of vintage items being added to Etsy and eBay daily!
Why Linoleum?
Well very simply it was known for being clatterproof, easy to clean, and resistant to stain. So ideal for a room in the house like the kitchen.
Example of Linoleum Designs as seen in Vintage Advertising:
1939 Geometric linoleum patterns.
Source: Cooper Hewitt
1941 featured abstract shapes with stars in muted colours. On side note, why does the kitchen look like it should be outside?
Source: Flickr
1945-Green’s in every shade!
Source: Flickr
Can’t make up your mind on which floor style to go with? Why not go with 2 of them?
Source: About Home
When you have pink polka dots as a design element, then your linoleum floor 100% needs to be less flashy.
Source: Mid Century Home Style
In 1945 the below colour scheme of Burgundy, Grey and Gold was considered a big departure from the old ways of doing things.
Source: Source: Mid Century Home Style
This kitchen in 1949 with this fun floor could have been yours for only $50 (a lot of money back then).
Source: Vintage Caravans
1940 Armstrong’s Linoleum Floors Vintage Ad. This ad is from the June, 1940 The American Home magazine. Look at all the different colours and patterns?!
Source: Etsy
The Linoleum floor in this kitchen is my absolute favorite. It really is darling, don’t you agree? This kitchen reminds me of the movie Dumbo and the pink elephants for some reason.
Vintage linoleum advertising continues…
“Kitchens to match YOUR LIFE”….
Which style to choose for your kitchen? -1940s vintage ad-
Source: Etsy
If your kitchen is all doors and windows here are some style options. 1949 Armstrong’s Linoleum Floors Vintage Ad.
Source: Etsy
Linoleum was not regulated to only the kitchen. It was also found in other places in the home, like the bedroom.
Source: Etsy
And the washroom / bathroom as seen in the most adorable space ever! I love the “designated” areas for each of the family’s items.
FURTHER READING: Vintage Bathroom Advertising – Be Inspired!
Source: Retro Renovation
1944 Vintage Ad – “We’ll have three babies…a dog…and a heavenly blue kitchen!”.
Source: eBay
Green was a very popular colour during the 1940s (1941 Washroom).
Source: Remarkably Retro
Now here is a couple of images from my 1942-1943 Montgomery Ward Catalog of the Linoleum flooring available for purchase (there were pages and pages).
Here is one more from an Eatons Fall & Winter 1940-1941 Catalog that I own.
Phew, that was a lot of colour, patterns and green going on in these rooms (why so much green?). Did you have a favorite style of linoleum from this post or from your vintage travels? Please share in the comments section below.
If you have not checked the website ‘Retro Renovation’ you really should. There are tons of great ideas on how to return your home into a mid-century masterpiece. Especially the piece on 1940s decor which was a great help for this post today.
Lastly, I am NOT an expert on linoleum floor. I just googled the content for this post and then shared it here. So while I wish I could help you age your floor or help you find a matching tile, I sadly cannot. Sorry!!
You can also shop on Etsy. I have put together a collection of 1940s-1960s (Mid Century) Home Decor items. It is updated monthly. You can find it HERE.
FURTHER READING: Check out my archive of ‘Vintage Home Decor’ Posts.
Liz 🙂
