The '80s Collectibles That Are Now The Ultimate Thrift Store Find For Kitschy Decor

Indulging in kitsch decor means embracing all things bold, colorful, and sentimental. If you are looking for kitschy pieces that'll surely add a pop of color and personality in your home, then it's time to pick up the phone — literally, because all the cute novelty phones from the '80s are calling. What once was a must-have among youngsters from this era are now sought-after collectibles we can spot at thrift stores.

Before novelty phones were all the rage, people didn't actually own their home phones — they had to rent them. But all of this changed in the early '80s, when service providers finally gave people the option to purchase their own phone. And to entice people towards ownership, service providers offered a wide variety of telephone designs, from Mickey Mouse and Snoopy-shaped phones, to sillier and more experimental looks such as the popular see-through phone and a hamburger-shaped phone, among many others. These novelty phones eventually became stars in their own way, as seen in movies like "Coming to America" and "Juno", to TV shows in later years like "Friends", "Bob's Burgers", and "Derry Girls". Telephones are rarely used today, but we can't deny the impact they made in pop culture and design, especially with Gen Zs bringing back a mesh of nostalgic home decor that represents '80s kitsch and more.

It should be pretty easy to spot novelty phones in the shelves of thrift stores, especially if they are displayed as-is, but some may come in their original packaging. While it's fun to keep an eye out for kitsch-y phones in the form of popular cartoon characters, hamburgers, or colorful see-through designs, it's also good to take note of brands that produced these phones. Most novelty phones, especially those designed to look like popular beverages and food mascots, are manufactured in-house. However, remember to spot the names Lenbrook, TeleMania, and Tyco when looking for novelty phones, especially if you're on the lookout for phones shaped like your favorite Disney, Warner Brothers, and Marvel characters.

When you bring your novelty phone of choice home, remember that it doesn't actually need to be functional. A simple cleaning and covering up visible flaws with paint (or stickers, if you really want to commit to the kitsch) is all it really needs. Remember that this piece of decor stands out without much effort, so you can try placing it in rooms or on surfaces that you think will need a little more pizzazz. For starters, you can place it on your bedroom vanity if you want to feel like an '80s rom-com or coming-of-age movie lead. Alternatively, you can bring the '80s retro aesthetic into your living room by creating nice visual contrasts on your side table, coffee table, or your bookshelf display.