Shag Carpets
Thick, fluffy shag carpets dominated 1970s homes, adding some cozy luxury underfoot. People loved them because they were so warm and comfortable, but the shag carpet trend is now in steep decline because people find them dated and difficult to clean compared to hardwood floors.
Conversation Pits
Sitting on the floor never felt so good! Conversation pits were a 1970s sitting room staple, allowing friends and family to gather together and comfortably lounge on soft pillows. It was a simplistic yet glamorous interior design choice that symbolized relaxed ‘70s cocktail-hour culture.
Macramé
Macramé was one of the most versatile interior decor materials, often seen in wall hangings, plant holders, and even curtains. It was a craft-focused trend that self-sufficient people in the 1970s loved, though it sadly fell out of favor in the subsequent decades. Today, it elicits earthy, vintage feelings.
Avocado Bathrooms
Forget avocado toast, in the ‘70s avocado bathrooms were the hottest trend. Avocado green was a popular shade for walls and bathroom fixtures because it honored the decade’s love for natural, earthy colors. It was stylish and retro, and gave bathrooms a fun finishing touch.
Rattan and Wicker
Rattan and wicker furniture introduced a breezy, bohemian atmosphere that many homes were lacking. Most 1970s furniture was lightweight and handcrafted, so these materials really took off. They disappeared for a while afterwards, but are now making a vintage resurgence.
Terrazzo
Terrazzo floors were all the rage in the ‘70s thanks to their durability and eye-catching speckled pattern. It dipped in popularity after the end of the decade, but has recently experienced a resurgence because of how versatile, sustainable, and timeless the material is.
Geometric Patterns
The ‘70s was a less colorful decade than the ‘60s, but it still had cool prints! Bold geometric patterns adorned wallpaper, furniture, and flooring, adding some fun, dynamic energy to every room. Patterns are used more sparsely nowadays, but in the 1970s, more was more!
Lava Lamps
Lava lamps are a cult classic interior decor staple for a reason. They epitomized the quirky and groovy energy of the 1970s perfectly, acting as both light sources and decorations. Their once-countercultural psychedelic vibe quickly became mainstream and almost every household had one.
Pop Art
Pop art has been huge for a long time, but it was particularly popular in the 1970s. People didn’t post about their favorite celebrities, movies, or cultural motifs on social media; they decorated their homes with them instead. Artists like Warhol and Lichtenstein inspired this vibrant interior decor rebellion.
Earthy Tones
Bright, bold colors may have ruled the 1960s, but the ‘70s took a sharp turn towards more natural tones, which included lots of earthy browns and greens. The walls and furniture of many homes reflected the eco-conscious ‘70s culture and lent them a cozy, sophisticated vibe.
Lacquered Surfaces
Glossy lacquer finishes elevated furniture and cabinetry in the 1970s, offering many households a glamorous, modern feeling. Mostly used in kitchens, lacquered surfaces embodied the contemporary decor that was starting to take off in the ‘70s, and it hardly looks dated today.
Velvet
From fashion to home decor, velvet was huge in the 1970s. ‘70s homes were filled with velvet couches, chairs, and cushions, which injected some rich luxury into otherwise generic households. They were bold statement pieces that gave character and were also very comfortable to relax on.
Glass Furniture
Everything looks good in glass; at least, that’s what homeowners in the 1970s would tell you. It was particularly popular for coffee and dining tables, lending a clean, futuristic vibe to many households that opened up rooms and required minimal maintenance. Today, glass furniture remains ultra-stylish.
Beaded Curtains
Many old movies feature beaded curtains, and their playful, bohemian energy was just as popular off the screen. They were symbols of free-spirited living, injecting some whimsical, colorful energy into a space that some people still appreciate now. They were a defining ‘70s decor feature.
Egg Chairs
Sculptural egg chairs delivered both comfort and style, with a cozy cocoon shape that became iconic throughout the decades. Unlike many ‘70s trends, egg chairs remained a beloved classic design trend that still features in modern homes and provides retro-luxury appeal.
Psychedelic Prints
The 1960s hippie era persisted into the early 1970s, and many people declined to give up their countercultural patterns and motifs. Psychedelic prints were huge because of their bold creativity and how easily they gave rooms some life. They were playful and retro without overwhelming the house.
Wood Paneling
Warm wood paneling appeared all over ‘70s homes, particularly the walls and furniture. It was cozy and looked good in moderation, though some people found it dark and dated. Modern designers have now reclaimed this old classic decor trend to upstyle contemporary homes.
Bean Bags
They weren’t the most stylish seating option, but we can’t fault ‘70s homeowners for wanting to be comfortable! Bean bags were soft and casual, making homes feel welcoming and anti-formal. Many people found them sloppy, but others loved how relaxed they were, especially with supportive foam materials.
Carpeted Bathroom
This is one ‘70s decor trend that has definitely lost all appeal! Plush carpeting around the toilet and shower was huge 20 years ago because it added some softness and color to bathrooms, but it quickly fell out of fashion due to hygiene concerns. We can’t say we miss it!
Bamboo
Bamboo furniture and accents were classy additions to the natural aesthetic that really took off in the ‘70s. It was an eco-leaning decor trend that gave homes a tropical edge and also bought into the decade’s fundamental sustainability. It remains a refined, contemporary choice.
Decorative Mirrors
Mirrored walls and decorations were extremely popular in the 1970s and nobody found them overwhelming. Instead, homeowners welcomed how they expanded rooms and made them feel more glamorous, sculpting walls and offering light. They remain popular now, though they’re used in moderation.
Afghan Rugs
Afghan designs are timelessly cozy, so we hardly need to explain their ‘70s appeal. People loved having covered floors to keep their feet warm, and it was just a bonus that afghan rugs looked so nice. They helped launch the original cottagecore aesthetic and remain nostalgically artistic.
Tiled Countertops
They required a bit of maintenance, but people in the 1970s loved ceramic-tiled kitchen countertops. Homeowners bemoaned cleaning the grout that formed between the tiles, but they also added some warm, rustic charm to both typical and boho kitchens.
Platform Beds
Conversation pits may have been sunken, but the best 1970s beds were raised! They created a fun silhouette that made rooms feel bigger and gave off relaxed vibes. This trend has stood the test of time and remains a simple staple today, with the same classic ‘70s materials still popular.
Burnt Orange Walls
In keeping with the 1970s “earthy colors” trend, burst orange wallpaper or paint was very popular throughout the decade. It felt cozy, but also colorful and adventurous without being garish. That sense of sun-baked sophistication was one trend so simple that it stood the test of time.
Terracotta Tiles
The ‘70s made many internationally-inspired decor trends mainstream, so we had to include terracotta tiles on this list! They exuded warmth and handcrafted charm, while also making it easy to keep floors clean. Even though they felt cold, they still contributed to the decade’s popular cozy vibe.
Ferns
Lush ferns thrived indoors in the 1970s thanks to the decade’s big plant boom. Instead of keeping greenery outside, people brought it into their homes to embrace organic living and add some natural freshness. Ferns remain one of the most nostalgic indoors plants to this day.
Patchwork Quilts
Not everything was handmade in the 1970s, but it was trendy to embrace that vibe. Patchwork quilts felt ultra cozy and homey, even if they were a bit old-fashioned, and they remained popular thanks to various craft revivals over the years. They also guaranteed the best sleep of your life.
Vinyl
Vinyl may have fallen out of favor since the ‘70s, but it was huge at the time. From wallpaper to flooring, homeowners couldn’t get enough of this material. It came in all patterns and colors, with a high-quality finish that was easy to maintain and gave homes some quirky character.
Sunburst Clocks
The 1970s launched many new decor trends, but also gave older ones new life. Sunburst clocks represented mid-century glamor, but ‘70s versions added their own flair, with bold, brassy designs that acted as stunning interior focal points. They’re now beloved retro classics that many people still buy.
Room Dividers
Open-plan living was big in the ‘70s, but some people wanted to segment their rooms up without making any lasting alterations to their homes. Enter: room dividers. These handy partitions were practical and cheap, though they did use dark, heavy materials in the 1970s.
Walnut
Walnut wood is deep, classy, and feels expensive, so of course it was prized in the ‘70s. It defined the simple but sleek aesthetic that many homes favored, and its timeless look means it’s still a high-end design trend now. The online downside was how dark it could feel.
Popcorn Ceilings
They’re definitely not in style anymore, but almost everybody had a popcorn ceiling in the ‘70s. They were actually used to hide imperfections and absorb sound, but quickly became popular for their quirky, textured look. Modern homeowners are removing them, but their nostalgia remains.
Copper Cookware
1970s kitchens were a delightful mish-mash of different elements, but copper absolutely dominated the cookware range. It had excellent heat performance, but also looked beautiful and required minimal maintenance thanks to their durability. It feels old-world now, but it was fresh in the ‘70s.
Glass Lamps
Whether it was smoked, colored, or just plain glass, these lamps were the ideal moody addition to every ‘70s home. They look a little more contemporary now, but vintage glass lamps were large, unapologetic decor pieces that felt surprisingly glamorous and luxurious at the time.
