Decorating
How to Get 1970s Glamour Now
The 1970s might be a hot trend for interiors, but getting a relevant look right now involves a canny dose of the 2010s
If you hanker after the comfort and colours of 1970s rooms, but want your interiors to be on trend for the 21st century, too, you need to proceed with caution (and a certain degree of interiors wisdom). Find out how.
Sideboards – but better
No self-respecting homeowner was without a sideboard in a honey shade of pine to house family board games and bottles of Campari. Contemporary models are more streamlined in design, with minimal detailing, as well as being lower-slung, but an upcycled original still works – and you can always paint your find to update it.
No self-respecting homeowner was without a sideboard in a honey shade of pine to house family board games and bottles of Campari. Contemporary models are more streamlined in design, with minimal detailing, as well as being lower-slung, but an upcycled original still works – and you can always paint your find to update it.
Pine – but cabin not suburban
Once upon a 1970s time, kitchen walls were lined with tongue-and-groove pine that was liberally varnished to give it a glowing orange tint. Now, cladding has made its way into living spaces and bedrooms, and the only visible difference is that orange tones are out, while paler stains – and even black – are in.
Give your bedroom a personality boost with wall cladding
Once upon a 1970s time, kitchen walls were lined with tongue-and-groove pine that was liberally varnished to give it a glowing orange tint. Now, cladding has made its way into living spaces and bedrooms, and the only visible difference is that orange tones are out, while paler stains – and even black – are in.
Give your bedroom a personality boost with wall cladding
Shagpile – but selective
Warm-looking and welcoming underfoot, wall-to-wall shag pile was a 1970s mainstay – but how did we not all suffer from permanent dust allergies?
The positive news is that shag pile is still on-trend, but now it’s limited to boho-style rugs, making it much more practical – you can simply pick it up to shake out dust or transport it to the dry cleaner’s when you’ve spilt your TV dinner on it.
Warm-looking and welcoming underfoot, wall-to-wall shag pile was a 1970s mainstay – but how did we not all suffer from permanent dust allergies?
The positive news is that shag pile is still on-trend, but now it’s limited to boho-style rugs, making it much more practical – you can simply pick it up to shake out dust or transport it to the dry cleaner’s when you’ve spilt your TV dinner on it.
Brown leather – but that’s all
If you can find an original brown leather sofa – especially in a slightly battered mid-tan tone – snap it up, you can’t go wrong. Where you can go wrong, though, is matching it with too many other 1970s details. In other words, choose one focal piece of furniture and let it do the talking. Everything around it can be subtler in style.
If you can find an original brown leather sofa – especially in a slightly battered mid-tan tone – snap it up, you can’t go wrong. Where you can go wrong, though, is matching it with too many other 1970s details. In other words, choose one focal piece of furniture and let it do the talking. Everything around it can be subtler in style.
Velour – but not to wear
In the 1970s, velour and velvet were serious fashion textiles. Really. Now, though, you’re much more likely to appreciate these finishes on a sofa or armchair – and happily so, because they look and feel luxurious without necessarily costing a fortune.
Choose fabrics in deep, dramatic shades to indulge in their lustrous tones.
In the 1970s, velour and velvet were serious fashion textiles. Really. Now, though, you’re much more likely to appreciate these finishes on a sofa or armchair – and happily so, because they look and feel luxurious without necessarily costing a fortune.
Choose fabrics in deep, dramatic shades to indulge in their lustrous tones.
Beanbags – but with panache
Beanbags are back in fashion and, just like shag pile, much more attention has been given to their looks.
Where to put yours? A neatly proportioned one provides handy seating in the corner of a room where there’s no space for a chair – perhaps a child’s bedroom – or go for a super-sized version for that 21st century must-have – the cinema room.
Beanbags are back in fashion and, just like shag pile, much more attention has been given to their looks.
Where to put yours? A neatly proportioned one provides handy seating in the corner of a room where there’s no space for a chair – perhaps a child’s bedroom – or go for a super-sized version for that 21st century must-have – the cinema room.
Orange and brown – but in small doses
Then, it was perfectly acceptable to have an orange and brown bedroom, in tones rich enough to match the Angel Delight in your cut-glass dessert dish.
Today, these tones are right back in fashion, but the proportions in which they’re employed have been reduced to accent rather than main shade, and with a healthy helping of neutrals to tone them down further.
Then, it was perfectly acceptable to have an orange and brown bedroom, in tones rich enough to match the Angel Delight in your cut-glass dessert dish.
Today, these tones are right back in fashion, but the proportions in which they’re employed have been reduced to accent rather than main shade, and with a healthy helping of neutrals to tone them down further.
Graphic patterns – but subtler
Bold colour-blocking shown off in graphic patterns has made a real comeback in recent times, but if you want a look you can live with long term, go for muted graphics.
In addition, rather than let shocking colours compete equally for attention, opt for a single main colour and a couple of contrasting accent shades.
Bold colour-blocking shown off in graphic patterns has made a real comeback in recent times, but if you want a look you can live with long term, go for muted graphics.
In addition, rather than let shocking colours compete equally for attention, opt for a single main colour and a couple of contrasting accent shades.
Cheese plants – but more
Barely a home in Britain was without a cheese or spider plant back then, but they often stood alone in the corner of a room, gathering dust and pitying looks.
Today’s resurgence in houseplant popularity is much more earnest, and the trendiest homes wouldn’t be seen dead without bags of retro greenery.
Browse faux foliage in the Houzz Shop
Which elements from 1970s homes would you love to revive, and which should stay in the past? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Barely a home in Britain was without a cheese or spider plant back then, but they often stood alone in the corner of a room, gathering dust and pitying looks.
Today’s resurgence in houseplant popularity is much more earnest, and the trendiest homes wouldn’t be seen dead without bags of retro greenery.
Browse faux foliage in the Houzz Shop
Which elements from 1970s homes would you love to revive, and which should stay in the past? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
The ubiquitous avocado bathroom has been (and should stay) consigned to the past. But that doesn’t mean you can’t use this muddy and rather homely shade now – just keep it out of your bathing space. It suits every other room, especially if matched with natural textures and bags of grown-up black.
1980s home trends you should revive (and one to leave there)