The 1970s was an era of bold self-expression, natural textures, and playful design. Colors of this area were focused on brown, orange, avocado green and wood-paneled walling’s. Some would like to forget the 70s, vowing to never return their home back to this design.
While others are embracing this style, incorporating it in their bathrooms, but this time with a modern and easier digestible twist. In this article, we’ll dive deeper into this design style and show you how it’s making a comeback.
70s colors
The hallmark of 70s design was an earthy, nature-inspired palette. Bathrooms often featured avocado green, mustard yellow, burnt orange, chocolate brown, and shades of yellow gold. The colors were in your face, very prominent. Often bathroom appliances such as a bathtub, toilet and sink even had their own 70s color scheme, with green being a favorite. This is partly the reason why it fell out of favor, that and the color palette used.
Today, these colors are reappearing in modern designs but in more refined ways. Designers like to subtly include 70s design features in a room, and especially in bathrooms to customize home designs. They opt for features like using softer versions of the 70s color scheme in cabinetry, patterned tiling, or even brass fittings paired with neutral backgrounds.
Textures and patterns from the 70s
Texture was a defining element of the 70s look with Terrazzo tiles being a hallmark used in many buildings. It consisted of speckled chips of stone and glass, similar to what designers use today, but with plain colors – some would call it ugly even.
Take a look at some modern Terrazzo tile options here.
These patterned tiles created a contrast when paired with smooth glossy finishes. Alternative flooring options included linoleum floors with bold geometric patterns paired with wooden accents or materials in vanities.
Also, who would forget the iconic brown, orange and yellow flower-patterned bath curtains? This a design style you certainly don’t want to incorporate in your modern bathroom design.
In modern homes, some of these textures are making a comeback. Again, designers are choosing to be less bold with their 70s design, choosing for a lighter approach using terrazzo materials in the form of a bathroom basin countertop combination, or even as shower flooring.
Some look to create a statement piece, using bright 70s inspired colors such as orange to create a focal point around the bathroom basin or shower area. They like to use tiling or geometric inspired materials to achieve this look.
Mixing modern with 70s
There might be many reasons for incorporating the 70s design style in a bathroom. It can be purely from a nostalgic point of view or the owners of the home like earthy neutral color palettes. What makes the 70s bathroom revival so appealing is its flexibility.
More people are looking for some kind of vintage style mixed with a form of modernism. Instead of creating an entire bathroom focused solely on the 70s theme, they mix in elements here and there to make it more digestible, enabling the design to hold its appeal longer. As a custom home builder we would consider the following.
Some ideas designers use include:
- Pairing avocado-toned tiles with sleek matte black tapware.
- Using terrazzo flooring alongside minimalist, floating vanities – this one is very popular and looks amazing (refer to the image above).
- Adding a patterned shower curtain or bold wallpaper as a statement feature, while keeping the rest of the palette neutral.
Using this approach, homeowners can enjoy the visual richness of 70s design without overwhelming a space.
How IQ Construction can help
Bringing 70s-inspired design into your bathroom requires the right balance of bold style and modern practicality. At IQ Construction, we specialize in creating custom homes that capture the owner’s personality while ensuring durability, comfort, and functionality.
Find out more how IQ Construction can build your dream custom home!