That 70s show
In an interior style funk? If you love all things bold and bright, revisiting the trends of the 1970s might just be the influence you’re looking for, says samantha massey
IT was the era that introduced us to Abba, the Bay City Rollers and Bruce springsteen. And while the seventies might be a decade more renowned for its contribution to music than interior design, delve deep enough into the history books (or archive copies of Ideal Home) and there are plenty of design ideas to get excited about.
From bright bold colours and tessellating patterns, to iconic prints and statement sideboards, the 70s has plenty to offer the 2020 homeowner.
bold Colour Schemes Forget minimalist greys and calming blues, the 70s was renowned for its love of all things bold and interior colour schemes were no exception.
The warming tones of orange, brown and yellow were dominant, with accents of pink and green thrown in for good measure.
And while this colour combination may make you want to recoil in horror, pick the perfect complement of shades and not only will you be bang on the Cottagecore trend currently sweeping the interiors world, you’ll be creating a beautiful warming home just in time for winter.
If you’re not brave enough to go all out with these distinctive hues right away, why not consider a statement wall with 70s-inspired wallpaper sitting alongside more neutral tones? It’s an easy – and affordable – way to inject style without too much DIY.
You can always add to the look with vintage accessories or a house plant (bonus style points if you opt for the must-have plant of the 70s, the swiss Cheese Plant).
Supper Club Style
Salmon mousse, chicken kievs and Black Forest Gateau washed down with a martini were a staple of the 70s dinner party. And as dinner parties grew in popularity, so too did the demand for somewhere to store party paraphernalia – which is why there was massive demand for sideboards.
Sideboards not only offer a practical storage solution, but are also a stylish addition to any living or dining room.
You can use them to hide away unsightly items you can’t bear to get rid of but don’t fit with your current aesthetic, as well as hold all the crockery and cutlery you could ever need to host the perfect soirée.
If you want a truly authentic 70s sideboard, vintage furniture emporiums or even online marketplaces such as ebay are a treasure trove of salvaged pieces.
However, if you want something a little more contemporary, the market is awash with sideboards in plenty of different materials, colours and sizes which will slot straight into your existing décor.
Funky Finishing touches the 70s was an era of fabulous interior accessories. And if you fancy dressing up your sideboard top, some vintage-inspired finishing touches are a must.
House plants were everywhere back then and right now, the UK interior scene is having a real love affair with all things botanical.
Not only are garden centres going big on interior plants, lifestyle shops and department stores are also stocking fantastic collections of gorgeous faux foliage.
Great news for those who don’t have the time or skills to keep real plants in tip top condition. If you do go down the faux route, remember to give them a regular dust!
Flip clocks were also a pretty big deal in the 70s and they are a great talking point. Opt for an imitation piece that benefits from smart technology to keep a track of leap years, odd months and daylight savings time.
And finally, celebrate some of those fantastic 70s tunes with some fabulous wall art paying homage to the disco divas and soul stars of the decade. From typography-led graphic prints to epic tour posters, there are plenty to choose from when it comes to creating statement wall art.