15 Popular Home Trends From The ’70s That Have Completely Disappeared
Ah, the ‘70s—a time when home decor was as bold and funky as the fashion!
This was the era of shag carpets so thick you could lose your keys in them, wood paneling that covered every wall like a cozy cabin fever dream, and avocado-green kitchens that made every meal feel like a trip back in time.
While some of these trends inspire warm nostalgia, others serve as a reminder of just how far interior design has come. Who could forget the oversized, patterned wallpaper that practically screamed, “Look at me!” or the beaded curtains that made every doorway feel like the entrance to a mystical lair? And let’s not even get started on the obsession with mustard-yellow appliances.
Whether you miss these groovy styles or cringe at the thought of them, join us on a fun and quirky ride as we explore 15 home trends from the ‘70s that have all but disappeared.
1. Wall-to-Wall Carpeting Everywhere
In the ’70s, even your floor wanted to party.
Kitchens, bathrooms, and staircases were victims of thick, shaggy carpets in shades of avocado green, burnt orange, and mustard yellow. It was as if a rainbow had a meltdown. While it seemed like a cozy idea, practicality was clearly on vacation.
Today, most prefer tiles or hardwood floors, which are much less likely to turn into a sponge for spills. Thank goodness we’ve learned to give our feet a break from this psychedelic trip.
2. Wood Paneling Overload
If you ever wanted to feel like a lumberjack without leaving home, the ’70s were your time.
Every nook and cranny was lined with faux-wood paneling that made homes resemble a forest retreat—or a sauna. While it was the epitome of rustic charm back then, today’s homeowners have chopped it down in favor of lighter, airier designs.
Wood paneling now survives mostly in the form of charming accent walls, not overwhelming dens of darkness.
3. Conversation Pits
The ’70s invited everyone to sit down and stay a while—in a hole.
Conversation pits, or sunken seating areas, promised cozy conversations but mostly delivered stubbed toes and dust bunnies. Though it was the cool thing for hip hangouts, modern homes have filled them in for more versatile flooring options.
Today, we prefer conversations without the added risk of falling into them. It’s safe to say we’ve climbed out of that trend.
4. Avocado Green and Harvest Gold Appliances
The ’70s kitchen was brought to you by the colors avocado green and harvest gold.
These hues were the definition of domestic sophistication—or so they thought. Nowadays, sleek stainless steel or classic white appliances have rendered these colors obsolete.
While avocado toast might be trending on Instagram, its color isn’t trending in the kitchen anymore. It’s a classic case of good taste not always equating to good design.
5. Macramé Everything
In the ’70s, if it could be knotted, it was macramé.
Walls, plant holders, chairs—nothing was safe from the craft trend that tied homes together in bohemian style. While macramé has its charms, today’s decorators prefer more minimalist designs or a single statement piece.
The art form endures among craft enthusiasts, but entire rooms of knotted rope have untangled themselves from the mainstream. It’s a knotty problem we’ve unraveled with time.
6. Beaded Door Curtains
Walking through a doorway in the ’70s often felt like crossing into a different realm—or a bead shop.
Beaded curtains were both a room separator and a zen experience, if you could get through without tangling. They were the zenith of bohemian chic, but the noise and perpetual need to untangle them were less than peaceful.
Today, doors do a much quieter job of keeping spaces separate, and beads have found their place as jewelry.
7. Sunken Tubs in Carpeted Bathrooms
Ah, the luxury of sinking into a carpeted bathroom tub—literally.
Sunken tubs set within plush carpets seemed like a good idea until mildew moved in. In today’s homes, tiles and non-slip surfaces rule the bathroom.
We’ve learned that stepping out of a bath should feel like a spa experience, not a soggy one. Carpet in the bathroom has become a cautionary tale of style over common sense.
8. Orange and Brown Everything
The ’70s were a pumpkin spice fever dream of orange and brown.
From couches to wallpaper, it was a palette that could make you crave autumn leaves—or a new decorator. Today, these warm tones are used more sparingly to add warmth, not a full takeover.
We’ve learned that while orange you glad for some color, moderation is key. Now, rooms tend to embrace a broader spectrum beyond the fall foliage look.
9. Popcorn Ceilings
Popcorn ceilings were the literal pinnacle of ’70s textured design.
They were great at hiding imperfections but terrible for everything else, including cleaning and safety. Often containing asbestos, these bumpy ceilings have been scraped away by renovators everywhere.
Flat ceilings or subtle textures are in vogue, leaving the popcorn behind except in our movie theater snacks. It seems the only ceiling trend that should pop is a skylight.
10. Waterbeds
Waterbeds made waves in the ’70s, promising a sleep experience like no other.
In reality, they were more of a sloshy, leaky adventure—ideal for bachelors but impractical for most. Modern mattresses offer memory foam and support without the risk of seasickness.
We’ve anchored our sleeping habits back to stability and comfort, leaving waterbeds to splash around in memory only. Rest assured, today’s beds provide solid ground for a good night’s sleep.
11. Huge Stereo Consoles
Before Bluetooth, there was the massive stereo console, a wooden beast that housed every audio gadget imaginable.
It took up half the living room and sometimes doubled as a bar. While it was the heart of music enjoyment, technology has since condensed into pocket-sized devices.
Today, sleek speakers and streaming services have turned these vintage giants into nostalgic relics. Music still fills our homes, but without the furniture that required its own moving van.
12. Wicker and Rattan Furniture Indoors
Wicker and rattan furniture once turned homes into endless patios. Indoors, outdoors—this furniture knew no boundaries.
While they added texture and a natural vibe, dusting them was a chore. Today, these materials belong on porches or as accent pieces.
Modern indoor designs favor clean lines and practical surfaces, leaving wicker where it belongs: basking in the sun. Rattan might still swing, but it’s on a more limited scale.
13. Bold Geometric & Psychedelic Wallpaper
Walls of the ’70s were canvases for optical illusions and eye-popping patterns.
Psychedelic wallpaper turned rooms into dizzying art pieces, sometimes overwhelming the senses. Today, wallpaper is making a comeback but with subdued designs or as feature walls.
The lesson learned is that a little pattern can go a long way, and subtlety is now the rule of thumb. We’ve reserved those bold prints for accents rather than full-room statements.
14. TVs in Wooden Cabinets
Back when TVs were a piece of furniture, they came encased in wooden cabinets.
These units were heavy and cumbersome, often outlasting the TV itself. Modern flat screens have done away with the bulk, hanging elegantly on walls or sitting on sleek stands.
The wooden cabinet has become a thing of the past, except for a few living rooms that adore retro vibes. We’ve streamlined our media, leaving the cabinets to store memories instead of electronics.
15. Mirrored Walls
Mirrored walls promised to make rooms feel larger, but often just doubled the reflection of questionable design choices.
While they added a certain glitz, cleaning them was a chore, and let’s not mention the smoky tints.
Today’s designs embrace mirrors as accents rather than full walls, allowing a more balanced approach to openness and reflective style. We’ve learned that reflecting on design doesn’t need to mean reflecting the entire room.