1. Wood-Paneling on the Walls
Wood-paneled walls were practically a requirement for a ’70s living room. The dark tones gave the room a “cozy” feel, though they often made spaces a bit dim. Still, it was considered modern and stylish at the time.
Families gathered in paneled rooms to watch TV or play board games, never realizing it would one day scream retro. It was the backdrop to countless childhood memories. Today, it’s remembered with both affection and amusement.
2. The Console TV
A TV wasn’t just an appliance—it was furniture. Console televisions came encased in heavy wooden cabinets, often doubling as a surface for family photos. They were the centerpiece of the living room.
Changing the channel meant standing up and turning a big dial, and rabbit-ear antennas were part of the look. Everyone sat together to watch their favorite shows on the big box. That console TV truly anchored the room.
3. Shag Carpeting
Shag carpet brought color and texture to living rooms, with piles so thick you could lose a penny in them. Bright oranges, greens, and golds dominated, turning floors into groovy statements. It was a far cry from today’s neutral shades.
Kids sprawled on it to watch cartoons or play with toys, while parents vacuumed endlessly. The shag was as much a part of ’70s style as bell bottoms. Love it or hate it, it defined the era.
4. Lava Lamps
Every living room seemed to have at least one lava lamp glowing in the corner. The mesmerizing blobs of wax floating and colliding inside colored glass captivated kids and adults alike. It was part light fixture, part art piece.
Parents bought them for mood lighting, but kids treated them like their own personal science experiment. Few things screamed “1970s” more than a bubbling lava lamp. They were equal parts groovy and hypnotic.
5. Macramé Plant Hangers
Houseplants were everywhere in the ’70s, often hanging in macramé holders made of knotted rope. Spider plants and ferns dangled from the ceiling, bringing a touch of nature indoors. The craft had a handmade charm that fit perfectly with the decade’s style.
Many families made them at home as part of the DIY trend. They gave the room a bohemian feel that defined the look of the time. It was hard to find a house without at least one.
6. Stereo Console Systems
Music was a centerpiece of family life, and stereo systems were massive pieces of furniture in their own right. Encased in wood, these units held turntables, radios, and sometimes even an 8-track player. They often doubled as display surfaces for knickknacks.
Parents treated them as prized possessions, while kids spent hours flipping records. Gathering around to hear a new album was a family event. It was the original home entertainment system.
7. Brown and Orange Furniture
The classic ’70s color palette filled every room, and nowhere more than the living room. Sofas and chairs in burnt orange, avocado green, and chocolate brown reigned supreme. Patterns were bold, often clashing in ways that somehow worked back then.
Families curled up together on these couches for TV nights. They were sturdy, heavy, and impossible to miss. Those bold colors are burned into our memories.
8. The Fondue Set
The living room sometimes doubled as a dining room when fondue was involved. Parents set out the bubbling pot, skewers, and platters of bread or fruit. It was more than a meal—it was a social event.
Fondue brought everyone together in a circle of conversation and melted cheese. The ritual was as important as the food. Owning a fondue set was practically a status symbol in the ’70s.
9. Wicker Furniture Accents
Wicker chairs and side tables brought a natural, breezy feel to ’70s living rooms. Whether real or faux, they were lightweight, stylish, and surprisingly durable. They paired well with all the earthy tones of the era.
Some homes had entire wicker sets, while others just added a single chair. The creak of wicker became a familiar sound in many households. It added to the casual, laid-back vibe of the time.
10. Ashtrays on Every Table
Smoking was still common in the ’70s, and ashtrays were practically decorative items. They came in glass, ceramic, or even colorful plastic, often matching the room’s décor. Even nonsmokers often had them out for guests.
They were as normal as coasters, sitting on coffee tables and side tables alike. Many kids can still recall the smell of smoke mingling with shag carpet. Today, they serve as striking reminders of how different the era was.
11. Crochet Afghans
Every couch seemed to be draped with a handmade afghan, usually crocheted in bold stripes. They added warmth, color, and a personal touch to the room. Often, they were gifts from grandparents or family friends.
Kids curled up under them for naps or Saturday morning cartoons. They became as much a fixture of the living room as the furniture itself. Each one was unique, but they all carried a sense of comfort.
12. Beaded Curtains in Doorways
Some homes featured beaded curtains in living room doorways, adding a funky touch. Walking through them created a distinctive clatter of beads knocking together. They were decorative, playful, and very of-the-moment.
They served no practical purpose, but they set the tone for a groovy home. For kids, they were fun to run through over and over. They perfectly captured the experimental style of the decade.
13. Board Games Stacked in the Corner
Living rooms often doubled as game rooms, with stacks of Monopoly, Life, and Sorry tucked in a cabinet or corner. Game nights brought families together for hours of laughter and competition. They were as much entertainment as the TV.
Friends and neighbors joined in, turning a living room into a gathering spot. The clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards filled many evenings. These games were staples of family bonding in the ’70s.
14. Glass-Top Coffee Tables
Glass-top coffee tables were sleek and modern, often with brass or wood accents. They gave the room a “grown-up” feel, even if they smudged easily with fingerprints. Parents displayed magazines or fancy coasters underneath.
Kids, of course, saw them as dangerously fragile and endlessly fascinating. They were both practical and decorative, tying the whole room together. No living room felt complete without one.
15. Floor Lamps with Multiple Globes
Many homes had tall floor lamps with several globes branching out like flowers. The colorful shades often matched the rest of the room’s bold palette. They provided light but also doubled as statement pieces.
Turning them on made the whole room glow in funky colors. They became part of the ambiance, whether for family movie nights or quiet evenings. They were as iconic to the ’70s as shag carpet itself.
