Nostalgia is having a moment in interior design. There are plenty of retro design trends that are becoming popular, like tiled countertops and pink kitchens. We asked designers about other vintage trends, and many said the 1970s retro patterns trend is making a comeback.
As minimalism falls out of style, homeowners are opting for more colorful interiors. And one thing is for certain: The 1970s were a very colorful era for home decor. In addition to bright colors, 1970s decor also made use of geometric patterns that create visual interest.
We tapped designers to explain why 1970s retro patterns are trending and how you can incorporate these patterns into a modern interior.
What designers say about the 1970s retro patterns trend
Circles, squares, and curvy triangles might seem like they’re stuck in memory lane, but Courtnay Tartt Elias of Creative Tonic Design says they’re a maximalist take on the biophilic trend that has been so popular in recent years. “The curve of a flower’s petals, the reflection of light, and the concentric circles a drop makes on the surface of a pond,” the Houston designer explains. “This connection to nature is a bit of what draws us in, as well as the whimsical and sometimes mind-bending illusion of the patterns themselves!”
Circles, squares, and curvy triangles might seem like they’re stuck in memory lane, but Courtnay Tartt Elias of Creative Tonic Design says they’re a maximalist take on the biophilic trend that has been so popular in recent years. “The curve of a flower’s petals, the reflection of light, and the concentric circles a drop makes on the surface of a pond,” the Houston designer explains. “This connection to nature is a bit of what draws us in, as well as the whimsical and sometimes mind-bending illusion of the patterns themselves!”
Advertisement
Circles, squares, and curvy triangles might seem like they’re stuck in memory lane, but Courtnay Tartt Elias of Creative Tonic Design says they’re a maximalist take on the biophilic trend that has been so popular in recent years. “The curve of a flower’s petals, the reflection of light, and the concentric circles a drop makes on the surface of a pond,” the Houston designer explains. “This connection to nature is a bit of what draws us in, as well as the whimsical and sometimes mind-bending illusion of the patterns themselves!”
While Tartt Elias has incorporated these old-school motifs everywhere—carpets, backsplashes, and even millwork, to name a few—she insists balance is key. “I make a point to mix linear geometric patterns with softer, curved lines in other places,” she adds. “If we’ve gone bold with a sharp, linear fabric for an ottoman, pairing it with overstuffed seating or a more sculptural, organic piece of furniture gives visual balance.”
Color is also a great way to bring the ’70s to 2025. Orange, avocado green, and mustard yellow might’ve been all the rage back then, so why not switch things up? “Keep in mind that you can likely find the fabric you want in just about any color palette under the sun, so you can choose whatever makes you feel happy,” Tartt Elias adds. “Updating the color scheme to a brighter orange or a lime green and adding pink, for example, reads retro without feeling dated!”
Diamonds, semicircles, and rectangles of yore are undeniably bold—and, understandably, not for everyone. You could ease into the trend with smaller, more temporary pieces like trays and throw pillows, but Tara McCauley recommends sprinkling in flamestitch, a zig-zag pattern that dates back to the Italian Renaissance.
“It had a big moment in the 1970s, when its bold color shifts and graphic energy fit right in with the era’s maximalism and I love it now for the same reasons,” the New York designer explains. “It’s historic but playful, and in the right palette it feels very fresh and modern.”
Whether you go bold or opt for a subtler take, remember that this throwback trend is all about having fun. “Start small or start big, play it safe with color, or go vibrant,” Tartt Elias says. “Part of the joy of a trend ‘coming back’ is that you get to choose how you want to interpret it!” A statement-making trend with your own spin—how groovy is that?