Why 1970s Interior Design Is Trending Again (2024)
Don’t take their word for it? Here are some statistics for you. In a 2022 survey of 600 decorators by 1stDibs, 26 percent of respondents said they’ve witnessed a resurgence of the distinctive decade's decor hallmarks. The luxury antique site has also seen a massive spike in sales of iconic designs from the period, including Mario Bellini’s “Camaleonda” sofa from 1970 (yes, thatbulbous couch you've seen all over Instagram), Michel Ducaroy’s “Togo” and Vico Magistretti’s “Maralunga” sofa from 1973, and Tobia & Afra Scarpa “Artona” dining series. Meanwhile, demand for pieces by Giancarlo Piretti are up 125 percent. And here’s the smoking gun: On the cover of his new album cover, Harry Styles—an aesthetic arbiter if there ever was one—stands in a very ’70s room with a low-slung lounge chair that resembles the work of Italian maker Giandomenico Belott.
At first, it may seem like an unwelcome blast from the past. The 1970s have long been lampooned for their more questionable choices, like plastic-covered furniture, traffic-cone orange palettes, and musty-dusty shag carpets. But the 2020s take is more restrained, more curated, cherry-picking ’70s-inspired highlights while ditching the dated aspects.
Mischa Couvrette, lead designer at Hollis and Morris, assures us that “the orange hue as well as the overuse of plastic decor” are staying in the past, while Daniel Rauchwerger, of BoND, argues that the decade, design-wise at least, is oft misunderstood in the first place. “I think that today, we easily confuse 1970s design with general nostalgia,” he says. “The ’70s were, in a way, quite restrained in palette and material usage, in comparison with the decades before and after them. Lots of browns and warm tones, natural and raw materials like wood and exposed concrete, paired with bold geometry and patterns.” (Think less Austin Powers bachelor pad, and more Yves Saint Laurent’s Paris library, Calvin Klein’s Fire Island Pines home, or any room by famed interior designer David Hicks or Tony Duquette.) Clive Lonstein is also a champion of the period: “There is a stripped-back, brutalist sense about it presented through the simplicity of materials and more geometric shapes,” he explains. “Texture is prioritized over form, so we see a lot of simpler shapes covered in softer, colored materials.”
The design elements and motifs that top interior designers today are borrowing from the ’70s tend to fall within a specific set of parameters. “We are seeing more textured fabrics, geometric shapes and patterns, and multi-use/free-flowing spaces like sunken living rooms, room dividers, and upholstered seating,” says Corvette. “Hallmarks of 1970s design include bringing nature indoors, materials like velvet and rattan, and patterned wallpaper. I’ve seen all of them make a comeback, adds Enis Karavil of SANAYI313. (Fittingly, Danish furniture brand Gubi recently announced they were re-launching “Bohemian 72,” a rare rattan furniture collection by cult Milanese designer Gabriella Crespi originally produced in 1972.)
As a seasoned design enthusiast and expert in interior trends, I can attest to the resurgence of 1970s decor hallmarks in contemporary design. The evidence supporting this trend is extensive and backed by a variety of sources, including a notable 2022 survey conducted by 1stDibs, a luxury antique site. In this survey of 600 decorators, 26 percent reported witnessing a resurgence of distinctive 1970s decor elements.
The statistical evidence extends beyond anecdotal observations. Notably, there has been a substantial spike in sales of iconic designs from the 1970s, including notable pieces such as Mario Bellini’s “Camaleonda” sofa from 1970, Michel Ducaroy’s “Togo,” Vico Magistretti’s “Maralunga” sofa from 1973, and the Tobia & Afra Scarpa “Artona” dining series. The demand for pieces by Giancarlo Piretti has seen a remarkable increase of 125 percent.
Further reinforcing the resurgence is the influence of popular figures in the entertainment industry. For instance, on the cover of his new album, Harry Styles is depicted in a very '70s room, featuring a low-slung lounge chair reminiscent of the work of Italian maker Giandomenico Belotti. Styles, known for his aesthetic choices, serves as a contemporary arbiter endorsing the revival of 1970s design elements.
Contrary to the stereotypes associated with the 1970s, the current reinterpretation is more restrained and curated. Designers such as Mischa Couvrette from Hollis and Morris emphasize that aspects like the overuse of plastic decor and an orange palette are being left in the past. Daniel Rauchwerger of BoND argues that the 1970s, design-wise, are often misunderstood, highlighting the era's restrained palette and material usage, characterized by warm tones, natural materials like wood and exposed concrete, and bold geometry and patterns.
Interior designers today are particularly drawn to specific design elements and motifs from the 1970s. These include textured fabrics, geometric shapes and patterns, and multi-use/free-flowing spaces such as sunken living rooms, room dividers, and upholstered seating. The hallmarks of 1970s design, such as bringing nature indoors, the use of materials like velvet and rattan, and patterned wallpaper, are making a notable comeback in contemporary interiors.
The 1970s design revival is not a mere replication of past styles but a curated reinterpretation that rejects the dated aspects of the era. Leading designers emphasize the simplicity of materials, geometric shapes, prioritization of texture over form, and a broader aesthetic that aligns more with renowned figures like Yves Saint Laurent, Calvin Klein, David Hicks, and Tony Duquette than stereotypical representations like the Austin Powers bachelor pad. The influence of Danish furniture brand Gubi, re-launching the “Bohemian 72” collection by Milanese designer Gabriella Crespi from 1972, further solidifies the resurgence of 1970s design in the contemporary interior landscape.
Instead, homes across the South are embracing modern takes on '70s styles. While designer Niki McNeill Brown theorizes that the return of the disco era at home may be due to homeowners' craving for color, designer Jean Liu believes that this trend is inspired by nostalgia.
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.”
Catharina Björkman, style expert at Contura, calls it the 70s revival, rooted in nostalgia with earthy tones, patterned wallpaper, geometric shapes and the reintroduction of materials like velvet, bamboo and rattan.
Interior designers reveal that while '70s inspiration will be a major home decorating trend in 2024, we haven't completely mastered time travel yet. Instead, homes across the South are embracing modern takes on '70s styles.
In general, 1970s style is characterized by pieces that lean boho—think wicker, rattan, and of course, shag rugs—as well as macrame and terrazzo accents.
The hippie movement also infiltrated our design styles in the seventies with a greater emphasis on environmentally friendly furnishings using natural or upcycled materials.
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.
Printed shirts, large pants and extravagant outfits: 70's men's fashion is back and more relevant than ever. This season 70s-inspired prints are a fast favorite thanks to their adventurous spirit and fashionable flare.
The 1970s interior design style is making a comeback, characterized by free-spirited, earthy tones, and metallic textures. This revival incorporates rattan, retro lighting with smoked Lucite, shag rugs, and polished chrome accents.
Change your trim — Whether that means replacing it with something new or simply painting over it, choose a brighter stain or color for a modernizing effect. Replace your flooring — Replace any shag carpet or grungy laminate flooring with something fresh and clean, like hardwood.
It was a decade of self-expression, freedom, and individuality. Embrace the bohemian spirit and disco fever of the era through your interior design choices. Earthy tones and rich jewel hues dominated the color palette, creating warm and inviting spaces.
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.
Rollerwave fashion is reflective of the popular fashions of the 1970s, but only the mundane, everyday fashions- the sort of thing one would find in a Montgomery Ward or Woolworth's, or Gary Collins's closet. Sideburns are common, as are sports jackets and knee-high skirts.
Examples of Late Modernism (including Glass Skin architecture), Brutalism, New Formalism, and Late Expressionism—in some cases, designed in the 1960s and not completed until the following decade—were built well into the 1970s.
Drawing from the fashions of the 1950s, 60s, and 70s retro decor style is reminiscent of the recent past, so there isn't a long history to speak of. That said, retro decor is unmistakably inspired by the mid-century modern decor of the 1950s and the boho home decor style of the 1970s.
The postmodernist design also began to emerge in the 1970s. Designers started to adopt rejected historical styles. They experimented with them, making them more exaggerated and fun. The 1970s was a great decade to try new things with graphic design and test different styles.
Address: 569 Waelchi Ports, South Blainebury, LA 11589
Phone: +9958996486049
Job: Sales Manager
Hobby: Web surfing, Scuba diving, Mountaineering, Writing, Sailing, Dance, Blacksmithing
Introduction: My name is Prof. Nancy Dach, I am a lively, joyous, courageous, lovely, tender, charming, open person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
