I’m Kayla, and my home is a little time capsule. Not a museum. I sit on this stuff. I spill coffee. My kid builds block towers on the tables. The dog naps on the rug. So, yeah—I really use it.
You know what? 70s furniture is bold and a bit weird, in the best way. It’s low, curvy, shiny, and sometimes very heavy. I love it. I also roll my eyes at it. Both can be true.
For a broader hit of nostalgia—and to see some of the era's wildest designs—swing by Super70s and fall down the rabbit hole.
If you’re shopping for era-inspired presents, peek at my list of gifts for boomers I actually gave and they still use—it’s saved more than one holiday panic.
Let me show you the pieces I use, what I adore, and what makes me sigh.
The Low Green Potato: My Togo Loveseat
Last spring, I bought a moss green Ligne Roset Togo loveseat from an estate sale. 1977, the tag says. It looks like a giant pillow. A fancy potato, really.
Design nerd side note: the ergonomic pedigree of this piece is fascinating—see how Michel Ducaroy engineered the original Togo loveseat to cradle the body without internal frames.
- Comfort: A+ for movie nights. Your hips sink in. Your shoulders relax. It hugs you.
- Seat height: very low. My mom hates getting up from it. My kid thinks it’s a fort.
- Fabric care: I spot clean with Folex and a damp microfiber cloth. It works on little spills. Big messes? I use my small Bissell. Slow and gentle.
- Foam: after a year, the seat shows a soft dip. Not bad. But I can feel it.
What bugs me: It slides on my wood floor. Felt pads helped a little. A thin rug pad under the whole piece worked better. Not cute, but it stays put.
Tip: If you’re tall, test the seat depth. It’s deep. Great for lounging, rough for upright work.
Stretching out on it felt even more authentic after I spent seven days dressed in 70s male attire—wide collars, flare legs, the whole shebang.
The G Plan Fresco Teak Sideboard (1972): My Workhorse
I found a 72-inch G Plan Fresco sideboard from the early 70s. Teak veneer, sweet grain, and smooth handles. It holds our records, board games, and way too many candles.
If you want to see the archetype that inspired mine—complete with sculptural handles and that “floating” base—take a peek at this classic G Plan Fresco sideboard profile.
- The look: warm, rich, a little glow in late light. Teak has that honey tone.
- Storage: deep drawers and smooth doors. The hardware still feels tight.
- Repairs: the back corner veneer chipped. I used Howard Restor-A-Finish (walnut). Soft cloth, small strokes. It blended well.
What bugs me: water rings. Use coasters. Also, it’s heavy. The back panel is thin fiberboard, so don’t push on it when moving. Lift from the base. I braced a wobbly leg with a small L-bracket inside. Hidden. Solid now.
Tiny digression: old wood has a smell. Not bad—just old house. I wipe the inside with a 1:3 vinegar and water mix. Then I let it air out. Fresh enough.
Chrome and Glass Coffee Table: Shiny, But High-Maintenance
My “Milo Baughman-style” chrome and glass table came from Craigslist. Fifty bucks. The chrome frame is strong. The glass top sits on clear suction discs.
- The good: it opens up the room. It feels light. Board games slide easy.
- The bad: fingerprints, always. I keep a Weiman glass wipe in the drawer. Two minutes, done.
- Chrome pitting: tiny dots showed up around month three. It happens with age. I buff light spots with a dry microfiber, then a pea-size bit of metal polish. Don’t scrub hard.
Safety note: If you have toddlers, the corners are not friendly. I added clear corner guards. Ugly? A bit. But safe.
That mirror-like finish also echoes the flash of accessories I tested while trying out 70s jewelry trends; sometimes the table and my bangles competed to see which could blind me first.
The Rattan Shelf and Cane Chair: Beach Vibes in the Living Room
I have a tall rattan shelf and one cane lounge chair. Both from a yard sale. Ten bucks for the chair, and it squeaked like birds.
- The good: light, airy, breezy look. Plants love it.
- The bad: cane dries out and can crack. A small humidifier near it helped a lot through winter. I also pat the cane with a damp cloth every few weeks, just to keep it from getting brittle.
- Cat note: my cat thinks rattan is a scratching post. I wrapped sisal around the bottom rungs, so she picks that instead. It’s not perfect, but the chair lives on.
Joinery check: watch for “racking,” which means the frame twists side to side. I fixed mine with two small corner braces under the seat.
Throw in a kaftan or the high-waisted trunks I debuted during my weekend wearing 70s beachwear, and the whole room turns into a vintage surf shack.
The Mushroom Lamp That Makes Nights Feel Like Honey
I own a 70s Guzzini-style mushroom lamp with a big acrylic shade. It gives off warm, golden light. On fall nights, it feels like a hug.
- Bulb: I use a soft 2700K LED so the shade doesn’t heat up.
- Yellowing: the white acrylic aged to a creamy tone. I like it. If you don’t, you won’t.
- Switch: the click is loud. Tiny thing, but it matters when kids are asleep.
The Shag Rug: Big Style, Big Work
A rust-and-cream shag from a local vintage shop sits under the coffee table. It’s 5×8 and thicker than my wrist.
- Cozy level: unreal. Toes sink. Dogs nap. Kids roll around.
- Cleaning: not easy. My Dyson hates it. I use a carpet rake first, then vacuum with the brush off. For spills, Folex again. Works fast.
Allergies? If you sneeze easy, shag can be rough. I beat mine outside once a month. The neighbors stare. I wave.
Burl Wood End Table: Fancy But Fussy
I found a little Italian burl side table. Glossy surface. Wild grain, like clouds and rivers.
- Look: stunning. People always touch it.
- Reality: the lacquer chips if you drag planters. Coasters are a must. I rub micro-scratches with a polishing compound and a foam pad. Slow circles. It won’t fix deep dings, but it softens the look.
How 70s Furniture Feels Day to Day
- Low and loungey. You sit back. You relax. Not great for desk work.
- Surfaces are either super shiny or very warm. Sometimes both in one room.
- Patina is real. Scratches happen. Chrome pits. Wood darkens. I’ve learned to live with it. It adds story.
But here’s the thing: some days I want simple. A plain boxy sofa. Then I look at the curve of the chair, the glow of the lamp, and I smile. It’s fun. And it still works.
Quick Pros and Cons From My Home
Pros:
- Cozy, lounge-forward comfort
- Warm wood and playful shapes
- Real craftsmanship in many pieces
- Great light at night with acrylic lamps
Cons:
- Low seat height can be rough for knees
- Chrome shows prints and pits
- Veneer chips; lacquer scratches
- Shag rugs are a chore to clean
Buying Tips I Wish I Knew Sooner
- Sit and shift. Feel for foam sag and seat “hammock.”
- Check edges. Veneer corners and chrome corners take hits first.
- Smell it. Smoke and mildew hide in drawers and cane.
- Test doors and drawers. They should glide, not grind.
- Bring felt pads, blankets, and two ratchet straps. Old pieces hate sloppy moves.
- Ask about replacements. New foam, new straps, new glides—it all helps.
Vintage-hunting has even nudged me beyond my own neighborhood. A spur-of-the-moment train ride up to Lille revealed flea stalls packed with chrome tube chairs and teak credenzas, plus a nightlife that still channels discotheque energy. If you’d like to pair a weekend treasure hunt with an equally spontaneous companion, check