The 1970s were a vibrant, experimental time for both film and home design. From earthy palettes and open layouts to space-age minimalism and bohemian flair, many movie homes of the era captured the decade’s shifting style. But more than just sets, these spaces sparked real-world inspiration. Their architecture, decor, and mood continue to echo in today’s interiors—from coastal retreats to urban lofts. Whether through floor-to-ceiling windows or mid-century furnishings, these homes helped shape how we live and dream.

1. A Clockwork Orange (1971)

Stanley Kubrick’s dystopian classic features ultra-modern interiors, particularly in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander. With retro-futuristic furniture, stark white walls, and bold orange accents, the space embodied cutting-edge ’70s design. Its use of open-plan living and avant-garde shapes continues to inspire modern minimalist interiors with bold palettes and clean lines.

2. Grey Gardens (1975)

The Beale mansion in East Hampton, while in disrepair, radiated eccentric charm. Its faded grandeur, cluttered elegance, and layered textiles became a blueprint for the “shabby chic” aesthetic. This documentary unintentionally birthed a design movement—embracing imperfection, mixing antique with eclectic, and valuing personality over polish.

3. Suspiria (1977)

Dario Argento’s horror masterpiece is as much about visual tension as it is about terror. The ballet academy’s interiors are drenched in saturated reds, eerie blues, and moody lighting, paired with stained glass, curvilinear staircases, and ornamental molding. This surreal, theatrical design captures the Art Nouveau revival of the ’70s and has influenced today’s maximalist interiors—where rich color blocking, statement walls, and historic embellishments meet modern drama. It’s horror as high design.

4. Diamonds Are Forever (1971)

Featured in a James Bond film, this Palm Springs masterpiece by John Lautner embodies organic architecture. Circular spaces, built-in rock formations, and a concrete canopy blur the line between indoors and nature. Its influence lives on in today’s desert-modern homes and nature-integrated layouts.

5. Godfather (1972)

The Corleone family estate is a masterclass in old-world elegance. Rich wood paneling, ornate lighting, and stately furniture define the home’s formal atmosphere. This aesthetic continues to inspire homeowners who want to bring timeless sophistication, symmetry, and classic drama into their spaces.

6. Play Misty for Me (1971)

Clint Eastwood’s character lives in a minimalist California home perched above the coast, flooded with natural light. With glass walls and open space, it’s a perfect example of modernist design. Its focus on simplicity and ocean views mirrors current trends in coastal and passive home design.

7. The Brady Bunch House (1975)

Though technically a TV home, the Brady house remains iconic. Its split-level layout, wood-paneled walls, sunken living room, and avocado kitchen became staples of American suburban design. Many of these retro elements are being reimagined today in nostalgic renovations and mid-century revival projects.

8. The Shining (1980)

Jack Torrance’s suite and the hotel’s lobbies reflect bold late-’70s interior trends: geometric carpets, saturated hues, and dramatic lighting. These elements now appear in boutique hotels and homes embracing maximalism and pattern-forward design—proof that even horror can inspire high style.

9. Nights in Rodanthe (1978)

This charming, stilted beach house with wraparound porches and driftwood tones draws directly from 1970s seaside architecture. Pastel walls, wood paneling, and airy interiors recall vintage summer homes, while its relaxed styling has inspired modern beach houses that favor soft palettes, natural textures, and unfussy elegance.

10. The Lake House (1976)

Floating above the lake on stilts, this almost entirely glass home reflects the modernist transparency championed in ’70s design. Its walls of windows and clean geometry blur the boundaries between nature and structure. Today, this aesthetic lives on in glass-wrapped architecture focused on light, reflection, and harmonious minimalism.