When it comes time to clean and organize your home, you might find that you have several outdated items lying around. However, just because they are older doesn’t mean they aren’t useful. Much of classic home décor and electronics can still be used today, even if it’s not in the traditional manner. If you’re not sure where to start, look for the items that are listed below. Even if you haven’t used these in a while, you can bring them back to life and enjoy having them once more.

1. VHS Player

Chances are, you don’t watch VHS tapes any longer, even if you have them stored in your garage. Although you may want to toss out everything you don’t need anymore, don’t be too quick. Your VHS player can still be used to play old home videos that you haven’t transferred over to DVD or a memory card just yet. It’s also a fun piece to keep in your home, especially when guests come over and immediately recognize something they probably haven’t seen in 20+ years. Taking visual trips down memory lane can be a stress-reducing experience, as well as a way to experience nostalgic joy. Even the low-resolution and choppy appearance of VHS can take us back to seemingly simpler times.

2. Vinyl Record Player

Vinyl records can still be found today, so record players are useful to have around if you still like the crystal clear sound that this type of music provides. A turntable for playing vinyl records is something you can easily keep on a shelf or small table to play your favorite music whenever the mood strikes. You can also use this as old school décor to offset modern touches.

3. Old Phonebooks

In the past, phone books were an essential part of the home. However, now that phone books are at the tips of our fingers, you may find yourself wanting to recycle these. While that’s a good option if you have too many, you can also showcase these on a bookshelf for a retro yet unique piece of décor. Most phonebooks can also be covered with decorative paper around the cover and spine, so they match the colors in your home perfectly.

4. Pine Furniture

In the 80s and 90s, pine furniture was the most popular style to have in most households. From bookcases to entertainment centers, you’d see pine everywhere you turned. While pine is still beautiful and can have its place in your home today, too much of it can leave your space looking outdated. Instead of giving these well-made pieces away, you can sand and paint them. Although it will take some elbow grease, the work will be worth it for the end result.

5. Outdated Cabinets

Outdated cabinets can make your entire home look old, dated, and in need of a significant facelift. Unfortunately, replacing these can be expensive and wasteful, especially if your cabinets are still in good shape. The good news is you can bring these back to life by simply having them painted. It’s recommended to have a professional do this for you, as the process must be done correctly to leave you with a desirable finish. Once the paint has dried, you can update the cabinets with new hardware, and your kitchen will look like new.

Making Your Home Unique

Outdated items don’t have to be tossed out for those that are new and modern. Whether you keep a record player in your living room or decide to paint your pine furniture, there are many ways to keep older things and turn them into something new. By doing so, you can keep your home unique while saving things you love.