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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17. Scandinavian vibes down on the farm
Exposed wooden ceiling beams, dark tiled splashbacks, and a central island unit - this January 1978 feature offered a glimpse into a uniquely styled modern farmhouse near Hartlebury. Pictured in her dream kitchen, Vicky Moule and her husband Pat had an architect friend design their custom home to blend traditional Worcestershire charm with sleek Scandinavian influences. Built to handle a busy household with four children, the spacious layout featured golden pine panelling, pale wood floors, and a classic Range cooker taking centre stage. Do you remember when Scandinavian pine and exposed ceiling beams became all the rage in seventies home design? Who recalls seeing large central kitchen islands starting to pop up in modern homes back then? | Express & Star archive
18. Tartan upholstery, bowl cuts, and family home living
Plaid armchairs, floral wallpaper, and classic bowl haircuts - this family photograph shows Mick and Jo Powell with their children Andrew and Ian in their home on the Ferndale Estate in Kidderminster. Seated together on a tartan-check sofa, the family showcases distinct decade fashion, from Jo’s perm hairstyle and collared patterned top to young Andrew’s dungaree-style dungarees with striped straps and Ian’s zip-up cardigan. The background wallpaper and bold textiles capture the domestic interior choices popular across West Midlands housing estates during the period. Do you remember having tartan or check pattern upholstery in your living room? Who recalls sports cardigans and bowl haircuts being the standard style for young boys back then | Express & Star archive
19. Brick hearths, brassware, and bold floral armchairs
A prominent brick fireplace, a wall-mounted gas fire, and decorative brassware - this December 1979 scene captures the lounge of a 'Gainsborough-style' show home at Candymill, off Tipton Road in Tividale. Paired with bold floral armchairs, mock dark ceiling beams, a classic wooden TV set, and an ornamental chandelier, this layout offered potential buyers a glimpse into late seventies comfort and style. Do you remember visiting estate show homes back in the late 1970s to get inspiration for your own living room? Who recalls when a brick hearth with hanging brass ornaments was the ultimate focal point for a modern lounge? | Express & Star archive
20. Quick-fix tile transfers and seventies kitchen flair
Flowing floral maxi dresses, enamel cookware, and instant tile transformations - this September 1975 promotional image highlights one of the decade's favourite home improvement hacks. Showcasing the 'Jacobean' design from Sellotape Tile Prints, these self-adhesive stickers offered an easy, inexpensive way to update plain white kitchen ceramic tiles without touching a tub of grout. Paired with a sleek mixer tap and stainless steel sink, it gave any splashback a fashionable, patterned focus in minutes. Do you remember using stick-on tile transfers to give plain bathroom or kitchen tiles an instant makeover? Who recalls when bold, traditional patterns like Jacobean or Spanish motifs were all the rage for splashbacks? | Express & Star archive