40 Groovy 70s Style Modern Houses With Retro Charm

By Shervin MarleyExterior Design

Take a look at the coolest 70s-style modern houses everyone keeps posting about, nostalgic flair and all.

The 70s gave us disco balls, bell bottoms, and lava lamps. Houses, though? That’s where the era really showed off.

Funky geometric lines meeting sleek, clean design. That combination is still groovy decades later.

Below are my fresh takes on 70s-style exteriors, complete with the kind of retro swagger Bowie would have approved of.

Warm Earth-Toned Color Palette

Warm Earth-Toned Color PaletteSave

Warm browns, muted greens, and soft yellows carry the whole look. Ochre and rust shades slide right in too.

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Because these shades echo soil, moss, and bark, the house settles into its natural surroundings instead of fighting them. The result feels cozy and easy to walk up to.

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An earthy palette reads relaxed and unhurried, which is exactly the groovy 70s mood you want on a facade.

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Retro without looking dated, the exterior keeps an authentic charm that holds up year after year.

Sleek Flat Roof With Wide Eaves

Sleek Flat Roof With Wide EavesSave

A flat roofline pulls the whole house straight out of 1975, low and sharp against the sky.

Two Story Flat Roof, Wide Eaves

Two Story Flat Roof, Wide EavesSave

Grab the floor plans here.

Stretch the roofline past the walls and the wide eaves start casting long shadows across the facade. That shifting shade changes the look of the house from morning to evening.

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Rain runs off well past the windows, so the overhang works as hard as it looks good.

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On a sun-splashed patio, that deep overhang is the best seat in the house.

Big Floor-to-Ceiling Windows

Big Floor-to-Ceiling WindowsSave

Huge glass panes pour daylight into every room, and indoor plants like fiddle leaf figs or hanging pothos soak it up.

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The line between indoors and the yard just disappears, which makes squirrel-watching a full-time hobby.

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Neighbors also get a clear view of your avocado-green shag carpet, which is half the fun.

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Walls start to feel optional once the glass gives you a front-row seat to the whole street.

Bold Geometric Wood Paneling

Bold Geometric Wood PanelingSave

Lines and angles playing off each other is wood paneling at its most confident.

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Arrange the panels in chevrons, diamonds, or offset stripes and the facade instantly gains character.

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Cedar or redwood slats in those funky patterns deliver the flavor the 70s were known for.

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Pure architectural swagger.

Mixed Stone and Brick Facade

Mixed Stone and Brick FacadeSave

Stone and brick set side by side read like a playful mosaic across the front of the house.

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That mix builds real texture, so the exterior gains depth and a bit of whimsy instead of one flat surface.

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Pairing rough stone with warm red brick was a 70s favorite, and it still looks current today.

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Every stone and brick brings its own color and grain to the wall.

Bright Vibrant Front Door

Bright Vibrant Front DoorSave

One burst of color on the door is enough to send the whole entry back to 1974.

👉 Take a look at these houses with yellow front doors.

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Vibrant red, mustard yellow, or electric blue all work on a front door. Gloss paint makes the color read even louder.

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Against earthy tones and neutral siding, that door becomes the focal point you see from the curb.

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This splash of bold color offers a fun and inviting vibe to any modern 70s style home.

Flower Beds With Stacked Stone

Flower Beds With Stacked StoneSave

Perfect for adding a splash of texture, these create visual interest at every angle.

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They harmonize beautifully with other natural materials, like wood and stone.

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These beds don’t just sit there; they command attention.

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And hey, if plants could talk, they’d say, “Thanks for the fancy digs!”

Fencing With Vertical Slats

Fencing With Vertical SlatsSave

The perfect backdrop for your neighbor’s envy, these fences scream sophistication.

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They give a clean, linear look that complements the geometric marvel of your home.

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Plus, they’re just the right side of mysterious—blocking visibility while letting light filter through.

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Whether in wood or metal, they ensure your yard stays stylish and private.

Poured Cement Planter Boxes

Poured Cement Planter BoxesSave

Cement planter boxes are the quintessential retro touch, offering both durability and style.

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They perfectly complement the geometric lines of a 70s house exterior.

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Plant some funky ferns or bright blooms for that extra pop of nostalgia.

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Bonus: they double as low-maintenance garden solutions!

Retro Outdoor Lighting Ideas

Retro Outdoor Lighting IdeasSave

Brighten up the night with funky lanterns and galaxy globe lights.

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Vintage sconces with a touch of 70s flair can transform the mood.

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Think groovy patterns and colors that pop.

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Light up your life, the retro way.

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