The Hand-Me-Down Couch
If you were lucky, Mom and Dad gave you a couch for your new apartment. It didn’t match anything, sure, but that was half the charm. And yes, it was usually floral, plaid, or a weird mix of both. Still, it was yours, and it made your place feel like home.
Makeshift Magic
Furniture? Pffft. Who needs it? Milk crates were the staple of every apartment in the ‘70s. They held books, doubled as side tables, and even acted as extra seating when guests came by. You’d simply flip one over and call it decor.
The Beanbag Throne
Every ‘70s apartment had a beanbag chair. Or, in extreme cases, inflatable furniture that squeaked and stuck to your leg when you sat down. Getting comfortable in either of these was a mission. They came in wild colors like orange, lime green, and purple, too.
A Groovy Glow
Nothing set the mood in the ‘70s quite like a lava lamp. The slow-moving blobs were oddly relaxing and hypnotic. You could stare at it for hours and forget what you were doing. Yes, it didn’t light up the whole room, but it looked cool.
Macrame Madness
Macrame was absolutely everywhere in the ‘70s. It hung on walls, held plants, and sometimes covered lamps. Somehow, it made your apartment look creative and “boho” before the word even became trendy. If you were lucky, someone made it for you, and you didn’t have to buy it.
Shag Everywhere
Shag carpets were bold and bright. We’re talking orange, green, and mustard. They made any room feel fancy until you tried vacuuming. Those long fibers trapped everything from dust to crumbs, but they were soft on your feet and gave your apartment a bit of style.
Poster, Poster On the Wall
Forget mirrors—posters were IT in the ‘70s. No apartment wall was complete without a few posters of your favorite band, movie, or peace signs. You proudly taped them up, albeit a little crooked. This was how you showed the world your personality.
Big Sounds
A stereo system was an absolute must for your new apartment. And the speakers? Well, the bigger the speakers, the better. The neighbors had a choice - complain about the noise, or join in on the party. ‘70s apartments were never quiet for long.
Ashtrays Everywhere
Having an ashtray in your apartment didn’t necessarily mean you smoked. Every table had one, just in case someone needed to flick some ashes or rest their cigarette. They came in glass, metal, or weird shapes like lips and leaves. Back in the ‘70s, it was just polite to have one.
The Waterbed
If you had a waterbed or futon, you were seen as super cool. They sloshed when you lay down, and wobbled when you turned over, but they were super fun until they leaked or you needed to move them around the room.
Mismatched Dishes
No one had matching dishes in the ‘70s. You got hand-me-down plates from your parents, aunts, granny, or thrift stores. Some were chipped, others were colorful, and none matched. But they worked just fine, and that’s all that really mattered.
An Electric Skillet
Who says you can’t cook mac and cheese in an electric skillet? This one appliance was the hero of every kitchen in the ‘70s. It fried eggs, simmered stews, and even made fondue in a pinch. Cleaning it was a nightmare, but it got the job done.
Tupperware
Tupperware was super popular in the ‘70s, and it came in every color. What was stored in them, you ask? Everything. We’re talking leftovers, snacks, coins, and buttons. Every kitchen had at least one set, whether you used them or not.
Can Openers
Opening cans has always been an effort, and the ‘70s were no different. There were no electric openers, so you’d grab a manual opener and give it your best. Sometimes it opened easily, but other times, you’d be left sweaty and grunting just trying to open that can of beans.
Instant Coffee
Moving into your own apartment meant switching to instant coffee and creamer. It didn’t taste amazing, but it was all you could really afford. You’d stir, sip, and wake up enough to face the day. Instant coffee was quick and cheap - and that’s all that mattered.
The Tiny Fridge
Do you remember your first fridge in your first apartment? It was tiny, with a freezer barely big enough for ice trays. Storing food felt more like a puzzle, and defrosting the freezer took forever. But hey, it kept the milk cold and the leftovers from spoiling.
Bare Spice Racks
Spice racks are meant to hold spices, right? Well, if you were moving into your first apartment, chances are your spice rack was empty for quite a while. All you had was salt and pepper, which made every meal taste the same.
Boxed Dinners
Hamburger Helper and Kraft Mac and Cheese saved the day in the ‘70s. It was cheap, quick, and comforting. And, best of all, you didn’t need any real cooking skills. You’d end up eating straight from the pan, feeling proud of your “home-cooked” meal.
One Pan to Rule Them All
Pots and pans are great, but in your first apartment in the ‘70s, a single cast-iron pan did it all. It was heavy and looked ancient, and was probably passed down from an aunt or your mom. That pan was your kitchen MVP and probably lasted longer than most relationships.
The All-Purpose Table
That one lonely table you had in your first apartment did absolutely everything. You ate on it, studied on it, chopped veggies on it, and even folded laundry on it. It might have wobbled, but it was your pride and joy and the heart of your living room.
Coin Laundromats
Laundry day was an adventure when you moved into your own apartment. You’d have to drag your clothes and coins to the laundromat and figure out how to work those coin-operated machines on your own because Mom wasn’t there to do it for you.
The Ironing Board
An ironing board was more of a permanent fixture in your first apartment. It stayed open and held clothes, plants, and random mail most of the time. Yes, you always meant to iron that one shirt, but never did. But, boy, did it look like you were prepared for adulthood.
Hidden Cleaning Supplies
Forget having a cleaning closet - your first apartment probably didn’t even have one. The mop and broom lived behind the fridge, hidden from sight. You only remembered them when someone was coming over and you panic-cleaned like your life depended on it.
Shower Rod Dryer
Dryers were expensive in the ‘70s, so you made do with what you had. Sometimes, that meant hanging your wet clothes over the shower rod or on chairs scattered around your apartment. Jeans took forever to dry, but at least they made your place smell fresh.
The Rotary Phone
The old rotary phone was your social lifeline back in the day. You’d pace your apartment while talking, stretching the cord across the room. Dialing took forever, and if you messed up a number, you had to start all over again.
Coffee Table Literature
If your coffee table wasn’t full of books, papers, and clutter, you weren’t doing it right. Sure, you didn’t always get around to reading everything, but the books made for some pretty great coasters when friends showed up with drinks.
A Trusty Sewing Kit
Your first apartment wasn’t complete without a small sewing kit your mom put together for you. Ripped jeans, loose buttons, and long curtains were fixed in a jiffy. Sure, you poked your finger a few times, but it made you feel like you could handle anything on your own.
Mini Vac
Let’s be honest - there was no way you could afford a brand new vacuum when you moved into your first apartment. A mini-vac had to do. But, they weren’t as advanced as the ones we have now, and they barely picked up crumbs.
The Wall Calendar
In the ‘70s, you planned your life on a wall calendar. And when you got your first apartment, your mom helped you write birthdays, bill dates, and other random reminders. It helped keep your life sort of organized, which made her feel a bit more at ease about you living on your own.
Records for Days
Cleaning day, studying, cooking - whatever you were doing, music made it way better. And that meant blasting your favorite record on your old record player. Music made anything more fun, even if the neighbors complained it was too loud.
Keys and Freedom
Your very first set of keys meant you were independent. And, of course, you’d add a fun keychain with a peace sign, a mini disco ball, or anything else that meant you could show your keys off proudly to anyone who would see them. It said, "This space is yours."
Coffee Tin Savings
A coffee tin with spare cash was your safety net. You’d stash coins and small bills for emergencies—or pizza. It felt good knowing it was there, even if “emergencies” often meant late-night cravings. Who needs a bank when you’ve got a tin, right?
Roommate Rules
Every apartment with roommates had a handwritten “agreement.” Who takes out the trash, who does dishes—it all sounded fair at first. After a week, though, all rules vanished, and chaos won. Still, you tried to be grown-ups. Well, sort of.
The Curtain Wall
If you had roommates, privacy meant hanging a curtain instead of a real wall or door. It didn’t block much sound, but it gave you space and a bit of style. All you had to do was pull it closed and pretend you were in a separate room.
A Plant Corner
Every ‘70s apartment had at least one corner filled with plants—real or fake. Plants like spider plants, lilies, and easy-to-care-for ferns made your apartment feel alive even when you forgot to water them. If one survived a month, it instantly earned a name.
