15 Living Room Trends From the 1970s That Have Disappeared

The living room of the 1970s represented a bold statement of comfort, innovation, and earthy decor. The sunken seating areas, wall-to-wall shag rugs, wood paneling, and furniture that sported plastic coverings, all in a palette of avocado green, represented a style that reflected the social attitudes of the time. The presence of stereo consoles and lava lamps represented the technology of the time, while heavy drapes, faux finishes, and sectionals represented the style of the era. As the years passed, however, the realities of lifestyle, safety, maintenance, and color preferences eventually relegated these design features to the status of nostalgia, as modern design emphasized light, flexibility, and simplicity in a style that looked little like the iconic design features of the past.

1. Conversation Pits

Conversation pits dominated living rooms in the 1970s. In this design, a section of the floor was lowered and nestled in with built-in seats. The seats were filled with thick padding, and visitors entered this sunken area as if entering a lounge. This design was meant for closeness and easy communication. This concept was dramatic and futuristic for the time. Many homes in California suburbs and custom homes in the United States featured this concept. However, this concept was only for a brief period. The concept was impractical. The lowered floor created tripping hazards, cleaning the space was inconvenient, and moving furniture was impossible. In the 1980s, this space was filled in and leveled. Open floor plans replaced this concept, and what was once futuristic became outdated and impractical.

2. Wall to Wall Shag Carpeting

Shag carpeting covered floors like a rolling meadow, with long fibers giving under bare feet in a plush, cushiony way. Earthy tones of avocado green, orange, and gold predominated, with magazines showing off rooms in a sea of textures. Shag carpeting was an expression of the era’s love of comfort and bright color. Many homes in the suburbs wore it as a status symbol. However, over time, the fibers became dusty and stained, with vacuuming becoming a weekly drudge. Allergies became problematic in sealed-off homes, leading to a shift towards hardwood and rugs with low piles. What was once an iconic symbol of style and taste gradually became a maintenance nightmare. In the late 1980s, most people stripped it off in favor of a cleaner look.

3. Wood Paneled Walls

Dark wood wall panels created a cabin-like atmosphere in living rooms around this time. Plywood panels with artificial wood grain patterns were used to cover the walls. This design was meant to convey luxury and class. Popular TV shows during this time often depicted dens with this design. This design was also in line with the earthy look and dimly lit environments that were popular during this time. It also helped to give a house a complete look. However, the room eventually became darker and smaller due to the lack of natural light. People then decided to paint over the panels or replace them with white drywall and lighter colors. This design eventually became a thing of the past as people moved away from it to have lighter environments.

4. Sunburst Clocks and Oversized Wall Decor

Large sunburst clocks emerged from the walls of living rooms, their metallic spokes extending in sweeping arcs. The gold finish glittered in the soft light of table lamps, a nod to mid-century style that continued into the 1970s. The clocks functioned as art and timepieces, and they often drew admiring glances from visitors as a bold design statement. As minimalism gained popularity, the oversized decor started to look garish. The new framed art was more modest in size, and people started to prefer it over the expansive metallic decor. The dramatic sunburst clock eventually disappeared from mainstream homes, but it lived on as a symbol of a decade that loved flair and style. The bold design was distinctly a product of its time.

5. Avocado Green and Harvest Gold Color Schemes

Living rooms were adorned with the colors avocado green and harvest gold. These colors were seen on sofas, curtains, and walls. The color scheme was reminiscent of the color scheme seen on the kitchen appliances of the 1970s. It was a color scheme influenced by the nature-inspired trends and the desire for warmth. The color scheme was seen in catalogs featuring matching color schemes. However, the color scheme eventually became too heavy and dated. As the 1980s introduced cooler colors such as pastels and neutrals, people repainted their walls and replaced the furniture. The color scheme was no longer considered modern.

6. Plastic Covered Furniture

Clear plastic covers shielded precious sofas in many homes. Families used these to cover their expensive furniture to keep it spotless for generations. These covers crinkled with every move and were hot to sit on during the summer afternoons. However, these were comfortable and convenient in the long run. Formal living rooms were left untouched except on occasions when guests were present. Over time, this tradition became inconvenient and unnecessary. People preferred furniture that was meant for practical living. Formality was replaced with relaxed living. People chose comfort over practicality, and the idea of a plastic-covered sofa faded away as a tradition that symbolized strict living in homes.

7. Hanging Beaded Curtains

Bead curtains were used to separate rooms through doorways and archways. These curtains were made of wooden or plastic beads that clicked as people moved through them. Bead curtains were a symbol of bohemian style and the counterculture movement. In many homes, these curtains were a feature of playfulness, adding movement and a bit of noise to a room. As the need for privacy increased, solid doors made a comeback. Bead curtains were prone to tangles and dust accumulation, and minimalism was a reaction to the noisy décor. Bead curtains eventually disappeared from homes, but their free-spirited style was a product of the 1970s.

8. Built-In Stereo Consoles

The living room was also home to the massive stereo console, with its wooden casing holding space for turntables, speakers, and radio systems. Families gathered around these consoles to share moments and music. Brands such as Magnavox and Zenith designed sophisticated consoles, and the stereo console was not only a source of entertainment but also furniture that held the central position in the home’s social life. However, with the arrival of technology, the space occupied by these consoles came to be replaced by portable consoles and television sets that captured the eye and held it to the new center stage. The massive stereo console had become irrelevant in the 1980s.

9. Lava Lamps as Centerpieces

Lava lamps provided a soft illumination in dimly lit living rooms, with wax of various colors floating in a hypnotic dance. The liquid movement fascinated the viewers, who were mesmerized by the gentle ebb and flow, reminiscent of the 1960s’ fascination with mood lighting. Teen hangouts often featured one on a table, making the lamp synonymous with a carefree night out. As the lighting scene evolved to more efficient and practical illumination, lava lamps appeared to be a gimmick, with energy-saving bulbs replacing the decorative glow of the past. While some people collect them, the novelty wore off, and the iconic bubble lamp remained a relic of the past.

10. Ruffled and Patterned Drapes

Thick drapes surrounded the windows of the living room, and the drapes featured bold floral and geometric designs. The curtains and drapes came in ruffled designs with valances. The curtains and drapes often featured matching designs with the furniture and the wallpaper. In the homes of the era, thick drapes ensured good insulation. However, in the coming decades, homes began to feature sheer curtains and blinds. Cleaning the thick drapes was a challenge. The era of the dramatic curtains came to an end, and natural light became the focal point.

11. Faux Brick and Stone Accent Walls

While the manufactured brick was utilized for the faux brick and stone accent walls, another option was to use a wallpaper that had a texture similar to stone. This look was intended to have a rustic charm and was appropriate for fireplaces and entertainment spaces. This was touted as an easy and cost-effective way to give a home a facelift. Many homes in suburban areas utilized this look. However, over time, the faux texture has become less desirable than the real thing. Not only was it labor-intensive to take down the glued-on panels, but the look has also become a relic of a particular era. While the look was once considered inviting, it can now take on a sense of artificiality.

12. Large Sectional Sofas in Bold Prints

Large sectionals dominated the corners of the room, sometimes featuring loud prints in brown and orange hues. These looked very comfortable, with deep, plush seats that encouraged families to snuggle up together for television viewing sessions. This style soon became the centerpiece of the room, especially as the living area was opened up. Eventually, however, a more streamlined look was introduced, with the use of more subtle fabrics instead of the bold prints. Space constraints also meant that a more versatile product was needed, and the large printed sectional sofa eventually faded away, a product of a bygone era.

13. Indoor Plant Jungles with Macramé Hangers

The living room was often filled with houseplants, where spider plants and ferns were placed near the windows. These were suspended from the ceilings using macramé plant hangers. This was also a reflection of the rising environmental concern, transforming homes into mini-gardens. However, this proved to be a challenge over time, given the mess that came with fallen leaves and water spots on the floor. Simpler interiors replaced this plant-filled look. While houseplants have come back in style, the macramé look has not come back with it. This style was very 1970s and remained very connected to that era.

14. Glass Coffee Tables with Chrome Frames

Coffee tables with glass tops and a chrome metal frame were common. Their shiny surfaces were a symbol of modernity. These coffee tables were stylish and elegant, especially when placed on a shag carpet. Their futuristic look was a reflection of the era. Coffee tables with glass tops, however, were difficult to maintain, especially when they were smeared with fingerprints. As people became more safety-conscious, the sharp edges of the glass coffee tables were a problem, leading to the use of wood. Coffee tables with glass tops were difficult to maintain, and the chrome metal frame had to be cleaned regularly. This look is no longer fashionable and has been replaced by contemporary designs.

15. Built-In Room Dividers with Planters

The living and dining areas were separated by large built-in room dividers, which had planter boxes placed on top of them. This was a clever way of creating separate areas without using walls. This style of decorating was reminiscent of the split-level homes that were popular in that era. As open concept homes started to become popular, these room dividers were considered restrictive, and people started removing them. These planters were often not used or were a mess, and open concept homes became the new trend. This clever decorating feature was no longer used, but it is a memory of the structured interiors of the era.

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