Actual carpeting – and even shag rugs – in the food prep area? Yep, it was a thing, as these vintage kitchen carpet photos will prove!
Vintage homes & gardens
Antique bathroom design in the 1900s was no afterthought — see the stunning fixtures, tilework & suites that set the standard for luxury homes.
Bold 1950s linoleum flooring: See how the postwar bathroom floor became a fantastic design statement
1950s linoleum flooring and vinyl were bolder than you’d expect — see 20 real bathroom floors from some of the decade’s most creative designs.
The 1940s bathroom got a serious glow-up — colorful, coordinated fixtures & bold style that set the stage for the midcentury home design craze.
Whether new or classic, millions still love vintage Corelle dishes from the Corning company (also behind Pyrex & Corningware). See some of the dish patterns available during the ’70s & ’80s!
Kitchen remodel, 1968 style: A Frigidaire before-and-after that still sparks debate — which kitchen would you actually choose?
Princess phones lit up 1960s homes with color and a glowing dial. See how this compact classic changed telephone style.
Vintage baby gear from the 1950s shows how boom-era families used folding cribs, walkers and playpens to save space and time.
In the 1950s and 1960s, prefab fireplaces had become a clear signal that a home was keeping up with the times. Sleek, practical and affordable, these units offered the appeal of a traditional fire without the heavy commitment of masonry construction.
Explore the history of vintage beaded curtains — from early room dividers to their 1960s surge — and see why this flexible decor trend never fully went away.
Explore 140+ vintage mid-century wallpaper designs and see how bold patterns, color, and texture helped define midcentury American home decor.
Take a seat and look back at these vintage 1960s chairs that used to fill homes – with styles ranging from the minimalist mid-century modern styles to the living room chairs with bold colors and patterns.
For Valentine’s Day or any day, you can re-create these pretty heart cross-stitch patterns with these designs and directions from 1955.
See 28 vintage pink bathrooms from the 1950s and 1960s that show how this bold color became a mid-century design favorite.
Explore 125 vintage ’60s home plans used to design and build mid‑century houses across America, from ranches to contemporary split‑levels.
Family spaces changed radically when households started buying TVs. Then came the casual & comfy mid century modern living room as we still know it today.
We’ve rounded up 30 dramatically different examples of 1950s Christmas tree decorations — come be inspired by these lavishly decorated Christmas trees!
Step back and time and enjoy these charmingly vintage Christmas scenes celebrations from the 1940s through the 1970s, showing holidays that were picture perfect.
These Christmas gift ideas from 1964 show how mid-century shoppers turned everyday home goods into thoughtful holiday presents with style.
See vintage Christmas decorations 1960s and 70s families used to light up the holidays — from homemade trees to bright outdoor candles and festive centerpieces.
See how 1980s sleeping bags brought superheroes, cartoons and bright designs to sleepovers, camping trips and every kid’s favorite hangout spot.
Whether you’re a nostalgia buff or looking for Christmas door decorations for your mid century home (or both!), we have some fun and festive ideas!
See how Christmas ribbon craft projects from 1963 brought color and cheer to holiday homes with DIY decorations, all made from simple materials.
See how 1920s home decor brought color, pattern and purpose into American homes, from sun porches to stair landings and every room in between.
Here are some crafty fabric Christmas ornaments you can make yourself. There are five different designs using an inexpensive patchwork design.
Vintage Formula 409 household cleaner hit supermarket shelves in the ’60s, and was one of the most popular household cleaning products during the 1970s and 1980s. See why people loved the stuff here!
Explore vintage family kitchens and the retro layouts, colors and design choices that shaped home life in mid‑century America.
Explore vintage Thanksgiving centerpiece ideas from 1900, when cabbage bowls and pumpkin displays set the tone for a handmade holiday table.
1950s TV sets brought bold design and big features into American homes, reshaping how families watched, gathered and spent time together.
Separate beds in the 1950s weren’t just for movies — real couples, doctors, and censors all had opinions on how married people should sleep.
Each of these 1920s house styles tells its own story & showcases the creativity of the era. Many even helped shape how suburbs look today. Let’s take a closer look!
Explore vintage guest room ideas from 1910 to 1970, packed with timeless tips and retro charm to inspire your own cozy and welcoming space.
Explore real 1970s bathroom decor with wild colors, bold patterns and sunken tubs that made home bathrooms totally unforgettable.
Explore vintage basement decor from the 40s & 50s—ideas for laundry, hobbies, games and lounging, plus photos and articles to inspire your own basement makeover.
Retro paper plates took off in the 60s and haven’t disappeared since. See how these colorful classics shaped party tables then and now.
In both 1975 and 1978, singer Helen Reddy took national magazine photographers on tours of her California home, which was full of music, plants and country charm. Here’s a look inside!
See how washboards powered old-fashioned laundry days with scrub, soap and skill, plus vintage photos showing them in action.
See how 1950s small home decorating ideas used smart space-saving tricks, clever storage, and stylish details that still work in today’s homes.
From neatly organized tool racks to clever storage solutions, these 1950s (and early 60s) home workshops maximize space and productivity.
Whether plain or fancy, antique kerosene lamps like these were more than home decor – they made it possible for people to work and play late into the night. Find out more here!
Explore the Scholz home story with a look at the Mark 58 design, prefab innovation, and how this model changed mid-century homebuilding.
Here, take a look back at this collection of gorgeous designs and styles of vintage canopy beds that were popular the seventies. Some are some classic and elegant, others modern and breezy, and many fabulously frilly.
Discover how folk art painting uses simple brushstrokes to decorate furniture and home goods, with vintage guides and designs from the 1940s and 1950s.
Ceiling wallpaper made bold statements in the 70s — and it’s making a quiet comeback. See vintage looks and get step-by-step how-to tips from the era.
Remember these vintage above-ground pools – the kind that were big enough to actually swim in, but that you didn’t need to dig a big hole for?
WWII Victory gardens from the 1940s: How people planted them, and how you can grow your own even now
During World War II, people needed to help ease the nation’s burden by growing as much of their own food as possible in what they called Victory Gardens. Here’s how they did it!
Have you ever wondered where products like Formula 409, 7-Up, WD-40 and Preparation H got those famous vintage brand names? Find out here.
Take a look back at these beautiful vintage 1970s bedspreads — cozy designs with retro patterns, bright colors, and added texture from things like quilting, embroidery and fringe.
When post-WWII prefab housing was becoming passe, in the ’50s, a new version of the prefab home emerged – the kind of upper-middle-class home with many mid-century modern design ideas that would become popular over the next decade.
These retro yellow kitchens – in all their buttery, warm and sunny splendor – are here for the midcentury home decor enthusiast to appreciate!
Crystal chandeliers have been a symbol of luxury and opulence since the 18th century. If you’re wondering what crystal chandeliers used to look like, take a peek below at these vintage photos!
Want to know how to make an old rotary phone work? Here’s your handy guide, straight from the 50s!
If you were a mid-century suburban kid you likely had a tubular metal swing set like one of these! Check out this nostalgia trip back to the backyards of your childhood.
Discover vintage kitchen design ideas from the 1940s to 1980s that blended style and creativity — and see why some old trends might deserve a comeback.
Remember these classic 70s things? See the furniture, decor and everyday items that made 1970s homes unique, colorful, and totally unforgettable.
60s bathrooms were bold, colorful and fashion-forward. From sunken tubs to pink sinks, see how these retro spaces made bathrooms a true style statement.
Take a fun look back at the stereotypical perfect ’50s housewife, as she vacuums in heels, washes dishes wearing pearls, and makes everything practically perfect.
Here’s a sweet and pretty way to celebrate spring – with this vintage-style Easter egg tree craft! Here’s how you can make your own.
These 60+ vintage patio furniture sets – charming tables, chairs, chaises and more – were as popular in the 1940s through the 1970s as they are now.
Explore the vintage pink kitchen trend of the 1950s, from pastel cabinets to pink appliances. See what made this retro style such a mid-century favorite.
Dishwasher history starts with Josephine Cochrane, who invented the first automatic model in the 1880s. Her creation changed kitchens forever.
See how 1960s vacation homes were designed for easy living, affordability and style, from simple A-frames to cozy beach cabins and mid-century ranches.
In the 70s, stainless steel or copper cookware wasn’t enough – people wanted retro pots and pans for their kitchen in all of the latest colors and patterns. Take a peek inside those old kitchen cabinets!
See what was cookin’ in home design decades ago by checking out these kitchen islands from the 60s! They combined form, function, and fun, too.
Try your hand at these traditional patterns for Americana quilts – the pride of America’s past, and adaptable for many uses today.
Remember when every girl wanted a Lane hope chest? See 20+ vintage hope chests from the 20th century
Way back when, it’s what every girl wanted: A cedar-lined Lane hope chest for linens and her trousseau. In upper-middle-class homes, giving a teen cedar chest was a longstanding tradition — and practically a requirement for marriage.
Starting back in the ’50s, women were encouraged to start their own businesses, hosting Tupperware parties, and demonstrating how to use those popular plastic containers. Here’s a look back!
Rose Wilder Lane’s 1962 essay on weaving was really a love letter to American independence, stitched together with stories from history and home.
Here’s a look at actor, dancer & singer Gene Kelly’s sweet house in Southern California, as it looked back in 1950, when he lived there with his wife and daughter.
Here’s a look back at 100 years of vintage Fostoria glass – from candelabra to stemware, in clear crystal or a rainbow of colorful hues – that people have been using and collecting for generations.
What did the future look like from the ’60s? See some modernist-style retro futuristic home concepts that captured the midcentury era’s sleek style and space-age optimism.
With a little thought and care – plus the inspiration of these lush holiday table settings of yore – you can create unforgettably nostalgic Christmas table settings that will be remembered for years to come.
This collection of vintage Pier 1 Christmas ads shows the great variety of gifts, home decor, and Christmas decorations they had available through the second half of the 20th century.
On these pictures of Christmas trees in the 70s, cuddly creatures, lace, ribbons, flowers, Santas and toys, were all radiantly spotlighted with the gleam of shining ornaments. Take a look back here, and get a little retro inspo for your holidays!
Years ago, old-fashioned clock radios like these were on pretty much every bedside table around America, both lulling us to sleep with music and radio shows, and getting us up for work in the morning.
Inside the gorgeous Thomas Edison house: A glimpse into his unique 1916 home life at Glenmont Estate
The Thomas Edison house in New Jersey housed both new inventions and priceless antiques – and was where his children were born, and where he died.
Adapted from an article that ran in Better Homes & Gardens print magazine back in December 1970, this cute craft how-to for “colossal Christmas balls”
The melted plastic Halloween decorations popular in the ’70s were ‘delightfully different’ and ‘captured the happy Halloween spirit.’
Here’s how to craft creative salt dough ornaments for Christmas! It’s easy to stir up a batch, and makes getting into the holiday spirit extra fun.
Ever wondered what home redecorating was like back in the early 1900s? Here, see some popular Edwardian wallpaper styles and home decor color combinations!
Back when cheap Halloween party decor was a distant dream, people had to make their Halloween decorations the old-fashioned way: by getting creative. Ghoul School 1919 is now in session!
These retro Christmas ornament craft ideas may be more than 50 years old, but that doesn’t mean they’re any less festive than you’d expect to see today! Take a look at how easy they are to do.
From all these beautiful old-school Bigelow carpet styles, celebrities Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz chose their dream carpet to decorate their home.
The vintage home of Clancy Collins White and her celebrity parents Mary Ann Mobley & Gary Collins in Beverly Hills was steeped in southern charm – and you can see it right here.
Biltmore is a huge private estate and tourist destination in Asheville, North Carolina with 250 rooms spread over four acres of floor area, and it has 43 bathrooms and 35 bedrooms. See it here!
Mr Whipple: Please don’t squeeze the Charmin! 20 years of legendary TV commercial toilet paper drama
Discover the story of Mr Whipple and his famous “Please don’t squeeze the Charmin” commercials, one of the most memorable ad campaigns of the 20th century.
These beautiful antique kitchen ranges from the 1920s & 30s were huge and heavy. See vintage ads and photos that showcase these unique appliances!
Here, look back at the rediscovered art of stenciling, plus see dozens of examples of traditional stencil patterns from throughout history!
Millions of cute ’70s kitchen accessories like these appeared in homes from all across America back in the day.
Here are a few authentic old-fashioned ways to make homemade soap, with directions from the olden days in Nebraska back in 1908!
Whether wet-look vinyl or fur-look polyester, these vintage ’70s toadstool ottomans & gull-wing chairs were the epitome of budget home style for trend-followers.
Monsanto’s Home of the Future at Disneyland – set in the futuristic year 1986 – was built almost entirely of plastic, either alone or in combination with traditional building materials.
Here’s a look at our collection of vintage 1950s table settings – direct from magazines that came out between 1950 and 1959.
Remember having fun in vintage playhouses & forts like these? Take a look back at some of these retro play structures through the decades, from the ’50s through the ’80s!
This charming upper-middle-class home – a vintage 1970s designer dream house in Denver – was compact and neatly designed, the surfaces were hardy, the wallpapers were bold… and the style was so very seventies.
Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion is filled with 999 retired spooks and spirits who have taken up permanent residence at this California theme park. Sneak a peek!
See how gazebos became one of America’s favorite outdoor retreats with a look back at some vintage styles and backyard designs!
Actress Leslie Uggams’ name is widely recognized, but in 1970, she was in the spotlight for something different — her home decor. We have that scoop!
