Remember those laid-back summer days when everyone gathered in the backyard for good vibes and groovy times?
The 1970s brought us some unforgettable outdoor hangout trends that combined comfort, bright colors, and natural elements.
By following these budget-friendly steps, you can transform your ordinary backyard into a far-out retreat that captures that nostalgic ’70s essence without emptying your wallet.
1. Start with Macramé Plant Hangers
Nothing screams ’70s more than handcrafted macramé! You can easily learn this knotting technique through free online tutorials.
Thrift stores often have vintage cord perfect for this project. Once you’ve mastered the basics, hang your creations filled with spider plants or philodendrons for that authentic bohemian touch.
2. Hunt for Rattan and Wicker Furniture
Scoring secondhand treasures is half the fun! Check Facebook Marketplace, garage sales, and thrift shops for peacock chairs, papasan seats, or wicker love seats.
A quick clean and fresh coat of spray paint can revive worn pieces. Don’t worry about matching sets—the ’70s embraced eclectic combinations that somehow worked perfectly together.
3. Lay Down Shag Outdoor Rugs
Imagine wiggling your toes through shaggy textures while lounging outdoors! Modern outdoor rugs with high pile are surprisingly affordable at discount home stores.
Choose earthy tones like burnt orange, avocado green, or harvest gold. For extra authenticity, look for geometric patterns or abstract designs that channel that funky ’70s energy.
4. Create a Sunken Conversation Pit
While digging out your yard might be excessive, you can fake this iconic ’70s feature! Arrange low-profile furniture in a circle and add large floor cushions in vibrant patterns.
The key is creating that intimate, below-level feel. Stack wooden pallets around the perimeter and cover with fabric for a budget-friendly version of this quintessential ’70s architectural element.
5. Install Ambient String Lights
Soft lighting creates that mellow mood essential for any groovy gathering! String lights have thankfully remained affordable and widely available.
Weave them through trees or hang in zigzag patterns across your space. For extra ’70s flair, add colored bulbs or find fixtures with beaded or fringed details that cast fascinating shadow patterns.
6. Build a DIY Fire Pit
Gathering around flames for deep conversations was peak ’70s social life! Using reclaimed bricks or concrete blocks, you can create a simple fire pit for under $50.
Surround it with floor pillows or tree stumps for seating. When evening falls, this will become the natural focal point for sharing stories and maybe even roasting some marshmallows, just like they did back then.
7. Add Beaded Curtains and Room Dividers
Ready for some tactile fun? Beaded curtains weren’t just for indoor spaces in the ’70s! Hang these shimmering dividers between trees or on your porch to section off areas.
You can make your own using wooden beads from craft stores or repurpose old necklaces. The pleasant clicking sound they make in the breeze adds another sensory dimension to your groovy outdoor oasis.
8. Incorporate Lava Lamps and Mood Lighting
Far out, man! Battery-operated or solar-powered mood lamps bring psychedelic vibes to your outdoor space. Look for weather-resistant options or bring traditional lava lamps out only during gatherings.
Colored light bulbs in clamp lamps create instant atmosphere. Place uplights behind large plants for dramatic shadows that transform your yard into a magical wonderland after sunset.
9. Set Up a Vinyl Listening Station
What’s a ’70s hangout without the tunes? Thrift stores are goldmines for affordable record players and vinyl albums from this era.
Create a protected nook for your setup—perhaps under a covered porch. Add milk crates for record storage and display album covers as wall art. Just remember to bring electronics inside when not in use!
10. Craft Tie-Dye Throw Pillows and Blankets
Grab some white pillowcases and inexpensive fabric dye for a fun weekend project! Swirling patterns in sunset hues will instantly transport everyone back to the Summer of Love vibes.
No sewing skills? No problem! Use fabric glue to create envelope-style pillow covers. Scatter your creations across seating areas for bursts of psychedelic color that perfectly capture that free-spirited decade.
11. Plant a Fern Garden Corner
Houseplants weren’t just indoors during the plant-crazy ’70s! Create a dedicated corner with ferns, spider plants, and other low-maintenance greenery.
Group them in various heights using stands made from cinder blocks and wood planks. The lush textures add that jungle-like feel that was so popular in homes during this decade, bringing the same aesthetic outdoors.
12. Hang Vintage-Inspired Tapestries
A quick trip to a discount store can score you affordable wall hangings with those classic ’70s motifs—think sunbursts, peace signs, or nature themes.
Stretch them between trees or hang from your fence for instant color and privacy. Weather-resistant fabrics work best, but you can also spray regular tapestries with protective coating to help them withstand occasional outdoor use.
13. Create a DIY Terrarium Bar
Everyone went wild for terrariums in the ’70s! Set up a station with glass containers, small plants, colored sand, and tiny figurines.
This makes for a groovy activity during gatherings. Guests can create their own mini plant worlds to take home as souvenirs. Bonus points if you include those tiny plastic dinosaurs that were inexplicably popular in ’70s terrariums!
14. Install an Outdoor Record Album Wall
Got some scratched vinyl that’s unplayable? Transform those colorful discs into outdoor art! Mount records on a fence or shed wall in an artistic arrangement.
The sun catching their grooves creates mesmerizing reflections. Look for albums with those quintessential ’70s covers featuring bold graphics. Clear sealant helps protect them from the elements while preserving their retro charm.
15. Set Up a Fondue Station
What could be more ’70s than gathering around bubbling cheese or chocolate? Snag a fondue pot from a thrift store and place it on a stable outdoor table.
For safety, use sterno cans rather than open flames. Prepare simple dippables like bread cubes, fruit, and vegetables. This interactive eating experience perfectly captures the communal spirit of ’70s entertaining while keeping the mess outside!