Homes built in 1940s America were practical and efficient, influenced by wartime and postwar needs but came in a variety of styles. The so-called 'minimal traditional' houses (pictured), developed in the 1930s in response to the economic strains, remained popular into the early 40s thanks to their simplicity, space efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Cape Cod Revival homes featured steep roofs and symmetrical facades. Single-storey ranch-style houses emerged in the late 1940s, with open layouts and attached garages.

Some of the most iconic residences were built in the 'International' style and embraced modernist principles with flat roofs and large windows.

Vintage images show what American life in the 1940s was REALLY like