Retro Revival: Easy Ways to Give Your Home a 70s Exterior Makeover
If you’ve noticed that bell-bottoms are back and vinyl records are spinning in living rooms again, you’re not imagining things. The 1970s are having a major moment, and this groovy revival is extending all the way to our front doors. It’s about bringing back the warmth, personality, and connection to nature that defined the decade’s style.
Forget the outdated plastic furniture and shag carpets you might be picturing; we’re talking about a modern take on the 70s aesthetic. This is about embracing rich, earthy colors, natural materials, and a relaxed, welcoming vibe. Giving your house a 70s-inspired facelift is easier than you think and is the perfect way to make your property stand out with timeless cool.
Why a 70s Home Exterior is Making a Comeback
There’s a reason so many people are drawn to the 70s vibe right now, and it goes beyond simple nostalgia. For years, home design has been dominated by cool grays, stark whites, and minimalist lines. A 70s home exterior is the perfect antidote to that cold, cookie-cutter look.
This style is all about warmth, individuality, and a deep connection to the natural world. It invites you to be bold with color and texture in a way that feels authentic and grounded. A well-executed 70s home exterior feels personal, lived-in, and incredibly inviting from the moment you see it from the street.
The era was also known for its quality craftsmanship and use of durable, honest materials like wood, brick, and stone. People are looking for homes that feel solid and lasting, not flimsy and temporary. Embracing a 70s home exterior is a nod to that desire for substance and enduring style.
It represents a more relaxed approach to living, where the lines between indoors and outdoors are blurred. This design philosophy encourages you to spend more time in nature and to create a sanctuary that feels both stylish and comfortable. It’s a design trend that’s as much about a feeling as it is about a look.
Ultimately, the comeback of the 70s home exterior is about reclaiming personality in a world of uniformity. It’s a chance to build a home that tells a story and reflects a love for organic beauty. And let’s be honest, it’s just plain cool.
The Color Palette: Earthy Tones and Bold Pops
Color is arguably the most important element in capturing the essence of a 70s home exterior. The decade was famous for its distinctive and confident use of color, which was deeply inspired by the natural world. Think of a sunset in the desert, a lush forest floor, or the rich tones of autumn leaves.
Mastering this palette isn’t about slapping any old brown or orange on your walls. It’s about creating a harmonious balance between deep, grounding earth tones and surprising, joyful pops of color. This combination is the secret sauce to achieving an authentic yet modern 70s home exterior.
So, let’s break down the key color families and how you can use them to start your home’s groovy transformation. From the main siding colors to the perfect accent for your front door, getting the color right is your first big step. This is where the personality of your 70s home exterior truly begins to shine.
Embracing the Earthy Foundation
The foundation of any great 70s home exterior is a rich, earthy color scheme. These are the shades that will cover the largest surfaces of your home, like the siding and main walls. They create a warm, welcoming backdrop that connects the structure to the landscape around it.
Think deep, muted colors that feel like they were pulled directly from nature. Burnt orange, rust, and terracotta bring the warmth of clay and desert canyons to your home. These shades are incredibly inviting and pair beautifully with wood and stone accents.
Don’t forget the greens and golds that were so iconic during the era. A sophisticated olive or moss green can make a home feel settled and serene, nestled amongst the trees. And while you might shy away from the term “Harvest Gold,” a modern, moodier version like a deep ochre or mustard can be incredibly chic for a 70s home exterior.
Dark, chocolatey browns were also a staple, often used to stain wood siding and trim. These deep browns add a sense of stability and elegance, grounding the entire design. The key is to choose colors that are rich and saturated, not pale or washed out.
When selecting your base color, consider the natural light your home receives. A deep burnt orange might look stunning on a home that gets lots of sun, while a shaded property could come alive with a rich olive green. This foundational color sets the entire mood for your 70s home exterior.
The goal is to create a look that is cozy and organic, a direct contrast to the cool grays that have been popular for so long. These earthy tones are the heart and soul of the 70s aesthetic. They wrap your home in a blanket of warmth before you even add any other elements.
Adding That Signature 70s Pop of Color
Once you have your earthy base, it’s time for the fun part: adding a pop of vibrant color. The 70s were anything but shy, and a well-placed accent color is crucial for an authentic look. This is your chance to inject energy and personality into your 70s home exterior.
The front door is the absolute perfect canvas for a bold statement. Imagine a deep brown house with a bright, sunny yellow or a vibrant turquoise door. It’s an instant mood-lifter and a clear nod to the playful spirit of the 70s.
Don’t stop at the front door; window trims and shutters are other fantastic opportunities for a color pop. Painting them in a contrasting color, like a mustard yellow against a dark olive siding, creates visual interest and highlights your home’s architectural details. This technique is fundamental to a dynamic 70s home exterior.
Even smaller elements like mailboxes, house numbers, or large ceramic planters can be used to introduce these vibrant hues. A set of bright orange planters on a rust-colored brick porch can look stunning. These small touches show a thoughtful and cohesive design approach.
The key to success is confidence and restraint. You don’t need to use every color of the rainbow; pick one or two bold accent shades and use them strategically. The goal is a joyful surprise, not overwhelming chaos.
These pops of color are what keep the earthy palette from feeling too heavy or dated. They add a modern edge and a sense of fun to your 70s home exterior. It shows you’re not just copying a trend, but interpreting it with your own personal flair.
Painting Techniques for an Authentic Vibe
How you apply the paint is just as important as the colors you choose. The 70s weren’t about subtle, seamless transitions; they embraced clear definitions between different architectural elements. Achieving that look can be done with a few simple painting techniques.
Color blocking is a fantastic method to bring a 70s feel to a more modern-style home. This could mean painting a recessed entryway a different, complementary color than the main body of the house. Or, you could paint a whole section of the facade in a contrasting shade to create a bold, graphic effect.
Pay special attention to the trim. Instead of painting it a standard white, consider using a darker or lighter shade of your main color or a completely different hue from your palette. A house with burnt orange siding and deep chocolate brown trim immediately signals a 70s home exterior aesthetic.
The finish of the paint also matters. A matte or low-sheen finish on siding looks more natural and organic, which aligns perfectly with the 70s ethos. It helps the house blend with its natural surroundings rather than creating a high-gloss, artificial shine.
If your home has different materials, like wood siding next to stucco, use paint to celebrate the difference. Paint the stucco an earthy neutral and stain the wood a deep, rich brown. This textural contrast is a hallmark of the 70s home exterior.
Don’t be afraid to experiment on a small scale first. Paint a sample board with your chosen colors and hold it up against your house at different times of the day. This will help you commit to a scheme that you’ll love for years to come.
Key Architectural Elements and Materials
Beyond the color palette, the materials used on the outside of your home are what truly define the 70s home exterior. The decade celebrated natural, honest materials in all their unadorned glory. Think less about sleek metal and plastic, and more about wood, stone, and textured brick.
These elements provide the texture and depth that make the style so appealing. They create a tactile experience, making a home feel solid, grounded, and connected to the earth. If you’re lucky enough to have a home with these original features, your job is to highlight them.
If you’re starting with a more generic exterior, don’t worry. There are many easy and affordable ways to incorporate these signature materials. From adding wood accents to using faux stone panels, you can capture the essence of a 70s home exterior without a complete rebuild.
Wood, Wood, and More Wood
If there’s one material that screams 70s design, it’s wood. It was used everywhere, from siding and soffits to decorative beams and railings. The key was showcasing the natural grain and warm tones of the wood itself.
Dark-stained wood siding, often applied vertically, is an iconic look of the era. This creates strong vertical lines that can make a home feel taller and more dramatic. Cedar, with its rich color and beautiful grain, was a particularly popular choice.
Cedar shakes or shingles are another classic element of a 70s home exterior. They add wonderful texture and a rustic, organic feel to gables or entire sections of a house. Letting them weather naturally or applying a semi-transparent stain enhances their beauty.
Even if you don’t have wood siding, you can incorporate wood in other ways. Consider adding a chunky wood beam above your garage, installing a new wood front door, or replacing porch railings with a simple, dark-stained wood design. These smaller touches can have a huge impact.
The emphasis was always on a natural finish. Instead of painting wood an opaque color, the 70s style celebrated it with rich stains that allowed the grain to show through. This commitment to an organic look is central to achieving an authentic 70s home exterior.
Updating your home with wood accents is a powerful way to add instant warmth and character. It bridges the gap between the built structure and the natural landscape. It’s a fundamental step in your retro revival.
The Magic of Brick and Stone
Alongside wood, brick and stone were the other hero materials of the 70s home exterior. They provided weight, texture, and a sense of permanence. The types of brick and stone used were often just as distinctive as the colors of the decade.
Long, thin “Roman” or “slender” bricks were very popular. Their horizontal orientation emphasizes the lines of a ranch-style or split-level home, which were common architectural styles. The colors were often earthy, ranging from deep reds and browns to variegated, toasted shades.
Natural stone, especially rough-hewn fieldstone or textural lava rock, was frequently used for accent walls, entryway surrounds, and massive fireplaces that were visible from the outside. This brought an incredibly organic and rustic element to the design. A stone accent wall is a fantastic way to nail the 70s home exterior aesthetic.
You can incorporate these materials even if they aren’t part of your home’s current structure. Low brick or stone garden walls can define your front yard and tie back to the house. Using pavers in a rust-colored brick for your walkway is another simple yet effective update.
The combination of brick or stone with dark wood trim is the ultimate 70s power couple. The coolness of the masonry provides a beautiful contrast to the warmth of the wood. This interplay of textures is what gives a 70s home exterior its rich, layered look.
Look for ways to celebrate or add these materials to your home’s facade. Whether it’s restoring existing brickwork or adding a new stone veneer to your foundation, it will add undeniable authenticity. This is a look that feels both retro and completely timeless.
Updating Existing Brick
What if you already have brick, but it’s not giving off the right 70s vibe? Perhaps it’s a dated orange-red or a pale, uninspired color. You don’t have to rip it out and start over to get the look you want.
A popular modern technique that works beautifully is limewashing or German schmear. This process adds a layer of mottled, antique-looking white or off-white over the brick, toning down the original color while letting some of it and the texture peek through. It gives a softer, more rustic appearance that pairs wonderfully with a 70s home exterior palette.
Painting your brick is another fantastic option for a dramatic change. Choose a color from the 70s earthy foundation palette, like a deep olive green, a moody charcoal brown, or a warm putty color. A solid coat of paint can instantly modernize the brick while still fitting perfectly within your new 70s home exterior design.
Faux Panels for a Budget-Friendly Fix
If you love the look of stone or brick but a full masonry job isn’t in the budget, high-quality faux panels are your best friend. Modern panels are incredibly realistic, mimicking the texture and color variations of real stone and brick. This is one of the easiest ways to add a major 70s feature.
These lightweight panels can be installed by a confident DIYer over a weekend. Use them to create an accent wall around your front door, to cover the foundation of your home, or to clad the base of your porch columns. This targeted approach gives you the most bang for your buck.
Choose a style that aligns with the 70s look, like a stacked ledger stone or a slender brick pattern. This quick update can completely transform a plain facade. It’s a cost-effective secret weapon for achieving a high-impact 70s home exterior.
Landscaping and Outdoor Details: The Finishing Touches
Your 70s home exterior makeover doesn’t stop at the walls of the house. The landscaping and outdoor details are what tie the whole look together, creating a cohesive and immersive retro experience. The 70s approach to landscaping was less about perfectly manicured lawns and more about creating a lush, natural, and slightly wild oasis.
The goal is to blur the lines between the house and the garden. Plants should feel like they are creeping up to the house, and outdoor living spaces should feel like extensions of the interior. It’s all about creating a relaxed, “California cool” vibe.
From the types of plants you choose to the lighting and outdoor furniture, every detail contributes to the overall aesthetic. These finishing touches will elevate your project from a simple paint job to a complete lifestyle transformation. This is where your 70s home exterior truly comes to life.
Start by ditching rigid, formal garden beds in favor of more organic, curved shapes. Use natural edging materials like stone or wood rather than plastic. The layout should feel relaxed and encourage you to meander through the space.
Consider plants that offer interesting textures and forms. Ornamental grasses like Pampas Grass, with their feathery plumes, are quintessentially 70s. Ferns, hostas, and large-leafed plants create a lush, jungle-like feel in shaded areas.
For sunnier spots, drought-tolerant plants like yuccas and succulents were very popular, especially in ranch-style homes. They add a spiky, architectural element that contrasts beautifully with softer plants. Don’t be afraid to let things grow a little untamed for that perfect 70s home exterior garden.
Hardscaping is another area to focus on. Instead of a standard concrete patio, consider using pea gravel or flagstone set in grass for a more organic feel. A sunken conversation pit, if you’re feeling ambitious, is the ultimate 70s outdoor feature.
Lighting plays a huge role in setting the mood. Look for simple, geometric outdoor light fixtures, like globes or cylinders. Mushroom-shaped path lights lining a walkway are an iconic and easy-to-install touch that completes the 70s home exterior.
Finally, accessorize your outdoor spaces. Hang a macrame plant hanger from your porch, use simple terracotta pots of varying sizes, and find some vintage-style outdoor furniture with simple lines and canvas cushions in your accent color. These small details show a real commitment to the theme.
Bringing the 70s vibe into your landscaping will make your home feel like a true retreat. It’s the final layer that makes your retro-inspired house a complete home. You’ll have created a space that is as beautiful and relaxing on the outside as it is on the inside.
Conclusion: Your Modern-Day 70s Sanctuary
Giving your home a 70s makeover is about so much more than following a trend. It’s about embracing a design philosophy that champions warmth, personality, and a connection to the natural world. It’s a chance to create a home that feels uniquely you.
By focusing on a rich, earthy color palette, celebrating honest materials like wood and stone, and creating a lush, relaxed landscape, you can capture the spirit of the era. The key is to balance the retro elements with a modern sensibility. This isn’t about creating a time capsule; it’s about building a timeless sanctuary.
So, have fun with it, be bold in your choices, and enjoy the process of transforming your property. With these easy tips, you’re well on your way to creating a stunning 70s home exterior that is full of character, style, and groovy vibes for years to come.
