The Classic 70s Home Exterior: Materials, Colors, and Design Inspiration
The 1970s was a decade of bold expression, and its architectural trends were no exception. Homes built during this era moved away from the uniformity of previous decades, embracing a more individualistic and nature-inspired aesthetic. This shift resulted in a unique architectural language characterized by organic materials, earthy color palettes, and unconventional geometric forms.
Today, there is a renewed appreciation for the distinct character of the 70s home exterior. Many homeowners are looking to either restore these classic designs or incorporate their core principles into modern builds. Understanding the key materials, colors, and design elements of this era is essential for capturing its authentic, free-spirited vibe.
The Architectural Spirit of the 1970s
The design philosophy of the 70s home exterior was deeply rooted in the cultural movements of the time. A growing environmental consciousness spurred a “back-to-the-land” movement, influencing architects to design homes that blended with their natural surroundings. This era saw a departure from formality in favor of casual, comfortable living spaces that connected the indoors with the outdoors.
Several distinct architectural styles defined the decade, each reflecting this new philosophy in its own way. The Shed style, with its multiple angular rooflines, created dynamic and visually interesting facades. Split-level and multi-level homes became incredibly popular, perfectly suited for sloping lots and offering separated living zones within the home. A-frame houses and contemporary designs with large glass panes also emphasized a connection to nature, making the landscape a key part of the home’s overall design. A well-preserved 70s home exterior often showcases one of these defining styles.
Defining Materials of the 70s Home Exterior
The choice of materials was fundamental to achieving the signature look of a 70s home exterior. The focus was on texture, authenticity, and materials that felt grounded and natural. This was a direct rebellion against the synthetic and mass-produced finishes that had become common in the post-war housing boom.
Natural Wood and a Return to Earth
Wood was arguably the most dominant material used on a 7s home exterior. It was celebrated for its warmth, texture, and ability to connect a structure to its environment. This was not the painted clapboard of earlier eras but rather wood in its more natural state.
Dark-stained cedar, redwood, or fir siding was a hallmark of the decade, often applied vertically as board-and-batten or diagonally for a dramatic effect. Wood shingles and shakes were also commonly used on both roofing and as siding, adding a rustic, layered texture. The goal was to let the wood’s natural grain and character shine through, creating a home that felt built from the earth itself. The organic appeal of wood is central to the design of any 70s home exterior.
The Rise of Rustic Brick and Stone
Alongside wood, brick and stone provided a sense of permanence and solidity. The brick used on a 70s home exterior was typically different from the pristine, uniform bricks of the past. Instead, architects and builders favored rough-faced, oversized, or irregularly shaped bricks in deep earth tones like ruddy red, chocolate brown, and burnt orange.
Natural stone was used extensively as a feature element, adding texture and a rugged feel. It could be seen on massive fireplace chimneys that extended up the exterior wall, as accent walls around the entryway, or on low retaining walls in the landscaping. This use of heavy, tactile materials grounded the often-angular designs, creating a powerful contrast that is quintessentially 70s. The material combination on a 70s home exterior often involved both wood and stone.
Contrasting Elements: Stucco and Metal
While wood and stone were staples, other materials provided important contrast and functionality. Rough-textured stucco, often in shades of off-white, beige, or tan, was used to create smooth, monolithic surfaces that complemented the texture of wood beams or stone accents. Its application was common in homes with a Spanish or Mediterranean influence, a popular sub-style of the era.
Metal also found its place on the 70s home exterior, particularly in roofing. Standing-seam metal roofs, usually in dark brown or forest green, provided a clean, linear element that contrasted with the rustic siding. Aluminum siding, a more budget-conscious option, was also available in classic 70s colors, though it lacked the textural depth of wood.
The Quintessential 70s Color Palette
The color palette is one of the most recognizable aspects of a 70s home exterior. Colors were pulled directly from the natural world, creating a warm, inviting, and sometimes funky aesthetic. The palette was a complete departure from the pastels of the 50s and the brighter primary colors of the 60s.
These colors were meant to be harmonious, allowing the home to settle into its landscape rather than stand out against it. The design philosophy of a 70s home exterior emphasized a cohesive look where color and material worked together. Reviving the color scheme is a key step in restoring a 70s home exterior.
Earth Tones: A Palette Inspired by Nature
The foundation of the 70s color scheme was a rich array of earth tones. Harvest Gold was a warm, optimistic yellow that appeared on everything from siding to front doors. Avocado Green was another iconic hue, reflecting the era’s obsession with nature and indoor plants.
Other core colors included burnt orange, which added a fiery, energetic pop, and deep chocolate brown, used extensively for trim, siding, and rooflines to ground the entire structure. Mustard yellow, earthy reds, and deep tans rounded out this nature-inspired palette. When these colors were used together on a 70s home exterior, they created a layered, warm, and distinctly organic feel. Any modern interpretation of a 70s home exterior should start with this palette.
Accent Colors and Monochromatic Schemes
While earth tones dominated, homeowners were not afraid of bold accents. A front door painted in a vibrant persimmon orange, bright turquoise, or sunny yellow could provide a cheerful focal point against a backdrop of brown or olive siding. This small touch of rebellion was a perfect expression of the era’s individualism.
Alternatively, monochromatic schemes were very sophisticated and popular for a 70s home exterior. This involved using various shades and tints of a single color, such as different browns from dark chocolate to light tan. This approach created a subtle, textured look that emphasized the home’s architectural lines and material choices rather than its color. Maintaining a classic 70s home exterior can involve either a bold or a subtle color approach.
Painting Your Modern Home with 70s Flair
If you want to bring this look to your home today, you don’t have to use the exact shades of the past. Modern paint companies offer sophisticated, muted versions of these classic colors. Consider an olive or moss green instead of a bright avocado, or a rich terracotta instead of a vibrant burnt orange. A great strategy for a modern 70s home exterior is to choose three colors. Use a dominant earth tone for the siding, a darker shade like charcoal or dark brown for the trim to define the architecture, and a single, bold accent color for the front door to create a welcoming focal point.
The Role of Trim and Accents
The trim on a 70s home exterior played a crucial role in defining its unique character. Dark trim was overwhelmingly popular, with deep brown, charcoal gray, or even black used to outline rooflines, window frames, and doorways. This created strong, graphic lines that highlighted the home’s angular and asymmetrical geometry, a key feature of Shed-style and contemporary designs. This dark trim provided a powerful contrast against wood siding or a lighter brick, further enhancing the architectural drama. This attention to detail defines an authentic 70s home exterior.
Key Design Elements and Architectural Features
Beyond materials and colors, the architectural features themselves are what truly define the 70s home exterior. These elements broke from traditional, symmetrical designs and focused on creating dynamic forms, private outdoor spaces, and a stronger connection with the outdoors. These features are a testament to the era’s innovative spirit.
A key feature of the 70s home exterior was its unique rooflines. Shed-style homes featured multiple roofs slanting in different directions, creating a collection of striking geometric shapes. Clerestory windows—short, wide windows set high on a wall—were often placed between these roof sections to bring in natural light while maintaining privacy.
Large, often unadorned, picture windows and sliding glass doors were essential for blurring the line between inside and out. These expansive panes of glass framed views of the garden or landscape, making nature an integral part of the home’s interior life. This design choice is fundamental to the philosophy of the 70s home exterior.
Recessed entryways were another common feature, creating a sheltered and private transition from the outside world into the home. Similarly, garages were often integrated into the main structure and set back from the primary facade. This design choice gave the main living areas prominence and improved the curb appeal of a 70s home exterior.
Landscaping was typically kept simple and naturalistic. Instead of manicured lawns and formal flower beds, the landscaping for a 70s home exterior often featured native plants, ornamental grasses, rock gardens, and simple wooden decks or flagstone patios. This approach required less maintenance and reinforced the home’s connection to its natural environment. The combination of these features makes the 70s home exterior so unique. People are increasingly drawn to the bold look of a 70s home exterior. Restoring a 70s home exterior can be a rewarding project for those who appreciate its design. The legacy of the 70s home exterior is its celebration of individuality.
Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of the 70s Home Exterior
The 70s home exterior represents a pivotal moment in residential architecture, one that prioritized individualism, a connection to nature, and bold, unapologetic design. Its signature combination of natural materials like wood and stone, a warm and earthy color palette, and dynamic geometric forms created homes with a character that is both grounded and dramatic. The design principles of the 70s home exterior continue to influence architects today.
Decades later, the appeal of the 70s home exterior endures. Its emphasis on organic texture, indoor-outdoor living, and architectural honesty feels more relevant than ever in a world seeking authenticity and a closer relationship with the natural world. Whether you are preserving a vintage gem or drawing inspiration for a new project, the legacy of the 70s home exterior offers a rich blueprint for creating a home that is truly unique and timeless. The enduring popularity of the classic 70s home exterior is a testament to its compelling and thoughtful design.
