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.
- You can enjoy this and more with our weekly FREE Nostalgia Newsletter - with scores of archive pictures and exclusive features on the history of Wolverhampton, Staffordshire and the Black Country - all sent to your inbox every week. Sign up here.
21. Bold geometric walls and natural cane chic
Striking graphic wallcoverings, natural cane furniture, and floating shelving units—this September 1978 design scheme captures a Bovis show home sitting room at Heronswood Park in Kidderminster. Specially styled by Living Magazine, the room features a bold patterned wallpaper in deep brown, scarlet, and cream, providing a dramatic backdrop for soft neutral flooring and trending cane furniture. With a record player station, books on display, and a cosy coffee table tray set for drinks, this look was packed with smart ideas for late '70s living. Do you remember when graphic geometric wallpaper and natural cane furniture became the ultimate style combination? Who recalls setting up wall-mounted shelving units to display vinyl record collections and house plants in the sitting room? | Express & Star archive
22. Sunken baths and moody tile sophistication
Deep dark sanitaryware, tiled bath surrounds, and floor-to-ceiling wooden panelling - this January 1977 showroom photo shows fitted bathrooms stepping into the future. Featured as one of 21 bathroom displays at the new Ward Brothers showroom on Bilston Road, Wolverhampton, this dramatic layout paired a dark inset bathtub with matching vanity basin, mirrored wall cabinets, and vertical room dividers. Showrooms like this offered home improvers a choice of over 600 tile designs to customise their sanctuary. Do you remember when moody dark bathroom suites and tiled bath surrounds were considered the height of home luxury? Who recalls visiting bathroom showrooms in the late seventies to pick out matching tiles and vanity units? | Express & Star archive
23. Knotty pine beams, louvred doors, and dual-zone dining
Knotty pine cladding, bi-fold louvred doors, and ornate flock wallpaper - this October 1975 show house living room is a masterclass in mid '70s open-plan versatility. By using wooden louvred partitions and exposed timber beams to separate the formal dining space from the cosy lounge, the layout offered flexible living without sacrificing style. Complete with fringed velour armchairs, a classic mantelpiece, floor-to-ceiling drapes, and a dark wood display unit, this interior provided seamless room division for entertaining back in the day. Do you remember when folding louvred doors and knotty pine ceiling cladding were the go-to features for dividing up living rooms? Who recalls having a dedicated dining table right next to the main seating area for hosting dinner parties? | Express & Star archive
24. Curved sofas and modular design in mid-seventies living
Textured striped upholstery, a sleek coffee table, and an eye-catching curved sectional sofa - this March 1976 interior photo shows a living area inside a 'Volumetric House' model on view in the West Midlands. Designed to showcase space-saving pre-fabricated building methods, the compact room features an electric storage heater, a small dining nook, a wooden sideboard, and a fringe-trimmed table lamp for a touch of snug warmth. Do you remember when low-slung, curved sectional sofas and textured fabrics became the fashionable choice for open living spaces? Who recalls seeing modular or pre-fabricated demonstration homes like this pops up across the region during the mid '70s? | Express & Star archive