70’s interior design: Get the look

Interior design is a slow evolution of trends, styles and themes and now in the 2020s is very much the blending of previous eras. We see certain styles and aspects of these eras come back into ‘fashion’, but they have an elevated and modern twist to feel like new. A prime example is the 1970s aesthetic, or at least the parts we want to remember!

As we journey back into 70s interior design, we look at how to evolve retro décor to fit into the modern home. But first, what was the vibe in the average 1970s home?

The 70s were certainly an evolution of the 60s, still full of bold colour but it began to take a dizzyingly psychedelic turn. For the first time, bringing nature indoors became a focus for design, it was created using bold leafy wallpaper, natural materials and watercolour inspired prints of classic florals. However, it’s probably best remembered for the avocado bathtub. Coloured sanitary ware was everywhere and lasted long beyond 1979’s ‘winter of discontent’.

Paint colours by Dulux: Bonfire, Apricot Crush, Buttermilk, Cinnamon, Linden, Saddle

So, what is retro interior design? This is when you take inspiration from a particular era and use elements of it in your own home. It could be a certain colour palette, iconic furniture of the period or a particular design motif or statement. The key is to make it your own and add a modern retro twist, so it feels relevant to today rather than a homage to the past.

Now we know what the 1970s looked like, let’s dive into some retro décor ideas to evolve 70s interior design for the modern home.

L-R: Dining Room, Bedroom

L-R: Chequerboard Bathroom, Conservatory

L-R: Breakfast Bar, Bathroom Sink

Natural textures – As 70s design is based around incorporating the outdoors in, the colours and textures used need to feel natural. So, jute, wicker, rattan, metal and wood all play a part in bringing a retro décor together. Create the perfect foundation for your scheme by using a realistic wood effect tile on the floor. You can also add a luxe element into the mix by adding coloured marble like Emerale, it adds the wow factor to simple spaces like the bathroom which are typically harder rooms to style.

Curves – Whether it’s in an elegant dining chair, a slouchy sofa or a decorative bed head, curves are a great way to add a softness to a space­, particularly when you’re sticking to a plain-ish colour palette. We love a curved tile design too, like PreKast or Blossom, adding a little interest to your room’s foundation, but if you don’t want to invest then why not try some quirky curved lighting instead.

Layering colour – A modern approach to 70s interior design is to stick to a muted colour palette of 3-4 colours so that the colour doesn’t overpower the space. A great way to do this is to work with tonal colours, for example a darker green tile with lighter green towels, they sit in the same colour family but feel different enough to add impact and depth.

Materials – Surface texture plays a large role in transforming a space. For retro interior design that mimics the 1970s, look for ultra glossy, rustic feeling tiles. Also include abstract pattern by use of materials like marble, terrazzo and concrete. And you can also add in colourful more decorative tiles in smaller formats and finger mosaics for an elevated look.

Be inspired by different colours, patterns and tile formats to enliven your 1970s inspired interior and experiment using our online visualiser tool.