Throwback Design: 70s Home Exterior Ideas That Still Look Amazing Today
Throwback Design: 70s Home Exterior Ideas That Still Look Amazing Today – Hey there, design enthusiasts! Let’s take a little trip back in time. We’re heading to a decade of bell-bottoms, disco music, and a seriously unique approach to architecture: the 1970s.
When you think of the 70s, you might picture shag carpets and avocado-colored appliances, but there’s so much more to it. This era was a hotbed of creative expression, especially when it came to home design. The iconic 70s home exterior was all about breaking free from the cookie-cutter molds of previous decades and embracing something a little more, well, groovy.
The Soul of the Seventies: Why This Style Endures
So, what’s the deal with the 70s resurgence? It’s more than just simple nostalgia. The design philosophy of that era was deeply connected to nature, individualism, and a sense of organic living.
This wasn’t about sterile, minimalist boxes; it was about creating homes that felt like a part of the landscape. Architects and builders were experimenting with bold shapes, rich textures, and a color palette pulled straight from the earth. That commitment to warmth and personality is exactly what many people are craving in home design today, making the 70s home exterior a goldmine of inspiration.
The 70s also saw the rise of architectural styles that are still beloved for their character. Think of the dramatic A-frame cabins, the quirky Shed Style homes with their multiple rooflines, and the family-friendly split-level. Each of these styles shares a common DNA of unconventional geometry and a focus on blending indoor and outdoor spaces, a key feature of the 70s home exterior.
The Core Elements of a 70s Home Exterior
To truly appreciate and replicate this look, you need to understand its building blocks. It’s a specific recipe of color, material, and shape that makes a home scream “70s” in the best possible way. These are the foundational elements that defined the unforgettable 70s home exterior.
We’re going to break down the key ingredients that you can use to either restore a vintage gem or inject some of that retro spirit into a modern build. From the colors that defined the decade to the materials that brought the outdoors in, these are the essentials. Get ready to explore the heart of 70s design.
Earthy Color Palettes: From Avocado to Ochre
You can’t talk about the 70s without talking about the colors. The palette was rich, warm, and unapologetically earthy. It was a direct rebellion against the pastels of the 50s and the bright psychedelics of the late 60s.
Think Harvest Gold, Burnt Orange, and, of course, the legendary Avocado Green. These were often paired with deep, grounding colors like chocolate brown, mustard yellow (ochre), and rusty reds. The whole vibe was about creating a home that felt cozy, grounded, and connected to the natural world around it, a hallmark of the 70s home exterior.
Now, you might be thinking that a house painted entirely in Avocado Green is a bit much for today’s tastes, and you’d be right. The modern way to embrace this palette is through smart, strategic application. Use a deep ochre for the front door, paint the window trim in a muted burnt orange, or use a rich brown stain on wooden siding to capture that authentic 70s home exterior feel without it looking like a time capsule.
Embracing Natural Materials
If there’s one thing that truly defines the 70s home exterior, it’s the love affair with natural materials. This was the peak of the back-to-nature movement, and it was reflected in the very walls of the homes being built. The goal was to blur the lines between the structure and its environment.
Wood was the undisputed king of the decade. You’d see it everywhere, from vertical tongue-and-groove siding to rough-sawn cedar shakes and chunky wooden beams. This wasn’t the perfectly polished and painted wood of other eras; it was often stained or left natural to showcase its texture and grain.
Alongside wood, stone and brick were used to add texture and a sense of permanence. Fieldstone or lava rock was often used to create dramatic feature walls or massive, statement-making chimneys. An authentic 70s home exterior often featured a beautiful interplay between the warmth of wood and the ruggedness of stone, creating a look that was both rustic and sophisticated. The brick used was typically in earthy red or brown tones, further cementing the connection to the landscape.
Angular and Asymmetrical: The Geometry of the Decade
The 70s threw the rulebook of symmetry out the window. Architects were playing with lines, angles, and massing in exciting new ways. The result was homes that were dynamic, interesting, and anything but boring.
One of the most defining styles was the “Shed Style.” These homes look like a collection of simple shed-like structures joined together, each with a single-slope roof facing a different direction. This created a complex, multi-faceted facade that was full of visual interest and allowed for unique interior spaces with soaring, angled ceilings.
This love for angles also manifested in other popular styles. A-frame houses, with their dramatic triangular profile, became the quintessential vacation home, while split-level and multi-level homes broke up the traditional boxy floor plan. This bold approach to geometry is a defining characteristic of the 70s home exterior and is a great way to create a home with serious curb appeal. These designs weren’t just for show; they were incredibly functional, allowing for clever zoning of living spaces and great natural light.
Signature Features of a 70s Home Exterior
Beyond the broad strokes of color, material, and shape, there are specific architectural features that instantly signal a 70s home exterior. These are the details that gave the homes of the era their unique character. Many of these features are not only stylish but also incredibly practical, which is why they’re seeing a huge comeback.
From the way they handled windows to their approach to the all-important automobile, 70s designers made choices that were both bold and thoughtful. Incorporating even one or two of these signature elements can give your home a powerful dose of retro charm. Let’s look at some of the most iconic details that made the 70s home exterior so special.
Windows to the World: Clerestory and Picture Windows
The 70s were all about letting the light in and connecting with the view outside. To achieve this, architects made clever use of glass in all shapes and sizes. This wasn’t just about punching a standard square window in a wall; it was about integrating windows into the architectural design itself.
Large, fixed picture windows were incredibly popular, often stretching from floor to ceiling to frame a beautiful view of the garden or landscape. They treated the outdoors like a work of art. This feature is a common sight on a classic 70s home exterior.
Another signature element was the use of clerestory windows. These are short, wide windows set high up on a wall, often right below the roofline. They were a brilliant solution for bringing in natural light while maintaining privacy, and they also helped to accentuate the interesting ceiling angles found in Shed Style and split-level homes. The strategic placement of windows is a subtle but powerful part of an authentic 70s home exterior aesthetic.
The Comeback of Carports and Sunken Spaces
Two other features that had their heyday in the 70s are making a surprising and stylish return: the carport and the sunken living space, which often influenced the exterior entryway. These features were about creating a more casual, integrated, and multi-dimensional living experience. A well-designed 70s home exterior often considered these transitional zones.
The carport was seen as a sleeker, more minimalist alternative to the bulky, closed-off garage. On the other hand, the trend of sunken living rooms inside the house sometimes extended to the exterior. This resulted in sunken entryways or patios that created a unique sense of arrival and provided a sheltered, intimate outdoor area that felt like a natural extension of the home, giving the 70s home exterior a distinctive layered look.
The Sleek and Simple Carport
Forget the flimsy metal carports of today. The 70s carport was an intentional design element, often built with the same materials as the house itself. Think chunky wood beams and a low-slung or flat roof that integrated seamlessly with the home’s primary roofline.
This approach gave the 70s home exterior a more open and welcoming feel compared to a home dominated by a massive garage door. Today, architects are revisiting the carport as a stylish way to shelter vehicles without sacrificing curb appeal. A modern interpretation might use black steel and warm cedar for a look that’s both retro and contemporary, proving that the principles of a 70s home exterior can be timeless.
Sunken Entryways and Patios
The sunken entryway was a truly unique feature of the 70s. Instead of walking up steps to the front door, you’d walk down a few stairs into a small, semi-enclosed courtyard or landing. This design trick created a dramatic sense of entry and provided a sheltered transition space.
This concept also applied to patios, creating cozy, conversation-pit-style outdoor rooms. For a modern 70s home exterior, this idea can be updated with sleek concrete steps, minimalist landscaping with ornamental grasses, and strategic uplighting. It’s a fantastic way to add architectural interest and create functional, intimate outdoor zones that feel both private and connected to the home. The idea of varying ground levels is central to many high-style 70s home exterior designs.
How to Modernize a 70s Home Exterior Without Losing Its Soul
Okay, so you love the vibe, but you don’t want your house to look like a set from “The Brady Bunch.” The key is to borrow the spirit of the 70s, not copy it verbatim. It’s all about a thoughtful blend of old and new, creating a home that nods to the past while feeling perfectly current.
Start by choosing which elements of the 70s home exterior speak to you the most. Is it the earthy color palette, the use of natural wood, or the bold, angular rooflines? Once you have your focus, you can begin to integrate these ideas with contemporary finishes and a modern sense of restraint.
For example, if you have an existing 70s brick house, you don’t have to live with the dated orange-brown color. A fresh coat of paint in a contemporary charcoal, deep navy, or warm white can instantly update the look while preserving the beautiful texture of the brick. This is a perfect strategy for modernizing a 70s home exterior.
Another great tip is to focus on the details. Swap out old, dated light fixtures for sleek, modern sconces with a simple, geometric design. Update the house numbers with a clean, sans-serif font in a matte black or brass finish. A new front door, perhaps in a bold 70s-inspired color but with a modern, minimalist design, can make a huge impact on your 70s home exterior.
Conclusion: Embracing the Groovy
The 70s were a decade of bold experimentation in design, and the lessons from that era are more relevant than ever. The focus on natural materials, a connection to the outdoors, and creating homes with unique personalities are all things we’re striving for today. A well-executed 70s home exterior is a testament to individuality.
Whether you’re lucky enough to own an architectural gem from the period or you’re just looking for inspiration for your modern build, the 70s home exterior offers a wealth of ideas. It’s a style that’s full of warmth, texture, and a laid-back, confident vibe. It reminds us that homes don’t have to be plain white boxes; they can be expressive, interesting, and deeply personal.
So go ahead, embrace a little bit of that groovy, 70s spirit. Paint your front door Harvest Gold, clad a wall in beautiful cedar, or just take inspiration from the way these homes unapologetically command their space. By looking back at the best of the 70s home exterior, you can create something for the future that is truly amazing.
