The 1970s were a decade of bold interiors, distinctive furniture and some very memorable decorating choices – and many of us will remember them from our own homes.
We’ve dipped into the Express & Star archive to find a fascinating collection of pictures showing how homes across the West Midlands looked during the decade. From fitted kitchens to show homes, living rooms and housing developments, the images offer a glimpse into everyday domestic life.
Think polished teak wall units, patterned carpets, floral wallpaper, floor-level lounging and the arrival of new heating technologies as homes changed with the times.
Whether you lived through the 1970s or simply love the distinctive style of the decade, these pictures offer a chance to step back inside the homes of the era.
Do you remember what your home looked like in the 1970s? Which style or feature from the era was your favourite? Share your memories in the comments.
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13. Velvet luxury and Georgian flair in mid-seventies Sedgley
Rich damask feature wallpaper, fringed velour armchairs, and floor-to-ceiling patio doors - this November 1974 photo shows the spacious lounge of 'The Arden' model, located at Nursery Close in Sedgley. Selling for £17,000 back then, these four-bedroom detached executive homes leaned heavily into a modern Georgian aesthetic, complete with small paned windows, ornate chandeliers, and elegant central wine-table stands. Do you remember when plush damask wall coverings and velvet-style sofas with fringed trim were the height of living room sophistication? Who recalls visiting newly built executive estates like this during the mid-seventies to check out the layout? | Express & Star archive
14. Warm caramel tones and smooth curved edges
Curved cabinet fronts, natural Japanese oak trims, and block beech worktops - this November 1978 showcase had all the hallmarks of late seventies fitted luxury. Designed by Grovewood for their SL range, these units came in a warm, honey-toned laminate aptly named 'Caramel'. Paired with a built-in wine rack under the breakfast bar, integrated extractor fan, and a mini portable television nestled in the corner, this layout offered maximum storage and top-tier entertaining potential back in the day. Do you remember these smooth laminate units and wooden trims in homes back in the late 1970s? Who recalls seeing tiny portable TVs sitting on kitchen counters to catch the evening news while dinner was cooking? | Express & Star archive
15. Dinner gowns and dark wood drama
Flowing bell sleeves, patterned splashback tiles, and dark, detailed cabinetry - cooking dinner in January 1977 was clearly a glamorous affair. Featured in the new Ward Brothers showroom on Bilston Road, Wolverhampton, this high-end design was named the 'Sarila Victoria' and billed as the ultimate in kitchen luxury. With a raised breakfast bar, vinyl flooring, and integrated cooker hood, this setup proved that 1970s kitchens were built for showing off as much as cooking. Do you remember when kitchen showrooms went all-out with dramatic dark wood and ornate tiled backsplashes? Who recalls the era when breakfast bars and chrome swivel stools first became the must-have feature for entertaining guests at home? | Express & Star archive
16. Victorian terraces reimagined for modern streetscapes
Freshly painted renders, updated porch entryways, and a classic Hillman Imp parked along the kerb - this May 1973 photograph shows a remarkable urban transformation along Gower Street in Wolverhampton. Former 19th-century worker terraces in the Steelhouse Lane area were given a whole new lease on life, converted from aging housing stock into smart, modernised townhouses fit for seventies living. Do you remember seeing whole streets of older Victorian terraced houses get a makeover in the 1970s? Who recalls when cars like the classic Hillman Imp lined the neighbourhood streets back then? | Express & Star archive