The Long Forgotten Appliance That Is Trending For Homes Once Again

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Vintage appliances have a strange but understandable allure to them. Their shapes and colors stir up feelings of nostalgia, and somehow, old appliances seem to be more durable. Over time, though, technological advancements can render old appliances obsolete, no matter how charming they look. Modern washing machines use less water, refrigerators are more energy-efficient, and televisions are larger and connect to streaming services. However, even beyond just liking a vintage style of an appliance, some people simply prefer older technology. For example, although most people have smartphones that can play any song at any time, record players have grown in popularity in recent years after experiencing a large drop in sales in the late '80s. Record players are still manufactured today because the market for them is so large. Another long-forgotten appliance that has seen a similarly surprising resurgence in popularity is the home phone.

For anyone who does not remember, a home phone is a telephone that does not leave the house. Some home phones had curly cords connecting the handset to the base unit, but later home phones could also have wireless handsets. There were a variety of cute colors and styles, including silly novelty ones that were shaped like characters or food. While the thought of a home phone may seem outdated, there are some surprising benefits to consider, including, of course, that a colorful vintage phone can be adorable. Depending on your home, it may even be extremely easy to set up, but before you start making calls, you should consider the cost of adding a landline to your phone bill.

Home phones are one of the household items that are more valuable than you think. Along with adding to your aesthetic and making you feel like your favorite sitcom character, home phones have some practical benefits. They can be very helpful during emergencies, especially because they are easy to operate for children and older people. Also, because they do not use cellular networks, home phones can be more reliable than other devices in areas with poor cellular coverage. They are also great for parents of children who do not have cellphones, as they give children a way to communicate.

There are a few different types of home phone options today. True landline home phones are connected using Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS), which works by connecting phones with underground copper wires. These phones have the major benefit of not requiring internet or even power to make calls, but they also do not have many features, and the underground cables are prone to damage. POTS phones have decreased in popularity, and United States Federal Communications Commission made the decision to phase out landline service requirements for U.S. phone companies. This means that the phone jacks and underground cables required for using landline phones are not being installed in new homes. Without the proper infrastructure, the benefits of a POTS phone are pretty limited. Instead, home phones today often use Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), meaning that they make calls using the internet instead of through a physical landline cable. This allows for more features but requires power and internet to work.

Whether you need the practical benefits of a home phone or just want an adorable and functional vintage telephone to fit the latest vintage-loving 'hipstoric' home aesthetic decor trend, you will need to know how home phones are installed and how much they cost. POTS phones are likely to be more expensive, as modern homes are built without the necessary phone jacks and pricing is unregulated. If you do have a phone jack, a landline will likely cost between $20 and $60 per month for service. VoIP is cheaper, with pricing around $10 per month, in addition to the one-time price of setting it up, which varies by carrier but can cost about $100.

Finally, you will also need to choose and purchase the phone itself. If you are following the ultimate guide to vintage decor and want something authentic, you may have luck at a thrift store. New landline phones with retro designs can be purchased online with prices that range based on quality and style, such as the reliable and cool Peohud Retro Landline Telephone on Amazon for $38.99. If you prefer a more minimalist look, you can also find sleek, modern options, so you can hop on the home phone trend without adding a discordant design element. Overall, a home phone can be a way to add some character to your home, but it is also a great tool for emergencies and also daily use without seeming outdated.