12 Old-School Home Items Gen Z Kentuckians Think Are a Waste of Space

Owning stuff used to mean you were successful. Big Kentuckian houses, lots of furniture, shelves packed with books and CDs.

But today, Gen Z doesn’t care much for things that clutter their lives.

They prefer experiences over stuff, and that means these traditional household items you used to find in Kentucky homes aren’t on their wish lists anymore.

And to be honest, we can’t blame them.

Ironing Boards

Ironing boards used to be essential. Wrinkled shirts meant you weren’t put together. Today, Gen Z finds ironing outdated.

Why?

Because wrinkle-free clothes and casual dressing have become popular.

Many prefer clothing materials like polyester blends or stretch fabrics that don’t need ironing. A quick toss in the dryer or a handheld steamer does the trick.

Plus, who has room for an ironing board in small apartments or dorm rooms?

Gen Z values convenience and space. They’d rather use hacks like hanging clothes in a steamy bathroom or choosing clothes that look good a bit wrinkly.

It’s about saving time and effort for more important things.

Alarm Clocks

Gen Z rarely wakes up to the buzz of an old-school alarm clock. Instead, their phones double as alarms.

Why own another gadget if your smartphone already handles the job?

Smartphones allow Gen Z to customize alarms with music, vibrations, or gradual wake-ups. They’re more flexible than traditional clocks.

Plus, having fewer gadgets means less clutter. Minimalism is popular with Gen Z, making multifunctional items ideal.

The typical alarm clock is just another thing to plug in, set, and worry about. Phones make life simpler and tidier.

Cable TV

Remember flipping through endless cable channels, hoping something good was on?

Gen Z doesn’t.

They’ve grown up streaming their favorite shows online. Platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and YouTube have replaced cable.

According to Pew Research, around 61% of young adults prefer streaming services over cable or satellite. That was in 2017.

Can you imagine how much higher that number must be today?

It’s not just convenience, either. Cable subscriptions are expensive, often costing over $100 a month. Streaming services can be much cheaper and offer content whenever and wherever one wants.

Gen Z likes flexibility and hates being tied down to a TV schedule.

Landline Phones

Once upon a time, homes had phones attached to the wall with cords. Those are landlines, and Gen Z barely knows what they are.

Smartphones have replaced landlines because they’re portable, easy to use, and connect to the internet.

Gen Z sees landlines as pointless because everyone already carries a phone in their pocket. Also, cell phones offer texting, social media, and apps—things landlines can’t do.

Paying extra for a home phone seems unnecessary to them when their smartphones do everything.

DVD Players

DVD players were once exciting. Renting or buying movies to watch at home was common.

But Gen Z thinks physical DVDs are outdated.

Streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime offer thousands of movies and TV shows instantly, without needing discs or storage space.

Who wants shelves full of dusty DVDs?

Digital movies never scratch or get lost. Gen Z values having instant access from any device, like phones or tablets, rather than being tied to a TV and player.

Physical DVDs now feel slow and inconvenient, especially when streaming is quicker and often cheaper.

Cookbooks

Cookbooks used to fill kitchen shelves. They were important for recipes and inspiration.

But Gen Z prefers online recipes from food blogs, YouTube videos, or apps like Tasty. Digital recipes are easy to search, quick to follow, and usually free.

No more flipping pages or stained cookbook pages.

Digital recipes also offer interactive features, like timers and video tutorials, making cooking easier for beginners. Plus, digital content is constantly updated, unlike printed books that quickly become outdated.

Gen Z appreciates convenience, speed, and interactive cooking experiences.

Desktop Computers

Desktop computers were once a household staple. Large, bulky monitors and heavy towers were normal.

Now, Gen Z prefers laptops, tablets, and even phones for most tasks.

According to Pew Research, 95% of Gen Z has access to a smartphone, making desktops mostly unnecessary.

Desktops aren’t portable and require lots of space. Gen Z values mobility and minimalism, and laptops or tablets allow them to work, study, or stream anywhere.

Plus, newer laptops and tablets can be just as powerful as desktops, making those bulky setups obsolete.

Fine China and Silverware

Older generations kept special plates, bowls, and silverware for fancy dinners or holidays.

Nowadays, Gen Z sees fine china as unnecessary clutter. Casual, durable dishes from brands like IKEA are more practical and affordable.

Fancy dinners aren’t a common event for Gen Z, who prefer relaxed gatherings.

Additionally, fine china often needs special care, like hand washing or careful storage.

Gen Z values convenience, so dishes that are dishwasher-safe and easy to replace are more appealing. Fancy silverware and plates feel old-fashioned and downright impractical to them.

Single-Purpose Kitchen Appliances

Appliances that do one thing—like bread makers or popcorn machines—were popular once. Now, Gen Z sees them as space-wasters.

Small kitchens or dorm rooms don’t have room for gadgets that only do one job.

Instead, multifunctional devices like air fryers or Instant Pots are popular because they do many things.

Gen Z prefers gadgets that save space, money, and time.

Multipurpose kitchen tools simplify cooking and storage, aligning perfectly with Gen Z’s desire for efficiency and minimalism.

Magazines and Newspapers

Reading news or entertainment once required magazines and newspapers. Gen Z finds these physical formats unnecessary.

Why? Well, they get news instantly through social media, apps, and online platforms like BuzzFeed or Instagram.

Physical magazines and newspapers take up space, create waste, and quickly become outdated. Many Gen Zers care about the environment and prefer digital content that’s easily accessible and always current.

Plus, digital media often has interactive features like comments or sharing, enhancing the experience.

Traditional Cameras

Cameras once were necessary for capturing memories. But now, smartphones come with high-quality cameras built-in.

Gen Z sees no need for traditional cameras unless photography is a serious hobby. Smartphones are convenient, always available, and easy for instant sharing on social media.

Traditional cameras also require separate storage for photos, batteries, and equipment. Smartphones simplify everything into one device, aligning with Gen Z’s desire for convenience and portability.

Why carry multiple gadgets when one phone can handle it all?

Physical Calendars and Planners

Wall calendars and paper planners used to be necessary for staying organized. Now, Gen Z prefers digital calendars and apps like Google Calendar or Notion.

Digital tools send reminders, sync across devices, and easily change schedules.

Physical planners can’t offer that convenience.