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The 1960s blew the doors off, and in the 1970s interior and home design became an increasingly wild ride—an exciting, ever-changing hotbed of ideas and experimentation, with new looks, colors and materials being constantly introduced.
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In many ways the 1970s were a more extreme era for design than the previous decade, which tends to overshadow it culturally. There were many different schools and movements, and while some designers were championing natural materials, others were pushing high tech design and industrialism to extremes.
Experimentation was in the air, in everything from furniture to fabrics to architecture. Certain projects (while not always very practical) were inspired glimpses into the future (inflatable furniture is one example).
Good design was avidly sought–after, and many great designers (the Scandinavians and the Italians especially) were at the height of their powers. Their work—particularly in accessories, lighting, fabrics and furniture—is readily available, and can often be picked up at garage sales for a song.
Superficially remembered today for loud colors, bright shag carpets, pet rocks and platform shoes, the 1970s are in fact a fascinating period that is receiving re–assessment and revival from interior designers worldwide.
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Home decorators of the '70s were fascinated by exuberance and by patterns. Especially patterns. Especially combinations of many patterns used in one place.
From the Op–Art movement of the early '60s came geometric patterns in bright colors, and lots of contrasting shiny and smooth surfaces.
The late 1960s and the early '70s also saw an Art Nouveau (see The Arts & Crafts Movements, 1860-1920 feature) revival, which fused with psychedelia. As a result, by the middle of the decade, there seemed to be swirls everywhere: on ceilings, on wallpaper, on floors. Even lights had big swirly cords.
Dominating and daring paintings in strong colors were displayed in large scale—such as works by Andy Warhol. Soft upholstery, loose rugs, mirrors, colored plastics and textured wallpaper were used in abundance.
Flat–pack, self–assembly furniture started to become widely available, and became an inexpensive conduit for distributing exciting new designs to a larger audience.
As ever, the best design was thoughtful, and outstandingly elegant—anthropomorphic, egg–like chairs for example. And superb, modern and retro–style lighting, often Art Deco influenced, was created by the Danish and Scandinavian studios. (see
The "Moderne" Look: Art Deco Style, 1925-1940 feature)
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The colors of the '70s are very distinctive—think of avocado fridges! The palette is strong and forceful, but with a darker and earthier feel than the '60s.
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Interiors - Bright contrasting colors are used throughout the home. The dominant colors were orange, avocado and turquoise.
Two strong colors of equal values were frequently used together. Combinations of green/yellow, green/pink, red/yellow, blue/green, yellow/blue, yellow/orange, brown/orange and pink/yellow were all popular.
Although bright colors were widely used, it wasn't uncommon for walls to be all white (think of the sets in Stanley Kubrick's landmark film, "2001: A Space Odyssey"), with bright accent colors on pillows, rugs, artwork, lamps and other fun furniture.
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Exteriors - Earth tones were big. These included lots of strong, warm colors from very dark to light browns, through to bright oranges, tans, butternuts, warm mustard–yellows and dusty reds. These were further highlighted by neutral stone colors and off–whites.
Not all homes used color. As in interiors, there was a trend towards high-contrast exteriors, such as white houses with black shutters.
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Cinnamon Cherry |
S-H-140 |
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Burley Wood |
S-H-700 |
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Sugar Berry |
180E-2 |
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Almond Cream |
W-B-710 |
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Licorice Stick |
S-G-170 |
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Ocean Pearl |
780C-3 |
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Chamois Cloth |
W-F-110 |
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Ryegrass |
390F-5 |
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Maple Leaf |
250D-6 |
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Tate Olive |
390F-6 |
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Pumpkin Patch |
S-H-250 |
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Jungle Trail |
400D-7 |
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Firebrick |
210D-7 |
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Celtic Gray |
490E-3 |
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Chesnut Stallion |
240D-7 |
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Teal Bayou |
530D-6 |
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Navajo White |
1822 |
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Peacock Feather |
500B-6 |
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Honey Tone |
360C-3 |
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Creek Bend |
790F-4 |
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Dry Sea Grass |
360F-4 |
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Dark Caven |
790F-7 |
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Golden Chalice |
360D-5 |
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Bear Rug |
S-G-790 |
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Furniture - Large modular sofas were colorful and often patterned. Kitchen and dining room chairs were painted in vibrant colors. Ottomans, large pillows and stools were placed around sitting areas. Painted wicker tables and chairs were used indoors and outdoors. Cushions on chairs and sofas often matched bedspreads and curtains. Leather chairs or couches were colored to match or contrast wall color. Egg–shaped chairs in plastic or woven cane were hung from the ceiling.
New uses of plastics led to entirely new kinds of furniture made from polyurethane, inflatable transparent vinyl, see–through rigid plastic, molded fiberglass and foam blocks.
Fabrics - Texture and fun best describes the fabrics popular in the 1970s—suede, leather, animal fur, velvet, cotton, and corduroy were the norm. Patterns on fabrics were typically bright flowers, paisleys and ethnic or Op–Art geometric designs.
Flooring - Shag carpet was not the only floor covering during the '70s! Geometric, oriental and other exuberantly designed rugs were also popular. Animal fur was all the rage—from goat's wool and sheepskin to imitation furs like zebra. Hip shag and plaid carpeting were commonplace. Floors were wood, parquet, painted checkerboard, bright tile, brick-patterned tiles and slate slabs.
Lighting & Accessories - These items really added to the period character of the decor. Lamp shades were often in extravagant, startling shapes—for example, big white globes shaped like mushrooms. Many shades were offered in strong colors. Bases were metal, glass or ceramic. Multiple bulbs were often used in clusters.
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Here are a few simple ideas to help you create the look of the 1970s.
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Color and Pattern.
Abundant color and pattern are pivotal to achieving that vibrant '70s look.
Tip: Paint walls two contrasting colors or wallpaper a room with a geometric motif.
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Furniture.
Incorporate furniture that's either bright, curvy, shiny or smooth, and made of fur, leather, or plastic.
Tip: Garage sales (and grandmas) are still great for picking up almost anything 1970s. Look for good design and good condition. Quality pieces from the era are always worth collecting. Danish stainless steel cutlery and Italian lighting are worth fighting the dealers for.
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Accessorize!
Use pillows and furry or graphic rugs to add a punch of color.
Tip: Don't be afraid to mix a lot of bright pillows. Find large over–stuffed pillows and use them as floor seating. Bean bags were also popular. Zebra print rugs are fun and make a big statement.
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Try the ColorSmart™ by BEHR interactive program to experiment with thousands of different color combinations and see how they look in actual room settings.
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