16 Things In Boomer’s Home That Are Actually Cool
Think your parents’ or grandparents’ home is just a time capsule of outdated trends? Look a little closer, you might be surprised at how many of their “old” items are actually stylish, well-made, and even trending again.
From solid wood furniture to funky vintage finds, there’s a lot to appreciate (and maybe even borrow) from the Boomer generation’s decor choices.
This list highlights pieces that have stood the test of time, and still look great doing it. Popularity of home trends varies by personal taste, region, and evolving design preferences.
1. Vintage Globe Bar
Imagine a world where a simple globe can transform into a whimsical bar. The vintage globe bar is not just a piece of decor, but a conversation starter. Its old-world charm adds elegance to any living space.
Inside, you’ll find compartments perfect for storing your favorite spirits and glassware. This globe is a blend of functionality and style, making it a treasure in any home.
Originally popularized in the mid-20th century, these globe bars continue to captivate today as nostalgic centerpieces that marry classic craftsmanship with playful sophistication.
2. Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Where did all the clean lines and organic shapes go? Mid-century furniture pieces in boomer homes aren’t just furniture, they’re investment pieces that have appreciated in value over decades.
The Eames lounge chair or that teak sideboard they’ve had since the 70s now sells for thousands at specialty stores. My design clients often request these exact styles, not realizing their parents have originals gathering dust.
Natural materials and thoughtful craftsmanship make these pieces timeless in any contemporary space.
3. Real Wood Bookshelves
Those solid oak bookshelves weren’t bought at IKEA. While we’re struggling with particleboard shelves that bow under the weight of a few hardcovers, boomers invested in real wood furniture that lasts generations.
The rich patina that develops over decades simply can’t be replicated with modern mass-produced pieces. Solid wood shelving units from the 60s and 70s often feature thoughtful details like adjustable shelves and dovetail joints.
Their environmental footprint is minimal compared to our disposable furniture culture.
4. Lava Lamp
With its hypnotic blobs and swirling colors, the lava lamp is a symbol of the counterculture movement. It’s more than just a light source, it’s a moving piece of art that can transform the mood of any room. The gentle, unpredictable motion captivates both young and old alike.
This iconic item emerged during the 1960s and quickly became a staple in homes that celebrated individuality and creativity. Despite the passage of time, its unique appeal continues to make it a cool addition to any space.
Fun fact, the lava lamp was invented by Edward Craven Walker, a British accountant, in 1963. Inspired by a homemade egg timer in a pub, he transformed it into the cultural icon we know today.
5. Crystal Glassware
This isn’t your basic Target glassware collection. Waterford, Baccarat, or Swarovski crystal sets add instant elegance to any gathering, catching light in ways that make even cheap wine look fancy.
Crystal glassware from boomer cabinets often tells stories of special occasions and celebrations. The weight and balance of proper crystal glasses enhance the drinking experience. There’s science behind why things actually taste better from the right vessel.
Many of these sets are complete with matching decanters and specialized glasses for different beverages.
6. Heirloom Quilts
If you’ve ever slept under a handmade quilt at grandma’s house, you know the unmatched comfort they provide. These textile treasures often represent hundreds of hours of detailed handwork and family history woven into every stitch.
Quilts from the 50s-70s feature fabrics no longer manufactured, creating one-of-a-kind art pieces. The craftsmanship in traditional quilting techniques demonstrates patience and skill rarely seen in today’s fast-fashion world.
Many contain fabric scraps from family clothing, preserving memories in a functional form.
7. Classic Le Creuset Cookware
That heavy orange pot isn’t just for show. Le Creuset cookware from the 60s and 70s has already survived decades of use and will probably outlast most things in your kitchen.
Vintage pieces often feature unique colors no longer in production, like the coveted ‘Elysees Yellow’ or ‘Cousances Blue.’ The enamel cast iron construction distributes heat perfectly for dishes that simply taste better than those made in flimsy modern pots.
Many boomers received these as wedding gifts, making them both practical kitchen workhorses and sentimental treasures.
8. Patterned Wallpaper
Forget sterile white walls, those bold floral or geometric wallpapers from boomer homes are making a massive comeback. Designers now charge premium prices for the same vintage-inspired patterns our grandparents have been rocking for decades.
These wallpapers often feature superior materials and printing techniques compared to modern mass-produced versions. The depth of color and intricate details in papers from the 60s and 70s create statement walls that instantly define a room’s personality.
Many boomer homes preserved these papers in at least one room, creating time capsules of design history.
9. Rotary Phones As Decor
That old-school telephone isn’t just nostalgic, it’s a statement piece. Vintage rotary phones in bold colors like harvest gold or avocado green add authentic character that reproduction pieces can’t match.
The satisfying mechanical action of dialing creates a tactile experience missing from our touchscreen world. Some design-savvy boomers have even converted these into working modern phones or decorative pieces that celebrate communication technology history.
The solid construction and weight of these phones speak to an era when products were built to last decades, not months.
10. Antique Sideboards Or Hutches
That massive wooden hutch dominating the dining room? It’s probably worth more than your car. Antique sideboards feature craftsmanship that modern furniture simply can’t replicate at reasonable prices.
The storage capacity of these pieces solves modern problems with vintage style. Many showcase detailed carving, inlay work, or hardware that demonstrates artisanal skills largely lost to mass production.
These furniture pieces often come with fascinating histories and have been passed down through generations, carrying family stories along with the china they display.
11. Brass Or Ceramic Lamps
When hunting for quality lighting, vintage stores charge premium prices for the exact lamps boomers have owned for decades. The weight and balance of a solid brass lamp base creates a presence that lightweight modern alternatives can’t match.
Hand-painted ceramic bases from the 50s-70s feature glazes and techniques rarely found today outside of custom artisan pieces. The warm glow from these lamps creates ambient lighting that flatters both the room and its occupants.
Many feature unique shapes or materials that add character to any space.
12. Formal Dining Sets
When did we stop gathering around proper dining tables? Those complete dining sets with matching chairs might seem formal, but they represent a commitment to family meals and entertaining that deserves revival.
Vintage dining furniture was built to accommodate generations of family gatherings. The solid construction of these sets means they’ve survived decades of holiday meals and everyday use while maintaining their structural integrity and style.
Many feature extension leaves and clever design elements that make them adaptable for different occasions.
13. Wall-To-Wall Books
Before e-readers and minimalist decor, boomers celebrated their book collections openly. Those floor-to-ceiling shelves filled with colorful spines create instant character and intellectual warmth in any room.
Personal libraries showcase a lifetime of curiosity and learning. The diverse topics, worn spines, and dog-eared pages tell stories beyond the text inside. They map the intellectual journey of their owners through decades of reading.
Unlike carefully curated modern bookshelves designed for Instagram, these authentic collections prioritize content over aesthetic, yet somehow look more interesting.
14. Stained Glass Accents
Those colored glass panels aren’t just church windows. Stained glass elements in boomer homes, from Tiffany-style lamps to window hangings, filter light in ways that create magical, ever-changing patterns throughout the day.
Many pieces were handcrafted by artisans using techniques that have become increasingly rare. The jewel-toned colors and intricate designs add artistic focal points that catch the eye without overwhelming a space.
Unlike mass-produced decor, each piece tells a story through its unique pattern, color choices, and the way it interacts with natural light.
15. Framed Family Photo Galleries
Before Instagram feeds, boomers created physical timelines of family history on their walls. These carefully arranged photo galleries document decades of milestones, fashion changes, and family growth in tangible form.
The mix of frame styles and photo sizes creates visual interest while telling a cohesive story. Printed photographs have a permanence and presence that digital images lack. They don’t disappear with a dead phone battery or cloud storage failure.
Many contain irreplaceable moments captured on film that exist nowhere else in digital form.
16. Traditional Clocks
The gentle ticking of a grandfather clock or the hourly chime of a mantel timepiece adds a soothing rhythm to boomer homes rarely found in modern spaces. These mechanical marvels represent engineering that has stood the test of time, often literally for centuries.
Many traditional clocks are handcrafted works of art featuring intricate woodwork or metalsmithing. The ritual of winding these timepieces creates a connection between owner and object that disposable battery-operated clocks can’t replicate.
Their presence marks the passage of time in a tangible, audible way that grounds a home.
