Top 10+ Useless Items Boomers Keep That Are Filling Up Space

Old VHS Tapes and Cassette Collections

Old VHS Tapes and Cassette Collections, Stacks of Yellowed Telephone Books, Unused China Sets and Decorative Plates, Manuals for Appliances Long Gone, Tattered Encyclopedias and Reference Books, Plastic Shopping Bags Overflowing Drawers, Expired Coupons and Store Circulars, Unused Exercise Equipment and Gadgets, Holiday Decorations for Every Occasion, Obsolete Electronics and Power Cords, Unused Luggage and Travel Bags, Greeting Cards and Letters from Decades Past

Physical media like VHS tapes and cassettes, once beloved for home movies or favorite music, are now mostly obsolete. According to a 2024 Statista survey, less than 2% of U.S.

households still own a functioning VCR, and cassette players are even rarer. Streaming platforms and digital downloads have made these items redundant, yet many boomers keep boxes of them in basements and attics.

They often hold sentimental value, but the reality is that most people haven’t watched or listened to them in years. Besides taking up space, the tapes themselves degrade over time, with the magnetic tape inside becoming brittle and unplayable.

Many recycling centers even refuse to take them due to environmental concerns about the plastic and tape. For most households, these collections are just gathering dust rather than memories.

Stacks of Yellowed Telephone Books

Old VHS Tapes and Cassette Collections, Stacks of Yellowed Telephone Books, Unused China Sets and Decorative Plates, Manuals for Appliances Long Gone, Tattered Encyclopedias and Reference Books, Plastic Shopping Bags Overflowing Drawers, Expired Coupons and Store Circulars, Unused Exercise Equipment and Gadgets, Holiday Decorations for Every Occasion, Obsolete Electronics and Power Cords, Unused Luggage and Travel Bags, Greeting Cards and Letters from Decades Past

Phone books were once a staple in every home, but now they’re as outdated as rotary phones. Pew Research in 2025 notes that 98% of Americans use smartphones or the internet to find contact information.

Despite this, it’s surprisingly common to see old phone books stacked in closets or garages, some dating back decades. These heavy, bulky books are rarely referenced, serving only as a reminder of a time before Google and voice assistants.

They can attract pests and add unnecessary weight to storage boxes. Most recycling programs accept phone books, yet many boomers hold onto them “just in case.” Their continued presence is a prime example of clutter that’s both unnecessary and easily eliminated.

Unused China Sets and Decorative Plates

Old VHS Tapes and Cassette Collections, Stacks of Yellowed Telephone Books, Unused China Sets and Decorative Plates, Manuals for Appliances Long Gone, Tattered Encyclopedias and Reference Books, Plastic Shopping Bags Overflowing Drawers, Expired Coupons and Store Circulars, Unused Exercise Equipment and Gadgets, Holiday Decorations for Every Occasion, Obsolete Electronics and Power Cords, Unused Luggage and Travel Bags, Greeting Cards and Letters from Decades Past

A 2023 survey from The Harris Poll found that 74% of millennials and Gen Z do not want to inherit family china or decorative plate sets. Despite this, boomers often keep unused china passed down from previous generations, believing it holds value or will be wanted someday.

The reality is, these ornate dishes usually sit untouched in cabinets, taking up precious space. The market for vintage china has collapsed in recent years, with resale values dropping by over 50% since 2010, according to antiques trade group data.

Younger generations prefer more practical, dishwasher-safe dinnerware. Keeping these fragile, heavy items is more about nostalgia than practicality.

Manuals for Appliances Long Gone

Old VHS Tapes and Cassette Collections, Stacks of Yellowed Telephone Books, Unused China Sets and Decorative Plates, Manuals for Appliances Long Gone, Tattered Encyclopedias and Reference Books, Plastic Shopping Bags Overflowing Drawers, Expired Coupons and Store Circulars, Unused Exercise Equipment and Gadgets, Holiday Decorations for Every Occasion, Obsolete Electronics and Power Cords, Unused Luggage and Travel Bags, Greeting Cards and Letters from Decades Past

It’s not uncommon to find entire drawers or folders filled with appliance manuals for microwaves, washing machines, or TVs that haven’t worked in decades. A 2024 Consumer Reports study found that over 60% of consumers never consult paper manuals, turning instead to online PDFs or YouTube tutorials.

These paper booklets add up over the years, creating piles that are rarely, if ever, referenced. With the rise of digital documentation, most manufacturers have stopped including printed manuals altogether.

Old manuals don’t serve a purpose if the appliance is no longer in use or has been replaced. Yet, many boomers keep them out of habit, contributing to ever-growing stacks of useless paper.

Tattered Encyclopedias and Reference Books

Old VHS Tapes and Cassette Collections, Stacks of Yellowed Telephone Books, Unused China Sets and Decorative Plates, Manuals for Appliances Long Gone, Tattered Encyclopedias and Reference Books, Plastic Shopping Bags Overflowing Drawers, Expired Coupons and Store Circulars, Unused Exercise Equipment and Gadgets, Holiday Decorations for Every Occasion, Obsolete Electronics and Power Cords, Unused Luggage and Travel Bags, Greeting Cards and Letters from Decades Past

Encyclopedia sets once represented knowledge and learning, but their usefulness has plummeted in the internet era. According to the American Library Association, less than 3% of libraries still accept encyclopedia donations, citing outdated information and lack of interest.

A 2025 Gallup poll showed that 87% of Americans rely on digital sources for research. Despite this, many boomer households line shelves with entire sets of dusty encyclopedias, sometimes from the 1960s or earlier.

These books are heavy, take up significant shelf space, and contain information that’s often inaccurate or irrelevant today. Their continued presence is more about tradition than utility.

Plastic Shopping Bags Overflowing Drawers

Old VHS Tapes and Cassette Collections, Stacks of Yellowed Telephone Books, Unused China Sets and Decorative Plates, Manuals for Appliances Long Gone, Tattered Encyclopedias and Reference Books, Plastic Shopping Bags Overflowing Drawers, Expired Coupons and Store Circulars, Unused Exercise Equipment and Gadgets, Holiday Decorations for Every Occasion, Obsolete Electronics and Power Cords, Unused Luggage and Travel Bags, Greeting Cards and Letters from Decades Past

Plastic bag hoarding is a widely recognized issue, with the average U.S. household containing over 300 plastic bags, according to the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2024 report.

Boomers, in particular, tend to keep these bags for potential reuse, but they pile up faster than they can be used. Many cities and states have banned single-use bags, making large stashes unnecessary and sometimes illegal to distribute.

The bags can degrade and create microplastics, adding environmental harm to the clutter problem. Reusable bags have become the norm, making the old plastic bag collection a relic of past shopping habits.

Overflowing drawers of bags are now seen as wasteful rather than resourceful.

Expired Coupons and Store Circulars

Old VHS Tapes and Cassette Collections, Stacks of Yellowed Telephone Books, Unused China Sets and Decorative Plates, Manuals for Appliances Long Gone, Tattered Encyclopedias and Reference Books, Plastic Shopping Bags Overflowing Drawers, Expired Coupons and Store Circulars, Unused Exercise Equipment and Gadgets, Holiday Decorations for Every Occasion, Obsolete Electronics and Power Cords, Unused Luggage and Travel Bags, Greeting Cards and Letters from Decades Past

Paper coupons and store flyers used to be essential for budget shopping, but digital deals have largely replaced them. A 2025 RetailMeNot study found that 72% of shoppers now use mobile coupons or digital loyalty apps.

Despite this, some boomers continue to amass drawers full of expired paper coupons and circulars, hoping to save a few cents. These piles quickly become outdated, with most coupons expiring within weeks or months.

The mess makes it even harder to find valid discounts when needed. In today’s world, holding onto old coupons is more likely to cause frustration than savings.

Unused Exercise Equipment and Gadgets

Old VHS Tapes and Cassette Collections, Stacks of Yellowed Telephone Books, Unused China Sets and Decorative Plates, Manuals for Appliances Long Gone, Tattered Encyclopedias and Reference Books, Plastic Shopping Bags Overflowing Drawers, Expired Coupons and Store Circulars, Unused Exercise Equipment and Gadgets, Holiday Decorations for Every Occasion, Obsolete Electronics and Power Cords, Unused Luggage and Travel Bags, Greeting Cards and Letters from Decades Past

Treadmills, stationary bikes, and ab rollers often sit unused in basements or spare rooms, acting as expensive clothes racks. A 2023 study by the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association revealed that 67% of home fitness equipment is abandoned within six months of purchase.

Many boomers keep these items out of guilt for the original expense or hope they’ll “get back to it someday.” Unfortunately, these machines take up a lot of space and are difficult to move or sell. Their resale value is low, and newer, more compact fitness options are available today.

Keeping unused exercise gear is more about wishful thinking than real health goals.

Holiday Decorations for Every Occasion

Old VHS Tapes and Cassette Collections, Stacks of Yellowed Telephone Books, Unused China Sets and Decorative Plates, Manuals for Appliances Long Gone, Tattered Encyclopedias and Reference Books, Plastic Shopping Bags Overflowing Drawers, Expired Coupons and Store Circulars, Unused Exercise Equipment and Gadgets, Holiday Decorations for Every Occasion, Obsolete Electronics and Power Cords, Unused Luggage and Travel Bags, Greeting Cards and Letters from Decades Past

Seasonal decorations are fun, but many boomers store boxes of items for holidays that are rarely, if ever, celebrated. A 2024 survey from the National Retail Federation found that only 39% of people decorate for holidays beyond Christmas and Halloween.

Yet basements and attics often overflow with items for Easter, Valentine’s Day, or even obscure holidays. These decorations often go unused for years, collecting dust and taking up valuable storage space.

Some items may have sentimental value, but most are forgotten until the next round of spring cleaning. Downsizing to just a few favorite decorations could make life easier and storage spaces more manageable.

Obsolete Electronics and Power Cords

Old VHS Tapes and Cassette Collections, Stacks of Yellowed Telephone Books, Unused China Sets and Decorative Plates, Manuals for Appliances Long Gone, Tattered Encyclopedias and Reference Books, Plastic Shopping Bags Overflowing Drawers, Expired Coupons and Store Circulars, Unused Exercise Equipment and Gadgets, Holiday Decorations for Every Occasion, Obsolete Electronics and Power Cords, Unused Luggage and Travel Bags, Greeting Cards and Letters from Decades Past

Drawers full of tangled power cords, chargers for forgotten gadgets, and defunct electronics are a common sight in boomer households. A 2023 Consumer Technology Association report found that the average American home contains at least 13 unused electronic devices.

Technology moves fast, making yesterday’s must-have gadget today’s clutter. Many old cords are incompatible with modern devices or belong to electronics that have since been thrown away.

E-waste recycling programs exist, yet many people hold onto these items “just in case.” This accumulation not only fills drawers but also creates confusion when searching for cords that actually work.

Unused Luggage and Travel Bags

Old VHS Tapes and Cassette Collections, Stacks of Yellowed Telephone Books, Unused China Sets and Decorative Plates, Manuals for Appliances Long Gone, Tattered Encyclopedias and Reference Books, Plastic Shopping Bags Overflowing Drawers, Expired Coupons and Store Circulars, Unused Exercise Equipment and Gadgets, Holiday Decorations for Every Occasion, Obsolete Electronics and Power Cords, Unused Luggage and Travel Bags, Greeting Cards and Letters from Decades Past

Suitcases and travel bags often accumulate over a lifetime of trips, but many end up unused for years. A 2025 Expedia survey found that 54% of Americans travel less frequently after age 65, yet boomer homes may store stacks of bags from past vacations.

Some are worn out or too heavy by today’s standards, with newer luggage being lighter and more convenient. These old bags are rarely used but occupy precious closet or attic space.

Donating or recycling outdated luggage could clear room for more relevant needs. Most people only need one or two good bags for occasional travel, making the rest unnecessary.

Greeting Cards and Letters from Decades Past

Old VHS Tapes and Cassette Collections, Stacks of Yellowed Telephone Books, Unused China Sets and Decorative Plates, Manuals for Appliances Long Gone, Tattered Encyclopedias and Reference Books, Plastic Shopping Bags Overflowing Drawers, Expired Coupons and Store Circulars, Unused Exercise Equipment and Gadgets, Holiday Decorations for Every Occasion, Obsolete Electronics and Power Cords, Unused Luggage and Travel Bags, Greeting Cards and Letters from Decades Past

Sentimental items like greeting cards, postcards, and old letters often fill boxes in boomer homes. According to a 2024 AARP survey, 82% of boomers keep paper mementos even when they haven’t read them in years.

While some hold deep personal meaning, many are generic holiday or birthday cards with little emotional attachment. Over time, these paper stacks become overwhelming, hard to organize, and susceptible to damage from moisture or pests.

Digitizing the most meaningful messages could preserve memories without the mess. Most people rarely revisit these stacks, making them more of a space-filler than a treasure trove.

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