70s Style House Exterior

: Retro charm meets modern updates

70s house exteriors are making a comeback. Here's what you need to know:

Key features: Big windows, visible garages, flat/low-pitched roofs, wood paneling
Popular colors: Earth tones (avocado green, harvest gold) and bold hues (tangerine, electric blue)
Common styles: Split-level, ranch, modern, post and beam
Materials: Wood, stone, brick, glass, metal
Standout elements: Sharp angles, indoor-outdoor blending, geometric shapes

Updating a 70s exterior:

Paint in fresh colors
Replace old windows
Update lighting fixtures
Modernize landscaping
Mix in contemporary materials

70s style is influencing new builds with warm colors, wood/concrete combos, and bold geometry. Preservationists are working to save iconic 70s designs as they gain historic status.

Feature	70s Original	Modern Update
Windows	Large, single-pane	Energy-efficient
Colors	Avocado, harvest gold	Earth tones, bold accents
Materials	Wood paneling, brick	Mixed textures, metal accents
Landscaping	Overgrown	Clean lines, simple plants
Lighting	Bulky fixtures	Sleek, modern designs

The 70s exterior look offers a unique blend of retro charm and renovation potential for today's homeowners.

Main Features of 70s House Exteriors

The 70s brought a bold, new look to home exteriors. Let's dive into what made these houses stand out.

Key Design Elements

70s homes were all about making a statement. Think big windows, visible garages, and funky shapes. Split-level and ranch-style houses were everywhere.

What else? Flat or low-pitched roofs gave these homes a sleek, horizontal look. And wood paneling? It was EVERYWHERE - walls, trim, you name it.

Brick and stone were also big players. Sometimes, they'd mix them up in eye-catching patterns. And those windows? Floor-to-ceiling was the way to go, letting in tons of natural light.

Colors and Materials

The 70s weren't shy about color. Early on, it was all about warm, earthy tones:

Harvest gold
Avocado green
Rustic browns
Sunny oranges

Later, things got even bolder:

Tangerine
Electric blue
Fuchsia
Lime green

Materials? They kept it natural. Wood, brick, and stone often stayed as-is or got painted in these wild colors. Glass and metal added a modern touch.

Design Movement Influences

The 70s saw a mix of design styles:

New Classical: Bringing back the old-school look
Proto-Postmodernism: Mixing old and new
Vernacular Architecture: Using local building styles

These styles pushed back against the plain look of mid-century modern. They wanted more personality in home design.

"Sunken living rooms were an absolute must-have in the 1970s. As the name suggests, these rectangular or circular spaces — also called conversation pits — were built a few feet below floor level and were often carpeted." - Sarah Kuta, Writer and Editor

This indoor trend often showed up on the outside too. Big windows or glass doors would show off these cool spaces from the street.

The 70s also cared about the environment. This meant using natural materials and earth-tone colors. Many homes had big decks and patios to connect with nature.

Core Parts of 70s House Exteriors

Let's dive into what made 70s house exteriors pop:

Roof Types

70s homes rocked low-pitched or flat roofs. But the real star? The mansard roof. Picture this: two slopes on all sides, with the lower one steeper than the upper. Throw in some dormer windows, and you've got a 70s classic.

Metal roofing was hot too. It wasn't just practical - it screamed "modern". And guess what? It's making a comeback. Why? It can boost your home's value and give it a fresh face.

Window Styles

70s windows were all about bringing the outside in. Think:

Picture windows: No opening, just views for days.
Sliding windows: Light, light, and more light.
Bay windows: Three sections of room-expanding goodness.

And let's not forget floor-to-ceiling windows. They were perfect for showing off those cool sunken living rooms.

Exterior Wall Materials

Wood paneling wasn't just for inside - it made its way out too. Other go-to materials:

Brick
Stone
Glass
Metal

These often stayed au naturel or got a splash of bold 70s color.

Front Door Designs

In the 70s, front doors weren't just doors - they were statements. We're talking:

Oversized
Bright colors
Decorative glass panels

Outdoor Spaces

70s homes blurred the lines between in and out. Key features:

Big decks
Roomy patios
Sliding glass doors leading to outdoor areas

These weren't afterthoughts - they were part of the whole package.

Common 70s Exterior House Styles

The 1970s brought a mix of house styles that shaped American neighborhoods. Here's a look at the most popular ones:

Split-Level Houses

Split-levels were a 70s hit. They maximized space on smaller lots and gave families more room to spread out.

Key features:

Staggered floor levels
Separate living areas
Often built on sloped lots

These homes usually included a rec room - perfect for family fun or teen hangouts.

Ranch Houses

Ranch homes dominated the 70s scene. They were all about easy, one-floor living.

What made them stand out:

Long, low profiles
Open floor plans
Big windows to bring the outdoors in

"Ranch-style houses evolved in the 70s to embrace mid-century features like vaulted ceilings in the family room, tongue and groove wood-clad ceilings, and expansive windows."

Modern Designs

The 70s saw modern home designs take off. These houses broke the mold of traditional styles.

Standout features:

Clean lines
Geometric shapes
Lots of glass

Inside, you'd find cathedral ceilings, floor-to-ceiling fireplaces, open tread staircases, and sunken living rooms.

Post and Beam Houses

Post and beam homes focused on open spaces and blending indoor and outdoor living.

What set them apart:

Light materials
Interior glass
Slopes and peaks in design
Often asymmetrical looks

"These homes were very light in terms of the material used, with a lot of interior glass and that famous wood paneling." - Jennifer Baptista, licensed real estate agent

Each style had its own flair, but all aimed to blend form and function in new ways, shaping the look of 70s neighborhoods.

Building Materials in 70s Exteriors

The 70s mixed old and new in house exteriors. Here's what made the decade's look:

Wood and Stone

Wood and stone gave homes a natural vibe:

Wood siding was popular but needed lots of care
Stone veneer caught on in the 40s and was big by the 70s

"Stone doesn't rot and stands up to rain. It makes homes feel solid and lasting."

Brick and Concrete

Brick and concrete did double duty for style and function:

Brick cost a lot but lasted forever
Concrete showed up in foundations and as decoration

Glass and Metal

The 70s got creative with glass and metal:

Big windows let in light and blurred indoor-outdoor lines
Aluminum siding was hot from the 40s to 70s
Vinyl siding showed up in the 60s and quickly took over

Material	Good	Bad
Wood	Looks natural	Needs lots of work
Stone	Tough, classic	Pricey
Brick	Lasts forever	Costs a lot
Aluminum	Light, insulates	Can get dented
Vinyl	Cheap, easy to put up	Might hurt home value

Want a 70s look that's easier to keep up? Try fiber cement or engineered wood siding. They look the part but need less work.

Color Choices for 70s House Exteriors

The 70s brought a mix of earthy and bold colors to house exteriors. Here's what defined the era:

Natural Colors

Early 70s favored earth tones:

Harvest gold
Avocado green
Rustic brown
Beige

These colors matched the growing focus on nature, sparked by the first Earth Day in 1970.

Bright Colors

Later 70s saw bolder shades:

Tangerine orange
Electric blue
Lime green
Fuchsia

These bright colors popped up on doors, shutters, and trim.

Color Combinations

70s houses often mixed colors in striking ways:

Main Color	Accent Color
Avocado	Harvest Gold
Terracotta	Sage Green
Mustard	Ruby Red
Cream	Emerald

"The 1970s was a time of cultural revolution, and this spirit of liberation and self-expression was reflected in the vibrant, daring color choices of the era." - Edward George, Author

Want a 70s look today? Try this:

1. Pick a warm neutral for walls (cream or beige)

2. Add wood tones (rich brown or orange-tinted)

3. Use bold colors for accents (doors, window frames)

Standout 70s Exterior Features

The 70s brought some wild looks to house exteriors. Here's what made them pop:

Big Windows and Glass Doors

Houses in the 70s went BIG on glass. We're talking:

Huge windows letting in tons of light
Glass doors that made you feel like you were outside
Some even had windows from floor to ceiling

Sliding glass doors were everywhere, making it easy to step onto the patio.

Garages Front and Center

Garages stopped hiding in the 70s:

They became part of the main house
You couldn't miss them from the street
Some even had fancy doors or windows

It was all about showing off those cars.

Sharp Angles

70s homes were all about the geometry:

Lots of pointy corners and straight lines
Roofs that looked like they were designed by a kid with a ruler
Windows and walls in triangle shapes

It gave houses this cool, space-age vibe.

Blending Inside and Outside

The 70s loved mixing indoor and outdoor spaces:

Feature	What it did
Patios	Made your living room feel bigger
Sunrooms	Brought the outdoors inside
Atriums	Like having a garden in your house

These areas often had big planters, built-in seats, and natural stuff like stone or wood.

Keeping and Updating 70s House Exteriors

Keeping Old Style with New Needs

Want to update your 70s house without losing its cool vibe? Here's how:

Keep the good stuff. Those brick fireplaces and wood panels? Clean 'em up and give 'em a fresh coat of paint.

Open it up. Knock down some walls (the non-load-bearing ones, of course) for that modern, open feel.

Let there be light. Bigger windows or new skylights can brighten up your space in a snap.

Improving Energy Use

70s homes weren't exactly energy-efficient. Let's fix that:

Upgrade	Benefit
New windows	Keep the drafts out and the heat in
Better insulation	Lower your energy bills
Smart thermostats	Control your home's temp from your phone

These changes? They'll make your home comfier AND cheaper to run.

Fixing Common 70s House Problems

70s houses often come with a few... quirks. Here's what to watch for:

1. Outdated wiring

Old electrical systems can be risky. Get an electrician to check it out.

2. Plumbing problems

Those 50-year-old pipes might be on their last legs. Replace 'em to avoid leaks.

3. Roof troubles

Many 70s roofs need some TLC. A roof restoration company can help.

4. Ugly exteriors

Want to give your house a facelift? Try these:

Paint the outside in modern colors
Swap old lights for sleek, black-framed ones
Spruce up the yard with new plants and walkways

"There are hundreds of ways to improve a facade over and above a paint job and landscaping; you just have to work out which ones to employ for your home." - Opinder Liddar, Architect

Using 70s Style in New House Exteriors

Mixing 70s charm with modern design is all about balance. Here's how to do it:

Paint it smart. Pick a modern color palette - soft neutrals with bold accents or a two-tone scheme. It's a fresh take on 70s style.

Let the sun shine. Swap old windows for bigger, energy-efficient ones. It's 70s light love meets today's tech.

Update the details. Replace bulky carriage lights with sleek, black-framed fixtures. Easy modernization without losing the retro vibe.

The 70s are back in 2024, but with a twist:

70s Element	Modern Update
Wood paneling	Stained to match existing finishes
Floral patterns	Used sparingly on furniture or accents
Shag carpets	Limited to neutral area rugs

Jean Liu, Principal Designer at Jean Liu Design in Dallas, Texas, says:

"Want to hop on the '70s design train? Include one or a few elements. Don't dive in headfirst."

When updating your 70s house exterior:

Check your home's condition first.
Think big: Remove the carport, add a gable structure.
Small tweaks, big impact: Use uniform window treatments across the front.
Natural touch: Try limewash on painted stone features.

70s House Styles in Different Areas

The 70s saw house designs vary based on location. Let's dive in.

Beach Area 70s Styles

Coastal homes in the 70s? Think laid-back vibes:

Big windows for ocean views
Tough materials for salty air and wind
Open layouts for sea breezes

Take a house in Mollymook Beach, NSW, Australia. They updated it to fit in:

Used local woods like spotted gum and blackbutt
Added big openings for light and air
Kept the mid-century look, but with modern touches

City vs. Suburb 70s Houses

Urban and suburban homes? Night and day:

City Houses	Suburban Houses
Compact	Spacious
Multi-story	Often single-story
Tiny/no yards	Big yards
Vertical focus	Horizontal spread

In Lexington, MA, The Architects' Collaborative (TAC) built modern suburbs with:

Flat or sloped roofs
Huge windows
Shared open spaces

Not your typical cookie-cutter suburbs.

Foreign Influences on 70s Houses

Global styles spiced things up:

Japanese minimalism: Clean and open
Mediterranean: Warm colors, outdoor living
Scandinavian: Simple forms, light woods

Sherrill Smith's London home? A global mix:

Japanese-inspired lighting
California's chill vibe
70s classics like shag carpets

"I wanted to bring in nature with wood. We added warmth with peach, rust and pink tones. Fresh, not girly." - Sherrill Smith, Talent Agent

The 70s? A time to experiment with house design. Each area put its spin on the decade's style.

70s Houses in Neighborhoods

The 1970s reshaped suburban landscapes. Here's how these houses influenced neighborhoods and why people are working to preserve their designs.

70s Houses and Suburb Look

The 70s brought big changes to suburbs:

Economic issues slowed new construction
Homes got bigger
New ownership models emerged

Split-Level homes became the stars. They fit sloped land well and gave families more space.

Split-Level Home Features	Benefits
Multiple levels (usually 3)	More living space
Staggered floor plans	Follows natural land slope
Short flights of stairs	Separates living areas

These homes added variety to suburbs, breaking away from cookie-cutter designs.

But it wasn't just about looks. The 70s introduced:

Condominiums
Master-planned communities

These new models let people own their units and share common spaces, changing neighbor interactions.

Saving 70s House Designs

There's growing interest in preserving 70s architecture. Why? It's part of our history.

Efforts to save these designs include:

1. Renovation projects

The Dahlke Manor in Portland, built in 1971, is getting a facelift:

Updating amenities
Keeping its historic look
Adding community spaces

2. Preservation groups

Docomomo US is leading the charge to help people appreciate 70s architecture.

3. Changing views

"The 1970s architecture is currently in what is referred to as the 'ugly valley' of taste, indicating a potential resurgence in interest and value over time."

This shift suggests more people might start to see the value in these designs.

70s houses didn't just provide shelter. They shaped suburban landscapes. Now, as these homes age, there's a push to keep their unique designs around for future generations.

Conclusion

The 70s house exterior style isn't just a blast from the past - it's shaping modern design. Even though some might call it "ugly", these homes are making a comeback.

Here's why 70s exteriors are still cool:

They're easy to update
They've got standout features (think big windows and funky shapes)
They're hitting the big 5-0, making them historically important

Check out how people are giving 70s houses a facelift:

Old School	New School
Huge windows	Kept for lots of light
Breeze blocks	Now decorative eye-candy
Dated colors	Swapped for earthy tones
Energy hogs	Upgraded to save power

Designers are bringing the 70s back in new builds:

Using warm, earthy colors
Mixing wood and concrete
Adding bold geometric patterns

"Architecture from the 1970s is officially historic!" - Peter Meijer, Architect

This recognition is sparking preservation efforts. Groups like Docomomo US are working to make people appreciate 70s architecture more.

Looking ahead, 70s house exteriors offer a mix of nostalgia and potential. By updating these homes with modern perks and energy-saving features, while keeping their unique style, the 70s continue to inspire today's architecture.

FAQs

How to update the exterior of a 70's house?

Want to give your 70's house a facelift? Here's how:

1. Lighting

Swap old fixtures for modern ones. It's an easy change that makes a big impact.

2. Landscaping

Go for clean lines and simple plants. Add stone paths for a modern touch.

3. Materials

Mix in steel, glass, or concrete. Use these for railings, gates, or fences to blend old and new.

4. Color

Pick a fresh palette. Try two-tone or bold dark colors to make your house pop.

5. Windows

Replace old windows with energy-efficient ones. They'll look better AND save you money.

Update	Old Look	New Look
Lighting	Big, outdated	Sleek, modern
Landscaping	Messy, overgrown	Neat, geometric
Materials	Wood, brick	Steel, glass, concrete
Color	Faded, dated	Fresh, bold
Windows	Inefficient	Energy-saving, stylish

"NOW is the time for planning, not 'doing'. Spend the years before re-roofing looking at color combos, window trim sizes, brick staining, etc. Good planning now will result in a great new look...and you will only have to 'do it' once." - Chiflipper

Want to keep some old-school charm? Use reclaimed stone or try limewash paint on old stone columns.

"One of the most requested objectives of clients who are looking to redesign their 1970s houses is to improve the exterior appearance of the property and enhance its kerb appeal." - Opinder Liddar, architect

Focus on these areas, and you'll turn your 70's house into a modern stunner that still nods to its roots.