14 Retro Living Room Decor Trends from the ’70s That Vanished

The ’70s were a bold decade for interior design, and living rooms served as the ultimate canvas for creativity. From shag carpeting to avocado furniture, these trends once ruled the home but have since faded into design history.

Tricia Quitales
August 2, 2025
5 min read

14 Retro Living Room Decor Trends from the ’70s That Vanished — Charlotte May on Pexels

The 1970s introduced bold, adventurous design choices that transformed living rooms into vibrant and sometimes chaotic spaces. While a few of these styles made short comebacks, most have disappeared from modern homes entirely. Changing tastes, evolving materials, and a shift toward minimalism gradually replaced these iconic trends. Looking back reveals how the ’70s left a colorful mark on interior design history.

1. Shag Carpeting

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Shag carpeting covered floors in thick, textured layers that added instant warmth and flair. It came in a rainbow of colors, including oranges, greens, and deep browns. While soft underfoot, it was nearly impossible to clean thoroughly. The maintenance demands and visual heaviness made it fall out of favor quickly. Today, it’s mostly seen in retro movie sets or vintage photos.

2. Avocado Green Furniture

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Avocado green was the go-to color for everything from couches to wall units. It gave living rooms a distinctive, earthy vibe that matched the era’s natural influence. While bold at the time, it often clashed with other décor choices. The color lost popularity as more neutral tones became favored. Avocado green is now a strong symbol of ’70s design excess.

3. Wood Paneling Walls

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Wood paneling was once considered a sophisticated and warm addition to living rooms. It was usually made from dark-toned materials that made spaces feel cozy but also smaller. Over time, it began to feel outdated and heavy. Homeowners gradually replaced it with drywall and brighter paint colors. Today, it survives only in some vintage cabins or intentionally retro spaces.

4. Conversation Pits

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Conversation pits were built-in sunken seating areas designed for social interaction. Surrounded by plush cushions, they were often placed in the center of the room. While visually striking, they proved impractical for daily use and difficult to clean. Their decline came with changing architecture and safety concerns. Few modern homes retain this feature today.

5. Macramé Wall Hangings

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Macramé art covered walls in the form of knotted tapestries and plant holders. Handmade and earthy, these pieces reflected the DIY spirit of the ’70s. They were affordable and added texture to otherwise plain walls. Though they made a small comeback recently, they are no longer central to living room design. Most people now opt for framed prints or clean-lined decor.

6. Harvest Gold Accents

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Harvest gold was another dominant color in ’70s interiors, especially for accent pieces. Lamps, side tables, and even window frames appeared in this deep yellow tone. The color clashed with more modern hues and began to feel overwhelming. As home décor shifted toward cooler, lighter palettes, harvest gold disappeared. Now, it serves as a nostalgic marker of a very specific design era.

7. Beaded Doorways

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Beaded curtains replaced doors in some living rooms, adding movement and visual interest. They were often used to separate spaces without full walls. While fun and trendy, they provided no real privacy and quickly became tangled. Most households removed them as they began to feel cluttered and impractical. Today, they are more likely to appear in novelty shops than in actual homes.

8. Velvet Upholstery

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Velvet-covered furniture was a luxurious touch in many ’70s homes. Deep reds, emerald greens, and purples dominated sofas and armchairs. Though soft and eye-catching, velvet attracted dust and was difficult to clean. Over time, it gave way to more practical and durable materials. Velvet has returned in small doses but not with the same bold statement as before.

9. Patterned Wallpaper

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Bold wallpaper covered the entire living room with patterns like florals, geometric shapes, and psychedelic swirls. It was often the first thing guests noticed upon entering. While expressive, it was also difficult to remove or update. As tastes changed, many homeowners painted over or stripped it away. Now, wallpaper is used sparingly, often on a single accent wall.

10. Mirrored Walls

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Mirrored walls were installed to make rooms appear larger and brighter. They reflected light but also every speck of dust and fingerprint. The look was considered glamorous at the time but quickly dated itself. Homeowners eventually opted for simpler ways to open up a room. Mirrored walls are now rarely seen outside of retro renovations.

11. Wicker Furniture Indoors

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Wicker was once a common material for living room chairs, coffee tables, and shelving. It gave homes a relaxed, bohemian vibe and was often paired with bright cushions. Over time, it started to wear down and lose its appeal indoors. The trend shifted toward sturdier, upholstered furniture. Today, wicker is more commonly used in patios and sunrooms.

12. Popcorn Ceilings

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Popcorn ceilings were a cost-effective way to cover imperfections and absorb sound. The texture was applied through a spray-on method that became popular during the decade. Unfortunately, many contained asbestos and were later deemed hazardous. They also made cleaning and repainting difficult. Most modern renovations now involve removing popcorn ceilings entirely.

13. Orange and Brown Color Schemes

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Orange and brown dominated color palettes in living rooms, from paint to upholstery. These warm hues were inspired by nature but could quickly overwhelm a space. The pairing created a moody atmosphere that fell out of step with brighter trends. As pastels and grays gained favor, these colors disappeared. Today, they’re mostly found in vintage photos and design museums.

14. TV Console Cabinets

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Large wooden console units once housed bulky tube televisions as centerpieces in living rooms. These cabinets often had built-in shelving and storage on either side. As TVs became thinner and wall-mounted, the need for such furniture vanished. The consoles were too large to repurpose and were eventually discarded. Now, they are more likely to be found in thrift stores than in family homes.