These quirky household staples will have today’s digital natives raising their eyebrows.
Back in the day, homes were filled with all sorts of oddities that made perfect sense at the time. Boomers and Gen Xers didn’t think twice about avocado-colored appliances or giant TVs that looked like credenzas. These things were more than décor—they were part of daily life. And for the generations who lived through it, the memories are often filled with nostalgia and a healthy dose of secondhand embarrassment.
If you’re under 40, some of these items will sound like something out of a time capsule—or a retro museum. But for Boomers and Gen Xers, they were just… normal. This list isn’t just a walk down memory lane; it’s a peek into a world where “wireless” meant your dog, not your phone, and the only Alexa in the house was your cousin’s middle name.
1. Every Home Had an Avocado Green or Harvest Gold Kitchen
If your childhood kitchen didn’t look like a scene from a guacamole fever dream, you probably weren’t alive in the ’60s or ’70s. Avocado green and harvest gold weren’t just popular—they were everywhere, Medgina Saint-Elien reported at House Beautiful. Refrigerators, ovens, blenders, and even Tupperware proudly wore these hues like badges of honor. The trend was so dominant it felt like kitchens were competing in a mustard-and-avocado competition.
Wallpaper matched the appliances, and sometimes the linoleum floors did too. And while these colors might send interior designers into a panic today, they were once the epitome of stylish modern living. It’s hard to believe people willingly surrounded themselves with these bold, earthy tones—but back then, it felt cozy and fashionable.
2. Shag Carpets That Were Basically a Forest Floor
Shag carpets weren’t just floor coverings—they were an immersive experience. These thick, plush beasts came in every imaginable color, from sunshine yellow to deep forest green. Walking barefoot across one felt like wading through a field of soft weeds, as mentioned by writers in The Kitchen Garden. But good luck finding a dropped earring or rescuing a LEGO from the fibers.
Vacuuming shag required either superhero strength or sheer desperation. Forget about quick cleaning—these rugs swallowed dirt like a black hole. And while they were meant to add warmth and luxury, they were mostly a magnet for dust, pet hair, and forgotten snacks. Still, many families swore they were cozy… as long as you didn’t look too closely.
3. Televisions That Were More Furniture Than Tech
Before flat screens and wall mounts, televisions were massive beasts encased in glossy wood cabinetry, as described by the authors at Britannica. These entertainment centers were part tech, part furniture, and part altar. Often topped with doilies, ceramic figurines, or framed graduation photos, the TV wasn’t just for watching—it was a place of reverence.
Changing the channel required actual effort. There were no remotes—just a clicky dial that sometimes got stuck between channels, giving you fuzzy ghost images. And don’t even mention the rabbit ears. Getting those positioned just right was a science experiment, often involving tinfoil and strategic human sacrifice (usually the youngest sibling had to hold them in place).
4. A Corded Phone Mounted on the Wall (With a 20-Foot Cord)
You weren’t cool unless your home had a rotary or push-button wall phone with a cord long enough to stretch from the kitchen to the living room—and sometimes around the corner into the hallway. Privacy meant curling into a corner, dragging the coiled cord like a leash, and whispering your secrets while everyone else tried to ignore you.
The cord inevitably got twisted into a tangled, unusable mess that required a full rotation ritual to unwind. And if you wanted to make a call, good luck getting through without someone yelling, “Hurry up, I need the phone!” Add in the glacial pace of rotary dialing, and it’s a miracle anyone communicated at all.
5. Wood Paneling That Made Every Room Feel Like a Cabin
If your house didn’t have at least one room covered in fake wood paneling, were your parents even trying? These sheets of dark, grooved plastic or fiberboard gave homes a “rustic” look—think cozy hunting lodge or moody basement bar. It was less about beauty and more about being on trend.
Paneling made every room feel slightly smaller and considerably darker, but no one seemed to mind. In fact, families often doubled down with matching wood furniture and dim lighting. Over time, people grew tired of the cave-like aesthetic, but removing or painting over paneling was seen as both a sin and a massive chore.
6. A Massive Stereo System That Took Up Half the Living Room
In the ‘70s and ‘80s, having a stereo system wasn’t just about listening to music—it was a lifestyle choice. These setups were often massive, with multi-tiered components stacked high: receivers, equalizers, tape decks, turntables, and sometimes even reel-to-reel players. Add in a few five-foot speakers, and suddenly your living room looked like a DJ booth.
Tuning the stereo felt like prepping for launch. Every knob and switch had a purpose (even if no one remembered what it did), and the flashing lights were part of the appeal. It wasn’t user-friendly by any means, but once it was set up, blasting your favorite album was a sacred weekend ritual.
7. Ashtrays in Every Room (Even If You Didn’t Smoke)
Back when smoking was socially acceptable—and practically mandatory—every house had ashtrays in every room. Even if no one in your home smoked regularly, you kept a few on hand “just in case.” These weren’t your average disposable trays, either. They were decorative, heavy, and sometimes oddly artistic.
From glass starbursts to ceramic animals holding cigarettes in their mouths, ashtrays were conversation starters. Guests expected to see them on side tables and coffee tables, and if you didn’t offer one, it came off as rude. Today, they mostly sit unused on thrift store shelves, but for decades, they were household staples.
8. Encyclopedias That Took Up an Entire Bookshelf
Before the internet was even a twinkle in someone’s eye, encyclopedias were the crown jewels of any living room bookshelf. Glossy, authoritative, and alphabetized, these volumes were the answer to every kid’s homework dilemma and every adult’s random question. “Look it up” meant flipping through 20 pounds of bound paper.
Families proudly bought them from door-to-door salespeople or saved up stamps from grocery store promotions. Owning the whole set—especially the leather-bound edition—was a sign that your household was educated and cultured. Never mind that some entries were outdated before you even finished the alphabet. They still felt indispensable.
9. A Record Player With a Stash of Vinyls Everyone Treasured
The record player wasn’t just an audio device—it was a centerpiece of the home. Whether it was a sleek standalone turntable or built into a heavy cabinet unit, the record player was always ready to spin a little vinyl magic. And you didn’t just throw on a record casually—it was a process.
You picked your album, handled it like a precious relic, cleaned it off, and carefully dropped the needle. The slight crackle before the music started was part of the charm. Collections were cherished, with LPs from The Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, or Johnny Cash arranged with love. Scratches? A bummer, sure—but also part of the experience.
10. A Sewing Machine That Everyone Pretended to Use
Even in homes where no one had touched a needle in years, sewing machines were ever-present. Whether it was the classic Singer in a flip-up cabinet or a plastic portable version from the ‘80s, these machines lived in closets, spare bedrooms, or proudly displayed in the corner of the den.
Often inherited from mom or grandma, they sat under dust covers with thread still in the bobbin and fabric scraps nearby. Families kept them “just in case”—for hemming pants, fixing curtains, or some imaginary sewing project that never quite materialized. But tossing one? That felt like tossing away tradition.
11. A Glass Candy Dish That Always Had Hard Candies
These candy dishes had a near-magical pull—especially if you were under 10. Usually made of heavy-cut glass or ornate crystal, they were filled with ribbon candy, peppermints, or butterscotch disks that seemed to have fossilized in place. No one knew how old the candy was, but it was always there.
Reaching in meant enduring the clink of glass and the judgmental eyes of your host. And once you pulled out one sticky piece fused to three others, you had to commit. These dishes were less about offering a treat and more about upholding tradition—and proving that yes, your grandma did still love company.
12. A “Formal” Living Room That Was Totally Off-Limits
Every house had a “nice” room—the formal living room—designed for guests that almost never came. This was the space with plastic-covered furniture, immaculate carpet, and throw pillows that were more sculpture than comfort. Children were strictly forbidden from running, eating, or sometimes even breathing in this room.
It was often pristine to the point of sterility. Holidays or big events might grant you brief access, but even then, it felt like walking on holy ground. The formality of this room symbolized hospitality, even if it spent most of the year unused and unappreciated. Still, no house felt truly complete without it.
13. A Wall Clock That Was Always Five Minutes Off
You could always count on the family wall clock to be… slightly off. Maybe it was five minutes fast, maybe ten minutes slow, but it was never right. And adjusting it meant dragging over a chair, popping off the plastic face, and guessing which way to twist it.
These clocks weren’t just timekeepers—they were part of the décor. Whether kitschy cats with swinging tails or ornate brass numbers, they were visible in nearly every room. The steady ticking became part of a home’s soundtrack, even if it didn’t help anyone actually be on time.