Things that literally were in everyone’s home in the 80s that no one has anymore

The 1980s was a vibrant decade filled with unique home items that are now nostalgic symbols of the era. Common household items included VHS players, cassette tapes, neon lights, and shag carpeting. Families enjoyed typewriters and early video game consoles, creating a lively mix of technology and bold decor that defined everyday life in the ’80s. IF you still have any of these items in your home, consider yourself lucky.

The new thing on the block: Garage Door Openers

As the U.S. rebounded from the economic challenges of the ’70s and entered a new era of consumerism in the ’80s, garage door openers became a common feature in homes across the country. A 1984 issue even included a guide on how to install one. Now you can upgrade your garage door opener with Wi-Fi technology for added convenience.

Sewing Machines in the Laundry Room

A 1984 issue featured a versatile laundry room designed for all seasons, complete with a sewing station. Today, sewing stations in laundry rooms, or even in homes, are quite rare. This room also had a nearby computer, making it a part-time hobby room as well. The rise of plastic laminate was already becoming noticeable in its design.

Kindergarten Classroom Wallpaper

This rainbow-colored wallpaper will be familiar to anyone who grew up in the ’80s. While it was common in classrooms, it also made appearances in homes. In 1984, we featured a computer program that calculated exactly how much wallpaper you’d need for a room. Nowadays, you can easily figure that out on your phone, along with much more, using various apps.

Bread Box

A bread box may seem almost anachronistic today, but it used to be a household staple. Back in 1983, we showed people how to build their own oak bread box.

Electric Typewriter

This room has a couple of neat features. One is the electric typewriter, a common household item in 1983. Another cool aspect is that The Family Handyman built this room from discarded metal office furniture, giving it a fresh coat of paint to repurpose it.

Outdoor Furniture

Redwood patio furniture was all the rage in the ’80s, and maybe even earlier. In 1983, we showcased a versatile patio furniture set with a modular design that allowed for various arrangements, and a lounge chair that could be adjusted into different positions. One thing we’ve always had plenty of is patio furniture ideas.

Cane Wood and Chrome Chairs

These chairs resemble those produced by the Breuer Chair Company during the decade and have long been a favorite for achieving a terrific vintage look.

Recipe Box

Recipe boxes, like family heirlooms, have evolved with digitization. In 1983, we introduced a see-through recipe box for easy viewing while cooking or baking, ensuring cards stayed clean during use. Today, we’ve developed new solutions tailored for 21st-century cooks and bakers.

Juicer

In the ’80s, making fresh-squeezed orange juice was a task, and juicers like this one were commonly found in homes. Today, there are numerous products designed to help you start your morning more quickly.

Wallpaper

Wallpaper remained a popular choice for interior design in the ’80s, and in 1982, we profiled Karen Nyman after she started her own wallpapering business—a notable achievement as one of the few women in that field. While wallpaper fell out of favor in the ’90s, there have been hints of a comeback in the 2010s.

Wrought Iron Outdoor Furniture

Wrought iron furniture has long been a staple on patios, but this particular set with a floral pattern seems especially evocative of the 1980s. Made by Lyon-Shaw, this enameled wrought iron set captures the style of the era with its distinctive design.

Floor-to-Ceiling Mirrors

Not every home had a floor-to-ceiling mirror, but they were certainly a familiar sight in films and television shows. In 1982, we showcased this setup inside an apartment, noting that floor-to-ceiling mirrors added a sense of spaciousness while cleverly concealing cabinetry and an entertainment center. The angled lighting created a dramatic effect, guiding attention to where the interior designer intended.

Rubik’s Cube

Originally named the Magic Cube, the puzzle was invented by Erno Rubik, a professor at Budapest’s Academy of Applied Arts and Design. Rubik, known for his geometric models, created a 27-piece cube that was first marketed in Hungary in 1977. By 1980, it had become a source of frustration for millions of Americans. The puzzle was subsequently licensed to the Ideal Toy Corp in 1980.

Coleco Cabbage Patch Kids

The Cabbage Patch Kids, one of America’s longest-running doll lines, are soft-sculptured dolls created by Xavier Roberts. Roberts, inspired as a 21-year-old art student, combined his mother’s quilting skills with the historic “needle molding” technique to create his own fabric sculptures. Initially manufactured by Coleco, the dolls later found homes with Hasbro, Mattel, and eventually Wicked Cool Toys.

Care Bears

The Care Bears, a fictional group of multi-colored bear characters, were originally created by artist Elena Kucharik in 1981 for American Greetings cards. The characters became a toy phenomenon in 1985, leading to the creation of TV shows and films. Today, there are 218 Care Bears characters in total.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Many boys across the U.S. owned Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles memorabilia, such as sheets or action figures. These heroes in a half-shell started from a comic book, then became action figures, and gained popularity with a mini-series before skyrocketing as a beloved cartoon. Today, old action figures can fetch significant sums from collectors. It’s worth checking your home for any of these valuable items that might be lying around.

Trivial Pursuit

Trivial Pursuit quickly became a beloved way for people to showcase their wealth of trivia knowledge in a socially acceptable setting. Created in 1979, the game’s popularity soared, with 20 million sets sold in just five years. Since then, over 100 million units have been sold worldwide, and the game has evolved into various formats and editions over the years.

Ghostbusters

The Ghostbusters franchise left a lasting impression with its memorable theme songs and extensive merchandising following the release of the films. Alongside the two movies in the ’80s, a popular cartoon series further cemented its cultural impact. Even characters from Stranger Things paid homage by dressing as Ghostbusters, highlighting its enduring influence on pop culture.

Wrestling Anything

Professional wrestling reached its peak of popularity in the 1980s, highlighted by Wrestlemania III’s historic gathering of 93,173 fans at the Pontiac Silverdome in 1987, where Hulk Hogan famously bodyslammed Andre the Giant. Millions more watched via closed circuit television and pay-per-view at home. Wrestling memorabilia, from dolls to action figures to lunch boxes, found its way into many households. While it was once common, today some may prefer not to see such items around anymore.

Slap Bracelets

Slap bracelets were a fleeting but popular fad in the ’80s, adorning the wrists of nearly every kid on the block for a brief moment. They can still be found online at places like Amazon if you’re looking to revive an old trend or start a new hipster craze.

Walkman Cassette Player

The Walkman made its debut in 1979 and quickly became a cultural icon, with Sony selling over 50,000 units in the first two months alone. Its popularity endured as it evolved to play CDs in the ’90s. However, the advent of the mp3 player in the 2000s marked the end of the Walkman’s dominance.

Finger Monsters

Finger Monsters were incredibly popular in the ’80s and could be found just about everywhere among kids. It wasn’t uncommon for these and other toys to accidentally fall through a floor vent at some point, adding to their nostalgic charm.

Micro Machines

One glance at an old Micro Machine commercial will transport you back to the era when they seemed to dominate Saturday morning television. These scaled-down cars and trucks debuted in 1987 and quickly became iconic. They further embedded themselves in popular culture by appearing in movies like Home Alone and even spawning a video game. In a decade known for its excesses, the Micro Machine stood out as a quirky and beloved part of childhood nostalgia.

Fanny Pack

The fanny pack surged in popularity towards the end of the ’80s and, while it’s still around today, it’s mostly seen with hipsters and occasionally professional wrestlers. It’s easy to forget the convenience it once offered or why it was considered a necessary fashion accessory. Nonetheless, you can still find them available for purchase on Amazon and various other platforms.

Polaroid Cameras

In the 1980s, nearly every home had a Polaroid camera or a similar instant camera. We even recommended keeping a camera in your toolbox to inventory tools and valuables at home. Today, the scene is vastly different, with people using their phones to capture almost everything. Polaroid cameras are still available, appealing to those nostalgic for flipping through photo albums and the instant gratification of printed photos.

Boxy TVs

Back in 1981, our see-through divider perfectly accommodated this TV, though it could have fit just as well in a kitchen or bedroom. Today, the trend has shifted towards flat-screen TVs mounted on walls, or people using tablets to stream their favorite programs.

Tile Furniture

In our 1981 issue, those little 3D square doodles you enjoy turned into actual furniture. We crafted pieces using ceramic tiles on wooden frames, which were perfect for displaying plants. While not every home had furniture like this, there was a notable emphasis on geometric patterns and innovative design in the ’80s.

Blinds

In the 1980s, blinds, especially mini-blinds, began to dominate the window covering market, comprising around 70-80% by 1981. In our coverage of windows that year, we highlighted how modern blinds could dramatically enhance or de-emphasize a window, transforming the look of a room. They were even designed to seamlessly match wall patterns, offering a cohesive aesthetic. At the time, we noted that blinds could effectively conceal design flaws or structural errors. One enduring challenge with mini-blinds, however, has always been their difficulty to clean.

Rattan

The room we featured in 1981 encapsulates quintessential ’80s decor with its array of design elements. From the rattan table and baskets to the earthy color palette, it embodies the style of the era. The linoleum floor adds another nostalgic touch that will surely evoke memories for many.

Faux Stone Fireplaces

This room features several distinctive elements that define ’70s and ’80s decor trends. The faux rock fireplace reflects a shift away from classic brick designs during that era. Track lighting, a common feature in many homes of the time, provides versatile illumination. Vertical blinds on the sliding glass door were also popular choices. The platform furniture, constructed from plywood, 2x4s, and carpet, showcases a DIY approach to home furnishings that was prevalent in that period. Each of these elements contributes to the nostalgic charm of ’70s and ’80s interior design.

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