Why did patterns return to interior design during the 1960s?

During the 1960s, patterns returned to interior design as a reaction against the perceived monotony and coldness of the earlier functionalist movement, which had emphasized simplicity, straight lines, and a lack of ornament.1

This shift was supported by several factors:

• New Artistic Influences: The emergence of Op art introduced abstract, visually stimulating patterns that challenged the austerity of previous decades.1
• Technological and Material Advances: The development of elegant, easily washable materials made it practical to incorporate light colors and pastel shades into upholstery and decor, allowing for more decorative freedom.1
• Cultural Shifts: The era saw a broader move away from the "machine for living" philosophy toward designs that offered more human warmth and visual interest.1

While functionalism had successfully eliminated the excessive ornament of the 19th century, its uncompromising focus on utility eventually led to a desire for the renewed aesthetic variety that patterns provided.1