5 home trends from communist-era Poland

Flats from the communist era - most of us have spent time in one, and many of us have lived in one. Tiny floor areas, spaces chopped up by walls, dark kitchens, small rooms and low ceilings. Sound familiar?

Some will think there is nothing to write about here - that these solutions were a quirk of the socialist-realist system, which invented inhuman floor areas to satisfy the occupancy norms of the day. Inhuman, because until 1961 each person was allotted 6 m², later raised to 9 m² per person.

Small surfaces imposed very specific furnishing standards. It was undoubtedly a challenge for designers - and that is exactly why we respect it so much, because we know how hard it is to fit many functions into a limited space. What counted above all was ingenuity and ergonomics.

So let us revisit five design and furniture solutions without which we simply cannot imagine a communist-era Polish flat.

1. The wall unit

A modular piece that formed a wall between spaces, made up of a system of shelves, drawers and cabinets able to hold a truly remarkable amount of things. Its most popular form was presented by the Kowalski couple in 1961, at a competition for furniture designs for small flats. Originally these units - also known as "the Kowalskis' furniture" - were made of wood-effect materials and covered with veneers imitating natural wood tones.

The wall unit was a byword for luxury and ergonomics, and the basic furnishing of small, cramped flats.

2. The shelf-bed

A shelving unit fitted with a bed you could fold away with one hand, without even having to strip the bedding. It was mostly found in children's rooms. An ergonomic, well-thought-out solution that is coming back into favour.

3. Chierowski's model 366 armchair

The most popular armchair of the period. Its compact dimensions suited cramped flats perfectly. The form is timeless - it looks light and modern. You can read more about Chierowski's model 366 in our August blog post.

4. The combine: table, magazine rack and lamp in one

A piece combining three functions, designed specifically for reading the press - and in communist Poland newspapers were the main source of information. A light lamp form topped with a shade, a plywood table and a magazine rack woven from cheap plastic cord. Now that is multifunctionality. I found the one in the photo in a bin in Zoliborz and I plan to give it a second life.

5. Plant stands and side tables

Round, triangular, with rounded corners and colourful mosaic tops. Their light form and small size make them utterly charming. They once served as plant stands or mini coffee tables, and now they are back in fashion. We adore them and hunt for them at auctions and antique fairs.

Why the great comeback?

Does this great return of communist-era furniture puzzle you? Today's flats are not much bigger than those from that period. There are of course no state-imposed allocations any more, and everyone can thankfully decide for themselves how many people share a space. Yet it is precisely ergonomics, multifunctionality and relatively low prices that drive the popularity of these solutions. What is more, some pieces are appreciated far more now than they were in the grey communist reality.

Choosing these pieces is not always a nostalgic return to the past. Often the decision to restore or buy communist-era furnishings comes down to cold calculation.

Sometimes furniture just a few decades old still looks good and is more original than anything from the popular chain stores. So why overpay? On top of that, many people take on restoration themselves, and some real gems come out of it.

And do you think the architectural solutions and furniture of communist-era Poland deserve a second chance?