70s Style Furniture: A Comprehensive Guide to the Groovy Comeback
- Anzah Nadeem
- Apr 16
- 5 min read
The 1970s introduced a bold and beautiful design movement that’s having a major revival in today’s interiors. From sunken lounges and velvet sofas to earthy tones and rattan everything, 70s style furniture oozes its own kind of personality. It’s comfortable and it’s warm!
In this guide, we’ll walk you through what makes 70s furniture so iconic, how to bring it into your home without going full “time capsule”, and where some of the best pieces that capture the spirit of the era.
What Defines 70s Style Furniture?
70s style furniture has a sense of relaxed, tactile comfort. Homes of the era embraced a casual lifestyle, and this showed in the furniture. Think soft, low-slung, and made to lounge in.
The grabbing features in 70s style furniture are bold colors, natural materials, funky shapes, and this adventurous spirit. You’ll see a reflection of the cultural and design trends of the era.
Some more features to look for in this type of furniture are:
Curved silhouettes. For example, a sofa may have plump forms, and the coffee table may have rounded edges.
Earthy color palettes. Mustard yellow, avocado green, burnt orange, and chocolate brown were everywhere back in the 70s.
Rich, very touchable materials. Velvet, corduroy, rattan, shag carpeting, and leather were favourites.
Mixed media. Glass tables with chrome legs, wood-paneled everything, and even lucite would make regular appearances.
Popular 70s Furniture Pieces to Know
70s style furniture pieces have their defining markers, as we discussed above. Did you know there are also some iconic pieces that belong to that era? Some of these pieces have become collectible icons, while others are making stylish reappearances in today’s catalogs:
Togo Sofa
Price: $1,749
Shop: Sohnne
The togo sofa has an armless, low profile and pleated upholstery. While it may look like it has a modern look, it’s actually a piece that was loved in the 70s! In fact, it’s still being produced today—and at quite a high price. A more affordable alternative is the high-quality replica featured above, sure to serve the purpose.
Modular Sectionals
Price: $2,280
Shop: 25 Home
These flexible sofas allow you to rearrange your space with ease—perfect for social gatherings. They were famous in the 70s, and are loved today in luxury homes for their versatility. Also, keep in mind, a modular sectional is different from a traditional sectional.
Papasan Chairs
Price: $158
A Papasan chair is a soft, bowl-shaped chair. It usually has a rattan frame—a material famous in 70s style furniture. The chair truly cradles the body, so it’s a great choice if you’re looking for a comfortable piece.
Tulip Tables
Price: $240
Shop: Homary
Apartment dwellers and small space owners, you’ll love this piece from the 70s! A tulip table is a sleek pedestal-style piece. If you have a compact dining area, go for a tulip dining table. And for narrow corners next to your sofa or bed, consider a tulip side table. Bonus points if it uses acrylic—a semi-transparent piece—which allows light to pass through and creates the illusion of more space. One such favorite of ours is featured above.
Lucite and Acrylic Pieces
Price: $220
Shop: Homary
Lucite can be seen in many furniture pieces, from coffee tables to chairs. They add a futuristic edge to the furniture while also visually opening up the space.
70s Colors and Materials
Colors
The palette of the 70s is warm, earthy, and deeply nostalgic. Here is what to expect:
Main Colors: Rust, ochre, camel, sage green, tan, and burnt orange
Accent Colors: Teal, maroon, navy, and mustard
Materials
Natural: Rattan, cane, teak wood, jute, wool
Plush: Velvet, corduroy, shag
Sleek: Chrome, mirrored surfaces, acrylic, smoked glass
The end goal is creating a space that feels lived-in and expressive.
How to Add 70s Furniture to Your Modern Home
Chances are, most of us wouldn’t prefer a home that looks quite like a museum (a completely 70s style home, that is). If you feel the same way, we’ve got some creative ways to add 70s style furniture to your otherwise modern home. It will create a statement in the space while blending in with the rest of the home design.
Start small. For example, a single armchair in burnt orange velvet or a rattan coffee table.
Blend with neutrals. Use modern neutral backdrops—like white or greige walls—to balance bold 70s pieces.
Layer textures. Combine smooth and soft surfaces (think shag rug with a glass table).
Create contrast. Mix your 70s style furniture with modern art and streamlined lighting.
Update the upholstery. If you love the shape of a vintage piece but not the fabric, you can reupholster it and change the fabric.
Where to Find 70s Furniture Today
You can find 70s style furniture in many different places. Local flea markets, consignment stores, and antique shops are goldmines for such pieces. Expect some cheap finds that can serve the purpose.
Another option is going for designer pieces—or their high-quality replicas. Sohnne is a good platform for such finds, including the togo sofa.
Making it All the More 70s Style…
Make your 70s style furniture all the more 70s style with the right styling tips. For one, let one piece stand out, like a curved velvet sofa or a statement coffee table. When mixing, do it wisely. 70s furniture pairs well with mid-century modern and bohemian styles (but keep the balance intentional).
Also, be sure to add plants. Nothing says 70s quite like leafy greens in terracotta pots. Macrame hangers are another good option. Finally, go for warm lighting. Soft, amber-toned lighting mimics the glow of 70s interiors. It also beautifies the color palette of such pieces.
Is 70s Furniture Really For You?
Hold up… 70s style furniture may not be for everyone. And you shouldn’t just go for it to jump on the bandwagon. Here are a few questions to ask yourself before you purchase 70s style furniture:
Do you love warm and earthy tones?
Are you drawn to plush, comfy textures?
Do you value laid-back and expressive spaces?
Do you like mixing modern and vintage?
If you answered “yes” to most of these, 70s style furniture may be for you!
Final Words
The 70s are back. In fact, they’re more stylish than ever! If you’re ready to embrace this style, it’s about time you hunt the best pieces in thrift stores and online 😊
