Ugly House Photos

Design Through the Decades - Part 21

Our examination of Phoenix homes from the 1950s to the 2000s now focuses on design features that were new and specific to that decade.  We start with the 1950s.

The standard Phoenix home in the 1950s was a ranch style, single story, 3 bedroom, one bath home with a one-car carport.  The most significant new feature to 1950s homes was central air conditioning.

A precursor to the “great room” design of the 1990s & 2000s, most 1950s homes had large front rooms that combined the formal living room and dining room.  Here’s a home built in 1952.  The front door was on the right and the dining room was on the left.  Big picture windows were also common features.

In 1958, this design style of a combined living/dining front room continued.  Oftentimes, the dining wall (with the painting) had a window that looked out to the carport.

Sometimes dining areas were separated by half walls, like this 1952 home in Glendale, Arizona.

Eat-in kitchens were very popular features in the 1950s.  Here’s an eat-in kitchen from 1958.

Another eat-in kitchen from 1959.  The windows overlook the carport to the right with breezeway and patio to the left.

One of the most distinguishing trademarks of 1950s homes was built-in cabinets.  This home was built in 1952.

1953 Phoenix home with built-in cabinets.

1955 Phoenix home with built-in cabinets.

And a 1957 Phoenix home with built-in cabinets.

Built-in cabinets were a popular upgrade for dining rooms as seen in this 1959 home.

And corner china cabinets were in high demand too.  1959 Phoenix home.

Corner china cupboards from the 1950s.

Exposed cinder block walls on the interior were commonly featured in 1950s homes.

Covered patios became a necessity for hot sunny Phoenix days.  1951 home with half-wall patio.

Large back yards were common in the 1950s in Phoenix as seen at this 1950 home.

Another big back yard at a 1952 Phoenix home.