Can anyone explain the design of 1930s houses to me please?

[whatsthecatch]

I'm thinking of moving to a 1930s house with the typical bedroom layout of 2 good sized bedrooms and then a third tiny "boxroom" type room that is classed a the third bedroom.

Now I have 2 DCs it seems unfair to expect one of them to have a big room and one to have a tiny bedroom.

I have always wondered why typical 1930s houses are designed this way and would love to know what the thinking is behind the design? Did they expect a family to have their children sharing the second bedroom regardless of age/gender? Was the tiny room designed as a bedroom at all? We have family with a 6ft tall son who grew up in the tiny room and they had to take the skirting boards off in his room to fit his bed in!

So, anyone know about 1930s architecture? My 1970s house has 3 similar sized rooms so obviously architects were thinking differently 40 years later!

Thanks

Reviving this thread 10 years on! I loved reading it. That link you shared is so interesting @kjb340.

It’s true 1930s houses feel so spacious and lovely in the common areas and make such great use of natural light.

I hate through lounges too!

This thread has made me more sure of buying what would have been a middle class Victorian house. It suits how we work as a family, large bedrooms, no front garden (or “kerbside appeal”). Everyone thinks we’re mad, as the “desirable” houses are in the 1930-50s picturesque estates.

I do love 1930s houses though but can’t afford the larger 4 bed ones!

That was a good read, thanks for reviving! I've bought three houses in my life and all three have been typical 1930s houses. 2 bed semi, 3 bed semi, 4 bed detached. All with big back gardens, huge bay windows, big doors to the back and a similar layout. It's a bit like I've just had one house that kept growing up! I don't think I'd ever choose anything else.

And why do all 1930s tiny houses sit on enormous plots with huge gardens front and back?

@sst1234

And why do all 1930s tiny houses sit on enormous plots with huge gardens front and back?

The thread says for sufficient space to grow food for family. It’s a good thing I think anyway!