The Outdated Living Room Trend That's Making A Comeback

Some groovy styles are making a comeback from past eras in interior design. From the mellow to psychedelic influences of the 70s, there are a range of elements you could include in your home from this beloved era to bring a nostalgic yet luxurious vibe to your space. The once-popular 70s trend that is making a comeback you might want to consider is the conversation pit. These recessed, sunken areas provided a cozy and intimate space where friends and family could hang out, talk, and feel cocooned from the rest of the house. The separation between other daily activities and a conversation pit creates a little more of a respite that is missing from modern living in family rooms filled with electronics and other distractions. Whether you're familiar with sunken living rooms or not, it seems they may be appearing on the design scene in some home layouts as a nod to the "laid back" way of life that focuses on interacting versus tuning each other out.

The most notable design element of the conversation pit is that it is placed lower within the home, requiring a few steps down into the area. This is what creates that cocoon-like vibe, shielding this portion of a room so it feels more removed from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the house. There's plenty of space for furniture and decor, allowing for both entertainment and comfort. Along with velvet and shag rugs, this home decor idea to bring back the 70s can also work in homes that don't have recessed areas with a few tricks.

Elements of '70s home interior design are making a comeback in many ways, and adding or creating a conversation pit adds dimension to a home's floor plan. The key to incorporating these sunken spaces is to update them to a more modern style. You can do this by using various upholstery textures and materials, which provide layers that elevate your "pit." Using a lot of soft, cozy elements makes this area a coveted spot to hang out, so don't be afraid to bring in oversized cushions, sumptuous chairs, and masses of throw pillows.

If you don't have the sunken level to create your own conversation pit but still want the enclosed, intimate vibe of one, you can fake it with furniture placement, color palette variations, and built-in or multi-leveled furnishings and decor. Place two couches so they are in a vignette position facing toward each other. This creates the conversation pit vibe without the need for a lower floor section. Use furnishings that are also lower to the ground or "sunken" for a cozier result. Paint the walls in your room with darker, moodier shades for a more intimate aesthetic, as dark colors create a more cocoon-like ambiance. Lastly, use surrounding pieces to make a higher level, incorporating high stools at your island if your kitchen borders the living room, for example. Tie in rugs and textures to differentiate between this area and others, labeling it as the cozy place to be. Try adding bench seating if there is room for a more "enclosed" finish.