That ’70s Color Palette Is Back, Here’s How to Get It Right

Avocado green, harvest gold, rust, brown. The “it” colors that defined 1970s interiors are popping up again in a big way. They’re showing up on kitchen cabinets, velvet sofas, tiled backsplashes, and even ceilings. It’s easy to see why: ’70s design strikes that rare balance between grounded and free-spirited, two things many people want to feel at home.

Beyond bold florals and the disco balls, the 1970s leaned into natural materials, earthy color stories, and a cozy kind of maximalism design. Think shag rugs, wood-paneled walls, lots of houseplants, and rooms that felt collected, not overly styled or curated.

So what defines a ’70s color palette, and how do you make it work today? I asked a few experts to weigh in.

If you’re thinking about bringing a ’70s palette into your home, it’s helpful to start with the overall vibe. Personally, I think the best color palettes start with a feeling — not a formula — and designer James Yarosh agrees. “Seventies design is less about a strict palette of earth tones and more about creating a feeling,” he says. “The essence of the ’70s is a mellow, laid-back energy that invites relaxation.” 

That mellow feeling is evident in the colors and textures of the era, with nothing too stark or high-gloss. “Details like pinch-pleated drapes, wood paneling, and folded blankets recall the cozy aesthetic of old Polaroids and family scrapbooks. That’s the magic of the ’70s: a design language that feels familiar, emotional, and somewhat intangible,” Yarosh says.

Specific colors instantly evoke the feeling of this decade, but there’s more range than you might think. “When I think of the colors of the 1970s, I think of warm earth tones like sienna, mahogany, goldenrod, and terracotta, accented with pops of slate blue and mossy green,” designer Kathy Kuo says.

Here’s a quick breakdown of popular hues from the era:

1. Avocado Green
2. Harvest Gold
3. Burnt Orange
4. Teal
5. Mustard Yellow
6. Chocolate Brown
7. Olive Green
8. Deep Plum
9. Dusty Rose
10. Maroon

Rooted in warmer tones, a ’70s color palette can clash with certain colors. For example, bright pastels, high-contrast combos, and cool grays or stark whites can feel out of place in a ’70s-inspired space. Gerri Chmiel, a senior design manager at Formica, also warns against going too literal.

“If you want to use avocado green, don’t go for the shag carpet. Instead pick something with a more modern low pile.” The goal isn’t to re-create a set from a sitcom (as tempting as that might be!) — it’s to borrow the best parts of the era and make them work for your lifestyle today.

There are countless ways to channel a ’70s palette without feeling theme-y. For Yarosh, it starts with emotion. “When I think of ’70s-inspired design, I think about rest and mental clarity — themes that the ’70s often took to delightful extremes.” He believes the decade was all about self-expression.

Below are a few real-world examples of how to make it work.