18 Home Products from the Past That Were Everywhere
These retro household staples were once found in nearly every American home, but now, they’re mostly memories.
- Chris Graciano
- 4 min read
Once essential, these iconic home products defined daily life for families across the country. From avocado green appliances to telephone tables, they brought style, convenience, and charm into every living space. Travel back through time with this nostalgic list of 18 items that used to be as common as a front porch swing.
1. Rotary Telephones
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Before smartphones, the rotary phone was the heartbeat of the house. With its heavy handset and circular dial, calling someone took patience.
2. Wood Paneling
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Entire rooms were covered in dark, glossy wood paneling during the ’60s and ’70s. It was considered warm and stylish at the time.
3. Console TVs
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These weren’t just electronics — they were furniture pieces. Built into massive wooden cabinets, they anchored the living room. You didn’t move them; you rearranged your whole space around them.
4. Ashtrays on Every Table
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Whether you smoked or not, ashtrays were a standard part of the décor. They came in glass, ceramic, or metal — sometimes even themed.
5. Milk Chutes
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Once, homes had little doors built into the wall where the milkman would leave bottles. You didn’t even have to open the front door.
6. Patterned Linoleum Floors
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Brightly colored linoleum covered kitchen floors with swirls, florals, or checkerboard designs. It was practical, easy to clean, and oddly charming..
7. Wall-Mounted Bottle Openers
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Usually found in the kitchen or garage, these were nailed to the wall next to a soda cap catcher. No need to dig through drawers.
8. TV Antennas (Rabbit Ears)
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To get a clear picture, you had to fidget with these metal rods for what felt like forever. Sometimes, wrapping them in foil helped.
9. Macramé Plant Hangers
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A staple of ’70s decor, these knotted ropes held potted plants in front of windows. They were handmade, often by someone’s crafty aunt.
10. Bean Bag Chairs
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Casual, cozy, and totally cool, bean bags were a fixture in rec rooms. They molded to your shape and were perfect for gaming or lounging.
11. Toilet Rugs and Covers
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Bathrooms weren’t complete without a fuzzy rug hugging the toilet base and a matching cover on the lid. Usually in pastel colors, they aimed for comfort and coordination.
12. Pull-Down Maps
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Found in homes where school supplies doubled as decor, these were often snagged from classroom clean-outs. Hung in dens or playrooms, they inspired geography lessons or imaginary adventures.
13. Wicker Furniture
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Often reserved for sunrooms or porches, wicker chairs and tables added a breezy vibe. They squeaked when you moved but looked effortlessly chic.
14. Tupperware Burping Lids
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If your mom had a cupboard full of colorful Tupperware, you knew the “burp” trick. Pressing the center popped the air out, sealing the freshness.
15. Reel-to-Reel Tape Players
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Audiophiles cherished these machines, with their large spinning reels and rich sound. You’d sit and listen to entire albums — no skipping.
16. Avocado Green & Harvest Gold Appliances
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No kitchen was complete without these iconic colors. Fridges, stoves, and mixers all came in earthy tones. They defined an era of design.
17. Incandescent Touch Lamps
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A light you could turn on with just a tap felt futuristic. These lamps responded to your fingertip with a soft glow. Often found in bedrooms, they were the perfect mix of high-tech and cozy.
18. Encyclopedia Sets
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Every home had a massive row of matching books with gilded titles. These were your go-to source for school reports and random trivia.