See how this stuck-in-the-70s house was brought into the modern era (2024)

FAQs

How were houses built in the 1970s? ›

Many houses built in the 1970s were split-level with two levels – the bedrooms, the living room, and the kitchen area on the first level, and the bottom level with a den or basem*nt adjacent to the garage.

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.

Over the past 100 years, there have been huge changes in how houses are designed and built, from the introduction of indoor plumbing to luxurious extravagances like stained glass windows. There has also been a huge change in the construction industry as a whole, which has affected housing for everyone.

If you don't feel like you can leave the house, you might assume you're just depressed. While not wanting to leave the house can be a symptom of depression, it's more likely you have another condition called agoraphobia, a fear of open spaces. Although agoraphobia isn't common, it's associated with anxiety.

6 Ideas for Updating a 1970s House

Change your trim — Whether that means replacing it with something new or simply painting over it, choose a brighter stain or color for a modernizing effect. Replace your flooring — Replace any shag carpet or grungy laminate flooring with something fresh and clean, like hardwood.

This Old House debuted on Boston's WGBH-TV on February 20, 1979. Its timing, at the start of a national energy crisis that would soon give way to a recession, made the program ripe for consumption. But the new concept didn't resonate with everybody.

1970s houses were typically built rectangular or L-shaped comprising of three good-sized bedrooms. Few houses built in the early 1970s were insulated, and where insulation was installed it is unlikely to meet modern requirements.

While many different styles emerged during this decade, elements most commonly associated with 1970s interior design include patterned wallpaper with geometric shapes, warm shades like earthy browns and burnt orange, textured fabrics, and organic materials.

Many remember the 1970s as a decade of soaring inflation, political upheaval, and the erosion of United States' prestige worldwide. But the significance of the seventies goes beyond high gas prices, Watergate, and Vietnam - profound changes to American politics, societal norms, and the nation's economy took root.

According to a Zillow study, homeownership was overall more easily accessible in the 1970s compared to today. Homebuyers of the '70s, on average, were buying homes costing 1.7 times their annual income, whereas today's homes tend to cost first-time buyers more than 2.5 times their salary.

How did the house that moved move? ›

Movement of the building

Iron wheels were attached on the corners, and steel rails laid, and jacks were also added to ensure that the top-heavy house could be kept level during the move. The house was turned through 90 degrees to be in the right orientation for the move.

In the United States, a teen can legally leave home when they reach the age of majority, 18 years old in most states. However, there are exceptions: in Alabama and Nebraska, the age of majority is 19, and in Mississippi, it is 21.

In the long run, a segment of people who stay indoors for extended periods of time will show poor overall health and be at risk for chronic disease throughout their lives.

A person with agoraphobia is afraid to leave environments they know or consider to be safe. In severe cases, a person with agoraphobia considers their home to be the only safe environment. They may avoid leaving their home for days, months or even years.

Generally speaking electrical systems that were installed in the 1970's are considered “modern” electrical systems. They consist of circuit breakers (instead of fuses), the systems are grounded with three-prong receptacles and they are safer than older systems that were ungrounded.

Little wonder then why the phrase “hardwood floors” is such a magnet in the real estate market, especially given that the generation of wall-to-wall carpet houses from the 1960s and '70s were built without any finished flooring at all.

Your older home probably did not come with an inventory of all asbestos containing materials, but if the house in which you live was built before 1980, there's a good chance that you'll find asbestos containing materials in the walls, ceiling, roof or floors – or all of the above.

1970's Architecture

The architecture of the 1970s was characterized by a return to a more functional, stripped-down aesthetic, following the excesses of the previous decade's Googie and Pop styles. The focus shifted to simplicity, minimalism, and a more human-centered approach.