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Wood paneling on the walls, a record player resting on the sideboard, crocheted cushions on the floral couch and a shag rug for the cat to cozy up on on the linoleum floor. Do you feel like you've been transported to the groovy days of the 1970s? 

If you’re looking for a blast from the past today, pandas, we’ve got some beautiful and nostalgic photos down below from the 70s Design and 80s Design subreddits. From furniture that might remind you of your grandparents’ home to advertisements for kitchen carpets, enjoy scrolling through these designs that were all the rage. And be sure to upvote the photos that make you want to embrace some of that retro style today!

#1

Rip Architect Helmut Jahn Who Was Killed In A Bike Accident This Week. Here’s His Spectacular ‘80s United Terminal At Chicago’s O’hare Airport (1988)

Rip Architect Helmut Jahn Who Was Killed In A Bike Accident This Week. Here’s His Spectacular ‘80s United Terminal At Chicago’s O’hare Airport (1988)

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Whether you were alive during the 70s and 80s or not, there’s a pretty good chance that you’re familiar with the decades’ signature styles. Warm patterns full of yellows, oranges, reds and browns, as well as florals and bold wallpapers were trademarks of the 1970s. Meanwhile, the 1980s preferred pastels, Memphis Design, glass blocks and chubby furniture.

And while most of us choose not to decorate our homes exactly like our parents or grandparents did 40-50 years ago, plenty of us want to make sure that the style of those generations doesn’t completely die out either. The 70s Design and 80s Design subreddits are dedicated to preserving the art and overall vibes of those time periods. They share gorgeous photos of these old school designs and allow members to reminisce on those days that are long behind us now.        

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#4

Grace Jones Photographed By Jean-Paul Goude For The Cover Of Her "Nightclubbing" Album - 1981

Grace Jones Photographed By Jean-Paul Goude For The Cover Of Her "Nightclubbing" Album - 1981

butterflypoo69 Report

#6

Peak Mall Culture

Peak Mall Culture

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David
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I kind of miss those dandelion fountains in a mall where I lived when we were in California. As a little boy I thought those were so cool.

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To learn more about the 70s Design subreddit and why it’s important to keep these photos from the past alive, we reached out to the page. New moderator u/David-Ox was kind enough to have a chat with Bored Panda and shared that he’s only recently taken the reins of the community, to prevent it from being closed. 

But despite not being in charge of it for long, David says he appreciates how large the subreddit is. Since its creation in 2015, r/70sdesign has amassed nearly 26k members. “In general we can learn so much from history,” he noted. “And 70s design is no exception. Not to look at things too literally, but a good example is the earthy color tones that were used in the time. Nowadays, we see so much less of that.” 

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#7

Conversation Pit ❤︎

Conversation Pit ❤︎

DreamingHippie Report

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#9

“Merry Mushroom” Kitchen Accessories (Sold By Sears In The 70s)

“Merry Mushroom” Kitchen Accessories (Sold By Sears In The 70s)

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David also shared that, despite being too young to have lived through the 1970s, he misses the “natural look and feel of stuff” from that time period. “I can see its beauty,” he told Bored Panda. “Not just in the items we used everyday but also the people. The look of regular people was more diverse, and they weren't afraid to wear whatever they wanted. I hear that a lot from people who lived through it. Of course, you had fashion, but still people wore what they wanted, and repairing or modifying clothing pieces was not as rare as it is today.”

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#11

My Grandparent's Untouched Bathroom Circa 1974

My Grandparent's Untouched Bathroom Circa 1974

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David
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I believe this exists but so many of these pictures are NOT typical of what I saw living through the 70s. Not our house, not the house of any of my friends.

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#12

‘70s Living Room Perfection

‘70s Living Room Perfection

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“The 70s are known for its hippie culture, and it shows in so many things in their day to day lives,” David continued. “The acceptance of everything and everyone. I hear stories about how people would do more for each other just to be good, not because they had to.”

#13

Underground Residence Of French Architect Étienne Fromanger, Designed In 1972

Underground Residence Of French Architect Étienne Fromanger, Designed In 1972

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#14

I Don’t Think I’ve Ever Seen So Much ‘70s In One Picture Before—

I Don’t Think I’ve Ever Seen So Much ‘70s In One Picture Before—

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We were also curious about how much David embraces 70s style in the way he dresses and decorates his home. “I am a big fan of mid century modern furniture, this is of course more 50-60s, but early 70s design is still very good,” he shared. “I am, however, a bigger fan of the clothes of the 70s. The feel of the outfits really resonates with me.” 

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#17

This Mcdonalds Hasn't Been Renovated Since The 80's/90's

This Mcdonalds Hasn't Been Renovated Since The 80's/90's

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#18

Classic Casio In The 80's

Classic Casio In The 80's

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Tabitha
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These damn things would last FOREVER. I have one I bought in 1979 that is still running.

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“It’s hard or expensive to find good [70s clothing] pieces these days, but sometimes I see people wear original stuff and I just feel happy,” David continued. “It's hard to describe the feel and look and the feeling I get when seeing them. But I think it's a combination between earthy tones and natural colors. I think we are meant to look at those types of colors more than the standard black and white stuff we have nowadays.”

#19

Harvest Gold Kitchen Heaven, 1970s

Harvest Gold Kitchen Heaven, 1970s

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#20

Shaggin' Wagon, Luv Machine, Brown... Whatever The Name, Custom Vans From This Era Are So Striking!

Shaggin' Wagon, Luv Machine, Brown... Whatever The Name, Custom Vans From This Era Are So Striking!

TheVaultIsMine Report

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David
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, this I do remember. Custom paint jobs, those 'moon' windows near the back, The front wheels look a lot like the Cragar mags I had on my Dodge Dart Sport. And there's a pretty good chance there is some shag carpet on the inside of that van.

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#21

Found An ‘89 Honda Vtr250 On My Walk Today

Found An ‘89 Honda Vtr250 On My Walk Today

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David also emphasized the importance of continuing to share photos from the past. "It's all about learning from history,” he noted. “And I feel like we were really close to harmony with clothes and colors back in that time. Some furniture is really over the top with details and that's not my thing, but I can at least learn from it or take certain elements. Because the 70s was the last decade of natural materials and colors.”

#22

Hotel Room Inside The Brickman Hotel Of The Catskills, South Fallsburg, New York, 1970′s

Hotel Room Inside The Brickman Hotel Of The Catskills, South Fallsburg, New York, 1970′s

UglyLikeCaillou Report

Are these photos taking you back to the home you grew up in or your grandparents’ home, pandas? We hope you're enjoying this virtual trip through a time capsule, and please remember to keep upvoting the pics you love the most. Let us know in the comments what your favorite elements of 70s and 80s designs are, and then if you're interested in checking out even more retro designs, look no further than right here!

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#25

Aston Martin Lagonda Interior With It’s Digital Dashboard

Aston Martin Lagonda Interior With It’s Digital Dashboard

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Willem Oosterhof
Community Member
8 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Back in the day it was an electronic nightmare. Extremely expensive to keep on the road.

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#26

A Glitter Gold Starburst Shoe Rack I Found In My Building’s Trash Room ✨

A Glitter Gold Starburst Shoe Rack I Found In My Building’s Trash Room ✨

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#27

70s-Fantastico Trailer House, Oklahoma 🆒

70s-Fantastico Trailer House, Oklahoma 🆒

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#28

The 70s

The 70s

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David
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

memory triggered. Except my Dodge Dart Sport 340 was cooler looking than this one. Blue with a black racing stripe and a hood scoop. Some days I miss that car. Surprising amount of power when you stomped on it. Could totally smoke an intersection. Old me says, "OMG tires are expensive!" but teenager me thought it was cool.

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#29

Peak Taco Bell

Peak Taco Bell

Warsummoner Report

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sturmwesen
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a picture of me with a bowlcut and wooden heartshaped earrings in this color scheme from my first day of school.... the horror

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#31

Christian Dior Prêt À Porter 🚬🫦🍸 Magazine Jours De France, Octobre 1974

Christian Dior Prêt À Porter 🚬🫦🍸 Magazine Jours De France, Octobre 1974

Sedna_ARampage Report

#32

Super ‘70s Den

Super ‘70s Den

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David
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Much of the 70s was pretty cool but a lot of the color schemes were kind of cringe. Though many of the pictures that made it to this thread take it farther than what I typically saw in real life.

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#33

House Built In 1989 And Never Renovated

House Built In 1989 And Never Renovated

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#34

“Welcome To Sunny Monte Carlo” Chevrolet Ad, 1974. Check Out Those Swiveling Bucket Seats!

“Welcome To Sunny Monte Carlo” Chevrolet Ad, 1974. Check Out Those Swiveling Bucket Seats!

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#35

A Rad Postmodern Courtroom On Miami Vice (1986)

A Rad Postmodern Courtroom On Miami Vice (1986)

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#37

From 'The American Standard Design Book' (1976)

From 'The American Standard Design Book' (1976)

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Pixie
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow! There is a lot going on here! And what are those surfboard shaped things? Mirrors?!

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#38

1978 Pet Computer Brochure

1978 Pet Computer Brochure

1970-1980 Report

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David
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Never had a PET but I have memories of an ugly monochrome TRS 80

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#40

Life Is Unfair

Life Is Unfair

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#42

“Better Homes & Gardens Decorating Book” 1969

“Better Homes & Gardens Decorating Book” 1969

External_Technician8 Report

#43

“Colonial” Living Room Furniture From The Sears Catalog, 1975

“Colonial” Living Room Furniture From The Sears Catalog, 1975

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#44

“Better Homes & Gardens Decorating Book” 1969

“Better Homes & Gardens Decorating Book” 1969

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#45

Orthodontist's Office, Dallas, Texas, 1979

Orthodontist's Office, Dallas, Texas, 1979

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#46

Entrance To J.c. Penney Store, Circa 1971 J.c. Penney Co. Photo, From Their Annual Report

Entrance To J.c. Penney Store, Circa 1971 J.c. Penney Co. Photo, From Their Annual Report

AxlCobainVedder Report

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Tabitha
Community Member
8 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh boy, do I remember those pantsuits (like the white one on the middle). They were 100% polyester, and every old lady had several, usually in very loud colors, that she broke out every time she left the house.

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#47

👁️ Biba Cosmetics 🫦 1973

👁️ Biba Cosmetics 🫦 1973

Sedna_ARampage Report

#48

“Better Homes & Gardens Decorating Book” 1969

“Better Homes & Gardens Decorating Book” 1969

External_Technician8 Report

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#49

“Better Homes & Gardens Decorating Book” 1969

“Better Homes & Gardens Decorating Book” 1969

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#50

Columbus Occupational Health Center, Columbus, Indiana (Hardy Holzman Pfeiffer, 1977)

Columbus Occupational Health Center, Columbus, Indiana (Hardy Holzman Pfeiffer, 1977)

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Note: this post originally had 80 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.