Thirty years ago—the early ’90s (yes, we’re all that old)—life wasn’t as chaotic or fast-paced. It wouldn’t be fair to call it easier, but the era certainly had its share of fun times.
Some of the things you’ll see here might leave kids scratching their heads, but get ready for a dose of nostalgia with all the classic household items from 1993.
A huge TV that weighed 300 pounds


It was all the rage back then, and the bigger, the better—especially since TVs were often housed in bulky furniture units.
Pull open those drawers, and you’d find TV guides, tapes, and who knows what else tucked away inside.
A room in the house with walls like this
Wood was hugely popular back then, often paired with brick or concrete to complete a home’s look.
It was a booming industry—unfortunately, one that came at the expense of countless trees.


One of these chairs that always gets stickier the hotter it got outside
They came in all sorts of colors, allowing moms and dads to stretch out and soak up the sun—often at the cost of a sunburned back.
Amazing how these held up under the scorching heat!


This type of furniture that smelled a bit like cigarette smoke
Either cigarette smoke or cigars, your grandparents would puff away as they reminisced about days gone by.
Chances were, they had kids on their laps too—secondhand smoke and all.


A phone you’d have to come barreling down the stairs to answer in time
Yup, no handheld smartphones delivering everything at a tap.
When these rang, anyone in the house would come running—pajamas, underwear, or whatever they had on.


A jar of candy stuck together with no one knowing how old it was
And these sat right on the table, ready for anyone to grab a piece.
Surprisingly, no ants ever seemed to bother with them.


A kitchen with this kind of floor
Kitchens back then were vibrant, with bold splashes of color everywhere—including those oversized cereal boxes.
Even the floors had patterns lively enough to jolt you awake before your first sip of coffee.


This blender that seemed to last decades
It was the Toyota of blenders—nearly every household had one because it just wouldn’t break.
Decades later, the kids and grandkids are still whipping up smoothies with the same trusty machine.


A literal book you’d have to bring to the bank with you
Before online banking apps and emails, these were essential for any trip to the bank.
Banks back then were massive, with couches, trees, and plenty of people shuffling around with stacks of paperwork.


The greatest toy ever…The Moo Box
Let’s see how many of you remember these! Or better yet, ask your kids what they think this is.
Such a simple toy, yet it brought endless laughter to so many people.


This exact crockpot
Maybe there was an unspoken rule among moms back then—if you wanted to be considered cool, you had to have one of these.
Dads, on the other hand, couldn’t care less as long as there was good food after work.


This exact carpet
Guessing the exact color was nearly impossible, with countless shoes and slippers trampling over it daily.
There had to be a whole multiverse hidden within those fibers and weaves.


This alarm clock
These alarm clocks were so popular they made frequent appearances in films and TV shows.
The same ones people would hurl across the room when they refused to wake up.


A big ol’ ball of needles
And then came the inevitable warnings from adults, telling kids not to touch it—despite it being on full display.
How could any kid resist something that looked like a prickly strawberry?


This EXACT blanket
Every grandma had these draped over her couch, and wrapping yourself in them felt like the warmest hug.
Then she’d call you to eat, and just like that—it was the best day ever.


This exact dresser
It was the dresser where moms would sit for hours, while dad waited impatiently downstairs—
Only for her to finally come down and ask if her earrings matched her dress.


This wooden bowl that was often used for a crisp, cool iceberg salad
Usually meant for salad, but somehow, chips always found their way onto these—
Especially when dads settled in front of the TV.


A kitchen table that looks exactly like this
Or something similar, since they came in all sorts of shades. Back then, families actually sat down and ate together,
Talking about anything and everything before the day began.


One of these things that was not filled with what it was supposed to be filled with
Another great opportunity to quiz your kids.
What is this? What was it used for?
Watch as their expressions shift from curiosity to complete confusion.


These things that could class up any dish served on a paper plate
And that included any size and color of paper plate, too, since these could handle a hefty serving of food.
You might still spot them in some Asian specialty stores today.


A container that could only be opened with a knife or a spoon
You also needed some serious arm and wrist strength to pry these open.
And once you did, you’d have to scoop out the powder because it was almost always stuck at the bottom.


One of these boxes held a surprise inside it
This made a lovely gift for the girls at home, and it felt especially magical when Dad handed over the key.
Whatever was inside? That was a mystery waiting to be uncovered.


This dish that was perfect for any food
You knew it was a special occasion when these were brought out and carefully cleaned for dinner.
And even empty, they had some serious weight to them.


A big binder filled to the brim with CDs
In every room, the car, and even the kitchen, teenagers—and even dad—would argue over which CD to play.
At least the colorful designs helped distract from all the scratches.


The ultimate piece of toy technology
Every little kid just had to have one of these, begging mom and dad nonstop until they finally gave in.
Only to abandon it the moment their favorite cartoon came on.


And the other ultimate toy
These were all it took to keep a child entertained back then.
Which gave mom a precious hour to finish her chores and prep dinner.


Two sets of keys for one single car
One for the engine, one for the trunk—lose either, and you were out of luck.
Good thing duplicates were a lifesaver.


A bunch of these lying around the house
Siblings fought over these so much that mom and dad had to buy a second one just for peace.
They were so cool that even the adults couldn’t resist joining in.


These coffee-making tools
The stove top percolator brewed some of the best coffee, creating that delightful aroma that filled the air as soon as you woke up.


A pile of these left out on the floor
If you wanted to hear some colorful language and maybe a scream or two, scatter these on the floor and watch the chaos unfold.
But if you knew how to play, they were actually a lot of fun and perfect for killing time.


Just a lot of putty
It might seem strange now, but there was a time when you’d actually find putty scattered around the house, tucked away in certain spots.


Old school opener
It really does look like something that could open up a car engine’s head!


To fix wear and tear
Extra points if you can identify this and know its purpose!


Another can opener
The best part is that you can still get your hands on these.


One of these in a kitchen
What you’re seeing here is a 1920s Westinghouse Turnover Toaster, complete with its original cord.


Metal ice tray
It’s also one of those gadgets you could use as a weapon against any would-be intruders.


Countless VHS holders
And we’re talking countless times—crack one, and dad would definitely let you hear it.


Mercurochrome hurt more than the wound
The nostalgia of getting a cut and crying even more once these were applied.


These washboards
The Vintage Zinc King National Washboard Company 703 Lingerie Washboard.


Old sifter made of metal
They were built to last, as people often carried them when moving or traveling.


These sets around the holidays
Nutcracker and picks, so everyone could join in and help.


One of these in the bathroom
For some reason, these crochet toilet dolls were often prominently displayed in bathrooms.


A type of grill
A 70s retro electric skillet that would still work if you had one around.


This masher
You could crush pebbles with these if you had a strong enough arm.


This peeler
This peeler requires firm fingers and strong wrists, often leading to a few callouses.


One of these next to the phone
We should totally attach these to our current phones just for fun!


Physical Maps
GPS and smartphone navigation apps have made paper maps almost obsolete.


Analog Thermostats
Digital programmable thermostats have become the standard for controlling temperatures.


Typewriters
Computers have taken over word processing, replacing typewriters.


Printed Phone Books
Online directories and search engines have made printed phone books obsolete.


Milk Delivery Boxes
Home milk delivery services have mostly faded from existence.


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