8 things you probably remember from an Indian ’90s home
These days, Instagram is all about aesthetics, but back in the ’90s, Indian homes had their own charm. From wooden TV cabinets to calendars hanging on the walls, there were certain things you’d find in almost every other home. If you grew up in that era, you’ll definitely remember a few of these.
1. Doilies
Those pretty lacy fabric squares on almost every visible surface. The cosy sofa arms had them. The TV stand and the dining table had them too. Some were crocheted by our moms or grandmoms, while others were bought from the market. They made everything look a little more “posh” while also protecting furniture from dust and scratches. And of course, they had to be arranged just right!
2. Wooden TV Cabinet
This was a huge wooden cabinet made to hold a bulky CRT television. It was so solid and heavy that moving it around was quite a task.
The TV sat inside or on top, with cables running behind it. If the family owned a VCR or VCP, that usually had its own space in the cabinet too. This piece of furniture was often the living room’s main attraction, especially when everyone gathered to watch their favourite programmes.
3. The Landline Telephone
Remember the rotary or push-button telephone with its curly cord that always got tangled? Usually placed in the living room or another common area, this was how relatives and friends reached you.
If you missed a call, there was often no way to know who had called. Getting a phone call was always a little exciting, unlike today when people sometimes avoid answering. And privacy? That was another story. You either waited until nobody was around or spoke in codes with your friends!
4. Steel Tiffin Boxes and Storage Containers
Today, there’s a wide variety of colourful lunchboxes and storage containers, but back then, steel was a household favourite.
Kitchen shelves were lined with steel containers holding grains, flour, pulses, dry snacks and Diwali treats. School lunches often came packed in simple steel tiffin boxes that seemed to last forever. Some even had multiple compartments or tiers to keep everything neatly packed.
5. The Calendar With Gods or Scenic Landscapes
Shops, offices and local businesses often gave out large calendars at the beginning of the year. Some showed waterfalls and mountains, while others had pictures of gods and goddesses.
Important dates, birthdays and family events were circled or marked by hand. And when the year ended, the date pages might be thrown away, but the pictures sometimes stayed on the walls much longer.
6. The Sewing Machine
The classic sewing machine was a familiar sight in many households. Moms or grandmoms often used it to stitch, alter or repair clothes.
A loose button, a torn seam or trousers that needed shortening could all be taken care of at home. Clothes were regularly mended and reused, and some households even had an old-fashioned pedal-operated sewing machine that had been passed down through generations.
7. The Dressing Table With a Big Mirror
A big dressing table with a mirror was a familiar piece of bedroom furniture in many ’90s homes. There wasn’t always a separate space for everyone’s skincare and grooming products, so the dressing table was often shared by the family.
The small drawers held combs, bindis, talcum powder, hair clips, safety pins and all sorts of random things. And somehow, whenever you needed something small, there was a good chance you’d find it in one of those drawers.
8. The Big Wall Clock
The classic big, round wall clock was another familiar sight. Some ticked loudly enough to be heard across the room, while others chimed every hour.
It helped everyone keep track of school timings, office hours and daily routines. Many of these clocks lasted for years, with nothing more than an occasional battery change.
And the list doesn’t end here! There were photo albums with plastic sheets, telephone diaries, plastic covers on sofas, steel trunks, audio cassette tapes and VCRs or VCPs.
How many of these did you have at home? And what’s one thing from your childhood home that you still remember fondly?
