Well, folks, you won’t believe what some old decorations collecting dust in your attic might be worth these days! Remember all those “outdated” pieces our kids begged us to throw out during their modern minimalist phase? Turns out, we were right to hang onto them. Let’s walk down memory lane and look at some retro home decorations now worth a pretty penny – you might find yourself running up to the attic after reading this!
Table of Contents
- 1 1. Mid-Century Modern Sunburst Clocks
- 2 2. Lava Lamps
- 3 3. Eames-Era Chairs
- 4 4. Pyrex Mixing Bowls
- 5 5. Teak Bar Carts
- 6 6. Vintage Wallpaper
- 7 7. West German Pottery
- 8 8. Lucite Grapes
- 9 9. Starburst Light Fixtures
- 10 10. Retro Kitchen Canisters
- 11 11. Macramé Plant Hangers
- 12 12. Retro Fondue Sets
- 13 13. Pole Lamps
- 14 14. Vintage Cookie Jars
1. Mid-Century Modern Sunburst Clocks
Those George Nelson-style sunburst clocks we all had in our living rooms? Original pieces now fetch anywhere from $500 to $2,500! The brass ones with the atomic design were all the rage in the ’60s, and we bought them for a song at the department store. Who knew keeping time could become such a valuable investment?
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2. Lava Lamps
Original Mathmos lava lamps from the ’60s can now sell for up to $1,000, especially if they’re in working condition. Remember how mesmerizing these were at our first apartment parties? The British-made ones are particularly valuable, and those groovy colors that used to match our shag carpets are now considered “vintage chic.”
3. Eames-Era Chairs
Those molded plastic chairs we bought for the kitchen? If they’re authentic Herman Miller pieces from the ’50s or ’60s, they’re worth $300-$700 each now. The fiberglass originals in good condition can fetch even more. To think we almost gave these away when we redecorated in the ’80s!
4. Pyrex Mixing Bowls
Those colorful Pyrex bowls we got as wedding gifts? The “Pink Daisy” or “Turquoise Snowflake” patterns can sell for hundreds of dollars per piece. Complete sets are in good condition and have sold for over $2,000! And to think we used them for every church potluck and family gathering without knowing they’d become such treasures.
5. Teak Bar Carts
Those Danish modern bar carts that were perfect for entertaining? Original teak pieces from manufacturers like Dyrlund or Johannes Andersen now command $3,000 or more. Every cocktail party in the ’60s had one of these beauties rolling around – they were as essential as the martini shaker!
6. Vintage Wallpaper
Those bold, geometric wallpapers we couldn’t wait to strip off in the ’80s? Unused rolls from the ’60s and ’70s, especially those with psychedelic patterns or foil designs, can sell for $200-$300 per roll. Even small samples are being sold to collectors who frame them as art!
7. West German Pottery
Those “loud” ceramic vases with the volcanic glazes that your mother-in-law criticized? Fat Lava pieces from West Germany sell for $200-$1,000 each. The more unusual the color combination and the larger the piece, the more valuable they’ve become to today’s collectors.
8. Lucite Grapes
Remember those clusters of acrylic grapes that seemed to grace every coffee table in America? Large, pristine clusters in amber or green can now fetch $200-$300. The bigger and more colorful the bunch, the more valuable it is—especially if it still has that original 1970s dust!
9. Starburst Light Fixtures
Those “Sputnik” chandeliers that made our dining rooms look like something from The Jetsons? Original brass pieces can now command $2,000-$4,000. The space age design has come full circle, and these atomic-era fixtures are more sought after than ever.
10. Retro Kitchen Canisters
Those matching canister sets in harvest gold or avocado green? Complete sets from manufacturers like Lincoln BeautyWare or Ransburg can sell for $200-$400. The more unusual the color or pattern, the higher the price – and don’t you dare throw away those original labels!
11. Macramé Plant Hangers
Those intricate macramé hangers that held our spider plants? Original 1970s pieces in good condition can fetch $100-$300, especially if they’re large or have unique beading. The more elaborate the design and the better the condition, the more valuable these pieces of handcrafted nostalgia have become.
12. Retro Fondue Sets
Complete fondue sets from the ’60s and ’70s, especially those made by manufacturers like Chemex or Le Creuset, can now sell for $200-$500. The more complete the set with all original forks and burners, the more valuable they are. Who knew our favorite party piece would become such a hot collector’s item?
13. Pole Lamps
Those tension pole lamps that stretched from floor to ceiling? Original models with multiple lights and authentic fiberglass shades can now sell for $400-$800. The more elaborate the design and the better the condition of those delicate shades, the more collectors are willing to pay.
14. Vintage Cookie Jars
Those ceramic cookie jars shaped like everything from cats to cottages? Rare designs from manufacturers like McCoy or American Bisque can fetch $300-$1,000 or more. The more unusual the design and the better the condition, the more valuable they’ve become – even those chips from eager little hands reaching for cookies haven’t hurt their value!
