16 Things From the 1980s That Felt Like Luxury But All Nevadans Have Nowadays

Nevadans in the ’80s were dazzled by anything that sparkled, glowed, or made noise. If it looked high-tech or had fake gold trim, people thought it was upscale.

Many of these so-called luxury items were more about illusion than actual value. But gosh, were they fun.

Let’s take a trip back to the things that once made us feel rich.

Cordless Phones (With Giant Antennas)

In the ’80s, having a cordless phone was a huge deal. You could walk around the house while talking, without being tied to the wall by a curly cord anymore.

The base station was bulky. The antenna was even bulkier. And you had to remember to put it back on the charger or it was useless.

Still, if you had one of these in your kitchen or living room, it felt like a luxury. Guests noticed. You felt important.

Now?

They look like bricks. And they worked about 15 feet from the base, tops.

Mirrored Closet Doors

Nothing said “upscale home” in the ’80s quite like sliding closet doors covered in giant mirrors.

They made your bedroom look bigger. They reflected light. And they felt grown-up, even if your bedspread was covered in cartoon characters.

Back then, mirrored doors were considered sleek and modern. Real estate listings even bragged about them.

Today, they mostly scream “dated rental” or “please remodel me.”

But at the time, they made people feel like they were living in a magazine.

Lacquered Furniture in Black or White

Shiny lacquered furniture was everywhere in the ’80s. Dressers, dining sets, TV stands; if it reflected light like a wet car, it was in style.

Black and white were the most popular. Bonus points if the drawer pulls were gold or chrome.

It looked expensive. It wasn’t.

The pieces scratched easily and collected fingerprints like magnets. But if you had one, you probably treated it like treasure.

Gold-Plated Everything (Even If It Was Plastic)

From bathroom faucets to picture frames to jewelry boxes, “gold” was the go-to finish in the ’80s.

It wasn’t real gold. Most of the time, it was just shiny, gold-colored plastic or a thin metallic coating.

But it looked expensive, and that was the point. Americans loved the sparkle and the status it suggested.

The only problem? That gold wore off. Fast. But by then, you’d already moved on to the next shiny thing.

Glass Coffee Tables With Brass Legs

If your parents had a glass coffee table with brass supports, chances are they thought it was the height of sophistication.

It was heavy, reflective, and a little dangerous. One wrong move, and someone’s shin or foreheadwas in trouble.

Still, it looked grown-up. Modern. Very “catalog chic.”

Now, it looks like a museum piece from a very specific era. But back then, it felt like something you’d see in a movie star’s home.

Crystal-Looking Candy Dishes

You know the ones. They sat on coffee tables or end tables, filled with dusty peppermints or sticky ribbon candy.

They looked like cut crystal, but they were usually just molded glass or heavy plastic. Still, people displayed them like family heirlooms.

Guests would gently lift the lid like they were opening a treasure chest. Inside? Maybe some stale jelly beans. Maybe nothing at all.

They weren’t worth much, but they made people feel like they had taste. Even if the candy hadn’t been changed since Reagan was in office.

Popcorn Ceilings

Popcorn ceilings were meant to hide flaws. Builders sprayed them on fast, and homeowners thought they looked… elegant?

The texture caught the light and made ceilings “interesting.” But it also collected dust and was nearly impossible to clean.

People thought it looked high-end. It didn’t. Especially once it started yellowing around the edges.

Today, homeowners pay to have it scraped off. But back then, it was proudly part of the dream home package.

Velvet Rope-Style Curtains

Thick, heavy curtains made of velvety fabric were a big deal in the ’80s. The fancier they looked, the better.

Extra points if they had tassels, braided tiebacks, or fringe along the bottom. Bonus if they matched the couch.

These drapes were more about drama than function. They looked like something out of a hotel or a stage set.

They didn’t block much light. They didn’t insulate well. But they absolutely made a room feel like a formal parlor, even if you were watching game shows on a wood-paneled TV.

Faux Marble Bathroom Counters

Real marble was expensive. Faux marble? Totally doable.

The swirls, the shine, the creamy colors—all printed onto a sheet of laminate glued to pressed wood. It looked fancy until it started peeling at the corners.

But in the ’80s, having a bathroom vanity that looked like marble made you feel like a movie star. Especially if it had gold-tone knobs.

Today, it’s the kind of thing people cover up with contact paper. But back then, it was the closest thing to a spa.

Clamshell Lamps That Looked “Futuristic”

These bulky plastic lamps were shaped like seashells or half-domes and usually came in pastel colors or frosted glass.

They didn’t put out much light, but they looked like something out of a spaceship. That was enough to make them feel modern.

People placed them proudly on nightstands and credenzas, believing they added a sleek, techy vibe to the room.

In reality, they just made everything look like a mall display from 1987.

Inflatable Furniture

For a brief moment, inflatable chairs and couches were considered cutting-edge. They were see-through, colorful, and looked like they belonged in a music video.

Teenagers begged for them. Young adults used them in their first apartments. And everyone thought they were edgy and unique.

But they deflated often, creaked loudly when you sat down, and popped if you so much as looked at them the wrong way.

Still, they felt fancy at the time, like something only cool people understood.

Decorative Telephone Tables

These little tables had one job: to hold your landline phone and maybe a notepad for messages. But in the ’80s, they were dressed up to the nines.

Many had gold trim, floral cushions, or faux Victorian details. It was furniture built to make your phone calls feel more important.

Never mind that the seat was uncomfortable and the drawer was too small for anything useful.

Owning one meant you were serious about conversation and serious about style.

Towel Sets That Were “For Guests Only”

If you grew up in the ’80s, there was probably a bathroom with towels no one was allowed to touch.

These sets usually matched perfectly and had embroidery, lace trim, or little plastic rings to keep them folded just right.

They were displayed like works of art, even though they were never used.

Having a guest towel set meant you cared about presentation. Even if your guest was just the mailman dropping off a package.

Waterbeds

In the 1980s, nothing said “grown-up luxury” like a waterbed. If you knew someone who had one, you probably thought they were rich or daring—or both.

The idea felt futuristic. A bed that moved with your body? That was high-end living.

Except… they leaked. They were hard to get out of. And adjusting the temperature was like taming a wild animal.

But for a while, having one meant you’d made it, even if you needed a small army to help move it.

Beaded Door Curtains

Beaded curtains weren’t just for head shops or novelty stores. In the ’80s, they made their way into suburban homes and studio apartments.

Some were made of plastic. Others had wooden beads or metallic shimmer. They separated rooms without needing an actual door, and they felt very chic.

Every time you walked through one, it made noise. That was part of the appeal.

They didn’t do much for privacy, but they added what felt like “international flair.” Today, they mostly add dust.

Monogrammed Everything

In the ’80s, slapping your initials on something instantly made it feel upscale.

Towels, robes, tote bags, even sweater vests all felt personalized and important if they had your monogram.