Will Conversation Pits Make A Real Comeback— Or Are We Just Talking?

It feels like every few months, another article pops up claiming the conversation pit is back. Social media buzzes, design blogs run with it, and suddenly the sunken living room is having its moment—again. But is it real? Are we genuinely seeing a resurgence of this 1970s design feature, or is it just architectural nostalgia cycling through the internet?

Let’s Continue The Conversation 

In many ways, the renewed interest in conversation pits tracks alongside a much broader cultural shift. We’ve moved from peak mid-century modern obsession — Eames chairs and Eichler homes —into a new wave of design curiosity.  And right now, that curiosity is evolving into its next chapter: the 1970s.

By the mid-to-late ’70s, the influence of the conversation pit had filtered down —at least in spirit, from architect-designed homes into mainstream, suburban developments. And while true conversation pits remained relatively rare, their more accessible cousin began to appear — the sunken living room.

So what’s the actual difference between the two?

A brief comparison helps clear up the confusion.

What’s the Difference?

Conversation Pit:

•Fully recessed area, often square or circular

•Built-in seating (usually fixed and upholstered)

•Designed to promote intimate, face-to-face interaction

•Often included a fire pit or bold architectural centerpiece

Sunken Living Room:

•Slightly lowered floor within the main living area

•Standard, movable furniture

•Layout often oriented toward a TV or fireplace

•Emphasized open-plan living, not enclosure

What Went Wrong?

As stylish as conversation pits were,  the trend didn’t last long. The simple truth?  People tripped into them — literally. When friendly neighbors stopped in for cocktails and conversation and left with a twisted ankle and a mild concussion, the evening ended on a sour note no one saw coming. Yikes. One that no gift basket could possibly repair.

By the early 80s, most builders were phasing them out, and by the 90s, any remaining pits were often filled in or covered—deemed outdated, unsafe, inconvenient, or simply incompatible with the faux Tuscan-style that took over the late 90’s and early 2000s.

But fast forward to 2025, and something interesting is happening.

A Shift in Tastes —And Floor Plans

We’ve collectively grown tired of cookie-cutter homes—the endless parade of red brick and white brick variations, where the floor plans feel identical and every living room reads like a builder’s template. That design fatigue led people toward MCM architecture, and now the culture is shifting again. —into the funkier, more experimental space of 70s residential design. And with that shift comes the question: could the conversation pit return?

Short answer: probably not. Conversation pits aren’t returning to spec homes and mass market developments anytime soon. Custom homes? Maybe. But the more likely story is this: buyers who discover original 70s homes with preserved pits may finally choose to keep them, rather than cover them up. They’ll see them not as dated oddities but as a unique architectural asset.

That’s the real shift—not a design comeback built from the ground up, but a mindset change. A new appreciation for what was already there.

From Sectionals to Sunken Spaces

For a generation that grew up with oversized sectionals, media rooms, and home theater seating, the conversation pit is both nostalgic and radically different. It recalls a time when home entertaining meant sitting around and talking—not sitting in elevated rows facing a giant flat screen.

And while today’s lifestyle doesn’t fully mirror the social patterns of the 70s, the idea of creating a casual space where people can lounge together—with or without a television —isn’t far from what people actually want in their living experience. It’s a more flexible alternative to the media room, with a bit more style and a lot more attitude.

Boutique Pits

Oddly enough, many of the conversation pits we see today  aren’t in homes at all. They’re in pop-up shops, boutique retail spaces, fashion events, and curated lounges—places where the pit functions as a visual statement. These pits are sleek, sculptural, and camera-ready. Within that context, the conversation pit has become part of a larger retro-inspired design language

Meet The Pits: An Original Power Couple

The most iconic layouts of conversation pits featured a fire pit at its center.

Versions of this dynamic duo captivated suburban homes owners, in the late ’60s and throughout the ’70s, as residential floor plans began echoing contemporary design trends. It was a modern bold look—one that made its way into real neighborhoods, not just in design magazines. A look that paired two of the era’s most iconic superstars.

A Pit Stop: Destination Tulsa

And here’s a bit of design trivia that might surprise you: while the most famous conversation pit is often associated with Eero Saarinen’s iconic Miller House—the earliest noted residential example is actually credited to architect Bruce Goff—in Tulsa, Oklahoma. After uncovering this piece of architectural history, I’m eager to dig deeper into his design legacy —and share more of his work in an upcoming feature.

To Pit Or Not To Pit, That Is The Question

So will the conversation pit make a real comeback? Unfortunately, not in mainstream residential design. It’ll never have the momentum of modern farmhouse style nor will it become this decade’s version of shiplap.

But for those of us here at Modern Paper Houses, who are drawn to homes with character, unexpected design, and a bit of theater, it never really left.