20 Everyday Items That Were Once Considered Luxury Goods
Many things we take for granted today were once exclusive to the wealthy or elite.
- Chris Graciano
- 4 min read
It’s hard to imagine life without common items like salt, mirrors, or even coffee. However, these were once prized possessions reserved for the wealthy. Advancements in production and accessibility made them into everyday essentials. Here are 20 things that were once symbols of wealth but are now a part of daily life.
1. Salt
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Salt was once so valuable that it was used as currency in ancient Rome. It was difficult to obtain, making it a luxury reserved for the elite.
2. Sugar
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In medieval Europe, sugar was a rare and expensive commodity enjoyed only by the noble. It was often locked away like treasure and used sparingly.
3. Ice
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Before refrigeration, ice was harvested in winter and stored in ice houses, making it a luxury good. Only the wealthy could afford to transport and store it year-round.
4. Coffee
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When coffee first arrived in Europe in the 1600s, it was an exotic and expensive drink. Coffee houses were exclusive gathering places for the rich and influential.
5. Tea
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Once a highly prized import from China, tea was a status symbol in 18th-century Britain. It was kept in locked tea caddies to prevent theft.
6. Mirrors
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Glassmaking technology was so advanced in Venice during the Renaissance that mirrors were considered a luxury. Owning one was a sign of immense wealth.
7. Soap
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In the Middle Ages, soap was expensive and used mainly by the aristocrats. Bathing was a rare practice for most people.
8. Spices
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Due to their rarity, black pepper, cinnamon, and cloves were once more valuable than gold. Wars were even fought over control of the spice trade.
9. Aluminum
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In the 19th century, aluminum was rarer than gold, and Napoleon III of France had an aluminum cutlery set for his most honored guests. Once mass production methods were developed, it became one of the most common metals on Earth.
10. Books
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Before the printing press, books were hand-copied and incredibly expensive, owned only by the elite or religious institutions. Literacy itself was a privilege.
11. Forks
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Forks were once considered strange and unnecessary; only royalty used them in the Middle Ages. Most people ate with their hands or used knives and spoons.
12. Glass Windows
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In medieval Europe, glass windows were a luxury found only in castles and wealthy homes. Most people used wooden shutters or animal hides.
13. Toothpaste
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In ancient times, people cleaned their teeth with charcoal, crushed shells, or even ashes. Modern toothpaste, a 19th-century innovation, was initially a luxury.
14. Running Water
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Having fresh, running water in your home was once an unimaginable luxury. Before the late 19th century, only the wealthiest households had indoor plumbing.
15. Toilet Paper
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In the past, people used everything from leaves to corncobs for hygiene. Toilet paper was invented in China but didn’t become common in the West until the 20th century.
16. Clocks
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Owning a clock or pocket watch was once a sign of immense wealth. They were expensive and required skilled craftsmanship to make.
17. Denim Jeans
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Originally designed as durable workwear for miners and laborers, denim jeans became a fashion statement in the mid-20th century. In the early days, high-quality denim was a luxury item.
18. Refrigerators
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Before refrigeration, people had to preserve food with salting, drying, or ice blocks. Early refrigerators were expensive and only accessible to the wealthy.
19. Electricity
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In the late 19th century, electricity was a marvel that only the richest households could afford. Many homes relied on gas lamps or candles for light.
20. Air Conditioning
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Once a luxury found only in theaters and upscale hotels, air conditioning was an expensive technology in the early 20th century. Now, it’s a lifesaver during hot summers and is found in most homes, offices, and cars.