Back in the groovy 70s, there were numerous items and gadgets that were household must-haves. Fashion was taken seriously and moving away from existing trends wasn’t the done thing. From a modern perspective, we can’t even begin to imagine having to use a rotary phone or a manual can opener. Have we become lazy, or have we simply embraced new technology? The jury’s out on that one. Let’s look back at some of the 70s household staples.
VHS Video Recorder
There was a time when DVDs and Blu-Ray seemed modern, but streaming devices have seen the end to all of these old-school gadgets. 70s households enjoyed watching their favorite movies by inserting a bulky VHS cassette into a clunky machine; a concept that seems ancient by today’s standards.
Green Appliances
If you cast your mind back to the 70s, you might remember that kitchens were always decked out in avocado green appliances. From refrigerators to ovens, this trendy, chic color was a must-have to remain on top of fashion. Today’s preferences lean towards stainless steel, white, or black for a more modern, sleek look, but avocado green is making a comeback.
Coffee Percolator
Once upon a time, before coffee shops existed, households were forced to percolate their coffee. It’s a terrifying concept, made worse by the bitter taste, lack of frothing, and limited versatility. The concept of repeatedly boiling coffee grounds is a stretch too far.
Slide Projector
Nowadays, we snap a photo on our smartphones and text it over to friends and family. 70s households shared photos with low-tech slide projectors that were cumbersome to load and didn’t offer any photo quality. There were no bunny-ear filters back then, but they were still celebrated by households.
Typewriter
Before computers were readily available, 70s households created documents by hitting keys on a bulky typewriter. Mistakes couldn’t be erased until Wite-Out became a thing and if you did mess up, you had to start again. they were painful on the fingertips and required a sufficient amount of energy to draft. Imagine writing an essay on one of those.
Pressure Cooker
If you’re old enough to remember, you’ll appreciate the passion that 70s households had for their beloved pressure cooker. They’d come out before mealtimes, simmering at the surface with pressure that looked fit to explode. They were hard to use and lacked any of the modern settings that we take for granted.
Rotary Phone
The thought of having to use a corded phone with no voicemail, contact list, or hold button is otherworldly by today’s standards. Back in the day, they were as embedded in fashion as Twiggy’s eyelashes. A life without texting and no opting out of plans; it sounds horrific. Even so, they are deemed as collectibles nowadays.
Carpet Sweepers
It may be hard to believe, but before the days of vacuums, households were forced to sweep their carpets with a manual machine. They required physical effort, and they weren’t even particularly effective at cleaning up debris. The only saving grace was the lack of the noise that modern machines have, but that was about it.
Tupperware
Back in the 70s, Tupperware was the biggest thing since the invention of electricity. Whether it was making jelly, storing leftovers, or throwing a Tupperware party, every household had to have Tupperware in their life. We’re shifting away from plastics now, so we won’t be seeing a resurfacing of that any time soon.
Can Openers
Before the days of easy-peel cans, households had to use manual can openers to gain access to their favorite tinned foods. They were clunky, dangerous, difficult to attach, and often stopped working midway round for no good reason. Thank the Heavens for electric tin openers and pull-tab cans.
Harvest Gold
If 70s households didn’t have a splitting of avocado green in their home, there’s every chance they would have harvest gold. This popular combination of orange and yellow was featured in the vast majority of homes to offer a feeling of warmth and homeliness. We’ve moved onto more neutral colors these days, and we’re not a fan of clashing colors.
Shag Carpeting
Shag carpets were all the rage in 70s homes for their deep pile and soft feel underfoot. Although they were cozy, shag carpeting was notoriously hard to clean and maintain, and certainly not the most hygienic of materials. Modern busy households would turn their nose up at the prospect of such grand carpet efforts.
Macramé Wall Hangings
These intricate, handmade pieces were a staple of 70s décor and you needed them to stay on trend. While macramé has made a slight comeback in modern boho-chic decor, the elaborate, large-scale wall hangings of the 70s feel a bit over-the-top and garish by today’s minimalist standards.
Sunken Living Rooms
While they still feature in modern décor designs, sunken living rooms were the craze of the free-living 70s as they created a distinct social area within the home. Those that had them were envied by those that didn’t. We’re all about open-plan living nowadays though they’re brilliantly retro in certain environments.
Wood Paneling
Many 70s homes were lined with dark wood paneling to create a cozy, cabin-like feel. It’s common nowadays to even stumble upon wooden panels that have remained in place. There’s every chance we’d rip it out as it often feels oppressive and outdated in modern areas.
Electric Fondue Sets
Fondue parties were a popular social activity and a firm favorite for social events. requiring these specialized appliances. We still see fondue sets in modern settings, particularly in France where households and restaurants love their cheese fondue. The equipment has been largely replaced, however, in favor of more versatile cooking gadgets.
Patterned Linoleum Floors
Linoleum flooring with bold and bright patterns was a common choice for kitchens and bathrooms in the 70s. Current flooring trends favor durable, visually appealing options like hardwood or tile which offer more style versatility and much easier maintenance. Modern households are all about less work.
Bean Bag Chairs
These casual seating options have made a huge comeback in recent years and while we love them for lounging, they couldn’t replace our comfy sofas and armchairs. Back in the day, they were standard seating arrangements in a variety of psychedelic patterns. Not too ergonomic though.
Electric Knife
This handy gadget was commonly used for carving meats and slicing bread with ease. It was deemed a forward-thinking product at the time, but modern families prefer the control of a good manual knife over the bulky electric version.
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