70s house: “Decorating a home takes time” | Design Stories (2024)

FAQs

What is the 70s design style called? ›

Refined Bohemian & Ecletic Style

70s style consists of a mix of bohemian style with structured silhouettes, infused with an abundance of colors, and and an eclectic blend of geometric prints. Beyond the fact, that it also incorporate both contemporary and traditional furniture elements.

The 1970s saw revivals of earlier architectural and interior design styles like mid-century modernism, Bauhaus, and French provincial–making many spaces quite eclectic. Bear in mind that not all 1970s design styles were so maximalist. It was during this time that Japanese and Scandinavian minimalism emerged.

“The '70s brought on the love of lounging,” she says. “The colors and fabrics created a sense of lushness and plushness. It promoted a relaxed and social atmosphere at home, which people feel drawn to once more after the weirdness of the past few years.”

Key Takeaways. '70s fashion embodies the era's cultural shifts with bold patterns and relaxed silhouettes. Retro style from the '70s remains influential, with a significant resurgence in contemporary fashion. The decade's iconic pieces—like bell-bottoms and maxi dresses—have made a definitive comeback.

The Eclectic 1970s: Bohemian and Disco Vibes

Earthy tones and rich jewel hues dominated the color palette, creating warm and inviting spaces. Browns, oranges, mustard yellows, and avocado greens evoked a sense of nature and laid-back vibes.

As far as patterns go, '70s decor featured bold and geometric designs, abstract shapes, and nature-inspired motifs like leaves and flowers. Last but not least? Lots of funky shapes. You know the ones we're talking about—think sunburst mirrors, egg chairs, and lava lamps.

From the outside, most 70s homes were pretty uninventive. There were the post-and-beam style homes, A-frames, domes, cubes and A-frames. But according to Lisa's Nostalgia Cafe, the king of the 70s home was the one-story ranch. In 1975, 60% of new single-family homes were one-story.

The 70s … the epoch of flower children, demonstrations and bell-bottoms. The influences of this era can still be felt today and keeps inspiring designers with timeless classics. Bright colors, psychedelic patterns, playful typography and retro-futuristic elements lovingly push the nostalgia button.

Plaids and stripes were especially popular and many had matching vests, often belted (Fig. 27). These elements were worn with brightly colored button-down shirts and sometimes with a matching jacket.

Antiques are typically defined as being at least 100 years old, whereas retro furniture mostly dates from the 1950s to the 1980s. That said, you can also find new furniture that was made to look retro, intentionally referencing the trends of this era. A good example is Smeg's '50s-inspired kitchen appliances.

How to decorate a 70s house? ›

The 1970s was also an era of great technological and scientific advances; since the appearance of the first commercial microprocessor, the Intel 4004 in 1971, the decade was characterised by a profound transformation of computing units – by then rudimentary, spacious machines – into the realm of portability and home ...

Exuberant psychedelic prints, vibrant colors and sumptuous velvets are hallmarks of '70s decor. Contrary to the minimalism that has dominated our interiors for years, some elements of the past are now returning to our homes. The latest launches from our favorite brands showcase the return of the '70s decor.

Common items included mini skirts, bell-bottoms popularized by hippies, vintage clothing from the 1950s and earlier, and the androgynous glam rock and disco styles that introduced platform shoes, bright colors, glitter, and satin.

Disco took over fashion for everyone in the mid-late '70s. Disco styles for women included jersey wrap dresses, tube tops, sequined shirts, spandex shorts, and high slit skirts with boots or chunky heels. John Travolta's character in Saturday Night Fever is a perfect example of Disco style for men.

Graphic design in the 1970s was all about bright and clashing colors with balloon like letter forms. It was as if the serif fonts of the 60s got eaten by the rounded typography of the decade. However, the psychedelic rock concert posters remained and added to the bright and glorious 70s.

Funky and Groovy: A 70s Aesthetic. Picture this: bell bottoms, shag rugs, mustaches, and late-night disco. Graphic spirals and flowers, neatly stacked onto wallpaper in a smoky lounge. A whole new world of warm-hued, full-color photographs in magazines, swaying and sparkling to soulful tunes.