Outdated '70s Home Design Trends to Steer Clear of for a Modern Look, and Strategies to Adapt Them Successfully in Your Space
A resurgence of 70s interior design trends has taken the contemporary interiors scene by storm, with vibrant colors, eclectic patterns, and a playful spirit dousing modern living spaces once more. The adoration for this revival is rooted in the public's growing dissatisfaction with minimalist gray and white interiors that have been prevalent for years, according to interior designer Jessie McLaughlin.
The 70s offers a trove of design inspirations, with designer duo Louisa Pierce and Emily Ward of Pierce & Ward enthusing over classic 70s elements such as sunken living rooms, wood interiors, monochromatic color schemes, warm lighting, and cozy carpeted rooms. However, not all 70s design ideas are deserving of a comeback, as our interview with various designers reveals.
A Rundown of the Least Appreciated 70s Design Trends
While the 70s presented a dynamic period for interior design, its excessively warm and mustardy color palette is less welcomed in the present day. Anthony Barzilay Freund, the editorial director at 1stDibs, shares his opinion that a reduction in these hues would enhance the overall aesthetic.
Louisa Pierce and Emily Ward concur with Barzilay Freund on the withdrawal of the decade's overwhelming floral prints. In contrast, they believe that the color orange, when paired with daisies, should stay firmly in the 70s.
As for floor coverings, interior designers Kathy Kuo and Sarah Pickard advise against a resurrection of electric shag carpets, their high pile often leading to unwanted dirt and dust buildup. Cleaning such carpets is no mean feat, as any carpet aficionado would attest.
However, Jessie McLaughlin remains more lenient towards the 70s revival, save for one exception – carpeting around the toilet, which she deems a definite no-no.
Founded over a decade ago, Pierce & Ward's design studio has worked with high-profile clients such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Hudson. Their unique design approach blends vintage charm with modern elegance to create timeless spaces.
While it may seem difficult to make 70s style feel modern and tasteful, the key lies in moderation, as our designers explain. Shag carpets can lend an air of fun as a small area rug or repurposed wall art, while a sheepskin rug can provide a more refined texture.
Adopting a less overwhelming 70s palette, such as using rusty red accent pillows or an ochre velvet armchair, can evoke the warmth of the era without making the space feel overly themed. On the other hand, embracing the monochromatic 70s aesthetic can create an enduring impression.
The most effective way to bring the 70s back in a tasteful manner is by learning how to source 1970s furniture properly, as Anthony Barzilay Freund emphasizes. By carefully selecting vintage or antique elements, a design scheme can evoke a sense of timelessness rather than being a time-stamped replica.
Anthony Barzilay Freund serves as the editorial director of 1stDibs, where he oversees all digital and print content, including their weekly Introspective magazine, The Study blog, and The 1stDibs 50. His illustrious career has included stints as the Editor-in-Chief of Art+Auction and an arts and culture editor at Town & Country.
Shopping for 70s-Inspired Decor
Give your living space a refreshing 70s makeover by incorporating a rust-colored rug into your design scheme. Its deep, grounding color will inject some visual interest into your space, especially when combined with light-colored furniture.
Discover the timeless elegance of cane details through a stylish side table. The light-colored wood of this table will beautifully complement other 70s decor elements in your space.
If you're drawn to shag carpets but concerned about the potential overwhelm, opt for a faux-shearling throw, like our style editor's favorite. Its rich chocolate color will add depth without overpowering your space.
Mustard yellow, a signature color of 70s style, can find a place in your modern living room by way of an accent chair with a swivel base. It will imbue your room with a retro charm without veering into thematic territory.
Bring a touch of 70s charm to your home through carefully placed fringe furniture. Opt for a fringe pendant lamp in a moody rust color, such as this one. This piece can be a captivating statement in any room of your home.
A table clock with colorful hour markings can lend a charming vintage touch to your living space, as though it belongs in a 1970s living room. Its light wood frame enhances its timeless appeal.
The 70s was a vibrant era marked by self-expression through bold color choices and intricate patterns. Its influence remains undeniable in modern interiors today.
Even our interiors editor was taken aback to discover that the colored carpet trend she's currently loving harks back to the design era of the 70s.
However, the secret to successfully incorporating 70s design elements lies in moderation, Jessie McLaughlin advises. By using 70's design elements as inspiration rather than a blueprint, and by adapting them to suit your needs, you can create a stylish and contemporary space.
Yet, we strongly advise against the use of toilet rugs.
- Interior designer Jessie McLaughlin shares a growing dissatisfaction with minimalist gray and white interiors, marking a resurgence of 70s interior design trends.
- Louisa Pierce and Emily Ward of Pierce & Ward find excitement in classic 70s elements such as sunken living rooms, wood interiors, and monochromatic color schemes.
- However, excessive warm and mustardy color palettes, flowery prints, and electric shag carpets are among the least appreciated 70s design trends, according to Anthony Barzilay Freund.
- Moderation is key to making 70s style feel modern and tasteful, as evidenced by the use of small area rugs or repurposed wall art made from shag carpets.
- 70s vintage charm can be blended with modern elegance to create timeless living spaces, such as in the designs by Pierce & Ward, who have worked with high-profile clients like Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Hudson.
- To effectively bring the 70s back in a tasteful manner, sourcing 1970s furniture carefully is essential, allowing for a timeless and stylish design scheme rather than a time-stamped replica.
