The Cute & Kitschy '80s Find That's Now A Valuable Thrift Store Gem

One of the best ways to nail the kitschy home look in 2026 is through adding nostalgic and whimsical collectibles as decor. But if you want your space to lean more into '80s kitsch, it's crucial to snag a novelty landline phone. Funky plastic telephones of the time came in the shape of hamburgers, red lips, frogs, racecars, and basically anything but an ordinary telephone. One of the iconic novelty phones released in the '80s was the Garfield phone, which was released in November 1984 by toy manufacturer Tyco. Taking the shape of the lasagna-loving orange cat many can recall from Sunday newspaper comics, this novelty phone stood out because it blinked its eyes open whenever you picked up the receiver. It also gained some mysterious appeal because hundreds of these phone parts kept washing ashore on French beaches for at least three decades since the release.

Following the successful launch of the blinking Garfield phone, Tyco released two more varieties of the feline landline. In 1986, there came a wall-mounted version, where Garfield looks smug as he digs his claws onto the wall. Then the Garfield Talking Telephone was released in 1992. It featured built-in spoken phrases as the phone rang. These phones are no longer in retail nowadays, but you might spot them at thrift stores, garage sales, or any market selling pre-loved, secondhand goods. Whether they remain functional or not, the Garfield novelty phone makes a nostalgic and quirky addition to any space.

Finding a Garfield phone in pristine condition would be awesome, but don't lose heart if you find one worn over time. If you simply want to restore the phone well enough for decoration's sake, you can start by cleaning off any dust and dirt with some wet wipes. If your Garfield's stipes, ears, or other details are faded, use brushes and acrylic paint, match the colors of the Garfield phone, then work on painting the details to make him look good as new. Bordering the markings with masking tape might help you paint the details back on without ruining your restoration process.

Once restored, the Garfield phone can earn a resell value of around $100 or more, especially if you can test it to confirm it works. But either way, it makes for great statement decor without much effort. If your home still has a vintage-style phone nook or a floating shelf in the hallway, that's a natural place to showcase it. And whether you're a cat owner or not, you'll know that certain felines like to sprawl over workspaces, so you can mimic that effect and place the Garfield phone right on top of your desk to make your home office cozier and quirkier. Alternatively, one of the best places in your home to indulge in kitsch decor is in your living room, where this bulky phone can also work as a decorative bookend on an open shelf, or it can simply sit on top of a side table or end table where anyone can check it out.