Trend Time: The 70s Are Back, in a Big (Bed) Way 

What do Taylor Swift and Harry Styles have in common?

Aside from the obvious — dating each other, writing songs about each other — we mean.

Nothing coming to mind? It’s actually the fact that lately, they’ve both been leaning way into the 70s aesthetic. If not through their clothing, at least through their music videos. Specifically, the ‘70s-style interiors they’ve chosen to feature for said music videos.

With Styles’ Late Night Talking, you’ve got him on a bed cruising down some of London’s most well-known streets, surrounded by flower-power prints, bold stripes, and rocking some retro-style polka-dot pyjamas. Ok, so maybe this technically is exterior…

Swift’s Anti-Hero keeps you indoors for the most part, but the interiors feature floral wallpaper, geometric patterns, the classic warm tones from the era, and even the classic wall-mounted rotary phone.

And when two of the world’s biggest stars lean into the trend, who can blame the rest of us for also looking back? It’s time to revive the 70s — no bellbottoms required.

We’re going to be honest, some '70s-style ideas for the home were…ill-advised, at best. Wall-to-wall shag carpet, linoleum floors, plastic covers for anything and everything? It’ll be a while before we’re advocating for the return of any of these.

But other things that seem a bit out of place today, we’re not averse to — like sunken living rooms or conversation pits. You know we love a good moment of lounging around, and when it also makes it easier (and more comfortable) to be social…well, who wouldn’t love it? 

Another given of the decade was the colour palette: earthy colours. Like warm chocolate browns, rust, burnt oranges, avocado greens. Sometimes, you’d see all these colours in the one look — whether in a geometric wallpaper design, or a crochet blanket covering the back of your boucle couch. 

With all this visual busyness, it’s surprising that one of the mainstays of 70s decor was natural materials — wood walls, cane or wicker furniture, and even statement stones around a (faux) fireplace.

Even so, the era was known for being a bit uncensored and carefree — and this was reflected throughout the interior design. 

As it turns out — and this comes from a survey and everything — 7 in 10 people agree that a house needs to feel relaxed and lived-in to truly feel like a home. And while there’s a lot to be said about ‘70s decor and ‘70s style, it definitely can be said that it came with a more laidback, freestyle approach — there was more fun. 

Us consumers love to look back to more nostalgic times. It’s comfortable, reassuring, and let’s be honest, this time was more free-spirited and optimistic. And if there’s something we can all use going into 2023 — it’s those two things. 

So no, it’s not necessarily the shag carpet, lava lamps and lap meals, but there is a bit of a retro revival that’s been growing for the last few years, culminating in some '70s-inspired interior design. 

Please don’t rip up your current flooring and replace it with linoleum or wall-to-wall shag — unless you already had that planned, of course. We have some simpler ways you can bring a touch of the most stylish, playful decade into your home.

If you can, of course. We’re not saying you have to get out the rolls of geometric wallpaper at the ready, but it does mean you can incorporate some ‘70s vibes into your (potentially, already existing) gallery wall. 

Topping the list of ‘retro decor’ searches, according to trend forecasting company WGSN, is ‘pictures and frames’ for said wall decor. You can frame some 70s-style prints, patterns or wallpaper itself — as opposed to committing to the whole thing. Or, really go ‘70s style and incorporate macrame into your wall art.

A fancy way of saying “bring the natural world into your home”, biophilic accents don’t mean you have to have a full-on wall of live greenery. It can be mushroom-shaped decor — it’s a thing, just ask Pinterest Predicts — or scattering plants throughout your indoor space. It’s an easy way to incorporate some ‘70s style. 

In the ‘70s, hanging or trailing plants were strung up with macrame, so you could even feature it as part of your wall art if you really wanted to commit.

If you’re looking for '70s-inspired bedroom decor — or loungeroom styling — just look towards your layers. More specifically, your cushions and throws.

Not only are they a great way to add a pop of ‘70s colour into your space — think those earthy shades — you can bring in some retro kinda fabrics. Think the classics, like corduroy, or velvet. 

Or, yes, even shag. You don’t have to commit to the carpet, or even a rug — our Bligh cushions and throw are enough for your space, with their one-of-a-kind statement texture. 

If you’re looking for something a touch more subtle, you can go for three-dimensional tufted finishes, like our Nerella Cushion or Westbourke Breakfast Cushion. 

Bring in corduroy with our Tano Cushion, in three very appropriate shades of the era — coral spice (orange), leaf green (...green), and citrus (yellow). 

And in a bold nod to the decade, you can never go wrong with velvet. Our Wharton Breakfast Cushion features horizontal embroidered stitch detailing across its velvet face, so it’s reminiscent of corduroy, too. Talk about a two-for-one deal. For a more neutral moment, the Harington Throw is available in a deep navy.

And leaning into the next step of bringing modern ‘70s style interior design into your space, our Patula Square Cushion features ditsy florals printed on velvet.

Flower power was born in the ‘60s, with the pattern truly coming to life — overwhelmingly so, in some instances — in the 70s. As Apartment Therapy says, things started getting “super groovy”, and floral prints were bigger and bolder than they’d ever been before. 

A reinterpretation of these retro prints? Ditsy prints and motifs, that boast busy repeats. Think one-of-a-kind — and we don’t mean metaphorically, as they’re dreamt to life in our studio, hand-painted by in-house artists.

Charming and feel-good, the Lundelle Quilt Cover features these smaller florals, in the bright autumnal shades that the 70s were so well known for. If you’re looking for '70s-inspired bedroom decor, you can’t look past this design. And with its subtle spotted reverse and contrast green piping, it’s still got a contemporary edge — that also offers multiple styling options. 

Don’t forget about its’ matching European Pillowcase, too.