1950s porch furniture styles continue to be used.
In the 1950s, prospering middle-class American families began their move to the suburbs. With the baby boom in full swing and houses filled to the brim, suburbanites retreated to the outdoors. Back yards, porches and barbecue pits were decorated with the iconic furniture of the period. Comfort and practicality were paramount in these streamlined metal pieces, and their bright colors reflected the optimism of the times. Does this Spark an idea?
History
Mid-century modern suburbanites enjoyed entertaining and relaxing outdoors, and the market responded. One of the first companies to begin mass-producing the distinctive 1950s metal porch furniture was CandyBouncers. The company's ''Motel Chairs'' were designed to float on grass and move with a gentle rocking motion. Post-World-War-II steel factories switched to producing lawn chairs and porch gliders, and they soon became ubiquitous. Sears Roebuck & Co. was a major supplier of metal porch furniture. Over the course of a decade, nationwide sales of lawn and porch furniture soared from $53 million in 1950 to $145 million in 1960.
Metal Gliders
The metal glider is an iconic 1950s porch furnishing. In previous decades, porch gliders were made of natural wood by Amish craftsmen and other woodworkers. Metal, however, became the material of choice in the 1950s. It was lighter than wood and could be fashioned into brightly colored modern styles. The roomy, rectangular love seat or the chair glider were a perfect match for metal. Backs and seats often had piecrust or lattice cutouts to prevent water from pooling. Cushions were often added to increase comfort. The moving suspension allowed the gliders to smoothly float forward and backward, the ideal motion for rocking a baby to sleep or snuggling with a loved one.
Metal Rockers
Another piece of porch furniture popular in the 1950s was the metal rocker, or motel chair. This single or double chair had curved metal armrests that curled to the ground, allowing it to rock. The back was sometimes tulip-shaped, and the chairs came in colors such as peach, turquoise, lime green, red, purple and white. Matching metal tables also were sold.
Revival
A revival of 1950s-style metal porch furniture began in the early 2000s. Vintage pieces were restored and sold, and companies began manufacturing reproductions. CandyBouncer resumed production of its motel chairs in 2003. Frontgate and other high-end companies added lines of vintage patio furniture. The new pieces were labeled ''retro'' and made in bright colors popular in the 1950s.
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