14 Home Design Trends That Were Popular In The 1970s
Remember when avocado green was the height of kitchen fashion and shag carpets were in every living room? The 1970s brought a bold, colorful, and sometimes quirky approach to home design that left a lasting impression.
Whether you lived through it or just appreciate a good throwback, these trends shaped how homes looked and how they felt, for an entire decade.
In this article, we’re revisiting those standout styles that defined the era, for better or worse. Design trends are reflective of their time and may not align with modern tastes or standards.
1. Avocado Green Appliances
Ever walked into a kitchen that looked like a guacamole explosion? That was totally intentional in the 70s! Refrigerators, stoves, and even dishwashers came draped in this distinctive hue.
Avocado green represented the earthy movement sweeping through design circles. Manufacturers couldn’t produce these colored appliances fast enough for homeowners eager to ditch their boring white kitchen gear.
Some lucky neighborhoods still harbor these vintage treasures, hiding in kitchens that haven’t been renovated since Jimmy Carter was president.
2. Shag Carpeting
Stepping onto these plushy floors was like wading through a sea of textile quicksand! Shag carpets transformed living rooms into cozy sanctuaries where families gathered around console TVs watching The Brady Bunch.
The longer and shaggier your carpet, the more sophisticated your home appeared. Orange, brown, and gold were the holy trinity of shag carpet colors, though brave souls ventured into purple or blue territory.
Vacuuming these woolly mammoths required special equipment and considerable upper body strength.
3. Wood-Paneled Walls
How could anyone resist the allure of turning their home into a log cabin? Wood paneling swept through suburban America faster than disco fever, coating walls in glossy sheets of faux timber.
The dark veneer brought warmth and character to rooms while conveniently hiding wall imperfections. Most homeowners installed these affordable panels themselves during weekend DIY projects.
Wood paneling paired magnificently with other 70s staples like brass accessories and chunky furniture, creating that unmistakable den vibe perfect for watching Monday Night Football.
4. Macramé Wall Hangings
Though your fingers might get tangled just thinking about it, knotting elaborate wall decorations became a national obsession! Macramé transformed ordinary walls into bohemian showcases of handcrafted artistry.
Owls were particularly popular subjects, their round bodies formed from intricate patterns of jute or cotton cord. People displayed these textile masterpieces above sofas, beds, and fireplaces as statements of crafty prowess.
Making macramé required patience, dexterity, and an impressive collection of plant hangers that inevitably accompanied these wall pieces.
5. Bold Floral And Geometric Wallpaper
Where subtle design feared to tread, 70s wallpaper boldly went! Massive flowers and dizzying geometric patterns turned ordinary walls into psychedelic adventures that sometimes required sunglasses indoors.
Wallpapering wasn’t just decoration, it was commitment. Families chose patterns that expressed their personalities, from sunset-colored daisies to brown-and-orange hexagons that seemed to radiate when you stared too long.
Entire rooms disappeared behind these bold prints, creating immersive environments that either energized or mildly disoriented houseguests, depending on the pattern intensity.
6. Platform Beds
Platform beds, with their low profiles and minimalist designs, became a hallmark of 1970s bedrooms. These beds offered a modern twist on traditional bed frames, emphasizing sleek lines and functional style.
Often adorned with bold textiles and colorful linens, platform beds were both a statement piece and a practical choice. Their design eliminated the need for a box spring, providing a streamlined look that was both contemporary and timeless.
Incorporating a platform bed into a bedroom was synonymous with embracing the avant-garde spirit of the 70s, blending comfort with cutting-edge design.
7. Earth-Tone Color Palettes
When nature called in the 70s, it wasn’t asking for bathroom breaks, it was dictating color schemes! Burnt orange, harvest gold, avocado green, and chocolate brown dominated every surface from walls to appliances.
These earthy hues reflected the environmental consciousness growing throughout the decade. Combining several earth tones in one room created a warm, grounded feeling that felt both natural and sophisticated.
Accessories like ceramic mushroom sets and wooden bowls complement these nature-inspired colors, bringing the outdoors inside without the inconvenience of actual dirt.
8. Large, Open Kitchens
In the 1970s, the kitchen evolved from a utilitarian space into a central hub for family life. Large, open kitchens became fashionable, featuring expansive countertops, islands, and room for dining.
This design trend reflected a shift towards more informal gatherings, where cooking and socializing intertwined. Families found new joy in sharing meals and conversations in this welcoming environment.
The open kitchen design was both practical and stylish, setting the stage for modern kitchen layouts that continue to thrive today.
9. Rattan And Wicker Furniture
Bringing the patio indoors became all the rage as natural materials took center stage in 70s living rooms! Rattan chairs, wicker sofas, and bamboo tables created tropical vibes even in snowy Minnesota.
These lightweight pieces offered affordability and exotic flair during a time when international travel was becoming more accessible. Peacock chairs became particular status symbols, their dramatic fan-shaped backs creating perfect thrones for family photos.
The natural texture of these materials contrasted beautifully with the era’s plush fabrics and shag carpeting, adding visual interest and a casual, bohemian feel.
10. Beaded Curtains
Who needs privacy when you can have musical doorways? Beaded curtains transformed ordinary entrances into percussion instruments that announced everyone’s comings and goings with a distinctive clatter.
Hanging these strings of wooden, plastic, or glass beads between rooms created division without blocking light or air flow. Teenagers especially loved these groovy dividers for their bedrooms, often choosing designs with peace symbols or zodiac signs.
Parents quickly discovered the impossibility of sneaking past these noisy sentinels, making midnight kitchen raids a decidedly public affair.
11. Bold Color Schemes
The 1970s were a decade characterized by daring color palettes. Bold colors like orange, brown, mustard, and green were used extensively in home interiors, creating lively and energetic environments.
Walls, furniture, and accessories showcased these vibrant hues, often in contrasting combinations that captured the essence of the time. This fearless use of color was a rebellion against the muted tones of previous decades.
By embracing bold color schemes, homeowners could express their individuality and creativity, making each space uniquely their own.
12. Popcorn Ceilings
Looking up became an adventure when ceilings transformed from flat surfaces into textured landscapes resembling cottage cheese! Popcorn ceilings spread across America faster than disco music, promising homeowners acoustic benefits and easy installation.
Contractors loved spraying this textured coating because it hid imperfections and eliminated the need for perfect drywall finishing. Some adventurous homeowners even requested glitter mixed into the material for extra sparkly effect.
The bumpy surface did indeed reduce noise, though it excelled equally at collecting dust and proving nearly impossible to clean without causing a snowstorm of falling texture.
13. Hanging Plants In Woven Holders
Turning homes into urban jungles became a competitive sport as spider plants and ferns dangled from every possible ceiling hook! Macramé plant hangers showcased both botanical specimens and knotting prowess.
Boston ferns reigned supreme in these suspended gardens, their feathery fronds cascading dramatically from handcrafted hangers. The more plants hanging in your living room, the higher your status as a sophisticated homeowner with a green thumb.
Strategic placement created natural dividers between spaces while bringing life and oxygen into homes increasingly sealed with energy-efficient windows.
14. Velvet Furniture Upholstery
Nothing said luxury quite like running your hand across a velvet sofa in a saturated jewel tone! Furniture wrapped in this plush fabric became tactile focal points in fashion-forward living rooms.
Deep purples, rich blues, and forest greens dominated the velvet landscape, often appearing on bulky sectional sofas or swivel chairs. The material caught light beautifully, changing appearance as you moved around it.
Despite being magnets for pet hair and requiring special cleaning, velvet pieces signaled sophisticated taste and created cozy seating areas perfect for fondue parties and listening to vinyl records.
