1. Waterbeds
Nothing said “modern” in the ’70s quite like a waterbed. Sleek, squishy, and often surrounded by heavy wooden frames, they were seen as the future of sleep. Friends couldn’t resist flopping onto one to test it out.
Of course, leaks and backaches made them less practical than promised. Still, for a few years, they were the ultimate bedroom status symbol. Every kid dreamed of having one, even if most parents said no.
2. Shag Carpeting
Thick shag carpeting wasn’t just for the living room—it made its way into bedrooms too. In bright oranges, avocado greens, or mustard yellows, it gave rooms a funky, cozy feel. Walking barefoot across it was like stepping into a plush jungle.
But cleaning it was a nightmare, and dust seemed to live in it forever. Despite that, shag was everywhere in the ’70s. Bedrooms felt incomplete without it.
3. Bold Wallpaper
Wallpaper in the ’70s wasn’t subtle—it came in giant florals, paisleys, and geometric patterns that covered entire walls. Bedrooms often featured clashing prints that were as dizzying as they were stylish. One wall might even have been covered in mural-style paper, showing forests, oceans, or sunsets.
Kids and teens sometimes had wallpaper to match their bedspreads, creating a total “theme.” Today it might feel overwhelming, but back then it was pure style. The louder, the better.
4. Wood Paneling
Wood paneling wasn’t just for dens and basements—it often crept into bedrooms, too. Dark panels lined walls from floor to ceiling, creating a cozy but sometimes cave-like feel. Many thought it looked sophisticated.
Posters taped to paneling became a rite of passage for kids and teens. It was the perfect backdrop for rock band photos or movie stars. Looking back, it was more lumber yard than luxury.
5. Bean Bag Chairs
The bean bag chair was a must-have bedroom accessory in the ’70s. Bright vinyl or fabric bags filled with tiny pellets created a seat that molded to your body. They were fun, funky, and inexpensive.
Kids sprawled on them to read, watch TV, or just hang out with friends. They weren’t exactly durable—splits and spills were common—but they were pure ’70s cool. No room felt complete without one.
6. Canopy and Four-Poster Beds
For many kids and teens, the dream bed of the ’70s had a canopy or frilly four-poster frame. Covered in sheer fabric or patterned curtains, they made bedrooms feel almost royal. They were especially popular in girls’ rooms.
While they seemed elegant at the time, they could look gaudy with all the bright colors and patterns around them. Still, crawling into one felt like slipping into your own private hideaway. They were a centerpiece of ’70s bedrooms.
7. Lava Lamps
Lava lamps added a groovy glow to countless bedrooms. The hypnotic blobs of wax floating up and down inside colorful glass bottles felt futuristic and calming all at once. Kids could stare at them for hours.
They weren’t just lights—they were mood setters. Every teen wanted one perched on a dresser or nightstand. Today, they’re pure nostalgia in lamp form.
8. Matching Bedspread and Curtain Sets
Bed-in-a-bag style wasn’t new—it was everywhere in the ’70s. Bedrooms often had bedspreads, curtains, and even pillow shams in the exact same pattern. From bold florals to geometric stripes, it was pattern overload.
Parents thought it made the room look “put together.” For kids, it just meant living inside one giant color scheme. Looking back, it was matchy-matchy to the extreme.
9. Posters Everywhere
Posters covered bedroom walls in the ’70s like wallpaper. From rock bands to movie stars, every kid had their heroes staring down from above the bed. Sometimes walls were completely plastered, leaving no space uncovered.
Thumbtacks and tape marks became part of the décor. Posters made bedrooms feel personal and cool, even if they clashed with the shag carpet. For teens, they were the ultimate form of self-expression.
10. Platform Beds with Storage
Platform beds with built-in drawers or bookshelves became popular in the ’70s. They often came in heavy wood finishes and doubled as storage space. Some even had built-in lights in the headboard.
They looked sleek and modern at the time, but also weighed a ton. Parents loved the practicality, while kids loved having a place to stash comics or records. They were as much furniture as they were a statement piece.
11. Psychedelic Color Schemes
Bedrooms of the ’70s were rarely neutral—colors were bold and sometimes clashed on purpose. Hot pink with lime green, purple with orange, or brown mixed with mustard yellow were common combos. Everything was designed to feel vibrant and alive.
Looking back, some of the schemes feel more dizzying than stylish. But at the time, they were considered groovy and forward-thinking. Bedrooms weren’t just places to sleep—they were meant to pop.
12. Hanging Chairs
Some lucky kids had swinging chairs suspended from the ceiling or standing frames. Usually made of wicker or acrylic, they hung like a pod or basket, swaying gently back and forth. They looked futuristic and made any bedroom instantly cooler.
Of course, they weren’t always practical—bolts came loose, and falls happened. But for a while, they were the ultimate bragging-right accessory. Nothing screamed ’70s bedroom like a hanging chair.
