Ready for a 1970s time warp? First, you’ll have to tap into your fun side — because the aesthetic of this era is inherently whimsical and colourful. Next, embrace retro elements that were all the rage when the Doobie Brothers crooned on the radio, and the only phones around were corded versions that never left home. We’re talking shag rugs, crochet blankets, bright moulded plastic furniture and art, funky graphics and more! Load up on 1970s pieces, or cherrypick a few elements. The important thing is that you’re having fun. And once you hop on this groovy train, it’s hard to get off. Choo-choo!
![Plastic Is Fantastic 1970s-era living room with orange accents](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Living-Room-1970s-Trends.jpg)
Plastic Is Fantastic
Playful plastic modular pieces in glossy shades of red, yellow, avocado green and orange are the gateway to achieving the 1970s-era living room of your throwback dreams. A perfect example? The fantastic sideboard and 3D wall art in this splashy living room by Kevin Teng of The Safe Haven Interiors.
![The Golden Era 1970s-era living room](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Living-Room-1970s.jpg)
The Golden Era
Amberlynn Pope, a Georgia-based printmaker and designer, lives in a home with her partner that’s stuck in the 1970s — in the best way. Here’s the amazing living room with its golden velvet sofa, framed butterfly latch hook artwork from T.E. Wilcox Vintage, crochet blanket, shag rug and mushroom stool from Magic Bus Vintage.
![Beads, Baby 1970s living room with wall panelling](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Living-Room-Beaded-Curtain-1970s.jpg)
Beads, Baby
Here’s another corner of Amberlynn’s home. She jazzed up the doorway with a beaded curtain that makes a pleasing clacking sound every time someone enters the room. She also adorned the panelled walls in favourite album covers in shades of brown, orange and yellow.
![Pile on the Pattern Retro living room](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Living-Room-Groovy.jpg)
Pile on the Pattern
Roy Lichtenstein, the 1960s pop artist famous for his comic-strip pieces, looks fabulous in this nostalgic nest by The Safe Haven Interiors. Geometric curtains, pillows and artwork are punchy picks. The Egg Pod Chair, clustered orange stools-as-tables and Nelson Marshmallow Sofa also add to the fun.
![The Paint Tone You Need Orange painted walls in living room](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Living-Room-Paint-1970s.jpg)
The Paint Tone You Need
Need a paint colour to start that vintage-home journey? We suggest reaching for Benjamin Moore’s Topaz 070. The rich, radiant orange-brown colour has a nostalgic feel and looks great and cozy-ifing in a living room.
![Hot Style Mid-century modern living room with bookshelves](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Living-Room-Mid-Century-Modern.jpg)
Hot Style
As vintage home tours go, this one in Lortondale (in Tulsa, Oklahoma) from Retro Den is perfection. It doesn’t feel like a time capsule, but an actual place where people (and a pet) live. From the retro orange fire pit to the whack of books and avocado-green armchair, we are loving it. Be sure to click the link above to see the fab artwork, hanging plants and general good vibes of the home in its totality.
![Fearlessly Fun Colourful vintage fireplace in living room](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Retro-Living-Room.jpg)
Fearlessly Fun
Marina Porter, the homeowner of this adventurous pad in Hamilton, and vintage seller behind Rainbows and Retro, doesn’t mess around. She layered her living room in a delicious mix of 1960s and 1970s favourites: among them, an iconic RMIC Hand Chair, fruit, fungi and tooth stools, oversized Crayola sculptures, wildlife statues and a two-tone pink fireplace brimming with disco balls, because why not?
![In Her Happy Place Retro living room with a yellow couch](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Living-Room-Retro.jpg)
In Her Happy Place
Here’s another part of Marina Porter’s happy living room. The space is anchored by a pillow-piled yellow couch — and matching kitchen cupboards — a shag rug and lashes of bubblegum pink paint. There’s also an Eames Hang-It-All by the front door and a Cadillac bumper that’s just plain cool. We also love the little retro pink ceiling light!
![Wildly Wonderful Justina Blakeney's jungalow](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Living-Room-Jungalow.jpg)
Wildly Wonderful
Maybe it’s the jungle-patterned wallpaper, maybe it’s the colour or the fuzzy peacock pillow but this room featuring finds and designs by the inimitable Justina Blakeney (who also has a line of incredible Ruggable rugs) has a 1970s vibe without being 1970s proper. This is to say that you don’t have to hunt for relics to get the look.
![Expressive Maximalism Underfoot Colourful rug in living room](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Living-Room-Rug.jpg)
Expressive Maximalism Underfoot
This living room showcases a fantastic multicolour rug by the contemporary London designer Sonya Winner. If you’re stuck on where to start with your 1970s living room, you can’t go wrong with one of her wildly fun designs. Toss in a sideboard, big plants and gold glam accessories and you’re good to go.
![Grooviest Corner Orange 1970s living room with planters and terrariums](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/1970s-Living-Room.jpg)
Grooviest Corner
This living room space is slammin’ (that’s 1970s slang for amazing). The living space was designed by Chanel Boeve-Roth and features a coordinating arsenal of 1970s favourites that you can actually buy today through Potifiv, including the fabulous pendant planters and terrariums. The excellent ensemble is set against a backdrop of folding rattan screens, and there’s a mid-century modern starburst clock for good measure.
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