While they might be lacking the architectural aesthetics of homes from earlier periods, before you discount renovating a 1950s house completely, make sure you have explored their pros as well as their cons.
If you are considering renovating a house and are on the lookout for something to stamp your personality onto, this style of property could just be the thing for you. While post-war era houses that were built in the 1950s tended to lack the decorative flourishes of those that had gone before, there was a strong focus on building something solid, on good-sized plots with practical family spaces internally.
To ensure you keep an open mind when hunting for your next project, we asked the architects for their views on the pros and cons of 1950s houses – here's what they had to say.
Advantages of 1950s house renovations
1. They come with a lower price tag
Because they tend not to be as immediately desirable as properties built earlier, such as in the Georgian, Victorian or Edwardian eras, 1950s houses in need of renovation are often cheaper, as well as being easier to snap up due to less competition – removing the stress from buying a house.
"1950s houses don’t often command the same price tags of earlier eras but this should not be a reason to be put off them," says architect Tina Patel of Architect Your Home. "They can be very adaptable."
"From experience, 1950s homes are generally more affordable to buy and cheaper to renovate than Victorian or Georgian properties," picks up estate agent Liam Gretton, founder of Liam Gretton, Wirral Estate Agent. "After the war, homes were built quickly to meet a growing housing demand, often with similar layouts and simpler materials throughout.
"Victorian and Georgian homes, on the other hand, usually command a premium price tag because of their character," continues Liam. "Buyers will often pay more for those period features, high ceilings, bay windows and ornate brickwork – even at times if they require more long term maintenance.
"There’s a clear trade-off, 1950s homes offer practicality, at times slightly larger plots, in addition to a renovation potential at a more accessible price point, while period homes are all about charm, heritage, and that emotional pull that’s hard to recreate."
As a leading independent Wirral estate agent, Liam's brand has been built on the back of a successful track record of delivering high-quality bespoke services and results to Wirral home movers. Today his approach still feels like a breath of fresh air. It’s his name (and face) at the forefront because he wants to do a really good job and feel like his business has justified their fee by offering the best service and getting people the very best price possible for what is usually their biggest asset.
Tina Patel is a RIBA-chartered architect and director at Architect Your Home, with over 15 years' experience helping families transform their homes through thoughtful, stress-free design. She specialises in homeowner-led renovations, making the process of extending, refurbishing, or reconfiguring a home simpler and more empowering. Having worked on over 200 projects, Tina is passionate about creating happy, harmonious homes that add real value to family life. She's an expert voice on planning system challenges, permitted development, and the realities of renovating in the UK today – especially from a homeowner’s perspective.
2. They are solidly built
Despite the lack of architectural detail that often goes hand-in-hand with houses of this period, they are usually reassuringly well-constructed, making them great blank canvasses.
"The build generally tends to be solid and is unlikely to have much external ornamentation that you need to replicate," points out Tina Patel. "They have solid walls and relatively straightforward structural considerations (assuming the house has not been changed too much over the years). That said, they can be uninsulated so you may want to consider upgrading the fabric of the building to allow for better thermal efficiency."
It is worth noting that when buying any style of property to modernise, you should always have a building survey carried out – ideally a comprehensive home buyers report.
3. 1950s features are something to be saved
Over the years, 1950s interior design has fallen in and out of favour, yet right now, original features from the period are definitely something to be prized.
Chunky, beige or grey tiled fireplaces were at one time unceremoniously torn out, pastel kitchen units and appliances resigned to the skip and you could forget metal-framed Crittall windows. Now, however, these mid-century modern features are back on many homeowners' wish lists – so if you are lucky to find them in your doer-upper, restore them at all costs.
"You may also find original solid parquet flooring and other 'early-modern' features that are now considered desirable," adds architect David Nossiter of David Nossiter Architects.
David is an accomplished architect with specialist knowledge of barn conversions and residential architecture. He has over 25 years experience in professional practice.
David was elected as a RIBA member and admitted to the architects register in 2001, following seven years in practice working with Proctor and Matthews, Mole and Ellis Williams among others. David set up his own practice, David Nossiter Architects in 2005. He received wide acclaim for the conversion of a dilapidated Listed barn into a contemporary dwelling, winning a Sunday Times British Homes Award.
4. Garage conversions might be a possibility
Something that homeowners of the 1950s valued more than we seem to these days is somewhere to house their cars safely away from the elements.
"1950s houses were often designed with car ownership in mind, so a garage is typically included," explains David Nossiter.
While these garages were commonly detached, some would have been integral. Either way, this opens up the opportunity to carry out a garage conversion – a fantastic way to add space to a house without encroaching on the garden, and often more affordable than an extension.
5. Planners are less strict with them
While many period properties are listed, making getting planning permission a little more complex, this is not usually the case with 1950s houses.
"These houses are less likely to be in conservation areas and have historic fabric so councils are often more amenable to quirky and different solutions," advises Tina Patel.
This gives homeowners more freedom when it comes to the changes they want to make, be that upgrading windows, extending to the front of a house or changing the cladding completely.
6. They are simpler to extend
If, as part of your renovation plans, you want to add space to your home, this can be a little more straightforward in the case of a 1950s house than with some other house styles, according to Tina Patel.
"These houses are often quite square and flat in form, with reasonable sized rooms and this can make adding space simpler," explains Tina. "As a result, adding two storey extensions to the rear, completely transforming the house both internally and externally, can be possible – especially since their gardens tend to be quite generous."
It is worth noting too that, in terms of extension costs, it can make more sense to add a two storey extension due to the fact that the two most expensive elements – the roof and the foundations – have to be budgeted for regardless of the number of storeys.
Disadvantages of 1950s house renovations
1. They can be hard to insulate
While the solid construction of 1950s houses is most certainly one of their plus points, it does also mean that many were not insulated particularly well – certainly not by today's standards.
"1950’s houses tend to be strong, well-built properties but were often constructed with solid brick walls containing no insulation other than a small air gap," explains Ed Martin, director at Delve Architects. "A big decision for our clients is whether to add insulation externally and render, changing the property's appearance. Alternatively we can insulate the main external walls internally, but lose space in key rooms."
"1950s houses are likely to have some loft insulation, though floor insulation is often minimal," adds David Nossiter.
Edward is director and co-founder of Delve Architects. Prior to setting up Delve, he was an associate at De Rosee Sa Architects working across a broad range of projects spanning residential, education and public work.
2. A good connection with outdoors can be lacking
Post-war houses were definitely built in the most cost-effective way possible. Not only does this mean that they rarely feature much in the way of architectural decoration, but also that a general restraint was exercised in terms of their features overall.
"These properties have small windows and door openings, with a lack of direct access to rear gardens," says Ed Martin. "We often look to try and adapt the houses to 21st Century family life with larger, more social rooms and glazing on the rear elevation giving access to the greenery beyond."
Glass box extensions tend to suit the square form of these buildings, while larger runs of sliding doors will also help draw in light. Internally, consider swapping solid doors for metal-framed glazed designs – a nice nod to the metal windows that would often have been used around this time.
4. Ceiling heights could be an issue
Unlike their Georgian and Victorian predecessors, 1950s houses were not built with grand, high ceilings.
"Ceiling heights began to drop during this period as Modernist influences grew, so some houses show a blend of interwar design elements alongside features more typical of the 1960s and 1970s," explains David Nossiter.
"Floor-to-ceiling heights tend to be lower and you may struggle to have enough height in the loft to convert the space – so if you are considering buying a 1950s house with a view to do a loft conversion to get that extra bedroom, check the height at loft level before committing," picks up Tina Patel.
"An insulated loft from the deck level to the uppermost area where you normally have the ridge of the roof internally needs to be at least 2.5m to allow for insulation and structural build up. If you don’t have this you may need to lower the ceiling which, in itself, often is not possible as the windows at first floor are commonly tight up to the ceiling. There are creative ways around this but it does need to be carefully considered."
FAQs
Do 1950s houses have asbestos?
The use of asbestos in various areas of houses was widespread right up until 2000, although it was most common in the 1950s right up until the 1980s.
While shouldn't avoid buying a house with asbestos, you need to approach it with care.
"Any removal should be handled by specialists and any suspected materials tested," says David Nossiter.
Whether you are most interested in Victorian terraces or 1970s detached houses, it is vital that you understand how to assess a home for renovation before getting carried away. Structural defects are not always immediately obvious.
