11 Ugly Family Room Decor Trends from the 70s Every House Had

The 1970s were a bold, unapologetic era of home décor, where more was always better. Families fully embraced loud colors, groovy patterns, and unconventional textures, crafting spaces that felt both vibrant and eccentric. At the time, these design choices were considered cutting-edge, a reflection of the era’s experimental spirit.

But as we look back today, some of these trends seem a little too over-the-top (or, in some cases, downright ugly). Dark wood paneling, shag carpets, and plastic-covered furniture—many of these once-beloved features now feel outdated, impractical, or just plain odd.

Let’s take a nostalgic stroll through 11 unforgettable ’70s family room trends that haven’t exactly stood the test of time. How many of these questionable décor choices do you remember? Let’s find out!

1. Wood Paneling Walls

In the ’70s, wood paneling was practically a must-have for family rooms, creating a cozy, rustic atmosphere. At first glance, it gave homes a warm, cabin-like charm, but in reality, it often made rooms feel dark, cramped, and outdated.

The heavy brown tones absorbed light, making spaces look smaller than they were, and once the trend faded, homeowners faced a serious dilemma: how to get rid of it. Painting over it wasn’t always successful, and removing it often revealed damaged walls beneath.

What was once a sophisticated design choice quickly turned into a relic of an era that loved wood a little too much.

2. Avocado Green Carpet

If there’s one color that screams 1970s, it’s avocado green—and for some reason, people thought it looked fantastic on carpets. Plush and often shaggy, this eye-catching flooring choice was paired with equally bold décor, creating a look that felt earthy and lively back then but overwhelming now.

The problem wasn’t just the color—these thick carpets were a magnet for dust, dirt, and pet hair, making them incredibly difficult to clean. And let’s be honest: green carpet just doesn’t age well.

While the shade was meant to bring a touch of nature indoors, it often clashed with everything else in the room, ensuring it would eventually land on the list of home décor regrets.

3. Bean Bag Chairs

The ’70s were all about laid-back, casual living, and nothing embodied that more than the beloved bean bag chair. Seen as a funky alternative to traditional seating, bean bags added a playful, almost rebellious touch to family rooms.

But while they were fun to flop into, they were also incredibly impractical. They didn’t hold their shape, meaning they quickly became lumpy and uncomfortable, and getting out of one was often a workout on its own. Over time, they deflated, leaked tiny foam beads everywhere, and became more of an eyesore than a statement piece.

While they may still have a nostalgic charm, they’ve long since been relegated to college dorms and kids’ playrooms.

4. Macramé Wall Hangings

No ’70s family room was complete without at least one oversized macramé wall hanging. These intricate, woven designs were meant to add a bohemian, handmade touch to a space, but they often ended up being a dust-collecting nightmare.

The sheer size of some of these pieces made rooms feel cluttered rather than cozy, and they didn’t always blend well with the already busy wallpaper and furniture patterns. Once the macramé obsession faded, homeowners found themselves with bulky, outdated wall art that was hard to repurpose.

5. Velvet Furniture

During the 1970s, nothing said “fancy” quite like a plush velvet sofa in bold hues like burnt orange, mustard yellow, or deep burgundy. Velvet was meant to elevate the family room’s elegance, but in reality, it was a high-maintenance nightmare.

The fabric was prone to collecting dust, pet hair, and spills, and over time, it wore down unevenly, creating awkward patches of flattened fabric. Sunlight was also its enemy, leading to faded, blotchy sections that made even newer furniture look decades old.

6. Bold Patterned Wallpaper

If there was one design rule in the 1970s, it was: Go big or go home—especially when it came to wallpaper. Walls were covered in psychedelic swirls, oversized florals, and dizzying geometric prints. While these patterns added an element of drama and personality, they often overwhelmed the room instead of enhancing it.

The biggest problem? Wallpaper wasn’t easy to remove. Stripping off these elaborate prints was a long, frustrating process, which meant that many homeowners were stuck with them well into the ’80s and beyond.

Today, while subtle prints and textured wallpapers are back in style, the bold, headache-inducing designs of the ’70s are better left in the past.

7. Brass Lighting Fixtures

Lighting in the ’70s was all about excess, and nowhere was that more apparent than in the oversized brass chandeliers and pendant lights that dominated family rooms. The goal was glamour, but these fixtures often came across as overly ornate and gaudy.

The shiny gold finish clashed with the era’s other heavy design elements, making rooms feel crowded and overdone. Worse yet, brass had a tendency to tarnish over time, leaving fixtures looking dull and outdated rather than elegant.

While modern lighting embraces sleek, minimalist designs, the bulky brass fixtures of the ’70s serve as a reminder that bigger isn’t always better.

8. Plastic Slipcovers

If your grandparents’ house had a couch in the ’70s, chances are it was wrapped in a plastic slipcover—not because they loved the look, but because they wanted to protect their furniture at all costs.

These clear, crinkly covers were meant to shield upholstery from spills and wear, but they also made sitting down an uncomfortable, sweaty ordeal.

The covers had a habit of sticking to bare skin in the summer and turning yellow and brittle over time, making the furniture look worse than if it had just been left alone.

9. Sunken Living Rooms

At the time, sunken living rooms (or “conversation pits”) were considered the height of architectural innovation. They were meant to create cozy, intimate gathering spaces, but in reality, they posed more problems than benefits.

For one, they were a tripping hazard—especially for kids, elderly family members, or anyone not paying attention. They also made rearranging furniture a nightmare since seating had to be custom-fit to the lowered space.

10. Popcorn Ceilings

Popcorn ceilings became a staple in ’70s homes, mainly because they were cheap to install and great at hiding imperfections. They also helped with sound absorption, making them seem like a functional choice. But there was just one major problem: they were impossible to clean.

These textured ceilings collected dust, cobwebs, and grime, making maintenance a constant struggle. Worse yet, many early popcorn ceilings contained asbestos, turning them into a serious health hazard.

11. Flocked Wallpaper

If regular patterned wallpaper wasn’t bold enough, the ’70s had an answer: flocked wallpaper, featuring raised, velvety designs that added an extra layer of texture. While it was supposed to feel luxurious and high-end, it often made rooms feel overly busy and suffocating.

The worst part? Flocked wallpaper was a dust magnet. Keeping it clean was nearly impossible, and removing it was an even bigger nightmare.

While textured walls have made a subtle comeback in modern design, the overdone, gaudy versions from the ’70s are better left as a distant memory.