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22 Home Decor Trends From the ’60s and ’70’s We Need to Bring Back

There are many things from the ’60s and ’70s that we don’t want back — the Manson Family and Watergate scandal come to mind — but there are some excellent design trends we want.

The 1960s and 1970s were transformative decades of culture, activism, fashion, home decor, and design. Many design trends from these decades are looked down upon nowadays, described as tacky or kitschy. However, many of them deserve a resurgence.

These trends involve vivid patterns, cozy textures, and boho elements. Embracing ’60s and ’70s home decor means appreciating these funky designs and curating a welcoming and homey vibe. We’re ready to let color, fun, and comfort back into our homes.

Floral Upholstery

Retro Upholstery, 1970s sofa, couch furniture
Image Credit: Chairish.

When people see floral upholstery, they often associate it with grandma’s house, but we think of the 1970s. This decade didn’t embrace the realistic, oil-painting type of florals. Instead, the ’70s was about more cartoonish and artsy florals.

Oversized petals, simple colors, and crowded patterns were popular in floral upholstery, and we’d love to see this vibrant trend come back. These floral patterns are dramatic and playful, so they’re not your grandma’s floral upholstery.

Shag Carpet

Shag carpet
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Shag carpet is a decorating trend that defined the 1970s style, and people often make jokes about the 1970s when they see shag carpet. This fluffy carpet style was left behind with the rise of sleek and subtle decor in the early aughts.

However, as the minimalism craze dies out, people are ready to embrace this dramatic rug material again! Why wouldn’t anyone want this comfy, plush carpet to return in style? It offers a warm and snuggly vibe, and you can walk around in a cloud of softness.

Pop Art

Pop Art Lips
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Minimalism also murdered pop art, but we’re happy to say we’re here to resuscitate it. Pop art is dramatic and distinct, with realistic aspects that play with color and pattern. Similar to psychedelic patterns, it can feel surreal but isn’t quite as abstract.

Andy Warhol, David Hockney, and Roy Lichtenstein fans can rejoice in the revival of pop art decor. This type of decor is supremely colorful, well-defined, and often provocative or conceptual. This 1970s trend is irresistibly vibrant and an excellent way to bring color and maximalism into your space.

Wood Paneling

Wood Paneling, Wood Paneled Room
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Like shag carpet, people came to detest wood paneling when the trend came to an end in the 1970s, but what was so bad about some wood walls? This trend created warm and natural spaces without being too literal.

We’ll admit that in the ’60s and ’70s, people may have gone overboard with wood paneling. However, when done right, it can look chic and cozy. Our first condition is that the wood should be real — none of that cheap vinyl stuff!

Rattan

Rattan Furniture
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Rattan always stayed in style, but it was all the rage in the late ’60s and early ’70s. People had whole rattan furniture sets; we want this to become the norm again. Rattan has an organic and delicate feel with a hint of whimsy.

If a fairy were to construct a bookshelf in the woods, they’d use rattan-style weaving. Rattan shelving, surfaces, and seating all have an endearing look and feel modern as boho minimalism comes into style.

Colorful Kitchens

Vintage Retro Kitchen
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

We are so over the sterilized white kitchens and moody black aesthetics. Where’s the color? Where’s the pizzazz? We all left it in the 1960s and 1970s when people embraced color in every room.

We don’t know when neutrals became the aggressive default for kitchens, but we want to permit you to make your kitchen colorful! Buy colorful appliances, like pink toaster ovens, green microwaves, blue blenders, and more. Don’t be afraid to paint your cabinets yellow and lean into a monochrome look!

Macrame Art

Macrame Art
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Macrame went out of style around the same time as rattan, but it fits beautifully into modern bohemian designs. This type of woven fabric art isn’t quite mainstream again, but we see it slowly returning to fashion.

These art pieces range from small, slender plant holders to massive wall hangings. They create a comfy and inviting vibe in any space, making softening a cold and soulless space easy.

Moroccan Decor

Moroccan Decor
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Many people adorned their homes with colorful and intricate Moroccan-inspired decor in the ’70s. These decorations do not fit into the 2000s minimalism aesthetic but work with bohemian spaces.

Moroccan designs are starkly different from psychedelic patterns and pop art. It’s not cartoonish or surreal; it’s fiercely elegant and detailed. Moroccan pieces have an air of decadence and regalness that elevates any space.

Excessive Green Houseplants

Houseplants
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

It’s safe to say this trend is back and better than ever. In the ’70s, people often littered their houses with green plants, from massive rubber plants to small pothos. This created a jungle-like atmosphere, which wasn’t appreciated in the following decades.

However, many people know the benefits of owning houseplants and enjoy the greenery. It’s a slippery slope. Once you get one or two plants, you crave more and more until your home looks like a jungle, and we’re here for it.

Oversized Wall Fans

wall fan decoration
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

The wall fan became very tacky after the 1970s, but we think it’s been long enough for this trend to return. When we say “fan,” we mean those pretty hand fans that open and close like an accordion.

People used to have massive wall fans, sometimes hung in place of a bed headboard! Hand-painted or fabric fans are especially beautiful, and everyone should start hanging them again to bring this charming trend back.

Velvet

Pink velvet sofa couch furniture
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

People were obsessed with velvet in the 1970s. Why? We’re not sure, but we get it. Velvet is addictively soft with a sophisticated sheen that gives it character and movement. Velvet furniture was the norm for a while but eventually became kitschy.

Now, velvet fabric is back in clothing and slowly reentering home decor trends. Velvet upholstery, pillows, art, and more have a supple texture and rich feel that fits perfectly into intimate maximalist spaces.

Flashy Wallpaper

Geometric Pattern Wallpaper
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

At some point between the 1970s and now, someone decided that wallpaper was tacky, and we’ll never forgive them. Put the paint can down, and consider doing something more fun and unique with your walls.

There was a lot of funky and bold wallpaper in the 1970s. We’re talking huge patterns, whacky images, and striking colors. These styles were nothing shy about, and they were certainly a big design commitment. However, we love this unapologetic style and are ready for the trend again.

Fluffy Fabric

shearling, sherpa, sheepskin sofa, couch, furniture, mid century modern
Image Credit: House of Finn Juhl/2Modern.

From velvet upholstery to macrame art to shag carpet, people in the ’60s and ’70s understood softness. Modern designers like cold, hard materials because discomfort is stylish.

We’re done with the discomfort, so bring on the fluffy decor! Shearling, sherpa, and other furry materials need to make a comeback. We’re ready to sink into a plush, shearling couch and embrace comfort again.

Low Furniture

low modular sofa
Image Credit: Modern Miami.

Furniture height trends seem cyclical. The early aughts demanded high, slender furniture, while the ’60s and ’70s embraced low furniture, creating a more inviting and relaxed atmosphere.

Remember the conversation pits or the sunken living rooms? We want to bring back that vibe without digging a hole in your house. Instead, add some low-sitting furniture for that comfy, intimate feel.

Rounded Furniture

Rounded curved sofa couch
Image Credit: Modway.

Along with low seating, we also want rounded furniture to come back. The minimalist movement welcomed furniture with sharp, clean edges, creating a sleek and sophisticated look. That’s all well and fine, but we want curvy couches back!

Rounded furniture has a softer and more fluid feel. Some more dramatic, rounded furniture pieces look like functional art, with continuous curves and playful silhouettes. We want rounded tables, chairs, couches, beds, and counters.

Pendant Lights

Mid Century Modern Vintage retro Pendant lights
Image Credit: FinestVintageFinds/Etsy.

Pendant lights never became super tacky or ugly, but they did fall out of style following the ’80s. A pendant light crosses between a chandelier and a typical ceiling light. It’s not as dramatic as chandeliers but is fancier than most ceiling lights hanging from a chain or cord.

We’re happy to see any pendant lighting, but we want the 1960s and 1970s styles to return. Pendant lights in these decades were artistic and eye-catching. They were colorful, made with distinct materials, and often shaped to resemble flowers.

Pottery and Ceramics

Mid century modern Pottery and ceramics
Image Credit: modularparallel/Etsy.

Pottery and ceramics are another trend that never wholly disappeared, but it’s less intense than in the ’60s and ’70s. In these decades, people’s homes would be overrun with lovely vases, cute ceramic bowls, and pottery pots.

Many pottery pieces from the ’60s feature the cartoonish florals or psychedelic patterns that were popular at the time. Hand-painted ceramics, oddly shapen vases, and whacky textures capture the spirit of the ’60s trend.

Geometric Patterns

Geometric pattern throw pillow
Image Credit: Alerfa.

If someone wasn’t into psychedelic patterns and florals in the ’60s and ’70s, they were probably a fan of the geometric patterns of the time. There is a significant overlap between geometric and psychedelic patterns and many distinctions.

Geometric patterns feel sharp without being cold and stuffy.  Patterns featuring more fluid and rounded shapes will resemble psychedelic styles. However, rectangular and square patterns offer a more chic and polished aura.

Rich Color Palettes

Vintage living room, retro
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Many modern designers seem obsessed with neutral colors, like black, grey, white, and brown. We appreciate and understand the beauty of neutrals, but we don’t want to live in a beige world.

We’re calling for the return of 1960s and 1970s color palettes. People used to unapologetically pair tangerine orange with magenta with aqua blue, creating vivid and uplifting atmospheres. This trend emphasizes deep, rich colors, not bright or light hues.

Lucite and Plastic

Acrylic coffee table
Image Credit: MESAILUP.

Today, plastic materials are “ugly,” “cheap,” and “tacky,” but in the ’60s and ’70s, they were futuristic and modish. We agree that plastic materials can be tragic, but materials like lucite and acrylic can be fashionable when used wisely.

Lucite chandeliers, acrylic end tables, and plastic decor can bring a retro and funky vibe to any space. It’s not easy to incorporate these items into your home, but a lucite chair can be transcendent and full of character with the right vision.

Cantilevered Chairs

Cantilevered Chairs
Image Credit: MeetLeisure.

Cantilevered chairs can be weird, but their distinct appearance makes them an excellent addition to specific spaces. Rather than the classic four-leg design, cantilevered chairs use one continuous metal rod to create the base.

These chairs have a retro appearance but also feel futuristic and voguish. They work best in spaces that don’t have many retro or vintage elements. When paired with modern pieces, they look fabulous.

Animal Print

Leopard print bench
Image Credit: Warmaxx.

We promise we are not the type of people to deck out our house in leopard print, but the 1960s and 1970s taught us that animal print can be stylish. When used tastefully, a zebra rug or cheetah chair can look luxurious.

Our best tip for pulling this trend off is to use animal print sparingly and treat your animal print objects as focal points or statement pieces. One or two animal print pieces are plenty, so don’t go crazy, or you’ll look like a descendant of Cruella de Vil.

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