The 1930s was a time when many working people were able to put down a deposit towards buying their first house. Over 4 million houses were built in the period in between the Wars and it was a time when town development spread out towards the leafy suburbs. If you live in a 1930s semi-detached house with traditional bay fronted windows, you may wish to decorate and furnish your house in the style of the 1930s.

Here are some things to look out for:

The glass panel in the front door and the small windows above the large windows of the bay often contained stained glass. Traditional styles include flowers, sunsets and galleon ships.

Floors would be covered in hard-wearing lino. Some designs were quite colourful and flamboyant while others contained geometric patterns in more muted colours.

Fireplaces were tiled with a stepped profile. The most common colour tile was mottled brown.

Apparently, the three piece suite was a 1930s invention. There are various styles available from large square designs to those with curved dark wood arm rests.

Glass ware and fine china would be displayed in glass fronted display cabinets, many of which would be in a distinctive art deco style.

For a finishing touch, look in reputable antique shops for a bakelite telephone or radio.