14 Weird Things Every 70s House Had You Won't Find in Homes Today (2024)

FAQs

What was found in a home in the 70s that you wouldn't find in homes today? ›

There was no other kitchen and bathroom flooring in the 70s nearly as ubiquitous as patterned linoleum, beloved by working moms for its durability and easy cleanup. No home in the 70s would have been complete without a few bean bag chairs thrown around the basem*nt.

Toasters, knives, blenders, coffee pots, silverware, dishes, and oh-so much more. Things didn't stop there, either. Carpets, furniture - avocado green was all the rage. It was décor virus that nobody wanted to cure until the 70s ended.

Walls were papered in groovy patterns: bold geometrics and swirling, nontraditional paisleys. Preferred house styles were ranches and ramblers or split levels. The sunken living room, aka conversation pit, occasionally was rendered with finesse, but other times seemed a silly hazard.

70s style icon 1: Rattan

Natural textures such as rattan has been a big hit in interiors, thanks to its neutral tones. For the interior, think rattan light fittings, chairs, chest of drawers and storage baskets.

If your home was built before 1978, it is more likely to have lead-based paint. In 1978, the federal government banned consumer uses of lead-based paint, but some states banned it even earlier. Lead-based paint is still present in millions of homes, normally under layers of newer paint.

1. Bellbottoms. Bellbottoms were like the clothing mullet before the mullet was really a thing. These pants that looked business up top yet screamed party down low were a staple for 70's fashion goers everywhere.

Watergate Scandal

The Watergate Break-In The origins of the Watergate break-in lay in the hostile political climate of the time. By 1972, when Republican President Richard M. Nixon was running for reelection, the United States was embroiled in the Vietnam War, and the country was deeply divided.

The Eclectic 1970s: Bohemian and Disco Vibes

It was a decade of self-expression, freedom, and individuality. Embrace the bohemian spirit and disco fever of the era through your interior design choices. Earthy tones and rich jewel hues dominated the color palette, creating warm and inviting spaces.

In 1970, the median sales price of a home in California was $24,300, and nationwide, $23,000. California and nationwide home price averages stayed fairly close together until the late 1970s. Even with that hyperinflation in the late 1970s, according to the California Assn.

Modern. It's easy to confuse modern homes with contemporary ones, but the best way to tell the difference is to look at when the home was built. Modern-style homes were generally built between the 1930s and the 1970s in the U.S., with midcentury modern being a subcategory of this style.

What was the interior trend in the 1970s? ›

We're talking curved edges (see: Instagram's favourite bubble sofas), soft geometric shapes and a special commitment to earthy, warm tones of brown, terracotta and avocado paired with bold patterns.

6 Ideas for Updating a 1970s House

Change your trim — Whether that means replacing it with something new or simply painting over it, choose a brighter stain or color for a modernizing effect. Replace your flooring — Replace any shag carpet or grungy laminate flooring with something fresh and clean, like hardwood.

In general, 1970s style is characterized by pieces that lean boho—think wicker, rattan, and of course, shag rugs—as well as macrame and terrazzo accents.

Unless a house from the 1970's has been upgraded, many of the components in the house will be worn. These items include appliances, window components, plumbing fixtures, door hardware, appliances, roofing material, garage door openers, garage door springs, even switches and receptacles to name a few.

Another major aspect of 1970s furniture is the use of teak wood. The use of teak in fashionable furniture and panelling regained popularity in the 1960s and items became chunkier as it progressed into the 1970s.

Refined Bohemian & Ecletic Style

70s style consists of a mix of bohemian style with structured silhouettes, infused with an abundance of colors, and and an eclectic blend of geometric prints. Beyond the fact, that it also incorporate both contemporary and traditional furniture elements.

Older homes tend to have older, possibly deteriorating roofs. This presents numerous problems, including pest infestations, interior water damage, and compromised (less effective) insulation.