Things Every Kitchen Had in 1980

Step into a typical American kitchen in 1980 and you would instantly know what decade you were in. The appliances were green or gold, the phone hung on the wall, and the cabinets were wood from floor to ceiling.

Many of these kitchens were built or remodeled in the 1970s, so they carried that decade’s style well into the new one. Here are the things you could find in almost every kitchen in 1980, and how many of them have quietly disappeared.

01Avocado Green and Harvest Gold Appliances

Refrigerators, stoves, and dishwashers in earthy colors were hugely popular in the 1970s, and in 1980 plenty of homes still had them. Avocado green, harvest gold, and coppertone brown were the big three. By the late 1980s, white and almond had largely taken over.

02A Rotary Phone on the Wall

The kitchen phone was often mounted on the wall with an extra-long coiled cord, so you could stir a pot while you talked. Dialing a number meant turning a rotary dial for each digit, although push-button phones were already becoming common.

The appliances were green or gold, the phone hung on the wall, and the cabinets were wood from floor to ceiling.

03The Crock-Pot

Rival introduced the Crock-Pot in 1971, and slow cookers became a fixture of busy households. Many came in the same earthy colors as the appliances, and recipe booklets for pot roast and chili came tucked inside the box.

04Tupperware Everywhere

Stacks of pastel Tupperware filled the cupboards, much of it bought at home Tupperware parties hosted by friends and neighbors. Those containers were built to last, and many are still in use in family kitchens today.

05A Microwave, If You Were Lucky

Countertop microwaves were still fairly new to many families in 1980, and only a minority of homes had one. They were large, heavy, and often had mechanical dials. Within about a decade, they went from a novelty to a standard appliance.

06Linoleum Floors and Wood Paneling

Patterned vinyl or linoleum floors were cheap and easy to clean, and some kitchens had wood paneling or bold wallpaper with fruit or floral prints. Add a spice rack on the wall and a calendar from the local bank, and the look was complete.