From Drab to Fab: My Groovy 1970s Laundry Room Makeover

If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping back in time while still enjoying the conveniences of modern living, you’ll love my latest project: a stylish remodel of a laundry room with groovy 1970s flair. From bold colors to retro accents, I'm bringing back the fun and functionality that defined this unforgettable design era.

Why the 1970s?

I've always had a love for all things 60s-70s from music to clothes to pop culture, architecture, interior design and everything in between. This love started at a really young age. As a kid in the 90s, I was completely obsessed with The Beatles, Bewitched, The Brady Bunch and my room was covered with Flower Power. I wore my mom's old polyester bell bottoms to school with my grandmother's turtlenecks and jelly sandals. I remember racing home after school to catch The Brady Bunch in reruns on cable TV.

I took the bus after school to my grandparent's home that was built in 1968 and hadn't changed one bit since the build. The lime green shag carpet, Brasilia dining room furniture, swag lamp, Fenton glass and console stereo were some of my favorites. The love of this time period that I never lived in was strong and was born in those years watching it while being in a home of the period. My nostalgia and love for it doesn't come from memories of the actual time, but memories of my own childhood two decades after. 

The 1970s were all about self-expression, comfort, and creativity—and the interiors were no exception. Think earthy tones, funky patterns, and tactile textures that made every space feel cozy yet dynamic. This era’s aesthetic is making a comeback, and I'm here for it! I wanted to capture that playful energy in my drab basement laundry room. My home was built in 1979 and is very much original which we have kept and used as a springboard to work on creating a time capsule home.

Design Inspiration

To set the tone for the remodel, I drew inspiration from:

I actually started with one single accent and grew from there. My mom gave me a 1970s unopened Tide box that my grandmother had saved for decades in her basement. Not sure why, but major win for me! My grandmother grew up in the Great Depression and saved everything. Nothing was ever thrown away, which is how I have a lot of her stuff now in my house and I hold it so dear to my heart.

• Color Palette: Harvest gold, avocado green, and rust orange tones are quintessential 1970s colors. I used the colors of the Tide box - royal blue and bright orange to start then added in the typical 70s colors to compliment it.

• Materials: Natural wood/rattan elements, hand hooked rugs, and laminate countertops mimic the tactile, organic feel of the decade.

• Patterns: Retro wallpapers would be a fantastic choice! Being in the basement the walls are cinderblock and I've been looking into what would work to cover them. I'm currently on the hunt for authentic 1970's wood paneling for the entire basement as well as the accent wall in the laundry room.

• Accents: I was limited on lighting in the basement, but added shelves and adorable vintage accents such as canisters, laundry baskets, towels and wall decor.

  
  
  

  

  
  
  

Key Features of the Remodel

1. Laundry Baskets

My favorite part was finding vintage laundry baskets. The colors, the shapes, the designs are all so great and really added to the main wall in there. Do I really need that many baskets? No, but I love them all!

2. Vintage Accessories

I started with the Tide box and built it up from there. Adding colorful, time period appropriate accents was really the most fun. The beautiful glass pieces, colorful canisters and baskets, popcorn LOVE sign, butterflies, flowers and mushroom bank all helped tie it all together. And you know what the best part is?? It can be easily changed! Find something I like better there, change it out. Something so simple and really ties the room together.

3. Wooden Accents

I love the adorable rattan shelf I found at an antique store. The straw basket with vintage towels also helps pull some natural elements in too. I added a plastic butterfly wall accent to the basket with a safety pin. I hope one day to have some wood paneling too.

4. Functional Countertop Space

A vintage laminate countertop in a neutral cream with golden specks provides a practical surface. The cabinets and the counter top came out of my grandparent's kitchen when they remodeled in the 90s. They sat in their basement until I brought them over here. The cabinets were originally dark brown, but had water damage to them. So, we had to paint them to make them useable again.

5. Cozy Flooring

Currently there is vintage wood panel pattern linoleum in the laundry room. This was given to us by a friend who owns a flooring business. I love reusing items as well as saving things from going to the landfill. Eventually, I would like to get a new linoleum that we can do the entire basement in. He unfortunately did not have enough for us to do the entire basement.

Tips for Your Own 1970s-Inspired Laundry Room

• Embrace Color: Don’t shy away from bold hues. Pair vibrant tones with neutral accents for a balanced look.

• Mix Patterns: Geometric designs and floral motifs were staples of the ’70s. A single statement wall or backsplash can add personality without overwhelming the space.

• Go Natural: Incorporate wood elements and natural textures to soften the look and add warmth.

• Get Creative with Lighting: Frosted glass, brass accents, or even a funky chandelier can elevate your vintage-inspired space.

Final Thoughts

My 1970s-inspired laundry room proves that even drab basement spaces can be stylish and full of personality. By blending retro design elements with modern functionality, I’ve created a space that’s as practical as it is nostalgic.

Are you planning a vintage-inspired remodel? Let me know your favorite design era in the comments—I’d love to hear your thoughts!