Everyone Had Them In The '80s -- Thrift Store Gems We're Dying To Find

Key Points:

• The 1980s home design combined futurism with lingering trends from previous decades, featuring colorful and distinctive items like fiber optic lamps, plaster floor lamps, lotus lamps, and touch lamps that evoke nostalgia today.
• Vintage '80s technology such as rack stereo systems, boomboxes, and VHS players remain collectible, but buyers should test functionality and condition, especially for components like cassette belts, battery compartments, and tape transports.
• Iconic '80s decor items like smoked glass chandeliers, cassette tape racks, and vintage Tupperware are making a comeback, though caution is advised with Tupperware due to potential contaminants and with lamps for electrical safety.
• Collectible '80s artwork includes prints by Patrick Nagel and Ferraro, which are affordable and popular for their nostalgic and distinctive style, while etched mirrors from the era are also resurging, though buyers should inspect for silvering damage.
• When purchasing vintage '80s items, careful inspection for wear, damage, and functionality is crucial, such as checking bulbs and motors in fiber optic lamps, cords and shades on plaster lamps, and the condition of glass on chandeliers and mirrors.