10 ‘Fancy’ 1970s Home Decor Trends That We Can’t Forget

A retro living room with a yellow couch, two wooden armchairs with green cushions, and a small round coffee table. The room features vintage lamps, a TV, framed art, and a patterned wallpaper. An open window and a potted plant add brightness.
vicnt/istockphoto

Trends come and go, even among the wealthy. In the 1970s, luxury trends in the home ranged from serving high-class dishes to keeping hyper-specific trinkets on display. We took a look at the 1970s home decor trends that made a statement among the wealthy — some of which remain a luxe item today. Can we start a petition to bring back conversation pits?

1. Sunken Living Rooms

Modern living room with stone fireplace, white sectional sofa, and glass coffee tables. Large windows provide natural light. Mirrors and wall art adorn the walls. Guitar near windows; dining area visible in background. Ceiling fan overhead.
IPGGutenbergUKLtd/istockphoto
IPGGutenbergUKLtd/istockphoto

Also called conversation pits, this living room trend was popular in the ’60s and ’70s, and was meant to serve as a comfortable place to chat. You know, about rich people stuff.

2. Tiffany Lamps

A stained glass lamp with a dome-shaped shade, boasting intricate dragonfly designs in vibrant colors and patterns. Reminiscent of expensive Tiffany lamps, the glass includes shades of yellow, green, and hints of blue and red, complemented by a bronze base.
eBay

If you had an expensive Tiffany lamp illuminating a corner of your home, you were probably doing quite well for yourself.

3. Built-in Breakfast Nooks

A cozy kitchen with mustard yellow walls and a white cabinet. A round table with a green bench features breakfast items like coffee, bread, and fruit. A clock is above the cabinet, and a bulletin board is on the wall.
saruservice/istockphoto
saruservice/istockphoto

Having a spacious built-in breakfast nook in addition to a dining room was a must-have for well-to-do folks in the 1970s.

4. China Cabinets

A close-up of an ornate wooden cabinet with carved details, showcasing a collection of tea sets and dishes. Glass doors reveal stacked plates, teapots, and cups in various designs and colors inside.
AlbinaBougartchev/istockphoto
AlbinaBougartchev/istockphoto

If you had a bunch of expensive china in the 1970s, you were probably storing it in an ornate cabinet.

5. Bathroom Jacuzzis

A corner bathtub with built-in jets and a sleek white surface. It is positioned next to a window with blinds. Two potted plants are placed nearby on the tiled ledge, adding a touch of greenery to the bathroom setting.
ablokhin/istockphoto
ablokhin/istockphoto

No need to head to a spa to soak in a Jacuzzi. In the ’70s, having one in your own bathroom was a geniuine status symbol.

6. Shag Carpeting

Close-up of a textured yellow and orange shag rug featuring a geometric pattern with diamond shapes in orange, surrounded by yellow. The fibers are fluffy and densely packed, creating a cozy appearance.
GOLFX/istockphoto
GOLFX/istockphoto

Does this even need an explanation? Shag meant swag in the ’70s.

7. Velvet Furniture

Close-up of a green velvet sofa with a round, pleated cushion. The fabric has a soft texture and a vibrant color, featuring button-tufted details on both the cushion and the backrest, creating an elegant and cozy appearance.
EHStock/istockphoto
EHStock/istockphoto

The ’70s were about going big, and that was true for texture, too. Just sitting on a velvet couch or chair felt luxurious.

8. Waterbeds

A partially filled waterbed with a blue vinyl mattress visible, showing tubing and fittings. A person wearing jeans and red shoes stands in the background, next to a white container, likely involved in the process.
anela/istockphoto
anela/istockphoto

Were waterbeds a good idea to begin with? Probably not. They were still one of the trendiest bedroom additions of the decade.

9. Vibrant Appliances

A vintage kitchen with olive green cabinets, an orange patterned tile backsplash, and a white stovetop with black knobs. The countertop is beige, and there's a white plug socket on the wall.
cerro_photography/isitockphoto
cerro_photography/isitockphoto

Whether it was avocado green sinks, burnt orange toasters, or harvest gold mixers, luxury home decor was decidedly bold in the ’70s.

10. Crystal Chandeliers

Close-up of a crystal chandelier with sparkling teardrop-shaped pendants reflecting light. The background is softly blurred, featuring hints of colorful, out-of-focus decor.
petrenkod/istockphoto
petrenkod/istockphoto

Often associated with royalty, crystal chandeliers made a bold statement in the 1970s. That statement was usually “I’m rich.”

Author
Erin Kuschner

Erin Kuschner has spent the past decade as a writer and editor for both digital and print publications. Prior to joining Wealth Gang, she was a reporter and editor at Boston.com, Time Out Austin, and Time Out Los Angeles, and has written for the Los Angeles Times, the Boston Globe, Eater, and other publications.