We are in the middle of a retro resurgence. Over the past few years, 1970s design has made its way back into our homes. “It’s an evolution of the mid-century modern craze” comments our Head of Interior Design, Kelly Collins.

But today’s version is less about the trippy wallpaper and avocado bathroom suites you might remember from your grandparent’s house, and is instead, influenced by the earthy, laid-back vibe of this iconic decade. Here are 7 ways to add a tasteful touch of 1970s design to your 2020s home. 

Scale back on stereotypes

A great trick for channelling the 1970s (or any decade) in your home is to first think of the most stereotypical styles of that time: Shag carpets. Wavy wallpaper. Orange plastic. Wood panelling. 

Now, what would the modern-day equivalent of these items be? A shag carpet can be replaced with a shorter-pile Moroccan rug. And the feel of wood panelling can be recreated with custom shelving or a large wooden sideboard. 

Decorate with autumnal colour palettes

Warm, organic tones dominated homes in the 1970s—think brown, mossy green, oatmeal, terracotta and ochre yellow. There was a real autumnal influence in design.

Any combination of these colours on walls, sofas, chairs and cushions can bring a subtle, yet instantly recognisable seventies feel to any room.

Dial up the opulence with textured fabrics

1970s and velvet go together like Led Zeppelin and guitars. Add a retro feel to a room with velvet statement pieces—like a velvet sofa, velvet bed, or velvet armchairs. Bonus points if it’s in one of those classic seventies hues (like this incredible ochre velvet sofa). 

But while velvet is a signature of the 1970s, there are other fabrics that are equally reminiscent of the time—boucle and mélange weave to mention a few. So there are certainly options, if velvet isn’t your thing. 

Play with curved lines

If you look at popular furniture in the 1960s, you’ll see angular clean lines. But as we moved into the 1970s, furniture took on a much more organic—and dare we say it—groovy feel. 

To incorporate seventies chic into your home, opt for furniture and accessories with fluent lines and organic shapes: kidney-shaped tables, curved dining chairs and free-flowing patterns on plush rugs, for example.

This will give you that unmistakable seventies vibe, without the psychedelic prints and lava lamps that also feature these curved lines. 

Add warmth with walnut wood

Teak furniture was a mainstay in 1970s homes—its warm, orange hue adding only further to the autumnal palette of the decade. 

For a modern twist, go for walnut furniture instead. It still feels rich and warm, but it’s much more neutral than teak. So if, down the line, you want to switch up the style of your room, your furniture can easily adapt. 

Light your space with domed lamps

There aren’t many Pinterest boards that don’t feature the domed ‘mushroom’ lamps of the 1970s. Iconic pieces from Guzzini, Murano Glass and Nessino are now hot commodities in the interiors world. 

Back then, lighting in the seventies echoed the warm palettes of the decade. Where orange glass lamps filled the room with a soft glow, and distinctive dome-like shades pushed light downwards to create a cosy atmosphere in every room. 

If you can’t get your hands on one of the originals, there are plenty of modern reproductions in countless colours that you can add to side tables or shelves. 

Create a no-build conversation pit

Conversation pits were all the rage in the 1970s. Also called “sunken living areas” they were essentially giant sofas built into the floor of a large room. Fast forward five decades and conversation pits are back in fashion, with people craving deeper connections that extend offline. 

If you want to create your own conversation pit without turning your home into a construction site, you can do so with a modular sofa. Arrange a u-shaped seating area in your living room (like a smaller version of this one in Diversity Studio) and let the conversation flow. 

As 1970s design grows in popularity, it’s clear to see that while some elements of retro interiors belong in the past, there are many elements that now feel timeless. Today, we’re hand-picking the best bits of the ‘70s and incorporating them into our homes in fresh, inventive ways. 

Click here to read about our full trend report for 2025.