Often sidelined for its association with drab brown tones and deep-pile carpet, the 1970s is seen as the decade that time forgot when it comes to interiors.
But some of the era’s more memorable trends, from rattan and bamboo to velvets and mushroom lamps, are being newly celebrated – with a 2023 twist.
Five key elements are here to stay…
Glam: French Connection Zinc armchair in mustard, £539, dfs.co.uk. Many classic 1970s design themes are being newly celebrated – with a 2023 twist
Vintage colour
‘Earthy brown, terracotta and orange — all are having a revival along with avocado green,’ says Benjamin Moore’s Helen Green.
These hues are perfect for a living room used for both socialising and relaxing.
‘Pair them with natural materials such as rattan and macramé, or with crisp white woodwork or slick furnishings,’ says Helen.
Try Benjamin Moore’s Cinnamon 2174-20, from £22.50 per 0.94 litres, as a warming painted backdrop.
Take a seat
‘The 1970s was an experimental decade, with designers becoming more daring in their choices.
Basket case: Pooky’s Cornet lamp, £108, pooky.com
Thick pile rugs, smooth leather and velvet sofas contrast well with silver metals, stained wood, and smooth vinyl surfaces, bringing together the retro look we love,’ says Swyft’s head of creative, Kelly Collins.
Seating is key — think low-slung, boxy sofas upholstered in moss greens, grapes and burnt orange such as Swyft’s Model 1 Velvet three-seater sofa in Vine, £1,195.
Sofa.com’s Slim Tiffany corner sofa in Cosmopolitan Smart Velvet, £3,000, also captures the mood.
Pair with Garden Trading’s PE Bamboo Hampstead Chairs, £400 for two.
Rich textures
To evoke the era, think bouclé, deep pile, velvets, rattans and bamboo, combined with polished finishes such as metal and lacquer. Try incorporating rattan panels into wardrobe doors, or add a Newgate bamboo wall clock, from £75.
Ship shape
‘This was the era when we started to embrace a less formal style of living,’ says Tara Bernerd, whose interiors at The Hari hotel in London nod to the decade.
‘From open-plan living to modular sofas, it’s the comfort of that decade that resonates with us now.’
Sofology’s Cricket four-seater sofa in Velvet Green, £1,299 captures the rigorous lines of the time.
In the kitchen, go for unfussy, streamlined cabinetry in mustard, green or orange.
‘The decade had a relaxed feel to home design; there was a focus on coloured wood cabinetry,’ says Naked Kitchen’s Elizabeth Sherwin, whose ochre-toned Pelham kitchen with fingerhole design, from £15,000, echoes the era.
Contrast clean lines with round shapes. Try a Murano glass mushroom lamp, from £153 (Vinterior).
Accessories
Inject a sense of fun into pieces you showcase. Addison Ross’s large round lacquered scallop tray in orange, £230, is a bold colourful addition.
The brand’s co-founder Sarah Ross adds: ‘Pair clean lines and Nordic-style interiors and style with 1970s accessories.’
Go for cork tableware, such as Glassette’s Cork Fleur Objet coasters, £20 each. Add oversized pendant floor lamps to help to create mellow spaces.
