If you grew up in the ’70s, these 30 things will hit home

If You Grew Up in the ’70s, These 30 Things Will Hit Home

Everyone thinks they know what the 1970s were like, but unless you lived it, it’s hard to appreciate the vibe fully.

From bold design choices to analog everything, here are the sights, sounds, and quirks that defined growing up in the ’70s.

Shag Carpet Everywhere

Thick, plush shag carpet was a staple of ’70s homes, especially in bold colors like orange, green, and brown. Cozy? Yes. Easy to clean? Not so much.

Macramé Décor

Knotted wall hangings, plant holders, and room dividers were everywhere. Handmade macramé became one of the decade’s signature DIY design trends.

8-Track Players

Before cassettes took over, 8-track tapes were common, especially in cars. They were bulky and sometimes awkward, but they made music portable.

Big, Heavy Cars

Cars in the ’70s were generally larger and heavier than today’s models. However, they weren’t necessarily safer—modern vehicles are far more advanced in crash protection.

Waterbeds

A true ’70s phenomenon. Waterbeds were trendy but required maintenance, and yes, leaks were a real concern.

Bold Appliance Colors

Forget stainless steel—kitchens featured avocado green, harvest gold, and burnt orange appliances. It was a look.

Buying Vinyl Records

Music meant heading to a record store, flipping through albums, and taking home a vinyl you could physically hold and display.

Sesame Street Arrives

Premiering in 1969, it became a defining part of childhood in the ’70s, blending education with entertainment in a way that felt new.

Tie-Dye Fashion

Tie-dye exploded in popularity, especially as part of broader counterculture fashion. Bright, swirling colors were everywhere.

Lead Was Still a Concern

Leaded gasoline wasn’t fully phased out in the U.S. until the mid-1980s, and older homes still contained lead-based paint (banned for residential use in 1978). Awareness grew during this era.

Early Atari Games

Arcade games like Pong (1970s) helped kick off video gaming. Home consoles were just beginning to enter households late in the decade.

Mood Rings

These color-changing rings reacted to temperature, not emotions, but that didn’t stop them from being wildly popular.

Jaws and the Shark Fear

After its release, beachgoers everywhere suddenly felt a little more nervous about the ocean.

Y.M.C.A.

Catchy, campy, and unforgettable—the kind of song everyone knew the moves to.

The Hustle

Disco culture brought dance crazes like the Hustle into living rooms, parties, and clubs.

Rock Music Dominance

Bands like Led Zeppelin and Electric Light Orchestra were huge cultural forces.

Early Saturday Night Live

Debuting in 1975, it introduced iconic comedians and became a major pop culture fixture.

Disco Fever

Sequins, dance floors, and four-on-the-floor beats defined the late ’70s before disco’s popularity declined at the end of the decade.

Tube Socks

Pulled high and often striped—especially in gym class.

The Hair

Feathered styles like those made famous by Farrah Fawcett were everywhere.

Star Wars Changes Everything

The original film revolutionized special effects and became a massive cultural phenomenon almost overnight.

Roller Rinks and Disco Nights

Roller skating, especially roller disco, was hugely popular as both a social activity and entertainment.

Tupperware Parties

Home sales parties were a major way people bought kitchen products, turning shopping into a social event.

Tiger Beat

Openverse

Filled with posters and celebrity gossip, it was a must-have for many teens.

TV Signing Off at Night

Many channels ended their broadcasts overnight, often with a test pattern or national anthem before going dark.

Rotary Phones

Dialing a number took time and patience. No speed dial here.

Pen Pals

Before email and texting, staying in touch often meant writing letters and waiting days (or weeks) for a reply.

Seeing Movies in Theaters (or Waiting)

Home video didn’t really take off until the late ’70s and early ’80s. If you missed a movie, you might have to wait a long time to see it again.

No Phones in Your Pocket

Moments stayed private—because there wasn’t a camera in every hand.

The Pet Rock Craze

A literal rock sold as a pet became a short-lived but wildly successful fad in 1975.

Related:

Ask us! What questions do you have about content, strategy, pop culture, lifestyle, wellness, history or more? We may use your question in an upcoming article! 

Ask us a question

Like MediaFeed’s content?Be sure to follow us. 

This article originally appeared on Resource Buzz and was syndicated byMediaFeed.co.