From shag carpets and kitchen lino to avocado bathroom suites and glitterball glitz, few decades evoke as much nostalgia about home décor styles than the 1970s. Half a century later and 70s interior design – or ‘retro-chic’ – is back with a fresh, modern twist.
The reason we feel so fond about 70s décor, with its playful patterns, cosy colours, eye-catching shapes and touchy-feely textures, is because it reminds us of an era that was fun, free-spirited, and had plenty of feel-good factor.
It’s no wonder the decade is having its moment all over again with a wide choice of sofas, furniture, furnishings, accessories and accents pieces to create your very own 70s home décor. It’s time to get groovy.
1970s Interior Design: A Timeless Trend
So, what exactly was the style of decorating in the 1970s?
Seventies décor harnessed the natural world’s earthy hues of rich browns, harvest golds, burnt oranges and avocado greens, and materials like rattan, wicker and bamboo.
Bold and eclectic patterns abounded, ranging from paisleys and florals to geometric and psychedelic prints.
There was layer-upon-layer of texture in the form of shag carpets and rugs, velvet sofas and cushions, and the decorative knots of cotton macramé gracing walls.
This was the decade of sunken sofa pits, mushroom and lava lamps, and drinks trolleys wheeled out.
Five decades later, the influence of classic and time 70s décor lingers. This is a classic and timeless trend that has enduring staying power.
Why 70s Decorating Style is Making a Comeback
For those who crave some excitement, playfulness and frivolity in their life, retro 70s house interiors offer the perfect antidote to minimalism – or can even complement it.
We also can’t seem to get enough of biophilia – the innate love of life and nature – so it’s no surprise that 70s interiors with their earthy colours, natural materials, and obligatory houseplants are all the rage.
But now flower power has been given a fresh-as-a-daisy makeover. It’s less in-your-face and more sophisticated, as demonstrated perfectly by whimsical, botanical print sofas like those in the William Morris at Home collection.
70s Home Decor Ideas for Every Room
If you’re wondering, how can I make my house look like the 1970s, you’ve come to the right place.
Ok, so carpeted bathrooms and migraine-inducing wallpaper may not be back in vogue any time soon, but the desire for a touch of 70s flair is otherwise flourishing – in every corner of the home.
This is a style that is fun and funky but also functional; laid back living made easy.
1970s Living Room: Creating a Retro Vibe
In the lounge, you can pay homage to this fabulous era with low-slung sofas, modular and multi-purpose furniture, and comfy bean bags in warm, earthy tones and soft, plush textures.
If you’re wondering how to decorate a 70s living room, choose bold patterns for curtains, cushions, a rug, feature wall or artwork.
Textured layers and natural materials will bring cosiness and calmness to your space. Accessories like a rattan mirror or a vintage lamp will finish the look.
This is a great time to discover our fabulous collection of handmade, bespoke sofas featuring retro designs.
For instance, our Mid Century Retro Armchair Collection can be paired with footstools and scatter cushions for a matching vintage vibe.
The Ren is a statement sofa that’s versatile as well as offering plenty of 70s style with a modular design that can be adapted to suit your individual needs.
Say ‘hello’ to the Holly, an armchair showcasing mid-century elegance with a retro-inspired silhouette, available in a plush, earthy-hued fabric like new Brick Aquaclean Clever Velvet or Meadow Smart Velvet for an authentic ambience.
Meanwhile, the Felix is a footstool with throwback feel and comfort, boasting button detail and four tapered legs for sturdy support.
70s Decorating Tips for Your Kitchen
Fully embrace the 70s colour palette of yellows, browns, oranges and greens in the kitchen and you will cook up a storm.
However, if you want a more muted look, go for either cabinetry, worktops, splashbacks, a feature wall or flooring to make a 70s style focal point.
If you have a kitchen diner, incorporate furniture reminiscent of the decade and offering unadulterated contemporary comfort, like the Farrah Dining Table. Boasting a curved shape and carved from dark walnut wood with a distinctive grain, this stunning table comes with a matching dining chair.
Our Gable Table TV unit, made from solid birch with a gorgeous walnut stain finish, channels a mid-century style that lends itself to an open-plan kitchen and living space . Perfect for watching those timeless 70s sitcoms.
Bedroom Decor Inspired by 70s Aesthetic
Seventies-style paisley, geometric or floral prints wake up any bedroom. Low-profile and platform beds were a staple of bedroom across the decade. Throw in a crocheted blanket and you’ll be taken back in time.
Create a modern sleep sanctuary with a nod to 1970s interior decorating by introducing a charming bed like the Audrey, harnessing curves and buttoned detailing, which can be upholstered in rich velvet for a distinct retro vibe.
The Lars sofa bed combines the best of two style worlds and duo-functionality. Sublimely blending Scandi design with retro flair, it offers sumptuous seating by day as well as overnight comfort.
A vintage dresser, wicker chair, and accessories like an upholstered lamp shade or lava lamp will complete the look.
Accessorising Your Home with 70s Style
When accessorising your space, it might be a good idea to start by keeping things simple. How a set designer might create a 1970s living room is unlikely to be the look you’re trying to achieve. This is a style that’s chilled and easy-going, so there’s no need to go overboard.
The 1970s was a decade of experimentation, and for a contemporary look you can curate a few carefully selected items that can be mixed and matched for a cohesive look and will inject personality into your room.
Wall art in earthy tones and bold patterns, retro lighting and mirrors, tactile cushions, rugs and throws, and a touch of nature here and there – and don’t forget the foliage. You can get some great tips on how to choose art for your home and style like a pro.
To help you create a look for today with all the nostalgia needed from yesteryear, discover our bespoke sofas and the William Morris at Home collection. Seventies, here we come.
