How to Bring 70s Charm Into Your Home

The 1970s gave us disco and bell-bottoms, but it also left us with so much more. The decade was a design revolution that blended natural textures and vibrant colors to create spaces that were as groovy as they were earthy.

Modern homes tend towards minimalism and basic color schemes, but something is thrilling about the unapologetic personality and warmth of 1970s design.

You don’t need to transform your entire house into a time capsule to achieve that retro vibe. Here’s a list of how to bring that bohemian, relaxed attitude into your home.

Embrace earthy color palettes

The 1970s color wheel was directly inspired by nature—harvest gold, burnt orange, chocolate brown, and avocado green come to mind. Earthy, warm colors like these make rooms cozy rather than sterile.

You can repaint an accent wall with rich terracotta or swap out throw pillows for ones in mustard yellow and olive green to transform a room’s feel completely.

Add wood paneling or wood accents

Wood paneling dominated the 1970s, covering walls from floor to ceiling in dens and basements. While floor-to-ceiling paneling might now feel overwhelming, judicious use of wood can recreate that retro cozy without excess.

Experiment with installing reclaimed wood on one wall, adding wooden floating shelves, or wood-framed mirrors to capture that organic, natural look the decade loved.

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Add shag rugs

Few elements inspire ’70s like a thick shag rug you can pretty much lose a toe in. These plush floorings added texture and warmth to living spaces, giving any room the feel of a cozy sanctuary.

Set a shag rug in a bedroom or in front of a coffee table in more conservative colors, such as cream or camel, or opt for a bold color like deep rust for a truly retro feel.

Choose low-profile furniture

Seventies furniture was also lower to the ground, providing a relaxed, laid-back look. Sofas, coffee tables, and platform beds all adopted a lower profile, making rooms appear open and inviting.

Look for original items with tapered wooden legs and clean lines, or shop at stores for new furniture inspired by mid-century and 70s styling that has the same easy-going look.

Include velvet upholstery

Velvet made a grand comeback in the 1970s, adorning everything from sofas to dining chairs. This luxurious fabric added depth and richness to spaces, especially in jewel tones like emerald, sapphire, and burgundy.

A velvet armchair or a couple of velvet pillows can instantly perk up your space while respecting that unmistakable retro vibe.

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Hang macramé wall art

Macramé experienced a surge in popularity during the 1970s, when handmade home decor was in vogue. These intricate woven works, made of knotted cord or rope, brought a handmade, bohemian touch to walls.

You can buy modern macramé wall hangings in a variety of sizes, or create your own for a unique piece that reflects your free-spirited craftsmanship.

Install an arc floor lamp

Arc lamps were a ’70s icon, extending from a weighted base to curve over seating areas like a sculptural ornament. The lamps provided dimmable light and made floor and table space available.

A brass or chrome arc lamp, positioned at the rear of a sofa, provides both functional lighting and the instant retro visual emphasis that is just as cool today as it was five decades ago.

Decorate your home with houseplants

The 70s turned indoor plants into a decorating necessity, with hanging spider plants, wandering pothos, and towering rubber trees filling every corner. Indoor plants were the height of this decade’s plant fascination, adding a touch of life and greenery to the indoors.

Overload the foliage in ceramic planters or macramé hangers—the more, the better—to add that lush jungle vibe that embodied the era.

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Add geometric patterns

Geometric motifs in loud prints dominated 1970s textiles, from wallpaper to bedding to curtains. Circles, hexagons, and free-form shapes in loud contrasting hues created excitement and vitality.

Add these prints with throw blankets, area rugs, or even a dramatic wallpaper on a single wall to create a focal point without overwhelming your space.

Use rattan and wicker furniture

Natural materials like rattan and wicker brought an organic, practically tropical feel to 70s homes. Peacock chairs, coffee tables, and wicker baskets added texture and a relaxed, beachy vibe.

These pieces of furniture are beautiful in sunrooms, bedrooms, or living rooms, and they’ve kept up remarkably well from a fashion perspective.

Create conversation spaces

The 70s made ‘conversation pits’ fashionable—sunken seating spaces that were meant to bring individuals into proximity. Renovating your floor may not be feasible, but you can replicate this cozy, social arrangement by placing pieces of furniture in a circular or U-shape design.

Tuck chairs and sofas together, incorporate floor pillows, and make a space that encourages lounging around and lengthy chats.

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Add sunburst mirrors and decor

Sunburst designs—radiating lines extending from a central point—appeared on mirrors, wall clocks, and decorative pieces over the decade. The additions added a splash of glamour and caught the light beautifully.

A brass or gold sunburst mirror above a console table or fireplace adds that nostalgic 70s feel without taking up much space.

Choose patterned wallpaper

Wallpaper made a bold impact in the 70s, from massive florals to psychedelic designs. One accent wall with retro-style wallpaper can transform the personality of a whole room.

Look for warm-colored patterns and earthy themes, such as mushrooms, daisies, or abstract nature scenes, that evoke the era’s style.

Display ceramic and pottery pieces

Earthen glazes topped off handmade ceramics that took over shelves and mantles during the 70s. Thick vases and accent bowls topped off in brown, orange, and olive complete these wares.

Get vintage pottery at thrift stores or market existing ceramic artists who create similar pieces to bring that artisanal, handmade charm to your displays.

Where retro meets now

The 70s taught us that homes could be beautiful and soul-filled, balancing bold choices with a sense of nature in ways that are still applicable today. It was not the avocado appliances or shag carpet that made the 70s so special—it was the willingness to create spaces with personality and heart.

Bringing these aspects into your home is not about copying a decade; it’s about borrowing the confidence to make your home yours. The great news is that most of these retro touches actually blend in with modern style, proving that good style doesn’t necessarily age.