A 1970s designer dream house is one that might feature open floor plans that flowed seamlessly from room to room, with plenty of natural light streaming through oversized windows. The emphasis was on creating spaces that felt expansive and connected to the outdoors, a hallmark of 1970s design. Bold colors, geometric patterns, and innovative materials like shag carpeting and chrome accents made these homes truly one-of-a-kind. It was a time when interior designers had free rein to experiment, leading to some rather unforgettable results.
What made these homes even more special was the way they reflected the cultural shifts of the time. The 1970s was an era of self-expression, and that was evident in every aspect of these designs. Homeowners wanted spaces that were unique, and designers delivered with homes that felt like a personal sanctuary. Whether it was a bold color scheme or an unusual floor plan, every detail was carefully considered to create a space that felt both modern and welcoming.
We’ve reprinted a vintage article on the 1974 Home of the Year that takes you inside one of these iconic 1970s houses. This charming upper-middle-class home — a vintage 1970s designer dream house in Denver, Colorado — was compact and neatly designed, the surfaces were hardy, the wallpapers were bold… and the style was so very seventies. Take a look!
A 1970s designer dream house: A compact package superbly & neatly designed
by Evan Frances, A.I.D. – American Home October 1974
Denver homemakers wanted both elegance and practicality, which guided our choices of materials. Surfaces are hardy; upholstery fabrics, special-treated for stain resistance; wallpapers, wipeable.
Our “House of the Year” is basically one-story, but there’s also a library/guest room tucked above the dining room (see floor plan).
You enter the house through the front door, painted an unforgettable bright blue, outside and in. You stand on cool, dark ceramic tile that has the sleek look of polished leather.
Plants beckon at every turn, for our inviting entry is at the very heart of the house. Immediately accessible (seen from left, above) are dining, family and living rooms. The latter features a game table and velvet-upholstered swivel chairs.
Hall (not shown) leads to separate bedroom wing — a request of our panel.
Man-made “stone” fireplace gives focus to family room. Carpeting is spill-proof acrylic. Sofa at right opens to a queen-size bed. Stairs lead up to library/guest room.
White walls and tiers of white sheer curtains create a setting for Mediterranean-style furnishing in the dining room. Oriental-pattern rug exposes parquet floor.
MORE: See the American Home 1973 House of the Year
1970s designer dream house: The American Home of 1974 had a kitchen every woman wanted
Our “House of the Year” kitchen complex includes breakfast nook, laundry and powder room.
The kitchen itself — designed around and island cooktop, with two wall ovens only one step away — is master-planned from top to bottom, with acoustical ceiling tile, diffused lighting from two recessed panels and vinyl flooring.
Cozy breakfast nook (right) has pedestal table with circular butcher-block top and white-painted cane-seat bentwood chairs. Sliding glass doors let in daylight and provide access to the covered patio.
MORE: See 100+ short retro window curtains & cafe curtains that were essential ’70s home decor
Kitchen (below) has satin-finished wood cabinets and close-to-indestructible marble-look countertops. Above planning desk at far right is home base for intercom system (not shown).
Silvery graffiti-enlivened wallpaper in powder room (above) cues choice of towels in vivid orange, yellow, black and brown. Integrated washbowl and surround are super stain- and damage-resistant.
Rooms with versatility — for living, for entertaining
Our library/guest room (above) can be a quiet upstairs hideaway for relaxing and reading, or when the handsome modular furniture is rearranged, a retreat that sleeps three.
The living room, with its dark ceiling beans and rich oak-veneer paneling (opposite), is designed as the natural gathering spot when you are having friends over.
Draperies and cafe curtains in brilliant orange create a magnificent window wall in living room (right) without shutting out light or view. Shades are white with stripes in complementary colors. Elongated sofa is in soft-textured velvet, side chairs in resilient Naugahyde.
DON’T MISS: 70 vintage sofas from the swinging ’70s
Super comfort & convenience for everyone
Working closely with Dale Miller and Dick Clark of Home Designers, Inc., we considered every feature asked for by our Denver women panelists.
Among their requests incorporated into our American Home of 1974: one bathroom divided into three separate parts for simultaneous use; carpeting on floors and ceramic tile on walls of bathrooms; decorative and privacy-producing window shades throughout; easy-to-maintain flooring in children’s rooms; carpeting in the master bedroom — plus an irresistibly comfortable chair.
Girl’s room (below) has charming tile-effect vinyl flooring. Country French-style furniture, in an add-on arrangement, can expand with a child’s needs.
MORE: 70 beautiful vintage canopy beds from the 1970s
Master bath (left, top) features deep (steeping-bath) tub, bidet (not shown) and extra-big sink with special shampoo spray.
Shower and tub in three-section bath (left, center) are part of one-piece Fiberglas unit that can be installed either before or after your house is built.
Lavatory of three-section bath (left) has subtle recessed lighting.
The sumptuous master bedroom (above) in the American Home of 1974 has serenely Oriental touches. Damask bedspread coordinates with draperies, canopy and wall covering. Boy’s room (left) has two trundle beds to sleep three guests.
Walls of Masonite (dark) and vinyl-coated wallpaper (pale) — and flooring of cork-effect cushioned vinyl — are enduring assets, as is scratch-resistant “Denim” vinyl on chest fronts.
MORE: See a ’70s model home: A pretty, practical, family-friendly house
3 Responses
Really brings back memories of losing our Barbie’s shoes in the shag carpet for a grownuo to step on later. Wild colors and comfy furniture that lasted for years, the first rec rooms in the basement where we could play and later have ping pong tables, having sleep overs in those basements so we could talk and watch the old tv.
Brings back memories of better times and happier times.
My old apartment had that flooring in the kitchen…same pattern. Also had the goldenrod appliances. We moved in in 1993 and moved out in 2017. The vinyl flooring and the appliances were still in place, and we were paying 1700 per month for rent (2br) Cape Cod and it was going up another 250 per month.