If you wanted to settle an argument before the days of the internet and mobile phones, you reached for the encyclopaedia. It was a case of the heftier the better, with a full set of the Encyclopaedia Britannica taking up an entire bookcase being the ultimate status symbol, even if it was often left to gather dust on the shelves. The paper encyclopedia was briefly replaced by Encarta in many households, as more people got computers, before Wikipedia came along.placeholder image
If you wanted to settle an argument before the days of the internet and mobile phones, you reached for the encyclopaedia. It was a case of the heftier the better, with a full set of the Encyclopaedia Britannica taking up an entire bookcase being the ultimate status symbol, even if it was often left to gather dust on the shelves. The paper encyclopedia was briefly replaced by Encarta in many households, as more people got computers, before Wikipedia came along. | Getty Images

9 essential items every household had during the 80s, now consigned to the scrapheap of history

Robert Cumber
By Robert Cumber

Property and retro writer

Published 8th Jul 2025, 17:41 BST

With neon colours, denim jackets and even mullets having made a comeback, it often feels like we never left the 80s behind.

But there are some things you found in almost every household during the 1980s that have all but completely disappeared from our lives today.

New technology and changing lifestyles have put paid to these once-ubiquitous items.

From the kitchen to the bedroom, these are the objects no household was without during the 80s.

How many do you remember, and are there any of these which you still own? Let us know in the comments section.

As well as listening to music, tape recorders were essential for two things we all remember doing in the 80s - recording our favourite songs off the radio, and making mix tapes for our friends. The former required expert timing to avoid getting the DJ on your recording, while great patience was needed for the latter, making it a real labour of love.

5. A tape recorder - for making those mix tapes

As well as listening to music, tape recorders were essential for two things we all remember doing in the 80s - recording our favourite songs off the radio, and making mix tapes for our friends. The former required expert timing to avoid getting the DJ on your recording, while great patience was needed for the latter, making it a real labour of love. | Getty Images Photo: f8 Imaging/Hulton Archive

Photo Sales
Not every home had one, but if yours did you can be sure everyone wanted to come round to play. The Nintendo Entertainment System, or NES to most of us, was the must-have video games console of the 80s, which gave the world Super Mario Bros and many other classic games.

6. Super Mario Bros on the NES

Not every home had one, but if yours did you can be sure everyone wanted to come round to play. The Nintendo Entertainment System, or NES to most of us, was the must-have video games console of the 80s, which gave the world Super Mario Bros and many other classic games. | AFP via Getty Images Photo: TENGKU BAHAR

Photo Sales
As personal computers grew more common in homes during the 80s, the floppy disc became ubiquitous. That was before the days of DVDs, USB sticks and cloud storage, of course.

7. Floppy discs

As personal computers grew more common in homes during the 80s, the floppy disc became ubiquitous. That was before the days of DVDs, USB sticks and cloud storage, of course. | Getty Images Photo: Susan Wood

Photo Sales
Nobody really wanted one of these, but you needed one if you wanted to ensure you made it to school or work on time. If it took the lure of a fresh brew to get you up, maybe you even invested in a Teasmade. Nowadays most people just set an alarm on their phones. Luckily, for those of us who are not morning people, the snooze button has not gone away.

8. Bedside alarm clock

Nobody really wanted one of these, but you needed one if you wanted to ensure you made it to school or work on time. If it took the lure of a fresh brew to get you up, maybe you even invested in a Teasmade. Nowadays most people just set an alarm on their phones. Luckily, for those of us who are not morning people, the snooze button has not gone away. | Photo by cottonbro studio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/sleeping-pill-and-digital-clock-on-bedside-table-6943420/ Photo: Photo by cottonbro studio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/sleeping-pill-and-digital-clock-on-bedside-table-6943420/

Photo Sales
Previous
2 / 3
Next Page
Related topics:NostalgiaMemoriesPhoto memoriesBoost
News you can trust since 1931
Follow us
© 2026 Iconic Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice