19 Household Things Every Boomer Should Get Rid Of
Your home is a lot about yourself. For years, the Baby Boomers have collected and kept things ‘just in case,’ but now, for many, this accumulated stuff has crept into the living space. The number? The average American home now holds a shocking 300,000 items! Regardless of the attachment, now is the time to rethink what you need to make your space refreshed and organized.
Minimalism is the new trend, sustainability is all the rage, and younger generations follow the ‘declutter’ movement credited to experts such as Marie Kondo as if it were a religion. Throwing away those unnecessary domestic pieces is now unquestionably an idea of the time.
Why Decluttering Matters After Decades
Baby Boomers have been around for some of the most extensive consumer periods in history, from post-WWII prosperity to the 80’s material abundance. However, the storage crisis in garages and attics is no laughing matter, as many households are beyond their storage limits.
Decluttering isn’t just for aesthetics; it’s about taking back control of your environment. The impact of clutter has been found to raise cortisol (a stress hormone) levels and affect people’s general well-being. Still, a study in the Journal of Environmental Psychology suggests it ‘can even make you miserable.’ Downsizing isn’t about forgetting your past; it is just about deepening the quality of life for what matters most.
Did you know that as many as 80% of discarded electronics are transported to landfills when recycling options could have handled their disposal? Can donating unused linens to shelters make an environmental and social difference? Mindful decluttering through the Boomers can contribute to the rising mindful living movement. Here are 19 household items every Boomer should eliminate and the next steps.
Heavy Antique Furniture
From bulky armoires to oversized dining sets, most people no longer need furniture that serves a 20-seat banquet. Heavy floor furniture should be downsized for modern, multipurpose ones.
Expert Tip: You can gift or sell pieces through Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist.
Outdated Window Treatments
Heavy blinds or drapes may darken a room and make it look smaller. Change your curtains to light-filtering or natural fiber for a more modern look. Bright spaces contribute to productivity and mood.
Holiday Decorations
Do you need that many Halloween pumpkins? When a home is overstuffed with decorations, closets become cramped. If you have seasonal overstock, consider paring down to some timeless staples.
Cassette and VHS Tapes
We no longer rewind tapes. With the proportion of the population using video streaming services expected to be 18.3% in 2024 and projected to reach 20.7% by 2027 (Statista), VHS and cassette media have become redundant. Safely convert essentials or say goodbye.
Boomer’s Tip: For those who have old home movies, companies, such as Legacybox, can digitize them.
Old Electronics
From your drawer of flip phones and first-gen iPads? That is e-waste waiting to happen. Follow eco-conscious programs like Best Buy’s recycling programs. Electronics take up space, and they’re environmentally hazardous, too.
Encyclopedias and Phone Books
These days, you have all the information at your fingertips! Encyclopedias are no longer everyday tools; Google and Wikipedia have replaced them. Paper books can be taken to local recycling centers.
Mismatched Tupperware
How many container lids can’t find their partners in the drawer? Stack, consolidate and organize smarter via a modular lid and container system and eliminate excess.
Fancy China You Never Use
Though they may hold sentimental value, they usually get dusted off rather than on dinner tables. Consider keeping only one or two complete sets for special occasions and then donating the rest or selling them.
Specialty Kitchen Gadgets
Is that taco shell toaster or Jell-O mold worth the counter space? You can let it go if it hasn’t been used in over a year. Otherwise, you will accumulate clutter that doesn’t make your home look right.
Old Trophies
Awards from sports decades ago may hold time-relevant meaning but are seldom of any modern daily use. Take photographs, then give away the items that will live on in photos.
Children’s Artwork
If your children’s favorite projects can be scanned or digitized, the memories and space can be saved, too. Try making a photo book, not a drawer full of jams.
Plates or Figurines Collections
These can be seen as, and they can feel nostalgic, but beyond that, they hardly serve a practical purpose. A streamlining of collections creates a cleaner and calmer environment.
Unused Scrapbooking Supplies
Is that “future crafting” stash taking up an entire closet? Donate your supplies to local schools or crafting groups if you have not seen a project in five years.
All That Exercise Equipment That’s Gotten Left in the Dust
Unused gear often becomes decor storage (hello, laundry draped over gym bikes). Take it and give it away to someone starting their fitness path.
Irons and Ironing Boards
Wrinkle-free fabrics and steamers are replacing traditional irons. However, students or the underserved community might still need them. Therefore, you can donate yours to shelters or thrift stores.
Excess Tablecloths and Napkins
There’s no need to hold onto 12 napkins from 1992; one or two for holidays suffice. Sort out duplicates and extra tablecloths to donate or recycle.
Outdated Cleaning Supplies
Are half-empty bottles of expired sprays clogging up your cabinet? Eco-friendly options like multi-use vinegar mixes make it easier to downsize.
Paint Cans for Discarded Colors
Paint cans take up much space and are often difficult to dispose of properly. Instead, check if local schools or organizations could use the extra paint for projects. Save one clearly labeled and keep it on hand for touch-ups.
Old Magazines
Magazines are fire hazards and dust collectors. Grab a stack of those old papers, flip through the sentimental ones, clip out your favorite sections, and toss the pile. With every recycling bin, you save 75,000 trees a year through reduced paper waste.
Decluttering isn’t about getting rid of sentimental value but honoring what you keep best. It’s Marie Kondo’s “spark joy” mantra, or working room by room, rewarding physical clutter and freeing you up for better living.
First, begin small; one category, for instance, is outdated technology. If you get into a decluttering role, you will probably find it enjoyable to continue. Want more inspiration? Work with local sustainability home workshops. Come to a simpler, more essential life. It’s never too late to begin!
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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