16 Things That Used to Be Status Symbols (But Aren’t Anymore for Pennsylvanians)

Status symbols used to be easy to spot. A new car in the driveway. A color TV in the living room. Maybe even a trip out of Pennsylvania every spring.

These things meant you were doing well. Or, at least, you wanted people to think you were.

But times change. What once turned heads now barely gets a second look.

These are some of the things people once chased to show they’d “made it,” and why they don’t carry the same weight today.

A House Full of Wall-to-Wall Carpet

Back in the day, plush carpeting in every room meant luxury. The thicker the pile, the better.

People showed it off like it was fine art. Guests were told to take off their shoes. Kids weren’t allowed to eat in the living room.

It made the home feel warm and upscale. At least, that’s how it looked in magazines.

Today, carpet isn’t impressive. It’s harder to clean, traps dust, and often gets ripped out during renovations.

Hardwood and tile took its place.

A Landline Phone in Every Room

Having a phone in the kitchen, the bedroom, and even the garage once meant you were doing well.

It wasn’t just convenient. It was a sign that you were organized, connected, and ahead of the curve.

Some phones were mounted on the wall. Others came with long cords that stretched across the house.

Now, most people don’t have a landline at all. And those multi-phone households?

They’ve been replaced by a smartphone (or two) per person.

A Formal Dining Room That No One Used

The formal dining room was once the crown jewel of a middle-class home.

It had fancy chairs, special plates, and a table that rarely saw crumbs.

Guests were impressed. It was meant for holidays, birthdays, or maybe just to say, “We’re not eating in the kitchen.”

Today, that space often gets turned into an office, a playroom, or something more useful.

A room set aside just for show doesn’t impress like it used to.

A Big Entertainment Center

Once upon a time, a huge wooden entertainment unit was the star of the living room.

It held the TV, the stereo, the VCR, and rows of VHS tapes or DVDs. Some even had glass doors and built-in lighting.

If you had one, it meant you took your TV time seriously. It was a conversation piece and a bragging right.

Now, it feels bulky and outdated. Flat-screen TVs hang on walls, and streaming replaced the need for a media library.

That once-prized cabinet is now sitting in the garage or listed for free online.

A Cadillac in the Driveway

Nothing said success quite like a shiny Cadillac. It was the dream car for decades.

Smooth ride, leather seats, and a hood ornament that turned heads. It was a reward for working hard and doing well.

You didn’t just drive it. You arrived in it.

These days, luxury looks different. People want Teslas or fuel-efficient crossovers. The Cadillac lost its place as a symbol of making it big.

It still turns heads, but mostly from people who remember what it used to mean.

A Fridge With an Ice Maker and Water Dispenser

When this feature first appeared, it was high-end. Having cold water on tap and crushed ice at the push of a button felt futuristic.

Guests would comment on it. Kids thought it was magic. And homeowners showed it off like it was a new toy.

Today, nearly every new fridge has this feature. No one thinks twice about it.

It went from a status symbol to a standard option.

A Personal Checkbook with Your Name and Address

In the past, pulling out a custom checkbook at the store felt official. It had your name printed in elegant script, sometimes with a scenic photo or monogrammed design.

It showed you had a bank account, paid your bills, and kept your finances in order.

People even bought matching checkbook covers to make it look extra polished.

Now, checks are rare. Most people use cards, apps, or online payments.

If someone pulls out a checkbook today, it’s more likely to hold up the line than impress anyone.

A China Cabinet Filled with Wedding Gifts

A full china cabinet meant you had all the essentials—formal plates, crystal glasses, and silver you barely touched.

It often sat in the dining room, behind glass doors, polished and ready for a dinner party that never happened.

People registered for entire sets and proudly displayed them, even if they only used them once a year.

Today, those cabinets are gathering dust or getting sold online.

Younger generations prefer open shelves and everyday dishes that actually get used.

A Subscription to the Sunday Newspaper

Having the Sunday paper delivered to your door used to be a quiet flex.

It meant you kept up with the world, clipped coupons, and read real news over your morning coffee.

Some folks even got multiple papers to compare headlines or scan more job listings.

Now, most people read the news on their phones. Coupons come in emails. And the stack of paper is seen as clutter, not clout.

For many, canceling the paper was just part of moving forward.

A Matching Living Room Set

At one time, having a perfectly matched sofa, loveseat, and recliner was a sign that you had made it.

Every piece was the same color, the same fabric, and often came with matching throw pillows.

It meant you shopped at a real furniture store, not just pieced things together over time.

Now, a living room with too many matching items feels stiff. People prefer mixed styles, vintage finds, and furniture with personality.

Cozy, casual, and collected has replaced matchy-matchy perfection.

A Rolodex on Your Desk

If you had a spinning Rolodex filled with business cards and contact info, it meant you were a person people called.

It wasn’t just about staying organized. It was about showing how connected you were.

In the office world, a full Rolodex was like a badge of honor. You flipped through it with pride.

Today, contacts live in phones, apps, or email lists. A Rolodex is more likely to be found in a thrift store than on someone’s desk.

And nobody’s impressed by how many cards you used to keep.

A Massive Stereo System

In the past, sound systems took up entire walls. Big speakers. Stacks of equipment. Tangled wires.

If you had one, you were serious about music (or at least wanted to look like you were).

Teenagers cranked them up. Adults showed them off. And house parties centered around them.

Now, sound comes from small wireless speakers or smart devices. It’s clear and crisp, but it doesn’t take up space or scream for attention.

The louder-is-better approach faded out with the wires.

A Second Refrigerator in the Garage

For a long time, having an extra fridge in the garage was a quiet flex.

It usually held soda, frozen meals, and giant tubs of potato salad from warehouse stores. It meant you were stocked, prepared, and had enough space to store backup supplies.

In some neighborhoods, it was even expected. No second fridge? People noticed.

Today, it’s more about energy use, space, and practicality. Many households don’t have one or don’t need it in the garage.

What used to say “we’ve got plenty” now just takes up room and drives up the power bill.

A Wall Calendar from the Bank or Insurance Company

Hanging a big wall calendar in the kitchen or office was once a sign that you had your life together.

Bonus points if it came from your bank, your real estate agent, or your insurance company, because that meant you had relationships with the right people.

You’d circle birthdays, add appointments, and clip coupons to the bottom edge.

Now, most people use digital calendars or forget about them completely.

The free paper calendar went from proud display to recycling bin in one generation.

A Built-In Intercom System

Nothing said “fancy home” like having built-in wall intercoms in every room.

You could press a button to call the kitchen from upstairs. You could buzz the garage. It felt high-tech and impressive.

Real estate agents even highlighted them in listings. They were modern, useful, and fun to show off.

Now, they just sit there, yellowing on the wall while everyone texts instead.

Most people don’t even bother to fix them when they stop working. They just pretend they were never there.

A Curio Cabinet Full of Collectibles

If you had a glass cabinet filled with porcelain figurines, souvenir plates, or crystal animals, it meant you had taste and a little extra money to spend.

Each piece had a story. Maybe it came from a trip. Maybe it was a gift. But the whole collection was meant to impress guests.

People dusted them carefully and pointed them out during holiday gatherings.