The surprising throwback trend that's sweeping Britain – and how to get the look on the cheap

The Sun

15-07-2025

THE 1970s have been making a comeback in interior design for a while with the shift away from pastels, crisp white and greys to embrace warmer tones and bolder prints.
Revisiting design from years gone by is certainly not a new thing, and nostalgia interiors have been trending for a while.
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Weaving vintage and retro nods into newer trends creates a stylish 'new-stalgia' vibe - celebrating the charms of yesteryear meeting functionality and tech advances of today.
Laura Carter from online retailer Furniturebox details eight interior tips which will ring the Changes and have your home looking groovy for (Golden) years to come.
Make do and mend
There's been a resurgence of interest in vintage styles, driven in part by higher costs of living and wanting to be more eco-sustainable.
This all makes us want to 'make do and mend' more - to fix up, recycle, and re-use - which gives more of an eclectic look to home design and fashion.
The decor, the prints, the colours, the fashion and the music that suits those looks has all put the 70s right back into the public consciousness.
Don't repeat the mistakes of your nan
There was a lot wrong with the 1970s. No one wants to return to avocado bathrooms, gold flock wallpaper and shag carpets.
The new vibe is more about embracing a few 70s-inspired elements for a more modern look.
Gold frame mirrors for that glam look
Nothing says elegance quite like a gilded mirror. These beauties can instantly elevate any room, adding a touch of glamour and sophistication.
An ornate and decorative gold framed mirror can fit into various décor styles, from traditional to contemporary, so it's no surprise these statement gold framed mirrors are having a resurgence.
They can often be picked up cheaply at second hand shops and flea markets.
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Or why not spruce up a frame that is past its heyday with some gold leaf gilding?
Go for bold contrasting colours
Muted but bold contrasting colours such as mustard yellows, burnt oranges, teals and browns will give that 1970s vibe.
A burnt orange velvet sofa perfectly captures the era but looks completely modern.
Don't be afraid to mix colours and patterns
The 1970s were all about breaking the rules, so let your creativity run wild. Look for vintage décor and items such as retro lamps and macramé wall hangings.
These pieces can add a playful touch to your space.
Dunelm's top interior design trends for 2025
Maximalism
Maximalism is about unleashing your creativity and bringing joy to everything around you, day in and day out. Bold pattern combinations of florals, checks and geometrics set the tone with a bright joyous colour palette that holds everything together.
Don't mistake Maximalism for having loads of stuff, it's about mixing and matching florals, layering key pieces and storytelling throughout your home, and ultimately doing things your own way. Dunelm's new collaboration with Sophie Robinson is all about that.
Minimaluxe
The interiors world has witnessed the evolution of "minimalism" into a richer, more luxurious iteration. The goal is quiet luxury - simplicity with a sense of sophistication.
Minimaluxe focuses on creating spaces that are pared down yet warm, elegant, and inviting. Gloriously tactile textures, in a palette of warm neutrals, with hints of caramel and gold, complete the look. Introducing softer forms and round edges to avoid a space feeling overly stark
The Edit
Built on the philosophy that having fewer thoughtfully designed and well-made things helps us leave a lighter imprint on the earth. Interior design is shifting to be inspired by the natural world, and all its perfect imperfections.
Take Dunelm's The Edited Life collection, it focuses on natural materials like wicker, jute and linens - as well as décor pieces and hand-thrown pottery vessels that feature forms dictated by the artisan's mark. Soft relaxed fabric textures mixed with uneven wood grains help bring this neutral, look together.
New Nouveau
Blending 19th century inspired maximalism with a contemporary colour palette this collection takes inspiration from the ornamental art form from the Nouveau era. Rich and luxurious, blending a little bit of history with a more modern aesthetic you can mix and layer into your home.
Stylised Lily motifs adorn sumptuous textiles and wallpapers mixed with marbling & stained glass vintage style lighting for a vintage inspired look, with a modern twist.
70s style rugs for rock star flair
A rug is a really simple addition you can add to any room to instantly add some retro vibes.
Go for a boho floral Persian inspired rug for some hippie rockstar vibes or opt for arches and circle motifs for a more general vintage look.
Mustard yellows, muted oranges or dusky green rugs will immediately add a 70s decor touch.
Go natural
Use natural materials in your accessories and furniture like linens, wood, macrame, beading and wicker.
Accent chairs
The wicker 'peacock chair' instantly screams retro vintage vibes and you can recreate that look in a budget-friendly way with some well-placed garden furniture.
Pair these with Scandi-inspired and mid-century modern pieces for an up-to-date take on a retro 1970s home style.
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