16 Household Items From The '70s That Are Now Worth A Lot Of Money

As the years tick by, the things we have in our homes naturally age. Some age poorly, while others don't last at all and eventually end up in a landfill. However, if you've managed to keep certain items in decent shape, they could be worth extra cash 25 to 50 years later. There are plenty of cool and odd household items from the '70s that are now worth a lot of money. You might still have some of these tucked away in an attic or closet, or spotted them at a thrift store.

A lot of these items aren't going for extravagant prices, but many may be worth more than you think. Some pieces might only fetch around $50 — surprisingly high for their age — while items that are really unique or harder to find can reach into the hundreds. Even if you don't plan on selling any of these vintage items, you can easily decorate your house and bring that '70s vibe into your home.

If you've never experienced using a rotary phone, you're missing out on a piece of history. Even if it's not plugged in to make calls the old-fashioned way, the dial's click instantly brings back nostalgia. A working rotary phone could be worth over $100 — even up into the $400 range — because age and style matter. Naturally, working models bring the highest returns. You also want to be sure it's authentic and not a reproduction. There are also modern ways to use vintage phones, so yours might still be usable.

Pyrex dishes are known for their durability. While they aren't completely unbreakable, they do have staying power. Pyrex bowls and other pieces from the 1970s can be valuable, depending on the pattern and condition. Whenever you're out thrifting, keep an eye out for some of the most valuable Pyrex dishes. Complete sets tend to fetch higher prices. However, if you find a good deal on a single piece in a popular, hard-to-find print, it may still be worth grabbing it.

Vintage mixers will always be in style — things were made to last back then. If you have a Sunbeam Mixmaster from the 1970s that works, it could be worth around $50. If you have one in a unique color or have the bowls and all other original pieces, it could net you $100 to $250. Even handheld versions often sell for more than $25 each. Either is worth keeping in your own kitchen as well.

Lava lamps have been around since the mid-1960s, but authentic 1970s models can still be valuable. You can find vintage lava lamps for sale at around $75 to $375. The more unique the lamp, the higher its price tag will be. Lava lamps are a groovy way to add a little vintage flair to your home, but if you're looking to make money, vintage models can be smart resale investments.

There is something unique about the look of typewriters from the 1970s. It brings up thoughts of Jack Torrence typing "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" in The Shining. While that may be a creepy reference, there's nothing scary about your typewriter being worth up to $150. Many writers still prefer using typewriters for their first drafts. Collectors also prize them as decor, though replacement parts are increasingly difficult to find. If you find one that doesn't work or isn't worth much, you can turn that vintage typewriter into a stylish planter.

Before iPods, CDs, and cassette tapes, there were 8-track tapes. If you are lucky enough to find one of these bulky cartridges that works, it could be worth a nice sum. An intact 8-track system — yours or a relative's — could sell for up to $300. Even cheaper ones on Etsy are listed for $50 and up, so if you find one at a thrift store or estate sale for much less, it might be a good investment.

Depending on the model and condition, you may get around $150 to $400 for your old Betamax system. Though VHS ultimately won the format war back in the day, the old Betamax machines are still collector items for some folks. The love people have now for both Betamax and VHS is due to nostalgia, just like with vinyl. You can get a good deal on movies for your Betamax with online shops like Etsy, where they run around $5 to $10 a piece.

If you've ever set foot in an estate sale, you're sure to have seen empty or half-full bottles of perfume in bathrooms. Even empty bottles are collectible and might fetch you a few bucks. In fact, some rare bottles can sell for around $1000. The designs of the bottles are what catch a lot of people's eyes, but the collectability of these could also have something to do with the scent — scents hold lots of memories — and even if the bottle is empty, it could still have faint reminders of the smell within.

Surprisingly, the affordable furniture from IKEA that's stuck around since the 1970s could be worth money. The clean lines, fun colors, and sleek look of 1970s IKEA furniture are what capture people's interest in these pieces as treasures. While you may think IKEA is nothing more than an affordable place to buy furniture, some online sellers are charging thousands of dollars for '70s IKEA furniture. Not every vintage IKEA item commands high prices, but researching your finds can help identify valuable ones.

Do you ever get tired of fiddling with the can opener? The countertop electric can openers of the 1970s made opening cans easier, and they're worth a little something today. While it's not much, most sell for around $20, depending on the style and condition. One floral-patterned 1970s countertop can opener recently sold for $60 on eBay. So, it's worth picking up these can openers for their resale value if you happen to spot one at a yard sale.

Nothing brings back 1970s childhood summers like an at-home sno-cone machine. From $10 to $200, there is a wide range of prices in the eBay listings for these vintage treat makers.  While the cute Snoopy sno-cone machines may be on the low end, if you have or come across one of the Hasbro Sno-Cone machines still in its original packaging, it could net you $200 or more. Even if the Snoopy version isn't worth as much, new in the box could get you up to about $30.

Shag carpets saw popularity through the 1960s and 70s. Like the lava lamp, they add a bit of whimsical nostalgia to a room. Deep piles and bold colors made shag rugs a statement piece, though you could get them in more basic colors as well. Depending on the size, colors, and design of your shag rugs, you could get $30 to nearly $400 a piece from them if the listings currently on eBay are any indication.

Things were just made better back in the day. Repair shops once fixed vacuum cleaners and other appliances because they were built for longevity and worth maintaining. Nowadays, more things are made to be disposable. The proof of the popularity of the 1970s and other vintage vacuums comes from the fact that there is an annual convention for vacuum cleaner collectors. Vintage vacuums can sell for roughly $120 to $175, depending on brand and condition.

Records and the turntables with which you play them on can be worth some money these days. While vinyl never really went out of style, it's seen a resurgence in sales again with younger generations looking toward old media. New turntables may mimic vintage designs, but authentic models often sell for more than the $50 price tag of modern reproductions. Depending on the player, you could have a turntable worth $150 to over $300.

A quick eBay search for Osterizer blenders may surprise you. While some are listed for as little as $15, others might bring in much more. One recently sold for almost $40. Other brands of blenders bringing in $30 or more include the Hamilton Beach, Scovill, and Sears Roebuck. If you happen to come across one at the thrift shop, grab it, give the blender a good cleaning, and see if you can turn a small profit.

Ever wanted to make it easier to cut the turkey at Thanksgiving? Well, it's already been done through the invention of the electric knife. Some electric knives from the 1970s can net up to $40. Most seem to be listed for half that, but if you get a good deal on one at the thrift, even selling it for $20 might add a little more jingle to your pocket.