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The Comeback of 1970s design

Vintage Revival – retro charm with a modern twist

4 Sep 2026

The “Vintage Revival” interior trend celebrates the return of past design eras in contemporary interpretations. The 1970s in particular are currently making a comeback. Typical shapes and colours of the decade are being combined with modern furniture and accessories. For retailers, the trend is especially attractive as it can be showcased across all product categories – from furniture and textiles to glass and ceramics as well as decorative home accessories.

Reading time: 3 minutes

Organic shapes and warm colours

Interior design in the 1970s was characterised by round, curved shapes and bold colours such as orange, yellow and brown. Large sofa arranements, shell chairs and lounge armchairs were indispensable elements. Today, it is above all the organic shapes that are making a comeback, while the modern colour palette is somewhat more muted and sophisticated. Terracotta, rust red, mustard yellow and shades of green bring a sense of calm to the ambience.

‘Momo’ lounge armchair by Christine Kröncke Interior Design

“Momo” by Christine Kröncke Interior Design

The “Momo” lounge chair by Christine Kröncke Interior Design combines a clean design language with a luxurious look and high-quality craftsmanship. The generous upholstery and carefully selected fabrics make ‘Momo’ – complete with a matching footstool – a favourite spot.

‘Knot’ seat cushion by Designhouse Stockholm

“Knot” by Designhouse Stockholm

Thanks to its striking design, the “Knot” seat cushion by designer Ragnheiður Ösp Sigurðardóttir is guaranteed to become the centre of attention. Long, filled tubes are tied together to form a knot, creating a completely new and wonderfully relaxed seating experience.

“Verge” by Andersen Furniture

“Verge” by Andersen Furniture is ideal for a generously proportioned 1970s-style sofa arrangement. Distinctive quilted stiching gives the modular sofa a sophisticated look. Its low backrest and deep seat provide exceptional comfort and invite you to sit back and relax.

Natural materials and tactile surfaces

Interior styles always reflect social trends as well. Growing interest in nature and sustainability led to increased use of wood, natural fibres and earthy colours. Recycled and DIY furniture experienced an early boom. Fifty years on, dark wood, amber-coloured glass and tactile fabrics such as corduroy, velvet and bouclé are once again taking centre stage.

Wooden furniture by Ethnicraft

With gently rounded corners and subtle curves, Ethnicraft’s “Flow” collection captures a sense of movement. Made from rose-brown stained and lacquered mahogany, the elegant console combines vintage character with a sophisticated contemporary touch.

Home textiles by Chivasso

The “Sensitive Minimalist” theme from Chivasso’s “Mood Booster” collection focuses on subtlety, texture and craftsmanship. In delicate earth tones, soft green and warm white, the fabrics create an understated yet distinctly sophisticated atmosphere.

Tableware and glass by Bitz

Bitz’s stoneware range brings colour and texture together. Reactive glazes, such as the amber-coloured “Amber” shade, accentuate the material’s rustic appearance. Meanwhile, the “Kusintha” glassware collection brings a touch of 1970s flair to the table.

Design with distinctive shapes

A spirit of experimentation and a rejection of strict conventions defined the design language of the 1970s. Luigi Colani is regarded as a pioneer of organic design with its flowing forms, while Ettore Sottsass introduced bold colours and Pop Art influences into his designs. Finnish designer Eero Aarnio, meanwhile, created iconic Space Age designs. Many classics from this era, such as Verner Panton’s legendary Panton Chair, are still being produced today.

“La Boule” by Villeroy & Boch is a reinterpretation of the “Sphere”, which caused a sensation when it was created by designer Helen von Boch in 1971. When taken apart, “La Boule” is a seven-piece tableware set for two people. When assembled, it becomes a striking eye-catcher that makes an impact both on the table and within the interior. The latest design, “La Boule Kyoto”, combines a natural colour palette with vibrant accents.

Decorative highlights for retro styling

Thanks to the distinctive design language of the 1970s, just a few individual pieces are enough to evoke the spirit of the era. Original lighting solutions, for example, can provide vibrant accents. Typical of the 1970s are lamps made from steel or smoked glass in spherical or mushroom shapes. Decorative ceramic objects, which also tap into the current “craftsmanship” trend, or accessories featuring graphic patterns are equally well suited to effortless retro styling.

“Mush” by Hübsch

The “Mush” table lamp by Hübsch combines organic shapes with clean lines and a smooth surface. The iconic mushroom design has long since become a sought-after, timeless classic. It is available in numerous colours and sophisticated metallic finishes.

“After Midnight” by Serax

Francesco Risso of the Italian fashion house Marni designed the “After Midnight” vase for Serax. With its sculptural “owl” shape, the stoneware vase is much more than simply a vessel. It is an expressive statement piece that blends nature and imagination.

The ‘Salerno’ collection by Present Time

“Salerno” by Present Time

With the “Salerno” collection, Present Time reinterprets the “graphic patterns” trend. In contemporary colour combinations such as burgundy red with sky blue or alpine green with soft pink, the metal trays and storage boxes become little decorative gems.