Are Outdated Household Items Really Outdated?
Maybe your granny knew what she was doing.
Page through any modern home and Décor magazine spread and you’ll likely see sleek minimalism, bold statement pieces, and a curious lack of things our grandmothers swore by. No spoon rest in sight, no doily making an appearance, and heaven forbid a net curtain fluttering in the breeze. Yet, just because these things have fallen out of fashion doesn’t mean they’ve lost their value. So, let’s investigate these supposedly “outdated” household items—and explain why they might just deserve a second chance.
Spoon rests: The Unsung Heroes of the Kitchen Countertop
Why it became a nope:
Critics say spoon rests are clutter. Why dedicate precious counter space to something that just gets dirty and has to be washed anyway? Why not just plop the spoon across the pot or balance it precariously on the edge of your cutting board? Or, just put it straight on the counter and clean up later…(Barbaric!)
Why you should reconsider…
Because sauce happens, that’s why. The humble spoon rest prevents your béchamel from redecorating your granite countertop and saves you from surprise sticky spots. It’s also a small item that can bring a bit of whimsy into the kitchen—ceramic cats, quirky shapes, or even elegant glass versions exist. Think of it as kitchen insurance: a little spot to keep chaos contained. And let’s be honest, anyone who’s wiped tomato splatters from grout tiles knows spoon rests are lifesavers
Analogue Kitchen Wall Clocks: TikTok, But Not That Kind
The Case Against:
Who needs a wall clock when you have a phone, a smartwatch, a tablet, a microwave, and an oven all screaming the time at you? Some argue they’re redundant, oversized relics.
The Case For:
Analogue clocks give the kitchen a soul. They’re reliable, they don’t need Wi-Fi, and unlike your phone, they won’t distract you with a message while you’re timing pasta. Plus, there’s something grounding about glancing up and seeing hands sweep around a face—like a steady reminder that time is still ticking, even if your sourdough starter hasn’t risen yet and your kids are eating breakfast at a glacial pace. A big cheerful wall clock makes a house feel like a home, not a spaceship full of digital beeps.
Net Curtains: Ghostly Lace or Airy Privacy?
Why they have disappeared:
They’ve been accused of making homes look fussy, like an abandoned tearoom from the 1900s. Dust magnets, difficult to wash, and “why block your view with cobwebby lace?” are common arguments.
Why they might be more useful than you thought:
Because not everyone needs the neighbourhood seeing them shuffle past in mismatched pyjamas, that’s why. Net curtains provide daytime privacy while still letting light in—a magic trick in itself. They also add a bit of softness to windows. In an age of blinds that clatter and heavy drapes that darken, net whispers a delicate “you can have both sunshine and dignity.” Oh – and they are great at protecting your home from the harsh bleaching effect of direct sunshine!
Bowls of Potpourri: Dust Catchers or Aromatic Charm?
Definitely a nope
Potpourri is often accused of being the final resting place of dried petals and faded cinnamon sticks. Critics say it’s stale, dusty, and smells faintly of a grandmother’s handbag. The store-bought kind, with coloured dried flowers of unknown origin, that gathers dust in a fussy little pot and is imbibed with sickly sweet scent oil…yuck.
Why not re-imagine it?
But think back to walking into a home where the air smelled faintly of roses and cloves—wasn’t that rather nice? Potpourri adds warmth and personality. Unlike plug-in fresheners that blast synthetic lavender at your nostrils, potpourri is subtle. Plus, it’s a DIY project waiting to happen: dried orange peel, rosemary, lavender from your garden… suddenly you’re an artisanal home-scent curator.
Display Cases of Fancy Glass and China: Museums or Memories?
Why we hate it
Why keep dishes you’ll never use? Display cases can hog space and gather dust. Clutter fearing Millennials are famous for refusing to inherit Great Aunt Edith’s collection of crystal dessert cups. (And that’s ok!)
Don’t deny your history
Why should you keep some display pieces? Because those cups sparkle like stars, that’s why. A glass cabinet full of cut glass and delicate china isn’t just storage, it’s a family story, kept alive through the ages. Every item says “this was treasured.” Display cabinets can also be a quiet rebellion against the “use once and toss” culture. Set your table with the pretty things once in a while, or use one of the glasses as a tiny vase for that wildflower you just picked… They remind us that beauty can be permanent, and maybe—just maybe—that crystal punch bowl will see action at the next holiday party.
Sofa Armrest Protectors
Why we said no.
They’re seen as fuddy-duddy, the textile equivalent of wrapping your sofa in plastic. Surely modern fabrics can withstand a bit of elbow grease and the odd popcorn mishap.
Why we should be saying yes.
Armrest protectors are the unsung warriors of longevity. Sofas are expensive, and the arms take the worst of our lounging habits—teacups balanced, remotes dropped, hands wiped absent-mindedly. A removable protector saves you from expensive cleaning. And if you don’t fancy lace or polyester, modern versions exist in chic fabrics that double as storage pockets for remotes. Functional and fashionable—just rebranded.
Doilies Under Plant Pots and Vases: Old Lace, New Purpose
Why they fell out of fashion
Doilies are accused of being fussy relics of a bygone era, forever associated with sideboards, antimacassars (the lappies on the headrests of chairs), and stuffy living rooms. Many people see them as more “museum” than “modern.”
Why we should revisit them
But what’s worse than a fussy doily? A water-ring stain on your mahogany table, that’s what. Doilies act as silent guardians against scratches and drips. Plus, crochet is trending again—young makers are reviving the craft, and those delicate patterns add handmade charm. A modern doily under a sleek vase suddenly reads as “eclectic boho,” not “Victorian grandmother.”
Coasters: The Ultimate Negotiators
Why they have been left by the wayside
Some say they’re unnecessary—after all, aren’t tables explicitly designed for putting things down on? And doesn’t everyone forget to use them anyway?
Coasters help guests to be welcomed back
Coasters are tiny peacekeepers. They prevent wars between cold drinks and nice tables, between condensation and oak finishes. They’re also a an opportunity to express your personality: from witty quotes to resin art to leather chic. Without coasters, the world would descend into chaos, or at least water rings. And let’s be honest coasters are one of the few household items that polite guests will actively reach for without being prompted.( See coaster-use as a litmus test for which guests you want back, and which were simply one hit wonders…)
The Verdict: Outdated or Simply Underappreciated?
When you line them all up, these “outdated” items start to look less like clutter and more like guardians of comfort, charm, and practicality. They may not make the cover of a minimalist design magazine, but they offer something better: a sense of home. Maybe the real trick is rebranding. Spoon rests become “culinary landing pads.” Doilys morph into “handcrafted surface savers.” Sofa armrest covers? “Lounge armour.”
So perhaps it’s time we stop mocking the net curtain or the doily and give them a little respect. After all, one day the gadgets we think are cutting-edge—air fryers, smart speakers, LED strip lights—will be seen as equally quaint. And when that day comes, we might just find ourselves defending them in the same way.
