17 Modern 70s Living Room Ideas
The 70s is an era that’s often given a bad rap when it comes to home design. It’s been called the ugliest decade, but there are still many people who hold the 70s in high regard.
In most cases, it’s the fashion, music, and movies of the 70s that people love. But there’s a lot to love about 70s living room design, too.
If you’re a 70s kid, you probably have fond memories of the living rooms you grew up with.
If you’re a child of the 80s, you may have a different view of 70s living rooms. Either way, there are lots of 70s living room ideas that can be incorporated into contemporary living rooms.
1. Mix and match colors for a modern 70s living room
The 70s were a time of bold color choices, and this living room is a great example of how to bring that feeling into a modern space. The key to making a multi-colored palette like this work is to choose one or two dominant colors and then add in smaller accents in other shades.
The emerald green sofa is the main focus of the room, but the deep mustard and burnt orange are almost equally as present. Lighter shades of pink, blue, and green are sprinkled throughout the space, adding a sense of balance to the bold color choices.
2. Use a pop of color in your modern 70s living room
One thing you can definitely say about 70s design is that it was never afraid of color. And while modern 70s living rooms do have a more contemporary feel, that doesn’t mean you have to shy away from bold colors.
This stunning space designed by Studio McGee shows just how you can add a pop of color to a more muted color palette. The deep orange adds a rich, warm hue to the room that’s picked up in the lovely striped rug.
3. Add a touch of gold to your modern 70s living room
The 70s was all about the bling, and gold was a staple in many homes. This modern living room designed by Katharine Pooley is a great example of how to add gold to your space in a modern way.
The gold accents in this room are subtle but effective. The coffee table, the base of the floor lamp, and the picture frames all have a touch of gold, and it adds a warm and elegant feel to the room.
4. Add some plants to your modern 70s living room
No 70s inspired living room would be complete without some house plants. This was the era when the house plant trend really took off, and you’d be sure to find a few potted plants in any living room.
If you are after a low maintenance option, snake plants are a great choice. They look fab in a tall planter and are perfect for adding some height and shape to your space.
5. Opt for a colorful rug in your modern 70s living room
A colorful rug is a great way to add some 70s style to a modern living room. You can go as bold or as subtle as you like with this look, but we say the bolder the better. We love how the bright colors in the rug in this space have been picked out and used in the rest of the room, creating a really cohesive look.
You can find similar vintage-style rugs on Etsy and Wayfair, or browse eBay for actual vintage options.
6. Add a touch of black to your modern 70s living room
One of the biggest mistakes people make when decorating with a lot of color is not including enough contrast. A room full of pastels, for example, can start to look a little too sweet if there’s not a little black to add some edge.
In this modern 70s living room, black is used to ground the space. This keeps the room from feeling too light and bright and adds a touch of sophistication. The black is repeated in the art, the lamp, and the coffee table, which helps to create balance in the space.
7. Opt for a boho 70s living room
The 1970s were a time of great social change and that was reflected in the interior design trends of the decade. There was a move away from the more formal, structured style of the 1960s and a move towards a more relaxed, bohemian look.
In this living room, the look has been achieved with the use of natural materials, house plants and a mix of patterns. The L-shaped sofa has been layered with a variety of cushions in a mix of patterns and colors, and the rug and the throw add to the eclectic look.
8. Add a shaggy rug to your modern 70s living room
A shaggy rug is a key feature in a modern 70s living room. Not only do they add a layer of texture to the space, but they also bring a sense of warmth. You can use a large, neutral rug as seen here if you want to keep the room feeling light and bright. Or, opt for a bold pop of color if you want to add a focal point to the space.
In this room designed by Tamsin Johnson, the shaggy rug is a beautiful shade of blue that matches the sofa. The rug and sofa are the two main sources of color in the room, and the rest of the decor is kept neutral.
9. Use a patterned wallpaper in your modern 70s living room
Wallpaper is making a huge comeback and it’s a great way to add some 70s style to your living room, especially if you go for a bold pattern. This space features the stunning Chinoiserie wallpaper from de Gournay that’s been paired with the vibrant orange sofa.
The rest of the space is kept fairly neutral to let the wallpaper and the sofa be the focus but there are still plenty of 70s vibes coming from the accessories and the shapes in the room.
10. Opt for a 70s inspired couch
If you are looking to bring some 70s vibes into your living room, but don’t want to go too over the top with the color, a cool, retro inspired couch is a great place to start.
This velvet sofa looks like it could have come straight from the 70s, but the color scheme is really modern. The bold mustard is balanced out by the deeper blues and forest greens, but the simple white walls keep the space feeling fresh.
11. Add some vintage 70s furniture to your modern 70s living room
If you are a fan of mid-century modern furniture, then you’ll love the 70s. There were so many great designs that came out of the 70s that still look amazing in modern homes today.
This living room is a great example of how you can mix and match 70s furniture with more contemporary pieces. The bold green sofa is a nod to the 70s, while the leather armchairs and coffee table have a more modern look.
The key to pulling off this look is to keep the color palette cohesive and to mix and match furniture from different eras. If you go too heavy on the 70s furniture, your living room could start to look like a set from That 70s Show.
12. Use a 70s inspired color palette in your modern 70s living room
If you are looking to create a modern 70s living room but don’t want to go too bold with the colors, stick to a 70s inspired color palette but use muted shades. In this space, the mustard yellow is used as an accent color, adding a pop of warmth to a neutral based room.
The rest of the color scheme is made up of greens and blues, all of which have a slightly muted, gray undertone, making them feel more subtle and modern.
13. Add a modern 70s style light fixture to your living room
One of the easiest ways to incorporate a 70s style into your living room is by adding a vintage-inspired light fixture.
This modern 70s living room features a stunning chandelier that is sure to be a conversation starter. The brass and glass light fixture adds a touch of glam to the space and complements the other vintage-inspired elements found throughout the room.
14. Use a modern 70s style coffee table in your living room
A coffee table is the perfect place to show off a 70s inspired design. This coffee table is a great example of a modern take on 70s style. The brass accents and the light wood are reminiscent of the 70s, while the sleek, modern design keeps it from feeling outdated.
Paired with a contemporary rug and a sleek sofa, this table adds a pop of retro elegance to the living room.
15. Add some artwork to your modern 70s living room
This modern 70s living room has a lot of the classic 70s design features we have already talked about, but we love how they are all slightly more subtle. The color scheme is still very 70s, but the colors are a bit softer and there’s less contrast, so it’s a bit easier on the eye.
The shaggy rug, the house plants, and the mid-century modern furniture all give a nod to the 70s without being too bold. The one thing that does really stand out in this space is the artwork. The oversized, abstract piece brings in all the colors of the room and is the perfect bold focal point.
16. Use a modern 70s style TV console in your living room
The 70s was a time for innovation in the world of furniture design. This unique TV console is a perfect example of the modern style that came out of the 70s.
The sleek, low-profile design is typical of the 70s, and the warm wood finish is a nod to the decade’s love of natural materials. The built-in planters on either side of the console add a pop of color and a touch of nature to the room.
This 70s-inspired living room by Erin Williamson features a modern take on a classic 70s design. The low-profile TV console is flanked by two built-in planters, adding a touch of nature to the space.
17. Add some modern 70s style accessories to your living room
If you are looking to add just a touch of 70s style to your living room, accessories are a great place to start. You can find so many modern takes on 70s accessories, from lamps to vases to cushions.
Check out Rockett St George for some really unique 70s inspired accessories that would make perfect additions to a living room. These prints are really easy to work into your existing decor and add just a touch of that 70s vibe.
Conclusion
The 1970s were a decade of bold colors, prints, and patterns, so don’t shy away from incorporating them into your living room. You can add a touch of 70s flair with a bold accent wall, colorful area rug, or patterned throw pillows.
