15 Things That Were Always In The Bathroom In The ’70s (And Still Might Be)

Growing up in the ’70s was like living inside a groovy design catalog—especially when it came to bathrooms.

Ours were wild technicolor time capsules, bursting with personality and, let’s be honest, a few questionable hygiene choices. I still vividly recall my grandma’s powder blue toilet, perfectly matched with her sink and tub—a dreamy pastel trio that could make today’s sleek, white-on-white bathrooms feel downright sterile.

And let’s not forget the shaggy toilet lid covers, avocado-green soap dispensers, and a seemingly endless supply of floral air fresheners. The bathroom wasn’t just a pit stop; it was a full-blown sensory experience.

From fuzzy seat covers to pink tile mosaics, it was excess, expression, and eccentricity all rolled into one. Ready to dive in? Let’s revisit the quirkiest bathroom relics still haunting water closets today.

1. Fuzzy Toilet Seat Covers

Nothing screams ’70s bathroom luxury like the fuzzy toilet seat cover—that plush fabric throne-topper that made every bathroom feel like a cozy (if slightly unsanitary) kingdom. My aunt Marge had a hot pink one that perfectly matched her flamingo-themed bathroom decor.

These fuzzy wonders were everywhere, promising warmth during those chilly midnight bathroom trips. Of course, no one mentioned how they became disgusting germ magnets after about three days of use. The matching rug that hugged the toilet base? Just as questionable!

Surprisingly, these fuzzy relics haven’t completely vanished. Walk into certain homes today (particularly those belonging to folks who haven’t redecorated since Carter was president), and you might spot these shag-covered seats still proudly in service.

2. Avocado Green Everything

Bathroom shopping in the ’70s apparently offered exactly one color choice: avocado green. I remember visiting my cousin’s new house in 1976 and being absolutely mesmerized by the coordinated avocado green toilet, sink, tub, and even the wall tiles—it was like bathing inside a giant guacamole bowl.

This distinctive shade wasn’t just a color choice; it was practically a personality trait. “We’re avocado green people,” my aunt would proudly declare, as if it revealed something profound about their character (perhaps it did).

What’s truly remarkable is how many of these green fixtures have survived. They’re built like tanks compared to today’s porcelain. Some homeowners have embraced the retro vibe, while others are just waiting for their budget to catch up with their design sensibilities.

3. Bar Soap in Seashell-Shaped Dishes

Before liquid soap revolutionized hand-washing, those pearly bars of Ivory or Dial held court in virtually every ’70s bathroom. The real star, though, was the elaborate soap dish—often a seashell or some abstract ceramic creation that Mom picked up at a craft fair.

My grandmother’s prized possession was a hand-painted porcelain clam shell soap dish she bought in Florida. It was strictly for “guests only,” while the family used the sad, perpetually slimy plastic soap holder suction-cupped to the shower wall.

These decorative dishes weren’t just functional; they were conversation pieces! And despite the convenience of pump dispensers, many folks still prefer the satisfying feel of a solid soap bar sliding between their fingers, leaving those familiar gooey rings on whatever fancy vessel holds it between uses.

4. Wall-to-Wall Shag Carpeting

Whoever decided that bathrooms—rooms specifically designed to handle water—should be carpeted deserves a special place in interior design hell. Yet there it was in my childhood home: plush, orange shag carpeting surrounding the toilet like a fuzzy sentinel, absorbing… well, everything.

The ’70s bathroom carpet wasn’t just floor covering; it was an experience. Stepping out of the shower onto that warm, squishy surface felt luxurious, even if we were blissfully ignorant about what was actually growing in those fibers.

Some brave souls still maintain carpeted bathrooms today, though they’re increasingly rare. Modern homeowners have mostly embraced the radical notion that surfaces regularly exposed to moisture and, ahem, “splashes” should perhaps be easily cleanable. Revolutionary thinking, I know!

5. Space Heater Death Traps

Before bathroom renovations included luxuries like heated floors, we had the terrifying space heater—that metal box of potential electrocution that sat perilously close to the tub. My dad’s bathroom ritual included kicking it on with his toe (never touch it with wet hands!) before stepping into the shower.

These contraptions would glow orange-hot within seconds, effectively turning the bathroom into a sauna while simultaneously presenting a thrilling will-I-survive-this-shower adventure. The cord always seemed just a bit too frayed for comfort.

Modern safety standards have largely relegated these particular death traps to the dustbin of history, though you might still spot one in older homes. Today’s versions come with tip-over protection and waterproof plugs—innovations that would have saved my mother countless moments of panic when she heard the heater thunk over onto the tile.

6. Magazine Racks Full of Reader’s Digest

Long before smartphones became our bathroom companions, the ’70s toilet-side entertainment system consisted of a wicker magazine rack stuffed with dog-eared Reader’s Digests. Our family bathroom featured a bamboo stand perpetually overflowing with issues dating back to the Nixon administration.

These collections weren’t curated—they just accumulated. The bottom magazines fossilized in place, while newer issues rotated through the top layer. “Humor in Uniform” and “Drama in Real Life” sections showed the most wear, evidence of countless extended bathroom sessions.

Surprisingly, bathroom reading materials haven’t disappeared entirely in the digital age. Many households still maintain the tradition with more current publications. There’s something charmingly analog about flipping through a physical magazine while nature takes its course, rather than scrolling through social media on a germ-covered phone.

7. Air Freshener Spray Cans

Before Febreze and automatic spritzers, we had those pressurized cans of chemical warfare labeled as “air fresheners.” My mother kept a can of Glade Spring Floral perched on the back of every toilet—the universal signal for “please mask your contribution to bathroom odors.”

These sprays didn’t actually eliminate smells; they just added a layer of artificial pine or floral scent on top. The resulting fragrance cocktail was often worse than the original offense! And the noise—that distinctive psssssht sound that announced to everyone within earshot exactly what you’d been doing.

Modern bathrooms might feature more sophisticated odor-fighting technology, but many households still rely on the trusty aerosol can. It’s bathroom etiquette that transcends generations: leave the space smelling like chemicals rather than nature, because somehow that’s better.

8. Shell-Shaped Guest Soaps (Never to Be Used)

The ultimate bathroom power move of the ’70s was displaying those pristine, shell-shaped guest soaps that no one—not even guests—was actually permitted to use. My mother’s collection sat in a crystal dish, gathering dust for years while we all used the pump soap hidden under the sink.

These decorative soaps came in pastel colors and smelled vaguely of old lady perfume. The unspoken rule was clear: admire, but never disturb. Heaven help the unsuspecting visitor who actually tried to wash their hands with one! I once witnessed my mom quietly replacing a slightly-used decorative soap after company left.

Surprisingly, these useless yet oddly charming bathroom accessories still exist today. Modern versions might feature trendy essential oil scents or artisanal ingredients, but they serve the same puzzling purpose—bathroom decor that actively discourages cleanliness.

9. Cup Holders with Dixie Cups

Remember those plastic or metal cup dispensers mounted to the bathroom wall? Ours was harvest gold with a stack of tiny paper Dixie cups that seemed designed specifically to dissolve the moment they touched water. One swish of mouthwash and you’d have paper mâché between your fingers!

These disposable drinking vessels served multiple bathroom purposes beyond rinsing after brushing. They became impromptu water cups during illness, emergency receptacles for loose teeth, and tiny hats for action figures during bath time.

While less common today, these wall-mounted dispensers haven’t completely vanished. Some families maintain the tradition, though modern versions might hold sturdier plastic cups. There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about that distinctive sound of pulling a fresh cup from the bottom of the stack—a small, satisfying ritual from a simpler bathroom era.

10. Vinyl Shower Curtains with Magnifying Panels

The ’70s bathroom innovation nobody asked for: shower curtains with built-in magnifying panels at face level. Our family’s featured tropical fish that appeared to swim right at you—an unsettling experience when you’re naked and vulnerable with shampoo in your eyes.

These vinyl wonders came in wildly ambitious designs. My aunt’s bathroom showcased a full forest scene, complete with distorted deer that looked possessed when viewed through the magnifying panel. The bottom always developed that mysterious pink mildew no amount of scrubbing could remove.

While cloth shower curtains have largely taken over in modern bathrooms, vinyl versions haven’t disappeared entirely. Today’s options might skip the magnifying panels (thankfully), but they still come in eye-searing patterns and colors that would make any ’70s decorator proud. Some things never change—like the way these curtains inevitably cling to your legs during every shower.

11. Pink Foam Hair Rollers in a Drawer

The bathroom drawer archaeological dig in any ’70s home would inevitably unearth a tangled nest of pink foam hair rollers. My mother’s collection looked like a colony of spongy caterpillars that had mated with bobby pins and reproduced enthusiastically.

These styling tools were essential for creating those signature voluminous hairstyles that defied both gravity and weather. Women would sleep uncomfortably on these torture devices, plastic bits digging into their scalps, all in pursuit of the perfect flip or curl. The bathroom counter would be dusted with a fine layer of Aqua Net hairspray residue—the final step in cementing these architectural hair achievements.

While hot tools have largely replaced these foam cylinders, don’t be surprised to find them lurking in bathroom drawers today. They’ve achieved almost heirloom status, passed down through generations like peculiar family treasures.

12. Wood-Paneled Anything

The ’70s decorating philosophy seemed to be: “When in doubt, add wood paneling.” Bathrooms weren’t spared this treatment. My grandparents’ powder room featured dark wood paneling that made their tiny half-bath feel like a coffin with plumbing.

These wood-look surfaces appeared everywhere—walls, cabinets, even toilet tank covers. Most weren’t actual wood but rather some mysterious laminate or vinyl designed to approximate the forest experience while withstanding humidity. The darkness these panels created necessitated extremely bright lighting, usually in the form of exposed-bulb vanity strips that highlighted every facial imperfection.

While modern bathrooms trend toward brightness and airiness, wood elements haven’t disappeared completely. Today’s versions tend to be actual wood with better finishes, used as tasteful accents rather than floor-to-ceiling coverage. The oppressive wooden cave bathroom has, thankfully, largely been renovated out of existence.

13. Crocheted Toilet Paper Covers

Nothing said “this household values modesty” quite like hiding spare toilet paper rolls under crocheted doll skirts. My grandmother’s bathroom featured a particularly unsettling version—a wide-eyed doll in a purple dress whose skirt concealed the emergency roll like a southern belle hiding contraband.

These yarn creations came in various designs beyond the doll format. Some resembled tea cozies, while others were crafted to look like animals or flowers. All served the puzzling purpose of drawing more attention to the toilet paper than if it had just been left alone on the tank.

While less common today, these crafty covers haven’t completely vanished. They’ve become ironic vintage collectibles for some and genuine bathroom decor for others. Crafting websites still offer patterns for those looking to continue this peculiar tradition of disguising perfectly normal bathroom items as something vaguely embarrassing.

14. Glass Bottles of Colored Bath Salts

Decorative glass containers of brightly colored bath salts lined many a ’70s tub edge, despite rarely being used for actual bathing. In our house, they were strictly for show—crystal decanters filled with blue, green, and pink granules that remained untouched for years.

These bathroom status symbols usually came in matching sets with coordinating bubble bath and dusting powder. The colors were unnaturally vibrant, promising bathers they’d emerge from the tub looking like they’d bathed in Kool-Aid. My mother’s prized collection came from Avon—delivered by the neighborhood Avon lady who visited monthly.

Modern bathrooms might display similar decorative bath products, though today’s versions tout essential oils and organic ingredients rather than artificial colors and synthetic fragrances. The tradition continues: beautiful bathroom products purchased primarily for display, used only on the rarest of special occasions.

15. The Mysterious Bidet No One Used

The ultimate ’70s bathroom status symbol wasn’t the jacuzzi tub—it was the bidet that nobody actually understood how to use. My wealthy uncle installed one during a bathroom renovation, creating years of awkward family conversations and confused houseguests.

These European fixtures appeared in upscale American bathrooms as symbols of sophistication, despite most owners having only a vague notion of their purpose. They became expensive towel holders or, in my cousin’s case, a place to wash muddy feet after playing outside. The controls were always a mystery—which knob did what remained an unsolved puzzle.

Ironically, while many ’70s bidets were removed during later renovations, modern bathrooms are embracing updated versions. Today’s bidet attachments and smart toilets have made this once-puzzling fixture more accessible and understandable, fulfilling the hygienic promise that those vintage standalone models never quite delivered.