From ceramic flying ducks to luminous lava lamps and thick sofa skirts, there's a special place in our hearts for the retro homewares of the past. Over the years, many of our treasured items have fallen into obscurity, lost to car boot sales and eBay listings—until now.

We've taken a trip back in time to unearth the best vintage homewares and a few modern updated versions from way back when. Grab your walkman and click or scroll on to take a stroll down memory lane...

From delicate vases sprouting artificial silk poses to large country baskets filled with colourful grasses and wheat. Faux and dried flower arrangements were once super popular. Tables, sideboards and even fireplaces were lovingly filled with displays that lasted long after a real bunch of flowers.

Dried meadow flowers are an old-fashioned homeware making a comeback, so why not fill your hearth back up with a country charming arrangement, from Essentially Hops? Remember to dust the display regularly.

When floral curtains, bedspreads and wallpapers weren't enough, a wallpaper border would frame and finish the cluttered looks we once loved.

From fresh fruit and romantic rose heads motifs to dashing damask and pretty paisley prints, a wallpaper frieze was so admired at the time as it created a high-end finish for those who embraced the maximalist trend.

A few pieces of wall art became extremely well-known to a certain generation. Vladimir Tretchikoff's Green Lady (pictured) and JH Lynch's Tina, were predominant pieces of pop culture and hung proudly in living rooms across nations. 

These works of art still pop up at car boot sales and online listing sites today and our appreciation for these iconic and now famous faces has endured.

Many households owned dolls that hid toilet rolls under their (usually crocheted) skirts during the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. It is believed the craze started in a crafting magazine and took off because toilet roll texture wasn't as soft and gentle as it is now.

Daniel Agnew an expert in dolls and toys at Special Auction Services, told BBC Norfolk: "They were designed for ladies crafting and had tie-holes in their bases. Most UK homes had boxes of nasty waxy paper or cut sheets of newspaper until the 1960s. Hiding your spare toilet roll under a dolly must have been created in a woman's magazine, or crochet pattern book."

The celestial-style light, first designed by Gino Sarfatti and named after a famous satellite, was once seen as an ultra-contemporary lighting option. 

The designer structure has been copied and updated all over the globe since. The striking design is hard to beat when creating a statement ceiling, even a copy. 

Swirl 10 light ceiling light, available from Dunelm

Inspired by the bright colours of pop art and patterns that trick the eye, bold wallpaper was everywhere in the 1970s.

And now retro design is back in vogue and hotter than ever. This wallpaper print with eclectic spiral patterns in green, brown and blue could have been made decades ago. 

The Hippie Shake wallpaper, available from Lust Home

No hallway was complete in the 1970s without a striking starburst clock or sunburst mirror to add a statement.

Lately, we've seen an explosion of circular-shaped mirrors adorn on-trend walls so we don't think it will be too long until designs with surrounding rays of light rise too. This star-burst clock is a classic Metame find, from the pre-owned platform, vinterior.co.

Is there anything more retro than a trio of ceramic ducks? These interior décor favourites were born in the late 1930s, with the original flying duck design created in Stoke-on-Trent, England, UK. 

By the 1960s and 70s, these beloved treasures had made a home for themselves in our hallways and living rooms. Although the originals are mainly second-hand shop spots, they haven't flown the nest for good as contemporary versions are still produced. These ceramic ducks are a genuine 50s vintage find, from the pre-owned platform, vinterior.co.

The beloved beaded door curtain was a staple in the households of yesteryear. In the 1960s and 70s, Bohemian and psychedelic styles were big, with natural materials such as wood, shells and bamboo entering our interiors.

The perfect way to neatly cordon off a room, beaded curtains are memorable for their jazzy patterns and that distinctive sound they made when the beads gently knocked together.

If you can't get the day started without your morning hot drink then this throwback alarm clock is for you. Launched by British manufacturer, Goblin in 1970, the bedside gadgets featured a kettle, analogue clock (and sometimes a lamp) all in one and would have your tea already made when the alarm went off.

It's one of those inventions that everybody still dreams about, and you wonder why it ever really went away.

Before we could stream music we used compact discs. But, before CDs, there were vinyl records. Whether you remember them playing at your parent's house or started collecting them second-hand,  large-scale artistic record covers and warm sound have seen them make a huge comeback.

For that reason, sets of well-used vinyl in dog-eared cardboard and wax sleeves will always be a heart-warming addition to the retro homewares 'hall of fame'.

Say you don't remember this iconic Tupperware range and we wouldn't believe you! Many a child in the 1970s and 80s would have drunk homemade lemonade out of practical orange pitchers or eaten cake kept fresh in a sturdy, bell-shaped tub. 

Mainly distributed via famous 'Tupperware parties', colourful Tupperware is so well made and long-lasting, that you may still find one or two original designs at your grandparent's house.

The food mixer that "does it all" revolutionised kitchens as far back as the 1920s. It has been a kitchen feature for many decades and more.

Award-winning design means they remain virtually unchanged and so make an ideal small appliance investment for retro kitchen fans.

An ingenious way to wake up to your favourite music station in the morning, these handy gadgets came in a range of shapes and sizes, usually featuring a florescent clock face and a manual tuner.

While some were decked out in faux wooden detailing, others came in luminous plastic finishes. A regular in second-hand stores, we still have a soft spot for these bedside gadgets.

We don't think there was a desk in the world that didn't have at least one cardboard IKEA magazine rack during the 1990s and 00s. Sold flat pack in sets of four at extremely low prices, the handy little files created a simple uniform vibe and kept paperwork organised.

Easy storage solutions never go out of style, so these cardboard or MDF boxes are still available now but are often creatively upcycled by IKEA hackers.

Although the brand has been around for more than 100 years, SodaStream hit the mass home market in the 1970s with a range of colourful machines that allowed you to make carbonated water at home. From candy floss to cranberry—did you "get busy with the new fizzy" and try every flavour? 

Now we're moving away from single-use plastic, these retro appliances are making a huge comeback amongst the eco-minded.

British manufacturers Mathmos invented the lava lamp in 1963, these vibrant, playful objects held a fond place in our hearts and our homes. Available in a wide variety of colours, shapes and sizes, lava lamps were top sellers throughout the 1970s, 80s and 90s when children and adults alike snapped up their eye-catching designs.

As modern tastes changed, our appreciation for the novelty lights went out. However, recent interest in retro trends has seen lava lamps return to homes with new funky designs and energy-saving alternatives.

Following the commercial release of CDs in the mid-1980s, Hi-Fi and stereo systems became essential homeware devices for playing our favourite tunes.

Chosen over cassette and record players, Hi-Fis, with their futuristic metallic designs, were the hottest modern technology in town. Now a rare sight following the introduction of Spotify and iTunes, the Hi-Fi has all but disappeared – along with our CD collections and Walkmans.

What do you get if you cross retro colour and texture with granny chic? Crochet cushions of course.

If you want your decor to look like the set of American television teen sitcom That 70s Show, then you'll be 'hooked' on these chunky yarn creations that you can knit and customise yourself.

Corner baths took over standard rectangular fitted baths as a spacious, contemporary alternative during the 1970s. As technology advanced, jacuzzi-style fittings offered progressive homeowners a luxurious whirlpool experience in their own tubs.

These days, simplified stand-alone or offset tubs are favourable. So, finding a bubble-making corner bath at a hotel or Airbnb is always a throwback treat.

How we listen to music is forever developing but back in the 1980s, the compact disc was a revolutionary advance from vinyl records. Within a few years, homes were filled with the little silver circles and so practical storage was needed.

No music fan's bedroom or living room was complete without plenty of lined-up stacks of super-slim, floor-to-ceiling CD storage, and the taller the better.

The 1970s was the golden era of the bean bag as this new chair alternative was both budget-friendly and versatile. Velvet upholstery and opulent design took them from being easy chairs in dorms to statement stand-outs in cool and contemporary homes. 

Popularity dived after a few safety issues. However, as soon regulations were put in place teen bedrooms and student dorm rooms were filled with sacks of polystyrene pellets once again.

Which 1990s teenager didn't lust after a novelty blow-up chair for their bedroom or hangout? Cheap to produce, their bright colours and 'no-assembly required' ethos made them one of the iconic pieces of that era, and well into the noughties too.

Unfortunately, it was only a matter of time before a stray hairpin or an overenthusiastic pet gave them a puncture. That, being said, lounging around on an inflatable chair seems to be cool again as manufacturers are making budget-friendly, modern versions for the masses. 

Inflatable chair, available from B&M

From glass elephants to snake lamps, ceramic cats and brass birds, the 20th-century home often turned to the wild side for adding an ornamental flourish.

Braver decorators housed big cat sculptures large enough to place on the floor as a statement piece. Others displayed sets small enough to home in cabinets. You might remember a passion for fabulous and fun animal sculpture lamps like this endearing tiger with a pom-pom light shade that sits merrily on a bedside table at Dixie Daydream (a rentable retro-decor filled caravan), today.

Tiled countertops were the go-to work-surface option in the first half of the 20th century. Possibly, this was because other affordable and practical materials for the purpose, such as Formica, were yet to be invented.

Impracticalities, such as grout stains and tile suitability mean the look is more of a rarity today. However, a textured and rustic tiled kitchen countertop will always look striking as long as you are prepared for the extra care involved to keep both tiles and grout pristine and clean.

Fringed furnishings add tangeble embellishment to schemes. At one time fringed edging was on almost every piece of homeware created. Lighting, soft furnishings and sofa skirts all shimmied with a fine finish of silky tassels. 

To repeat the outlandish fringe trends of the past get the look with a super chic lamp or draw the eye to glamorous cushions. Or, for a subtle take, fringes work well on rugs and throw blankets.

Pointless or practical, once a coverless tissue box was ultra uncouth. The easy-to-achieve craft project hid the ugly printed outer cardboard box, offering an aesthetically pleasing cover instead.

Stylish tissue box covers are still sought-after (yet more stylish) today. A quick online search will bring up many attractive boxes and covers in an array of materials and textures to cover tissue box packaging that remains an eyesore.

Large fabric-covered sofas with rolled arms and skirt surrounds were considered to be the core of home comfort. The wise investment added softness with layers. Arm covers and skirts were practical for cleaning and stopped dust and debris from getting in hard-to-reach places.

Some proud owners also added vinyl slipcovers to protect prized furnishings from wear and tear. Simply wipe clean and you were good to go!

Salad spinners make food prep extra fun, although it's rare to find one in a modern kitchen. Strange as wet lettuce can ruin a delicious salad dish. 

A salad spinner is effectively a colander that sits inside an outer bowl. A lid with a handle locks in on top and (with manpower) whizzes the food around dispelling water as it spins into the outer bowl. The result is a crisp, practically dry salad ready for tossing.

With so much technology at our fingertips, there is something about the sound and slow manner of the round-dial telephone that infuses calm to those who use it now.

Updated with hidden modern tech, they are still widely available and supported by most landline phone exchanges. We suggest using the cool accessory to inject a hit of colour into your retro decorating scheme.

Covering the walls of a bedroom with posters was an inexpensive and fun way to add personality to your space. 'Poster-mania', appealed mostly to those in adolescent years when loyalties and tastes change quickly. Detachable wall art made sense.

This retro homeware phase feels super sentimental as certain images may evoke emotional memory triggers of youth, belonging and first social connections. The pin holes and sticky tape stains were so worth it.

Often a family heirloom, the traditional style of a patchwork quilt adds timeless charm and homespun warmth that's second to none. 

A genuine patchwork quilt takes time, love and craftsmanship to create, so, it's no wonder such a well-loved and personal homeware item can awaken nostalgia.

During the 1980s and 90s, we all went mad for IKEA (aren't we still?) Affordable flat-pack furniture became a familiar feature in many homes and a few well-designed pieces proved so popular that IKEA has never discontinued them. Nostalgic designs such as the KLIPPAN sofa and POÄNG armchair have been top sellers for almost half a century, and so 'have always felt part of the furniture', so to speak.

"Both KLIPPAN and POÄNG represent more than just furniture; they symbolise our commitment to creating long-lasting designs that truly improve people’s lives and homes over the years," says Johan Ejdemo, Global Design Manager at IKEA of Sweden.

From hot dogs to bananas, Snoopy to Pac-Man and Ronald McDonald, novelty telephones once came in a plethora ofplayful designs. Of all the funky-themed phones of bygone decades, the 1970s hamburger is perhaps the most recognisable. 

Thanks to TV shows like Clarissa Explains It All, playful novelty devices remained teenage merchandise until the late 1990s, before the Nokia 3210 took over the reins. Ah, simpler times...

'Rewind' back a decade or two: remember taping weekly music charts on Sunday afternoons with your portable radio cassette player? Cassette culture overtook vinyl as soon as the revolutionary method of sharing, mixing and transporting music became mainstream.

Those who grew up in the 1970s and 80s will tell you that 'true love' was being given a 'mixed tape' of cherry-picked tracks.

Sometimes known as a bread bin, these countertop heroes have been ubiquitous in kitchens for as long as we can remember.  They were originally designed to protect bakery items from heat, light and any pests that might be around in the days before plastic packaging.

Nowadays a quirky and colourful vintage bread bin makes an intriguing and unique kitchen addition, like this one, at a charming Airbnb design apartment in Copenhagen, Denmark. The tidy worktop storage can still help to keep your loaf crusty and fresh for longer.

Before slim and sleek wide plasma screens were introduced, TV sets were bulky square-shaped boxes that needed a study sideboard or TV unit to sit on. 

Extra points for those who remember arguments about who should get up to change the channel as TV remote controls were yet to come.

The late 1970s and early 80s saw a huge rise in carpet—even our bathroom floors and walls weren't safe! At some point, carpeting even travelled, somewhat questionably, onto our toilet lids.

Luckily, we realised how unsightly—not to mention unhygienic—toilet seat covers are. However, looking back they still hold a place in some hearts.

Back when Alexa was simply a girl's name and had nothing to do with streaming music, we all used and adored record players and turntables instead.

Plenty of us still love the feel and sound of vinyl, so it's no wonder there are still many on the market that are themed to look vintage.

Colour, pattern and texture weren't just for the walls. High pile rugs with extra long and loose fibres added experimental texture and inviting comfort.

Plus, retro rugs brought floors alive with striking chevrons and geometric patterns in colourways such as marmalade orange and cucumber green—the brighter the better.

Paisley's tear-drop-shaped pattern is centuries old and stems from Persian culture. Its Western name was adopted from the town of Paisley, Scotland, UK, where paisley print shawls were mass-produced.

Curvaceous and intricate paisley became a symbol of Bohemian style during the 1970s and 80s. During this time the distinctive print could be found on everything from upholstery to ceramics to wallpaper and was cherished.

Over-the-top designs were once a continuous theme on every surface. Remember the bold print and bright colours on the bed linen? 

Psychedelic and abstract prints of the 1970s and early 80s morphed into magnificent motifs such as neon 'Memphis-style' geometrics and familiar pop-culture favourite characters as we headed into the 1990s and 00s. 

Retro graphic 70s waves duvet cover, available from Weirdstock

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