See why people loved these elegant & affordable linoleum floors and vinyl flooring from the 1960s

Linoleum floors and vinyl flooring from the 1960s

Note: This article may feature affiliate links, and purchases made may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. Find out more here.

Facebook
Pinterest
Twitter
Email
LinkedIn
Pocket
Reddit

What’s the difference between linoleum and vinyl flooring?

Although we often use these terms interchangeably, linoleum and vinyl are actually two distinctly different flooring products.

Linoleum is the older flooring product of the two, and it may be even older than you think!

Patented in the 1860s, linoleum flooring is made of linseed oil (which accounts for its water resistance and durability, as well as inspiring the product name) mixed with cork dust and wood flour, pine resin and pigments, and then pressed into cotton scrim fabric.

Zig-zag striped 1960s linoleum patterns

Highly durable, easy to maintain, and — especially compared to wood or marble flooring — relatively inexpensive, linoleum was extremely popular with housewives of the early 20th century. It was also very popular in commercial and institutional settings (and even remains so to this day).

Vinyl flooring — which was invented in the 1930s, but didn’t hit the market after World War II — hit its stride in the later decades of the 20th century. Unlike eco-friendly linoleum, which is made entirely of natural, biodegradable materials, vinyl is a synthetic product made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

Like linoleum, vinyl floors are durable and easy to clean. Vinyl also offered consumers a wider range of color and pattern options.

In the 60s, linoleum was overtaken by vinyl flooring as the preference of homeowners. In fact, by 1972, there were 200 million square feet of vinyl flooring sold in North America each year.

SEE SOME: Get down with 70 groovy vintage vinyl floors from the 70s & 80s

Retro linoleum floor with stripes and bamboo wood look

But the more things change…

Even today vinyl is a mainstay on the market, especially with innovations like luxury vinyl plank that — aside from looking convincingly like real wood planks — have the perk of being almost completely waterproof and nearly indestructible.

And linoleum itself — which never fell entirely out of favor for more commercial purposes — is enjoying a bit of a comeback with consumers, these days as a greener alternative to synthetic flooring options.

Depending on your memories of resilient flooring in your younger life, you might be surprised by the showroom elegance of the 60s-era linoleum and vinyl installations we’ve featured below. Have a look! -BB

DON’T MISS! We are (surprisingly!) obsessed by the vintage wall paneling in these 58 mid-century rooms

Faux marble effect 1960s kitchen flooring pattern

Faux marble effect 1960s kitchen flooring pattern


Creative vintage 1960s kitchen linoleum floor pattern

Creative vintage 1960s kitchen linoleum floor pattern


Color-blocked linoleum tiles (1961)

Color-blocked flooring (1961)


Fake brick vintage linoleum floor

Fake brick vintage linoleum floor

ALSO SEE: 20 vintage 1960s kitchen tile design ideas & popular retro mosaic tile styles


Kitchen floor from the 1960s

Kitchen linoleum floor from the 1960s


Metallic resilient floors from 1960

Starflash your floors with sparkling metallic magic!

Help your home to superb style with one of these inlaid vinyl or linoleum floors.

New developments even include a brand new kind of linoleum that combines top quality linoleum with vinyl to give you the best of both.

All patterns twinkle with gold, silver or multi-color metallics locked into high-fashion background colors. Expertly installed for a beautiful seamless floor that’s easy to keep sanitary-clean. Remember, the newest in fine floors come first from Congoleum-Nairn.

Metallic linoleum and vinyl floors from the 1960s


Retro sixties lino sheet pattern in brown

Retro sixties linoleum pattern in brown


Seamless inlaid stars in a mid century kitchen floor (1961)

A first in vinyl floors: Seamless inlaid vinyl with a “custom-designed” look — beautiful new Showcase by Congoleum-Nairn! Means extra beauty, easier care. Fashion colors ideal for co- ordination with walls, counters, appliances. In most 12’ x 15’ rooms, this luxurious inlaid vinyl costs about $150 — installed!

Seamless inlaid stars in a mid century vinyl kitchen floor (1961)

ALSO SEE: A mid-century modern show home: See H&G’s Hallmark house for 1963


Vintage 1960s flooring patterns with white and green squares

You’ll love living on Vina-Lux floors.

More time for fun and relaxation with floors of quick-cleaning, thrifty Vina-Lux vinyl asbestos tile… modern miracle in resilient flooring. 

Vintage 1960s linoleum patterns with white and green squares


Vintage 1960s flooring patterns

Surprise! This luxury vinyl tile floor wears a $60 price!

You can do any 12’ x 15’ area yourself in beautiful Kentile Beaushard for about that $60 price.

You get a floor that’s greaseproof, quiet and comfortable underfoot. Resists scuffing and everyday wear and tear as only a Kentile vinyl tile can. Lustrous, translucent chip design complements any decor. 

Vintage 1960s linoleum patterns


 

Armstrong Excelon tile floor (1969)

Armstrong Excelon tile linoleum floor (1969)


Creative 1960s flooring patterns

Creative 1960s linoleum patterns


Retro kitchen flooring pattern with an Asian motif

Retro kitchen flooring pattern with Asian motif


Retro 60s lino floor patterns

Retro 60s linoleum floor patterns


Retro 1960s lino patterns for a dining room

Retro 1960s linoleum patterns for a dining room


Vintage cork flooring tile (1962)

It’s new Kentile Custom Cork, yet cleans as easy as Vinyl!

Over whisper-quiet, cushiony Cork, Kentile has added crystal-clear polyurethane resin… the toughest floor finish ever. Result? You get a beautiful Cork tile floor that fights off scuffing, dirt and grease as no other flooring ever could!

Vintage cork flooring tile (1962)

DON’T MISS! 100+ fabulous 50s floors of linoleum & vinyl


Trendy mid century modern living room decor with sunken planter bed (1962)

Trendy midcentury modern living room decor with sunken planter bed (1962)


Vintage Armstrong vinyl floors – Flooring from the 1950s

Vintage Armstrong vinyl floors - Flooring from the 1950s (1)


Vintage wood-look vinyl flooring (1961)

Vintage wood-look vinyl flooring (1961)


Shiny vintage striped floor pattern for a mid century modern house (1960s)

Shiny vintage striped floor pattern for a mid century modern house (1960s)


Checkerboard square lino tile floor pattern (1960)

Checkerboard square lino tile floor pattern (1960)


Brown Franciscan tile floor (1965)

Enjoy coordinated beauty in your home’s most active room.

Definitely new! Delightfully different! Franciscan Terra Floor contrasting with decorative Franciscan Tile that repeats the “Hacienda” pattern in Franciscan Earthen- ware. Your choice of decorator colors. What a wonderful way to add charm to your home’s most active room!

Brown Franciscian tile floor (1965)


Vintage 1960s linoleum kitchen and family room floor patterns

Dutch Treat! Kentile’s newest vinyl floor… Holland Tile! Clean, clear styling. Textured. Economical. Install it yourself for only about $45… to brighten any 12′ x 15′ room.

Vintage 1960s linoleum kitchen and family room floor patterns

ALSO SEE: Mobile homes: The hot housing trend of the ’50s and ’60s


Striped bedroom flooring for kids – bunk bed (1969)

Striped bedroom flooring for kids - bunk bed (1969)


Textured mosaic vinyl tile for a family den and music room (1975)

Exciting new Kentile Floor! Textured Mosiac — the vinyl tile with an intriguing embossed surface. Easy to clean. Greaseproof. Dirt and Dust wipe right off. Ideal for kitchens.

Textured mosaic vinyl tile for a family den and music room (1975)


Retso 60s Montina Corlon Armstrong vinyl floor with mod furniture and fireplace

Retso 60s Montina Corlon Armstrong vinyl floor with mod furniture and fireplace


Faux red Spanish tile vinyl flooring from (1967)

Faux red Spanish tile vinyl flooring from (1967)


 

Luxury vintage kitchen-family room floor in agate chip vinyl asbestos tile (1964)

Luxury vintage kitchen-family room floor in agate chip vinyl asbestos tile (1964)


Mid century home with fake (but convincing!) brick Kentile floors (1960s)

Midcentury home with fake brick Kentile floors (1960s)

DON’T MISS! Vintage home style: 1950s vinyl floor tiles in square patterns


Mexican Hacienda-look vinyl flooring from 1965

Inspiration: A Mexican hacienda

Floor: Montina Vinyl Corlon

Textured surfaces, rich colors, grandeur — these are traits of Mexican deco- rating, and of this vinyl floor by Armstrong — Montina Corlon.

Montina is made of stone-like chips of vinyl veined with color. They are set in deep, translucent vinyl to create intriguing, pebbly texture.

This textured surface helps hide scuffs and heel marks.

Because Montina comes in wide rolls, there’s scarcely a seam, wall to wall. And Montina can be used anywhere in the home — even in most downstairs playrooms, directly over the concrete.

Mexican Hacienda-look vinyl floor from 1965


Textured woodgrain-look vintage vinyl tile

Look what Kentile’s done with vinyl tile! New Textured Woodgrain looks like wood, feels like wood, costs far less!

Textured woodgrain-look vintage vinyl tile


Green patterned vintage vinyl kitchen floor style (1966)

Green patterned vintage vinyl kitchen floor style (1966)


Retro 60s entry hall vinyl floor with brass strips and vinyl tile floor with walnut wood strips

Retro 60s entry hall vinyl floor with brass strips and vinyl tile floor with walnut wood strips


Old-fashioned Paiselle corlon tile and parquet vinyl cork tile (1963)

Old-fahioned Paiselle corlon tile and parquet vinyl cork tile (1963)


Mid century modern living room and dining room with fancy retro floors

Mid century modern living rom and dining room with fancy retro floors


Vintage 1960s linoleum floor close-up

ALSO SEE: 11 vintage ’50s bathroom floors in vinyl & linoleum

Vintage 1960s linoleum floor close-up


Old-fashioned linoleum floor that looks like ceramic tile

Old-fashioned linoleum floor that looks like ceramic tile


Retro lino floors in circular patterns

Retro lino floors in circular patterns


Vintage green flooring from the 60s

Vintage green linolum flooring from the 60s

NOW… SEE THIS! 31 vintage 1950s kitchen tile design ideas

PS: If you liked this article, please share it! You can also get our free newsletter, follow us on Facebook & Pinterest. Thanks for visiting and for supporting a small business! 🤩 

Facebook
Pinterest
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

You might also like...

The fun never ends:

Comments on this story

One Response

  1. The Mexican hacienda sheet flooring is full of asbestos. 70%. The black, very sticky “black jack” backing is also loaded with it. Cover it all up as unobtrusively as you can: a rug, for example. The Armstrong 1964 Corlon Montina is extremely durable, asbestos backing or not. 5,000 trips of dogs (easily) and it looks like new. It’s in my entryway. Under newer tiles in hallway entry of building, too. When the newer stuff falls apart on top, this stuff is usually perfectly intact, just sitting there.

    I hated it before, but it’s grown on me for its tenacity. Sort of like a flooring cockroach. Just that it’s still intact after 60 years is amazing.

Leave a comment here!

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.