1950s Master Bedroom
In post-WWII USA the housing market boomed as soldiers returned from war and got married. No longer were young married couples living with their parents. They wanted their own homes which created a demand for home furnishings. The economic rise of the 1950’s allowed couples to afford some luxury in their home and emphasis was placed on family life.
The California-style ranch homes were built in 1955 and had a larger master bedroom than what was often found in earlier homes.
Several things prompted rooms to get larger. The widespread use of central heating for one. Prior to 1950 master bedrooms were smaller than they are today. People worked and had to be very wealthy to have leisure time. But the introduction of the 40-hour work week allowed for time to relax. Homes became more than shelter and began to be a place to enjoy family and relax. Hence the master bedroom was no longer a place to just sleep but a place for the owners to enjoy with their family. Master bedroom sizes began to increase because of a stronger middle class.
TV's Portrayal of Master bedrooms
Before the 1950s bedrooms for married couples had twin beds pushed apart. During the first two seasons of the revolutionary television show I Love Lucy (1951-1960), Lucy and Ricky Ricardo slept on twin beds pushed together, but after they had little Ricky, CBS may have insisted the beds be pushed apart perhaps to downplay their sexual relationship. A few years later, Ozzie and Harriet (1952-1966), Bewitched (1964-1972), Green Acres (1965-1971), depicted double beds. Since then Double, Queen, King and Western King have not been an issue on TV or in the theater.
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