15 Old School Home Decor and Furniture That Fell of the Map

Back in the day, these 15 old school home decor and retro furnishings were a common item found in households. Today, we’d have to look far and wide to find half of the items on this list.

Lava lamps

These psychedelic lamps came on the scene in 1963. Made of heated wax floating in translucent liquid, the wax becomes activated when the light is turned on. Lava lamps brought mood lighting to the next level of cool.

Water beds

Waterbeds became popular in the 1980s but were patented in 1971. They were sealed beds filled with a gel-like substance that when sleeping on, felt like you were floating on the waves of the ocean. They were one of the first household items for hydrotherapeutic purposes. Some even claimed they were especially fun for intimate moments with your partner. 

Fiesta ware

Fiesta ware was introduced in the 1930s. It is dinnerware featuring concentric circles and in a variety of bright, solid colors. Originally, it was made of glazed ceramic, and later a vitreous composition for restaurants and institutions to use in bulk. Any fiesta ware made before 1986 in a red color, might be radioactive due to the uranium used in the original ceramic glaze.

Musical jewelry boxes 

If you come across an old musical jewelry box now, it would either be a family heirloom or in an antique store. Some manufacturers continue to make them for children but many are made from plastic. The old musical jewelry boxes were primarily made from wood with a wind up feature in the back of it or would play automatically when opening the top of it. Musical jewelry boxes date back as far as the 1500s.

Family name plates on facades

This tradition dates back to the 1700s. The name plates came in a variety of materials, some of the oldest were wooden and engraved. They featured the names of the family or individual living on the property. Many used their formal titles. Such as, “Miss Eleanor Moore” or “Capt. Henry Scott.” Some families and individuals continue this today, primarily on mailbox, but when attached to the façade of the home, next to the main entrance, it is a rare sight to see!

Step ladders 

Step ladders are so convenient especially if you need to change a light bulb or hang up decorations. For some reason this household item is few and far between as a common necessity anymore. 

Dust ruffles

Dust ruffles can be pretty tacky. But they were once an average part of a set for your bedroom sheets. They were designed to prevent dust and other debris from the floor to reach the mattress and bedding above it.

Entertainment armoires / centers with sliding doors

With flat screen being the new norm in television sets, people are rarely hiding their TV behind closed doors in an entertainment center. Sliding door used to be a common feature on entertainment centers, to hide the TV when it was not in use.

CD and Tape Cassette racks 

Its no surprise we see few of these in the digital age with nearly everything, including music, becoming computerized. A CD and tape cassette rack with all your favorite tunes was a common item found in living rooms and bedrooms back in the 1980s and 1990s.

Photo albums as coffee table books

Photo albums of family, friends and special events were often found on the tops of coffee tables or in compartments beneath them. They were for guests to peruse when visiting. The age of cell phone photos and digital cameras put photo albums at a standstill for now. 

Fully carpeted houses 

Wood floors and laminate floors are common for the whole house these days. Whereas back in the mid 1900s, fully carpeted homes aside from the kitchen and bathroom, were expected when buying a new home. 

Small bedrooms and larger common areas

People used to spend a lot less time in their bedrooms. If you visit or purchase a house that was built before the late 90s, chances are the bedrooms are going to fit no more than a bed, dresser and nightstands. Bedrooms were meant for solely for sleeping and changing garments. 

Split windows with horizontal functionality

The split window was designed for cross breezes, insulation, cooling and air flow. These windows could open horizontally, where the top portion of the window could be open and the bottom part of the window closed, or vice versa.

Potpourri sachet drawer fresheners 

Most commonly found in women’s lingerie drawers, scented potpourri sachets were a common natural freshener for clothing. 

Freestanding bathtubs without showerheads 

Although more people are putting these classic freestanding tubs in their bathrooms during renovations, a tub for bathing with no showerhead was a common amenity found in households. The tubs were often much larger than the tubs we see today that serve as both a shower and a bathtub. 

Outdated? Nope. Even if some of these items are no longer the average decor or furniture found in your home, they still have their place in our retro-loving hearts.