Happy First Day of SUMMER!!! Woo Hoo! I’m so excited that it is finally here! So in honour of such a wonderful day, today’s ‘Vintage Photo Tuesday‘ is a continuation of a post I did back in 2017 showcasing images of vintage summer fun from the 1920s-1960s.
Let the good times start!
Source: Collections Canada
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.
Vintage Summer Photos 1920s-1960s
1920s snapshot of a woman (with super cool sunglasses) seated on a blanket in the sand holding her cocker spaniel (print avail HERE).
Source: Etsy
“How can I knit with such a “mit”? Ha Ha! 1920s vintage photo of two women at a picnic at the lake.
Source: Etsy
Family friends at a lake boathouse on their summer holiday, 1930s vintage photo (avail HERE).
Source: Etsy
Stunning 1930s beach fashion on display! Those beach pajamas are just so fantastic on our lovely lady.
Photo says: “Hammels” in 1936 ~ “Surf” and “Boardwalk” ~ Hammels was part of Rockaway Beach, New York.
Source: Worthpoint
1930s vintage photo of the Toronto CNE Midway Bathing Beauties, ca. 1939 in their Beach Pajamas.
Source: CNE Heritage
Staying at cottages & cabins is 100% a summer activity (for the most part). In this 1930s photo you could of stayed in log cabins at Lake Lauzon. Notice all the “n”s are backwards in the photo?
Source: Etsy
Coffee Time! Late 1940s photo of a dad cooking on a small stove at the beach.
Source: Etsy
When the weather gets hot, nothing is better than an ice cream (at least I think so). 1940s vintage photo of a teenage girl enjoying her own tasty cone.
Source: Etsy
Who here owns a camper / trailer / caravan? I don’t but I should would love to have one from the 1940s or 1950s. They were so cute back in the day!
Here is a fun photo of man posing with his camper.
Side note: Take a look at what trailers looked like back in the 1920s-1950s thru a past post on vintage trailer ads.
Source: Etsy
When the weather is nice, washing the dog outside is a great idea! Late 1940s / maybe early 1950s image.
Source: Etsy
Mmmmm Watermelon. Love that tasty fruit and it’s a perfect summer time dessert at picnics, BBQ’s, camping trips and more!
Source: Etsy
1950s photo of a young woman taking a break by the pool, under an incredibly cool patio umbrella in Greenwood, Mississippi. What colour do you think the umbrella is?
Source: ofanotherfashion – Tumblr
Summer time fun also means the Drive-In Movie Theatre! I love the Drive-In and l’m pretty lucky to have one not too far from my apartment in Toronto.
1950s vintage photo of the historic Westbury Drive-In Movie Theater served patrons from June 23, 1954 until it closed in 1998. The drive-in had three screens with capacity for 1,189 cars (Source).
Source: Etsy
Summer in Greece. 1950s / Early 1960s Polorid photo of a young boy in Greece at a beach resort posing with waterskiis.
Source: Etsy
July 1960, Carol Clough preparing to go scuba diving in Clearwater.
Department of Commerce Collection
Source: Florida Memory
Mrs. Charles Miller reading a copy of “Motor Boating” during a South Florida boat trip -1961.
Department of Commerce Collection
Source: Florida Memory
Question Time: What is your favourite summer activity? Or are you not a big fan of the season? Share any thoughts in the comments section below.
The 1950s and 1960s were a time of exceptional style, and the outdoor patio furniture designed during that era was nothing short of stunning. For lovers of vintage style décor, finding inspiration from the iconic designs of that time can be a great way to transform any outdoor space into a mid-century dream. From charming metal chairs to wood designs that never go out of fashion, there are plenty of ideas to choose from.
In this article, you’ll discover how to transform your patio into a nostalgic wonderland and the types of furniture to look for when designing in the 1950s and 1960s style (thru vintage images & advertising).
Let’s begin!
1953- Harriet Smart modeling Jantzen bathing suit at the beach. Source: Florida Memory
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 you click on any of the items featured below and they are not available, don’t fret! Hit the search button and see what else is on the websites. There are 1000’s and 1000’s of items being listed daily.
1950s / 1960s Outdoor Patio Furniture Ideas
1950 Sears Spring / Summer Catalog featuring stylish 1950s furniture. Gliders (I love gliders), chairs, tables and more!
I personally have wanted metal lawn chairs for a long time (I love the bottom left ones), but I just don’t have the space and I don’t think my husband will understand why I think they are so cool. Ha!
Source: Christmas.musetechnical.com
Here is a a 1950s / 1960s photo of a collection of various outdoor chairs at an outdoor bbq get together.
Source: goretro.com
1955-People playing cards at a backyard party in Miami featuring those metal chairs I really love.
“Indoor or Outdoor Summer Furniture – Genuine Cane, Rattan Peel or Fiber. Cosy Hassocks” – 1954 Sears Catalog.
Source: Christmas.musetechnical.com
Samsonite outdoor furniture 1954 Ad. The outdoor folding furniture with the weather-proof automobile finish!
Source: Pinterest
“Make a summer resort in your backyard” A 1956 Sears Spring Summer catalog patio furniture page for a “Gay Polka Dot Patterned Ensemble” & “Modern Summer Fantasy Leaf Pattern”. LOVE the polka dots!!
Marilyn Monroe with her bright orange patio set. Love that rose fabric detail on the umbrella!
Source: Pinterest
September 1963, a woman is sitting by the lake in her bathing suit reading in sun lounge chair. Beside her is a floral lounger.
‘Better Homes and Gardens’, September 1954 cover featuring a Mid-Century patio / backyard design. Some great ideas in this image.
Source: Pinterest
“Make your lawn a pleasant spot for outdoor living”. Saran webbing & aluminum furniture (from the same 1956 Sears Spring / Summer Catalog).
Source: Christmas.musetechnical.com
June 1952, an advertisement shot for homes in Winter Haven. There are the webbing chairs.
Source: Florida Memory
1959 Reynolds Aluminum ad: “Outdoor living is really living” featuring all the different 1950s outdoor furniture items you could own that uses Reynolds Aluminum.
Source: Pinterest
1961 Sears Spring / Summer Catalog: Wrought metal furniture with Serofoam cushions. This is actually not even for the outdoors, the page is dedicated to the “casual indoor scene” aka the sun room. Same idea.
Source: Christmas.musetechnical.com
Vintage 1960s ad for Woodard….”style authority in wrought iron”. I love our hostesses green floral jacket and matching jacket.
Fun Fact: Woodard was a Canadian company that operated in Alberta and British Columbia, for 101 years, before its sale to the Hudson’s Bay Company (source). Stay tuned for a future blog post!
Source: Pinterest
1950s vintage photo of a family grilling hamburgers beside pool in their backyard.
Source: Pixels
“A fresh design in lightweight aluminum lawn furniture. The square tube frame with strong, cool woven plastic webbing” as seen in a 1961 Spring / Summer Sears Catalog. I love the yellow!
Source: Christmas.musetechnical.com
“Colorful, Smart and So Comfortable” Lloyd outdoor furniture for lawns and terraces, Mid-Century vintage ad.
The sunny hues are quite lovely!
Source: Pinterest
“Get set for summer relaxation” with glider sets & chaise loungers in fun patterns! 1961 Spring / Summer Sears Catalog.
Source: Christmas.musetechnical.com
I was thrilled when I saw the “basket chairs” in the 1961 Sears catalog. Why? Because I own the one I circled (see second photo)! In fact it was my grandmothers partners chair and when we downsized their home, I found this stored in the basement in a corner. I just knew there was something special about it and I was right! In the Sears catalog they are calling it a “Palembang Chair”
Source: Christmas.musetechnical.com
My own 1960s rattan basket chair, as seen on my balcony.
I found this image of a early 1960s backyard and there are those chairs again. I never would of thought to add cushions to protect the seat. Great idea and matches so well with the rest of the patio furniture.
Source: Pinterest
1964 patio umbrella’s in various patterns and colours plus a directors chair. “Fully Automatic & Semi-Automatic”.
Source: Christmas.musetechnical.com
“Tailored….luxuriously styled and elegantly detailed”. “We’ve taken old-favorite redwood and treated it like fine furniture to add new grace to outdoor living. 1964 Sears Catalog.
Source: Christmas.musetechnical.com
“Loungers delight” & “Relax with year-round redwood”.
1968 Sears Spring / Summer Catalog. It’s fun to see how the furniture style is really moving into that 1970s look everyone knows so well.
Source: Christmas.musetechnical.com
Shopping for Vintage Patio Furniture
Here are some fun examples of pieces you can pickup today (as of the time of the post) OR inspire you to be on the lookout for when your shopping (Antique stores / markets, etc).
Happy browsing!
Shopping Note: If you click thru to Etsy or, eBayand the item is gone, don’t worry! Search for similar items on the platforms and you might get lucky ! Also make sure you check places like Kijii or Facebook Marketplace AND there are loads of reproductions on the market today as well.
Folding green plastic webbing rocking chair made in the 1960s (avail as of June 13th, 2022 HERE).
Source: Etsy
Mid-Century Modern Vintage Folding Lawn Chairs (avail as of June 13th, 2022 HERE).
Source: eBay
1950s metal patio bouncy chairs in a dark green (avail as of June 13th, 2022 HERE).
Source: Etsy
Last but not least, you cannot have webbing furniture without the ability to fix them (gosh so many memories of falling thru a chair ha ha!). Now the below kit from Woodward’s only works if your chair is yellow BUT I did see other versions online that you can pickup (avail as of June 13th 2022 HERE).
Source: Etsy
Question time: Do you love the outdoor furniture styles showcased above? Or do you prefer a modern style? Share any of your thoughts in the comment section below.
One last image! I just had to share this last illustration as I thought it was just fantastic (but not in the timeline of this post), a Howell Outdoor Furniture Catalog cover from 1932.
