Timeless Or Just A Trend? The 1970s Furniture Style Designers Still Love

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Over the last decade, interiors have been taking a page straight out of the 1970s design playbook by utilizing one of the era's most popular home trends: low-profile furniture. Armless sofas, legless couches, and platform beds  all share that grounded, close-to-the-ground look. But trends are meant to come and go, and as other early-2020s staples such as white kitchens, subways tiles, and white oak are quietly on their way out, will low-slung furniture follow? The answer is both yes and no. 

Low-to-the-ground pieces will continue to be mainstream, but certain iterations, such as floor couches, are on their way out. Think of the TikTok-famous designs such as the Togo couch or the revival of the Mario Bellini Camaleonda Sofa, both of which hit peak popularity during the pandemic. While floor lounging is quietly exiting the scene, squat furniture continues to take over big box stores and designer vision boards, and that's because the design still resonates with how we want our homes to feel and not just look. 

"Low-slung furniture has gained significant popularity in recent years due to its ability to create a relaxed and inviting atmosphere," Alex Bridgman, CEO of furniture brand Bridgman, tells Ideal Home when discussing 2026 living room trends. "By being closer to the ground, these sofas exude a sense of comfort and informality that complements modern lifestyles. They are perfect for open-plan spaces, offering a seamless look while fostering connection and conversation." Because of this, adding a squat coffee table or a low-back sectional is a simple change that will make your home more inviting. Here is how to further incorporate it into your home.

One of the must-haves for updating your living room in a '70s design is low-profile furniture such as squat, wall-to-wall cabinets, shin-grazing benches, low-profile lounge couches, or knee-high consoles. The trick, however, is to mix these pieces with taller ones, creating variety and pattern. When you have this push-and-pull of height contrasts in a room, "the heights of multiple long low pieces align, and it creates this beautiful calm dialogue of shared planes," interior designer Hans Lorei tells LivingEtc. "As a result, the room feels spacious, and it becomes very inviting."

However, if you choose a low-profile couch, you have to give extra thought to your coffee table. Knowing how to pick the perfect coffee table is key, and in this case, lower is better. "Coffee tables that are too high can throw off the entire proportion of a room. The coffee table should always relate to the sofa height," interior designer Monique Gibson told Architectural Digest. Specifically, the table should either be level with the seat or one to four inches lower. This will ensure your furniture is proportional to each other, creating flow and harmony.