Go back to the 70s with dark oak furniture

The 1970s was a period of gaudy patterns, funky geometric shapes and bold, playful colour schemes. Recently, 1970s interior design elements have made a resurgence among the younger generations of homeowners, and seem to be slowly making a definite comeback with earthy tones paired with muted, cool mustards and sunset oranges, as well as soft furnishings and low lighting.

A hallmark of the 1970s design was bringing nature indoors, and the most predominant return we have seen so far is the earth tones and biophilic designs such as leafy plants and mushroom-shaped lamps paired with wooden coffee tables.

Why has 1970s interior design made a sudden comeback?

Home design trends seemingly come and go as time passes. So, it is no surprise that old wood design trends are reentering the home in 2023.

Homeowners are currently craving warmth and comfort in their spaces. As a result, they’re looking to create moodier environments and are drifting away from light wood tones that were popular in the mid-2010s which offer airy, coastal feelings. Home design is leaning away from that aesthetic in favour of rich, elegant, dark tones.

The recent pandemic may be the reason behind this return and offers an explanation as to why many are seeking a need for a relaxed environment, with nothing too hard on the eyes and a place that offers immediate comfort in order to live and work in the same space. The 70s interior design with its warm colour schemes is known for its mentally grounding effect.

Dark oak was a major element of 1970s interior design and one element that is definitely making a comeback. It can feel both nostalgic and classy and when done well, it can have a commanding yet redefined impact on a space.

How do I integrate dark oak furniture into my home design?

Dark woods fell out of style over a decade ago but with its resurgence in interior design people are looking for a modern twist on this old aesthetic.

Whilst sturdy, well-made and inexpensive, dark oak furniture can stick out if not thoughtfully integrated. Here are some great ways to make dark-toned oak furniture pieces feel at home.

Match with other dark tones

One of the simplest ways to incorporate this trend into your home is to choose natural decor pieces in dark oak tones and make the darkness of your wooden pieces into a cohesive style by pairing them with similar tones and colours. 

Think dark oak side tables or dark-toned oak shelving, smaller wood touches are where the details truly pull your design together. Another good way to incorporate a darker element into your room design is to choose chairs and sofas with dark wood accents or swap out handles and frames or other decorative pieces with darker wooden versions.

You can incorporate statement pieces into the room too, imagine dark oak bookshelves, a dark oak coffee table or a rich brown wood stain for your dining table. All of which can help to create a bold and prominent accent piece in your home.

Blending light and dark wood tones

Some are keen to blend together both light and dark wood tones to keep their homes looking modern and updated without having to worry about fully redesigning the entire room. Blending two wood tones together can create a more complex and richer colour palette in your room and can create a unique look.

The key to getting this right is to keep your wood tones balanced. It is important not to go overboard with a dark oak aesthetic and have a consistent blend of the two tones. Dark wood does offer a warm and rich look to any home, but the trick is to figure out how to balance it with light wood and other materials for a more modern look.

Blending dark wood with other materials and textures such as wool blankets or stone decor is a great way to update the dark oak look. Ensure you are incorporating several other natural colours and textures together to help your dark wood tones pop without becoming bland.

Try to avoid matching sets, if you have a dark wood dresser, avoid having a matching set of nightstands. Matching sets can appear to be outdated in your design. Instead, choose a lighter wood or other material to accompany and complement your dark wood furniture.

Create a clean backdrop

Setting dark wood furniture against a beautifully clean, contemporary backdrop is another great way of incorporating dark wood furniture into your home and inviting elements of the 1970s design without redecorating with bright and bold colours.

The richness of dark wood has always been a cross between a  traditional and ultra-modern design. As dark wood tones are particularly dramatic and lend themselves to luxury there is very little you have to do if you pair them with a blank canvas and allow the pieces to speak for themselves.

Team dark oak with vibrant colour schemes

Contrary to the above if you do want to add a pop of colour to your space then a true 1970s interior design is the perfect way to do this. Pairing the luxury of dark oak pieces with some colour to prevent them from looking gloomy and outdated. A jolt of colour creates a deliberate clash of style and tone and will create the perfect 1970s backdrop for your home. Relaxed but colourful and fun is now the way forward for most home designs.

Is Grey out of style for 2023?

With all the talk about dark oak furniture and 1970s interior design, it begs the question is grey now out of style for 2023? 

Collectively, grey furnishings were an aesthetic of their own and we adopted a lighter, airy design around our homes to promote a clean and adaptable design, which most would argue was timeless. We are now seeing warm beiges or muted blues and green hues replacing the grey colour palette, offering you the chance to inject some colour and personality into your home. 

Grey is an easy colour palette to work with and easily update as it is so malleable and adaptable, which makes impressing an entirely different interior design onto what you already have fairly easy to do.

There are many different ways to incorporate the 1970s interior design trends into your home and one of those is with the injection of dark wood furnishings but this isn’t always for everyone. Sometimes a change of paint, a new rug, a new piece of furniture or changing the accents of your existing home design can all help you to update your home by taking it right back in time.