Decorating Guides
Decorating Styles
1970s Style Finds Groove Today
The bright colors and unmistakable patterns of the '70s are swinging back into homes, but with modern flair for today's interior designs
I recently took a drive with my husband up the coast and we played a Name That Tune sort of game. He knows his music, and his favorite genre is '70s rock: bands whose songs I know but whose names — Little River Band, Eagles, Bob Seger, Credence Clearwater Revival — elude me. We had a California retro moment driving up the coast in our van, '70s music playing and palm trees everywhere.
What do you imagine when you think of taking a drive in the '70s? Do you have postcard imagery in your head of happy people driving in convertibles with palm trees and tie-dyed shirts?
While my husband beat me at Name That '70s Tune, I remembered my own room from the '70s and decided to look at some retro-inspired spaces to see how designers are bringing the color and fun of those times into fresh interiors for today.
What do you imagine when you think of taking a drive in the '70s? Do you have postcard imagery in your head of happy people driving in convertibles with palm trees and tie-dyed shirts?
While my husband beat me at Name That '70s Tune, I remembered my own room from the '70s and decided to look at some retro-inspired spaces to see how designers are bringing the color and fun of those times into fresh interiors for today.
When I was a kid in the '70s, my room had orange and pink polka dots. This room just made me laugh as it inspired a flashback. The only thing missing is the bright yellow doughnut phone I had with a long, curly cord. It used to get tangled after hours of talking on the phone.
Remember those rainbow bumper stickers everyone used to have on their cars? This '70s-inspired rainbow wall and arc lamp look perfect for a game room or basement hangout. The comfy chairs are perfect for relaxing with friends while playing a couple rounds on an Atari.
The pillow patterns and the patchwork rug remind me of a pair of jeans I had when I was a kid. The '70s aesthetic was all about primary colors.
More primary colors, a love-inspired stencil with hearts and a quilt on bed. A Moroccan pouf completes this Bohemian space.
A silver upholstered bed with mirrored nightstands and a gray shag rug — now that's disco!
The first time I saw a conversation pit was in a James Bond movie in the '70s. To this day this is my idea of a perfect entertaining layout.
This space looks like Marcia Brady's room, with big flower-power wall art, hanging bubble pendants and a white shag throw rug.
A vintage Bohemian-style barrel chair sits boldly with primary colors. Notice the tie that trims the throw pillow on the chair.
A bright orange Malm Lancer fireplace brightens up the mood in this '70s-inspired living room in Palm Springs. Malm Lancer fireplaces were first first produced in the 1960s in Sonoma County, California. This style gained popularity in the '70s and still looks fresh today.