Furniture isn’t just about form and function — it’s a reflection of how we live. As technology evolves and lifestyles shift, pieces that were once considered household essentials can quietly fade into obscurity. From furniture designed around now-outdated technology to those that catered to social customs of another era, many former decor staples have all but disappeared from modern homes.
If you’ve ever tried to fit a heavy television into a hulking TV cabinet or spent an hour at the “gossip bench” catching up with an old friend, you’re not alone. These once-popular furnishings tell the story of how we used to live. A few may linger in basements, guest rooms, or antique shops, quietly reminding us of how much things have changed. Here are seven kinds of furniture that were once common but are now rarely seen. How many have you owned?
Waterbeds
Popular in the 1970s and ’80s, waterbeds promised a futuristic sleep experience with their wavelike motion and adjustable temperature. Though patented in California in the late 1960s, the concept had already rippled through science fiction — sci-fi author Robert Heinlein described similar beds in his novels years earlier, imagining them as ideal for both comfort and hygiene.
Once marketed as both cutting-edge and sexy, waterbeds quickly gained popularity, peaking in 1987 when they accounted for nearly 20% of all mattress sales in the U.S. One memorable slogan captured the era’s enthusiasm: “Two things are better on a waterbed. One of them is sleep.” But the charm faded as waterbeds’ drawbacks mounted: heavy frames, tricky maintenance, awkward moves, and a constant risk of leaks. Though rarely seen today, waterbeds remain a quirky relic of a bygone era — a ripple in sleep history that once made big waves.
Secretary Desks
Once a symbol of organized sophistication, the secretary desk combined elegance and style with utility. Featuring a hinged, fold-down writing surface and a nest of drawers, cubbies, and sometimes even hidden compartments, it served as the ideal command center for managing household correspondence, finances, and daily affairs.
The name is derived from the French secrétaire à abattant, a drop-front desk. This form rose to prominence in 18th-century France and later found popularity in U.S. homes in the 19th and early 20th centuries, often passed down as family heirlooms. But as handwritten letters and billing statements gave way to email and online banking, the need for a dedicated writing nook waned. Today, the secretary desk is more likely to be admired in antique shops or repurposed as an accent piece — a charming nod to a time when “inbox empty” involved an actual wooden drawer.
Telephone Tables
The telephone table, affectionately known as a “gossip bench,” was the most popular spot in the house in mid-20th-century America. This compact piece of furniture was designed for one very specific mission: managing the family’s single landline telephone. Originating sometime after the invention of the telephone in 1876, this nifty piece evolved out of the telephone stand of the 1890s. It combined a small seat with a tabletop for notepads and pens, and often a built-in shelf or cubby for the bulky phone book. It was the designated spot where people went to share news, plan social events, or simply chat for hours.
As cordless phones freed us from the seat and mobile phones untethered calls from our homes entirely, the telephone table was rendered obsolete. Today, it stands as a charming reminder of a time when phone calls were events — and if you weren’t at home to get the call, you might miss all the good gossip.
Vanities
For decades, the dressing table, also known as a vanity table or vanity, was more than just a piece of furniture — it was a dedicated beauty retreat. With its attached mirror, small drawers, and delicate design, the vanity offered women a personal space to style their hair, apply makeup, and prepare for the day or a glamorous night out. The concept dates back centuries, with origins in late-17th-century Europe, where aristocratic dressing tables were elaborate symbols of refinement.
During the art deco movement of the early 20th century, when beauty routines were marketed as both necessary and aspirational, vanity tables found a place in American homes. Hollywood helped cement the allure: Silver-screen stars were often photographed perched gracefully at their vanities, surrounded by perfume bottles and powder puffs.
By the late 20th century, however, the rise of modern bathrooms with bright lighting, expansive counters, and built-in storage gradually made the bedroom vanity redundant. As homes evolved for efficiency and space-saving, the once-essential vanity became more of a decorative throwback than a daily necessity. While vanity tables can still be found in vintage-inspired bedrooms, they’re mostly a charming reminder of the glamour of a bygone era.
TV Cabinets
By the 1960s, most American households had a television — but that didn’t mean anyone wanted to see it on display. Early sets were bulky, unattractive, and often viewed as disruptive to a well-appointed living room. So, manufacturers dressed them up in polished wood consoles to make the machines look like part of the living room decor.
As TVs got bigger and the gadgets piled on — VCRs, cable boxes, gaming consoles, stereo receivers, speaker systems — the simple disguise no longer cut it. Enter the TV cabinet and, later, the full-blown entertainment center: hulking structures designed not just to hold a TV, but to contain and conceal the entire home media system. These cabinets peaked in popularity in the 1980s and ’90s, often spanning entire walls and weighing more than the electronics they held. Not only were they practical, but they also soothed lingering anxieties that TV-watching was lazy, lowbrow, or somehow a design failure. Closing the cabinet doors felt like restoring order — and taste — to the room. But as televisions got sleeker and streaming services replaced stacks of movie boxes, the furniture built to hide it all quickly lost its relevance. Now TV cabinets are seen as bulky, old-fashioned relics — like building a closet just to store your iPad.
Chaise Longues
Once the epitome of leisure and elegance, the chaise longue, from the French for “long chair,” has a history stretching back to ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. The form evolved through centuries of European refinement, particularly in 16th-century France, where it became a fixture in aristocratic homes as a symbol of comfort and status. By the 19th century, it had taken on new life in Victorian parlors as the fainting couch — a semi-reclined piece thought to offer a graceful landing spot for corseted women who found themselves short of breath.
In the first half of the 20th century, the chaise had a solid run in U.S. homes, especially in bedrooms, sunrooms, and formal living spaces. It offered a spot for reading, relaxing, or striking a languid pose à la an Old Hollywood starlet. It paired comfort with glamour, and no therapist’s office or upscale photo shoot was complete without one.
But as rooms got smaller and furniture leaned more functional, the chaise longue became harder to justify. It takes up the footprint of a recliner or armchair — with less versatility. And unlike a sofa or sectional, it’s typically built for one, making it less practical for families or shared lounging. The chaise still has its fans, but these days it’s mostly reclining in retirement.
Smoking Stands
Once a fixture in midcentury homes, smoking stands were compact, single-purpose pieces designed to hold everything a well-prepared smoker might need: an ashtray, matches, lighters, and a stash of cigarettes or cigars. Often crafted from wood or metal with decorative flair, smoking stands stood proudly beside armchairs, inviting guests to light up without leaving the conversation. From the 1920s through the 1950s, they were as common as coffee tables — a mark of hospitality and, often, masculine style.
Over time, these more elaborate tables gave way to simpler pedestal ashtray stands — functional but stripped of the frills — as smoking became more routine and less ceremonial. But as the dangers of tobacco use became widely recognized and indoor smoking fell out of favor, even those disappeared. Public bans, health awareness, and minimalist living left little space — literally or socially — for dedicated smoking furniture. Now they’re rarely seen outside of antique shops and estate sales, a reminder of when lighting up was trendy.
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