Things every American household had in the 1980s
Voicemail and streaming music and movies may be the norm today, but they were built on items that were essentials in the ’80s. From monthly TV Guide magazines to popcorn ceilings, here are 10 things every American household had in the 1980s.
Walkman cassette player
Before Spotify or the iPod, every teenager had a Walkman cassette player in the ’80s. Creating music playlists is now as easy as ever; it takes less than 15 seconds to start one, and you can add songs from time to time. But in the ’80s, creating a playlist involved a much longer process of scoping out what songs flow well together and actually building your tape from scratch; this is why gifting a mixtape for a loved one is often a romantic gesture!
Answering machine
Before voicemail, answering machines were used to handle missed calls. Now, it’s easy to go through what missed call was from someone you know or spam with the press of a button, with some phone features being able to identify which calls are spam. Answering machines take much longer, with moms and dads having to listen to every call to decide which to delete.
Boxy, CRT Televisions
The thought of installing a 64-inch television would be insane back in the 80s. All that was available were the boxy, CRT television sets. Compared to televisions today, CRT televisions admittedly did not have the best quality. But back in the 80s, all families needed was a television to watch the latest episode of “The Golden Girls” or the newest Steven Spielberg movie on tape.
A TV Guide magazine
Before Netflix and Hulu took over what we watched, a TV Guide magazine was a family’s best friend. Aside from tapes, network television was all families in the 80s had, and they had to rely on TV Guide magazine to figure out what was showing that day.
Fanny packs
If there was a piece of fashion that is synonymous with the 80s, it’s fanny packs. Fanny packs were used by teenagers and old women back then. Instead of carrying big purses or backpacks, fanny packs made storage and travel efficient. Its functionality combined with its expansive design styles made fanny packs a staple of the ’80s.
Stained-glass lamps and chandeliers
Lamps and chandeliers have always been around in households for decades, but stained-glass lighting was a hot commodity in the 80s. In keeping with the vibrant, maximalist interior design of the ’80s, these stained-glass lighting fixtures were the cherry on top for a quintessential 80s household.
Popcorn ceilings
In today’s world, many families would immediately get rid of popcorn ceilings in their home. But in the 80s, popcorn ceilings were everywhere. Popcorn ceilings were an easy way to hide imperfections in ceilings while also reducing noise in rooms. They were efficient and a staple in every ’80s household, but the sight of popcorn ceilings now makes many people cringe.
Wall-mounted phones
Before smartphones and landline phones took over our everyday lives, wall-mounted phones were a necessity. As the only form of communication, these phones were shared throughout the household, where parents nagging at their children about hogging the phone was an everyday occurrence.
VCR and VHS Movies
Before streaming and DVDs, VHS was the main way to watch movies at home. Venturing to the local video store and deciding which movie to rent was a bonding experience for parents and children in the 80s. Now, these moments have sadly become obsolete.
Waterbeds
Even today, waterbeds are an intriguing invention. Though waterbeds are no longer used today, almost every family wanted one in their homes back in the 80s. Waterbeds offered body support and an even weight distribution; however, waterbeds were difficult to maintain and were prone to leaking, phasing out of popularity after the ’80s.
Wrap Up
Funnily enough, these items are now making a resurgence, with people often purchasing 80s household items from thrift stores and storing them as vintage accessories. While these items are no longer prominent in today’s typical household, they still hold remnants of life in the ’80s.
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