18 Outdated Household Items You Might Still Be Using
Some household staples never got the memo that their time is up.
- Daisy Montero
- 4 min read
Some items just do not know when to retire. These outdated household staples are still hanging on in kitchens, bathrooms, and closets everywhere, even though better alternatives have long taken their place. If you spot more than a few at home, it might be time for a little update.
1. Rolodexes
ArnoldReinhold on Wikimedia Commons
This spinning wheel of business cards was once peak office organization. Now, it’s more of a paperweight than a practical tool. If contacts are still living in a Rolodex, it might be time to switch to a cloud-based contact list.
2. Corded Landline Phones
Rakoon on Wikimedia Commons
They take up space, tangle easily, and rarely get used, yet they still sit on side tables. Unless you’re channeling a ‘90s aesthetic, this might be the one line worth cutting. Smartphones and VoIP have long replaced the landline’s purpose.
3. Yellow Pages Phone Books
Robert-brook on Wikimedia Commons
These chunky directories used to be household essentials. Now, they mostly serve as doorstops or booster seats. Google took over years ago—no flipping required.
4. Popcorn Ceilings
Laurel F. on Wikimedia Commons
Once a go-to style for its texture and ability to hide imperfections, popcorn ceilings now scream outdated. They also tend to trap dust and are a pain to clean. Most modern homes have moved on to sleek, smooth surfaces.
5. VCR Players
Raimond Spekking on Wikimedia Commons
You might still have one hooked up “just in case,” but let’s face it—tapes degrade and streaming has taken over. Unless you’re digitizing old home videos, this box is just collecting dust. The rewinding days are behind us.
6. Plastic Couch Covers
MART PRODUCTION on Pexels
They crinkle, stick to your skin, and make even the coziest couch uninviting. Once popular for “protecting” furniture, now they mostly keep guests from sitting down. Fabric-safe cleaners exist for a reason.
7. Electric Can Openers
Holly Cheng on Wikimedia Commons
Bulky, noisy, and oddly slow, these machines take up way more space than a handheld version. Unless opening cans is a daily chore, it might be time to unplug for good. A good manual opener works just fine and fits in a drawer.
8. Lace Doilies
Blanka Luppová on Wikimedia Commons
These dainty decorations had their moment, especially under vases or on TV stands. Today, they feel more like grandma’s house than modern chic. Minimalist décor has replaced them.
9. Wall Calendars
Claudio Elias on Wikimedia Commons
Physical calendars are charming, but let’s be honest; they get updated far less than your phone’s planner. You might flip the month once and never touch it again. Unless it’s purely for looks, it might be better as wall art.
10. Clapper Light Switches
Nikita Nikitin on Wikimedia Commons
“Clap on, clap off” was once cutting-edge. Now, motion sensors and smart bulbs do the job with less effort—and fewer awkward claps in the dark. The novelty wore off, but the gadget stuck around in some homes.
11. Fluorescent Tube Lights
CristoCalis on Pexels
Buzzing, flickering, and often harsh on the eyes, these tubes were once a basement staple. LED lights have taken over for their efficiency and warm glow. If your kitchen still hums, it might be time for an upgrade.
12. Carpeted Bathrooms
Maris Burbergs on Pexels
Once considered luxurious, wall-to-wall bathroom carpet is now a breeding ground for moisture and mold. Modern homes have swapped it out for tiles, vinyl, or even heated flooring. If yours is still soft underfoot, it might be time to pull it up.
13. Over-the-Toilet Cabinets
O’Loughlin, Gregory L. on Wikimedia Comings
These bulky storage units used to be a bathroom must-have, but they tend to make small spaces feel even tighter. Floating shelves or minimal vanities are the go-to now.
14. Manual Coffee Percolators
Geni on Wikimedia Commons
The gurgle and hiss of a percolator are nostalgic but hardly efficient. Drip machines and single-serve brewers have long outpaced them in speed and consistency. Unless you’re camping, these metal towers are mostly decorative now.
15. Television Antennas
Tennen-Gas on Wikimedia Commons
Those rabbit ears once helped you find the sweet spot for Saturday morning cartoons. Now, they sit forgotten behind flat screens or in attics. Streaming has taken over, but some antennas still cling to old habits.
16. Fake Fruit Bowls
Tara Winstead on Wikimedia Commons
They never ripen, never rot—but also never look quite right. Once seen as classy centerpieces, fake fruit is now more of a dust magnet than a conversation starter. Real or ceramic alternatives feel more modern.
17. AV Carts
Tomwsulcer on Wikimedia Commons
Once the pride of every family movie night, these wheeled carts held TVs, VCRs, and DVD players. Today, flat screens hang on walls and media centers have shrunk. If yours is still rolling around, it might be time to say goodbye.
18. Decorative Soap You Cannot Use
Oxfordian Kissuth on Wikimedia Commons
It smells nice and looks even nicer, but wash your hands with it and you’ll get scolded. These ornamental soaps sat untouched for years in guest bathrooms. These days, people prefer hand soap that they can actually use.