The 1970s had a style all its own, especially when it came to family room decor. Looking back, it’s hard to believe some of these trends were ever considered fashionable, but at the time, they were everywhere. From bold patterns to questionable materials, these decorating choices defined the era—and now make us shake our heads in disbelief.
1. Wood Paneling Everywhere
If you grew up in the ’70s, chances are your family room was covered in wood paneling. Whether it was real wood or the cheaper, laminate variety, it gave homes a dim, cave-like feel. People thought it added warmth, but really, it just made everything feel smaller and darker. No matter the tone, Apartment Therapy writes that wood paneling has always been associated with what’s hip.
Over time, those panels would start to warp, and you’d find yourself staring at a wall that looked more like a funhouse mirror. Painting over them helped a little, but it never quite erased that unmistakable ’70s vibe. Today, tearing down paneling is practically a rite of passage for anyone renovating an old home.
2. Shag Carpeting
Shag carpeting was the ultimate in ’70s comfort—until you had to clean it. The thick, fluffy texture seemed like a good idea until crumbs, pet hair, and everything else disappeared into the depths, never to be seen again. Running a vacuum over shag was an exercise in futility, and if anything spilled, you might as well accept that stain as part of the decor. The history of shag carpeting in America is as colorful as these floor coverings, writes Rugs USA.
Even worse, shag carpeting came in colors that defied logic, from burnt orange to avocado green. No matter how cozy it felt underfoot, the sight of it today instantly transports you back to a time when brown was somehow a decorating staple. Thankfully, modern carpets are easier on the eyes—and the vacuum.
3. Harvest Gold and Avocado Green Everything
These two colors dominated the ’70s, appearing on everything from appliances to curtains. If you had a couch in either hue, chances are it was covered in thick, scratchy fabric that could withstand a hurricane. The combination was meant to feel earthy and natural, but let’s be honest—it mostly looked like a bad salad. This is part of a greater trend of giving appliances pops of color, as reported by Forbes.
Even the kitchen wasn’t safe, with refrigerators and ovens sporting these unmistakable shades. Somehow, people thought mustard yellow and pea green made a house feel cozy, but today, they scream “stuck in the past.” If you spot these colors in a thrift store, you know exactly what decade they came from.
4. Oversized Brick Fireplaces
Bigger was better in the ’70s, and fireplaces were no exception. Many family rooms had massive brick fireplaces that took up an entire wall, making the room feel like a medieval lodge. They were often paired with heavy wooden mantels and wrought iron accessories, adding to the overall heaviness. Fireplaces have been evolving around the world throughout all of time, as reported by Old World Stoneworks.
Cleaning them was a nightmare, as soot and ash would cling to the bricks like an unwanted houseguest. Over time, many of these fireplaces became purely decorative, as families stopped actually using them. Today, homeowners struggle to modernize them, often opting for painted brick or complete removal.
5. Beaded Curtains
For some reason, the ’70s decided that walking through a regular doorway was too boring. Beaded curtains became a must-have accessory, hanging in doorways and adding an unnecessary layer of hassle to everyday life. If you had long hair, you probably got it tangled at least once.
They looked cool in theory, but in practice, they were just noisy and annoying. The beads constantly clacked together, creating an endless background soundtrack for anyone moving through the house. Eventually, most people got tired of dealing with them and opted for good old-fashioned doors again.
6. Velvet and Velour Furniture
If it wasn’t shag carpeting, it was velvet or velour furniture. Sofas and chairs covered in these plush fabrics were meant to feel luxurious, but they had a way of trapping heat—and sweat. Sitting on one in the summer was a sticky situation, especially if you had shorts on.
And let’s not forget how easily they showed every single handprint, spill, or crease. You practically needed a special brush to keep them looking presentable. These days, velvet has made a bit of a comeback, but thankfully in much subtler, more breathable versions.
7. Gaudy Wallpaper
Wallpaper in the ’70s wasn’t just decorative—it was an event. Huge floral prints, geometric patterns, and metallic accents turned family rooms into dizzying optical illusions. The busier the design, the better, making walls a major focal point whether you wanted them to be or not.
Removing that wallpaper decades later was a struggle, as the glue seemed to fuse with the walls forever. Many homeowners resorted to just painting over it, pretending it was never there. These days, wallpaper is back in style, but thankfully, it’s much easier to remove.
8. Macramé Everything
If there was an empty space in a ’70s family room, macramé was there to fill it. Hanging plant holders, wall hangings, and even entire room dividers were painstakingly woven from thick, knotted ropes. While it was considered the height of handmade charm, it also collected dust like nobody’s business.
The amount of effort required to clean macramé decorations made them more trouble than they were worth. Over time, they fell out of favor, though some crafty folks still keep the tradition alive. These days, macramé is mostly reserved for boho-style accents, rather than taking over entire walls.
9. Faux Fur Rugs and Throws
Nothing said ’70s luxury like a faux fur rug—or, even better, a giant faux fur throw draped over the couch. They were meant to feel glamorous, but mostly they just looked like roadkill. Shedding was a constant issue, leaving fibers all over your clothes and furniture.
Even worse, they were impossible to clean properly, so they became dust magnets over time. Despite their impracticality, these fuzzy monstrosities were everywhere. Today, faux fur still exists, but in much less overwhelming doses.
10. Tiffany-Style Stained Glass Lamps
These colorful lamps were a staple of ’70s family rooms, casting a warm—but oddly tinted—glow over everything. They often featured floral or geometric designs in deep reds, blues, and greens. While they were meant to feel elegant, they often clashed with the already loud decor.
Over time, the glass panels would loosen, making the lamps fragile and wobbly. While some still appreciate them as vintage treasures, they don’t fit easily into modern decor. Unless you’re going for full-blown nostalgia, these lamps are better left in the past.
11. Sunken Living Rooms
For reasons that still baffle many, the ’70s loved a good sunken living room. These conversation pits were meant to create a cozy, intimate vibe, but in reality, they were just an accident waiting to happen. If you weren’t watching your step, you were bound to take an embarrassing tumble.
They also weren’t the most practical for moving furniture, and cleaning around them was a challenge. Over time, most homeowners opted to level them out, reclaiming the extra floor space. Today, they’re mostly remembered as a quirky relic of ’70s design experiments.
12. Mirror-Tiled Walls
In the ’70s, nothing said “glamour” like an entire wall covered in mirrored tiles. The idea was to make rooms look bigger and brighter, but in reality, it mostly created a dizzying effect. Every smudge, fingerprint, and dust particle was on full display, making them nearly impossible to keep clean.
And let’s not forget the safety hazard—one wrong move and you could have a cracked tile or worse. Over time, many homeowners resorted to covering them with wallpaper or just ripping them out completely. Today, mirrors are used more sparingly, and thankfully, no one feels the need to cover an entire wall with them anymore!
Looking back, it’s easy to laugh at these decorating choices, but at the time, they were the height of fashion. Whether you miss the warm (if slightly chaotic) aesthetic or you’re glad to have moved on, one thing’s for sure—the ’70s left an unforgettable mark on home decor. Who knows? Maybe some of these trends will make a comeback—but hopefully not all at once!
