Vicki

70s interior design ideas: sunset shades and natural wood

Posted on 6th April 2023

Like everyone, I have been binge watching Daisy Jones & The Six. While I want to steal Daisy’s wardrobe, my eyes were constantly drawn to the sets and the classic 70s interiors. There is something about the burnt orange shades, velvet textures, and patterned wallpaper that’s just as iconic as the rock music of that time…

The 70s interior design period can seem a little intimidating – the colours are bold and the patterns are even bolder. It has the simplicity of mid-century furniture yet can lean into maximalism. There are a lot of elements to juggle but it can give an overall homely warm feel to a room. However, fear not, we’ve got you covered with top tips from the experts and plenty of inspiration.

Create a fun moodboard when choosing the colours and textures of your rooms. Tiles from Original Style.

“The 1970s trends in particular are steeped in casual comfort thanks to the use of tactile materials such as bouclé fabrics and macrame. These, alongside colours such as mustard yellow and shades of avocado green, are a great way to add a nostalgic vibe to a space,” says Inga Morris-Blincoe, general manager at Lifestyle Floors.

70s interior design: basic colour principles

Interiors stylist at ScS, Vicki Foster, suggests that you should choose saturated sunset shades to get the authentic look. “Transform your home into a 70s space instantly by decorating your walls in warm, bold colours,” she says.

Think warm shades of burnt orange and mustard yellow, plus avocado green, deep purple, dreamy blues and earthy browns. Consider painting the walls in contrasting, but complimentary, colours or brighten up a neutral scheme with a burst of block colour on a feature wall. Alternatively, make a statement with some oversized floral wallpaper, geometric graphics or wavy designs.

70s interior design ideas: green kitchen with yellow wall — Bring in the classic 70s colours with Annie Sloan paints. Walls are painted in Carnaby Yellow, £55.95 for 2.5 litres, while the kitchen is in Amsterdam Green, from £26.95 for 1 litre.

Yellow kitchen with statement tiles that oozes the 70s interior design look — The 70s were not a subtle time for design – lean into it with the help of this burnt yellow kitchen by Naked Kitchens.

“If you feel shy or want to experiment a little before fully immersing yourself in the trend, incorporate a few framed prints and accent cushions first to see if they suit you,” advises Vicki.

So, why not put a nostalgic twist on your modern kitchen with the help of patterned flooring and colourful wall panelling? If you’re really feeling colour-confident, then think about painting your units in your favourite retro shade. Wood is another great tool for getting the 70s interior design just right. To embrace the trend, choose curved furniture made from grainy warm-toned wood, or even create a feature wall using timber wall panelling.

Orange and wood kitchen — Wood Works Brighton designed the Enugu kitchen around the classic 70s orange and natural wood.

Bold orange and beige tiles for the 70s interior design trend — Add a pop of 70s interior design with statement tiles. Sunset Astro Porcelain tiles, from £81.60 per sq m, Porcelain Superstore.

Moving into the bedroom and living spaces, wallpaper is one of the easiest ways to revive your space. As mentioned before, opt for 70s-inspired patterns with lots of geometric motifs in sunset hues. Find the right colour palette that works for your aesthetic and coordinate your furniture and furnishings. And don’t forget to add an extra layer of comfort to your room with 70s-style rugs.

Blue and orange wallpaper with matching bed — Be bold with wallpaper and use that as the base for the rest of the room. Sherbert large pill shape geometric wallpaper, £69 per roll, Bobbi Beck.

Geometric wallapper in blue and orange — Dare to go bold? Geometric Rust wallpaper, from £125 per roll, Rockett St George.

Then, in your bathroom, don’t shy away from green – you can achieve a stylish look with the right shade. Plus, it’s one of the most popular colours this year. You can either go all-out and wrap the entire space in this nature-inspired hue, or dot accents around the room through tiles, sanitaryware, taps or accessories.