How many of these retro homewares do you remember? - serpaja america

The ultimate throwback homewares of yesteryear

From ceramic flying ducks to luminous lava lamps and plastic couch covers, there’s a special place in our hearts for the retro homewares of the past. Over the years, many of our treasured items have fallen into obscurity, lost to car boot sales and eBay listings – until now. Guaranteed to make you smile, we’ve taken a trip back in time to unearth the best vintage homewares from way back when. Grab your walkman and click or scroll on to take a stroll down memory lane…

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Dream tree

Designed by artist J.E. Tramel in Louisiana sometime in the 1960s, this twisted wire ornament, known as a dream tree, was once a familiar sight in North American homes. Its malleable branches could be shaped into any formation, while the delicate gold foil leaves fluttered in the breeze. Now a rarity, this relic of yesteryear can still be found on second-hand buying platforms like eBay and Etsy.

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Oil rain lamp

Originally manufactured by Johnson Industries, these distinctive lamps were a must-have home feature from the 1960s to the 1980s. Often featuring a figurine at their centre surrounded by faux foliage, like this statue of Venus, they pumped oil – usually either mineral or paraffin – over strands of filament, creating the illusion of falling rain. Still a big hit with antiques-hunters, these nostalgic ornaments now go for a pretty penny on eBay.

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Tupperware jug

Say you don’t remember this iconic orange Tupperware range and we wouldn’t believe you! Many a child in the 1970s and 80s would have drunk homemade lemonade out of these practical pitchers. Perfect for a picnic or just for a refresher in the garden, it would likely have come with matching beakers. Perhaps even bought at a Tupperware party?

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Bread box

Sometimes known as a bread bin, these countertop staples were ubiquitous in kitchens for as long as we can remember. Full to the brim with sliced white bread and sometimes cakes and buns, they were originally designed to protect food from heat, light and any pests that might be around in the days before plastic packaging. They can still help to keep your loaf crusty and fresh for longer.

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Babycham glasses

Back in the 1950s and 60s, a drink really wasn’t complete unless it was served in a decorative glass. Whether you were a fan of Snowballs or sherry, there was a special glass to accompany your favourite tipple, yet none proved more iconic than the deer-themed glasses created by Babycham. Perfect for a sophisticated cocktail party, this branded glassware is a throwback homeware we can’t help but love.

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Bissell carpet sweeper

Here’s one retro item we think could make a serious comeback! Many people will remember this stowed away in the cupboard under the stairs in their grandparents’ house. Eco-friendly and good for quickly tackling quick clean-ups, this Bissell carpet sweeper works through round brushes that were rotated by pushing the box back and forth across the floor.

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Ceramic flying ducks

Is there anything more retro than a trio of ceramic ducks? These interior décor favourites were born in the late 1930s, with the original flying duck design created in Stoke-on-Trent, England. By the 60s and 70s, these beloved treasures had made a home for themselves in our hallways and living rooms. Now a frequent second-hand shop spot, they’ve well and truly flown the nest for good.

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Kitsch prints of country houses

Throw your mind back to your childhood and chances are you will have seen something like this print hanging on a wall above a mantel. This painting is by the self-proclaimed ‘Painter of Light’, Thomas Kinkade. His company estimates that at the peak of their popularity between 1995 and 2000s, his painting hung in one in every 20 American homes.

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Cork coasters

Every house seemingly had these wood and cork coasters on the coffee table or sideboard. As a kid we’d even take them out and play with them, but we’ve no idea why they were so popular!

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Dream catchers

All the rage in the 90s and early noughties, dream catchers were found hanging in teenage bedrooms all around the world. Designed as talismans to ward off bad dreams, these intricate decorations were usually heavily embellished with beads and feathers and came in a range of sizes and styles. Sadly, this interior design trend was short-lived and the dream catcher has since been relegated to fond childhood memories.

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Curtain tassels and tiebacks

Ah, the curtain tassel! Thanks to the popularity of modern minimalist interiors and sleek and simple window dressings, this once-loved tieback has more or less bit the dust. Back in the 1960s and 70s, no curtain was safe from these heavily-embellished beauties. Their popularity only increased in the 80s with the rise of English country décor in the UK and the US, when chintz and heavy fringing became the ‘in’ thing. How times have changed…

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Coloured boomboxes

Old music players of the 1980s and 90s came in vibrant shades and usually offered FM radio, so you could tune into the latest chart shows to record your favourite songs. Many were also portable, so you could carry your baby pink boombox around with you – perched on your shoulder if you were really cool. As CDs took over, the need for a tape player dwindled, and thus the boombox was no more.

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Loud geometric prints

Fans of Saved by the Bell will remember how obsessed we once were with loud, geometric prints. Thanks to the designs of the Memphis Group, bedrooms of the 1980s and 90s were packed full of gaudy décor and Aztec-inspired fabrics. The collection of artists and designers enchanted us with their abstract patterns, clashing colours and curving lines, but sadly the fad didn’t stand the test of time.

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‘Tina’ painting

Painted by JH Lynch in 1961, this now iconic work of art emerged in the 1960s and enjoyed unexpected success. Known simply as ‘Tina’, the exotic print seduced homeowners with its mystic charm, quickly becoming a staple of 70s households – it even appeared in Stanley Kubrick’s cult classic, A Clockwork Orange. Still popping up at car boot sales and online listing sites, our appreciation for Tina has endured.

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Glass paperweights

Paperweights have been around since the 19th century but these intricate glass ornaments experienced something of a resurgence in the 1950s, when they became the hottest new travel souvenirs. Available in an array of weird and wonderful designs, homeowners around the world inadvertently started their own colourful collections, many of which now stock the shelves of second-hand shops.

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Brass fireplace sets

Long before smart home devices and underfloor heating, houses around the world had to make do with a roaring fire. Whether it be coal or wood, our fires needed to be tended and thus brass fireplace sets became an essential purchase. Popular as far back as the Victorian era, these practical tools continued to be common homeware items until the 1970s, when central heating started taking over our homes.

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Soup recipe mugs

We have no idea why, but in the 1970s and 80s, soup recipe mugs were given away in supermarkets and at petrol stations. From Scotch broth to oxtail, a plethora of designs were available and each came complete with a handy recipe printed on its side, allowing people to whip up the perfect batch of soup with ease. Now a highly prized collector’s item, these soup recipe mugs can be found online and still offer a certain homely appeal.

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Wind chimes

Usually found hanging in bedrooms or in the garden, wind chimes emitted a soft, musical tune that you either loathed or loved. Back in the 1990s and early 00s, we couldn’t get enough of them, with moon and stars designs proving especially popular in our homes.

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Themed Pyrex dishes

Since 1915, Pyrex has been a constant presence in our home when it comes to storage, offering an array of pretty, stackable glass containers to suit every occasion. Dating back to the 1960s, these shell dishes were used for everything from storing bathroom soap to New Year’s Eve nibbles, and their playful charm has definitely left a lasting impression!

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Eternal Beau dinnerware

We all remember THE 1980s dinnerware set that almost every household owned. Designed and produced by the Johnson Brothers, the Eternal Beau collection was once an extremely popular wedding gift. Yet, as tastes have changed over the years, we’ve moved on from this much-loved china and swapped out our dinnerware for something a little more modern. If your love for the Eternal Beau range still burns, you can still source a set online today.

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Brown and orange ceramics

Brown and orange hues rose to prominence in the interiors of the 1970s – from vintage bathroom suites to shag pile carpets, home furnishings came in shades of caramel, terracotta and chocolate. Earthenware and Hornsea Pottery soon became must-have names in crockery, perfectly complementing our dark kitchens and orange-hued living rooms. Now popular collector’s items, these ceramics are still found in the homes of vintage décor fans.

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Coloured iMac computer

Before sleek laptops and ultra-slim MacBooks, there was the chunky desktop computer. With small screens and disproportionately large casings, these age-old PCs were once cutting edge. Remember the iMac G3? This model was perhaps the most renowned of all old school computers and came in a variety of loud colours, from tangerine to neon blue.

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Beaded curtains

The beloved beaded door curtain was a staple in the households of yesteryear. In the 1960s and 70s, Bohemian and psychedelic styles were big, with natural materials such as wood, shells and bamboo entering our interiors. The perfect way to neatly cordon off a room, beaded curtains are memorable for their jazzy patterns and that distinctive sound they made when the beads gently knocked together.

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Toilet seat covers

The late 1970s and early 80s saw a huge rise in carpet – even our bathroom floors and walls weren’t safe! At some point, carpeting even travelled, somewhat questionably, onto our toilet lids. Fluffy toilet seat covers usually colour-matched the rest of the bathroom and were often accompanied by matching bath and toilet mats. Luckily, we eventually realised how unsightly – not to mention unhygienic – these sets were…

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Cartoon linen sets

Children of the 1980s will fondly remember the interior phenomenon of themed bedding. From My Little Pony and Care Bears to the Power Rangers and Ninja Turtles, there was a linen range to please every little boy and girl. Often coming in an array of pastel colours and paired with matching curtains, lamps and rugs, cartoon bedroom sets were at the top of every kid’s birthday wishlist. Those were the days…

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Ashtray stands

After the First World War, cigarettes rose in popularity and were even recommended by doctors until the 1950s! No wonder then that decorative ashtrays were once commonplace in homes. These ornamental stands were available in a range of elegant, architectural designs. Intricate and finely crafted, wooden ashtray stands were replaced in the 80s by ordinary glass, metal, and porcelain bowls instead.

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Novelty mugs

Novelty mugs took over our kitchens in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, led by British chocolate brand Cadbury, who launched a highly popular range of collectibles. By the 80s, the firm had released its most enduring themed mug, which came in the shape of a square of chocolate. Fun? Yes. Practical? Not so much. Luckily for retro fans, these nostalgic mugs can still be picked up from charity shops and online marketplaces.

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TV tray tables

As television ownership soared in the 1960s, families around the world began eating meals in front of their favourite shows. An essential part of this evening ritual was the TV tray table, which made dinner time easier and much less messy! Up until the 80s, TV trays featured fold-out legs and came adorned with iconic characters and objects from the era, including The A-Team and ET.

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Hi-Fi systems

Following the commercial release of CDs in the mid-80s, Hi-Fi and stereo systems became essential homeware devices for playing our favourite tunes. Chosen over cassette and record players, Hi-Fis, with their futuristic metallic designs, were the hottest modern technology in town. Now a rare sight following the introduction of Spotify and iTunes, the Hi-Fi has all but disappeared – along with our CD collections and Walkmans.

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Radio alarm clocks

Long before Alexa, people had to make do with the classic radio alarm clock. An ingenious way to wake up to your favourite music station in the morning, these handy gadgets came in a range of shapes and sizes, usually featuring a florescent clock face and a manual tuner. While some were decked out in faux wooden detailing, others came in luminous plastic finishes. A regular in second-hand stores, we still have a soft spot for these bedside gadgets.

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Lava lamps

British manufacturers Mathmos invented the lava lamp in 1963, and up until the early 00s, these vibrant, playful objects held a fond place in our hearts and our homes. Available in a wide variety of colours, shapes and sizes, lava lamps were top sellers throughout the 70s, 80s, and 90s, when children and adults alike snapped up their eye-catching designs. Yet as modern tastes changed, our appreciation for these novelty lights has all but gone out.

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Novelty telephones

From hot dogs to bananas, Snoopy to Pac Man and Ronald McDonald, novelty telephones once came in a plethora of playful designs. Of all the funky themed phones of bygone decades, the 70s hamburger is perhaps the most recognisable. Thanks to TV shows like Clarissa Explains It All, playful novelty devices remained teenage staples until the late 90s, before the Nokia 3210 took over the reins. Ah, simpler times…

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Plastic couch covers

Pictured here in New York City’s Tenement Museum as part of their Under One Roof exhibit, these squeaky furniture coverings will no doubt bring back fond memories for many readers. Once commonplace in the homes of older relatives, plastic couch covers were all the rage in the 1950s and 60s. Vinyl slipcovers were used to protect prized furnishings from wear and tear – a beloved champagne-hued sofa for example. Simply wipe clean and you were good to go!

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34/34 SLIDES

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