10 Treasures Hiding In Grandma’s Living Room (And 8 You Should Probably Toss)
I’ve spent enough time digging through grandma’s living room to know one thing, it’s a mixed bag. Tucked between the lace doilies and those oddly charming lamps, you’ll find a few pieces that are actually worth a small fortune.
The catch? You’ve got to know what you’re looking for. Some items have real value thanks to craftsmanship or collector buzz, while others are just taking up space.
I’ve sorted through it all so you don’t have to. Here are 10 living room treasures that could be worth serious money, and 8 that probably belong in the donation bin.
1. Handwoven Tapestries
That large, intricately woven textile hanging on grandma’s wall may be more than just decoration—it could be a serious investment piece. Antique handwoven tapestries, especially European examples from the 19th or early 20th century, can command thousands at auction.
Look for natural dyes, detailed imagery (like pastoral scenes or coats of arms), and signs of hand-stitching. Provenance plays a huge role, so if it’s been in the family for generations, it’s worth investigating. Textile collectors and decorators alike pay top dollar for authentic historical pieces.
2. Vintage Vinyl Records
Hidden in those old wooden cabinets might be a goldmine of rare vinyl records. First pressings of iconic albums from The Beatles, Elvis Presley, or Pink Floyd can fetch thousands from eager collectors.
What seems like outdated technology to younger generations represents cultural artifacts to enthusiasts. Even albums with minor manufacturing errors or limited distribution can be surprisingly valuable.
3. Crystal Chandeliers
Don’t overlook that glimmering chandelier hanging above the dining table—it might be lighting up more than just the room. Authentic leaded crystal chandeliers from manufacturers like Waterford, Baccarat, or Murano glassmakers can sell for thousands depending on size, age, and condition.
Check for weight (heavier is usually better), cut detailing, and original hardware. Even antique brass or bronze chandeliers with minor wear can be highly desirable in today’s vintage lighting market. A good cleaning and some rewiring could reveal a hidden gem worth a small fortune.
4. Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Ever wondered why that oddly-shaped chair or teak sideboard has been in grandma’s living room forever? Designs by Charles Eames, Herman Miller, or Danish furniture makers have skyrocketed in value over recent decades.
Authentic pieces from the 1950s and 60s often feature clean lines, organic shapes, and quality craftsmanship. A single original chair could be worth several thousand dollars to the right buyer!
5. Antique Clocks
Tick-tock goes grandma’s clock – and possibly your future bank account! Grandfather clocks, mantel clocks, and wall clocks from renowned makers like Seth Thomas or Howard Miller might be timepieces of considerable value.
The craftsmanship, age, and condition all factor into their worth. Some antique clocks from the 18th and 19th centuries can command prices upward of $10,000, especially if they still keep accurate time.
6. Vintage Costume Jewelry
Sparkling inside grandma’s jewelry box might be pieces worth far more than their sentimental value. Costume jewelry from designers like Miriam Haskell, Eisenberg, or Trifari can command surprising prices in today’s vintage market.
Many older women collected these affordable accessories decades ago without realizing their future worth. Look for unusual designs, rhinestones, and pieces with clear maker’s marks – these could be worth hundreds or even thousands.
7. Vintage Christmas Ornaments
Nestled in those cardboard boxes in the closet may be holiday treasures worth celebrating! Vintage glass ornaments from Germany, Poland, or early American manufacturers like Shiny Brite can be highly collectible.
Nostalgic holiday enthusiasts pay premium prices for these delicate decorations from the 1940s-60s. The most valuable tend to be figural designs – think Santa, snowmen, or unusual shapes – especially in their original boxes.
8. First Edition Books
Between cookbooks and family photo albums might lurk literary treasures! First editions of classic novels, especially with intact dust jackets, can be extraordinarily valuable to collectors. Many grandparents purchased books when they were first published, never realizing they’d become collectibles.
Works by Hemingway, Steinbeck, or Harper Lee can fetch thousands, while signed copies multiply that value considerably.
9. Vintage Board Games
Remember those family game nights at grandma’s house? The very games stacked in her closet might now be worth hundreds or even thousands to collectors. Vintage editions of Monopoly, Clue, or obscure games from the early-to-mid 20th century can be surprisingly valuable.
Completeness matters – games with all original pieces in good condition command the highest prices. Some rare examples from the 1930s-50s have sold for upwards of $2,000!
10. Vintage Cameras
Gathering dust on grandma’s shelf could be photographic equipment worth a small fortune! Vintage cameras from brands like Leica, Hasselblad, or early Polaroid models have become highly sought-after by collectors and photography enthusiasts alike.
Working condition isn’t always necessary for value. Some rare models from the 1930s-60s can sell for thousands based on historical significance alone. Even accessories like lenses or original cases can command surprising prices.
1. Dusty Ceramic Thimble Collections
Those tiny decorative thimbles proudly displayed in a special cabinet? Unfortunately, they’re about as valuable as the dust collecting on them. Grandma probably started her collection after a trip to Florida in 1982, carefully adding each miniature porcelain state landmark and floral design.
Mass-produced by the millions throughout the 1970s-90s, these tiny treasures typically sell for mere pennies at estate sales. Even complete sets rarely fetch more than $20 nowadays.
2. Bradford Exchange Commemorative Plates
Remember those “limited edition” plates featuring everything from kittens to Princess Diana? Despite their certificates of authenticity and numbered backs, these mass-produced collectibles have virtually no resale value today.
Marketed brilliantly as “investments” during the 1980s and 90s, companies like Bradford Exchange and Franklin Mint convinced millions of grandmothers that these plates would someday fund college educations. Sadly, most now sell for $5-10 at thrift stores – if they sell at all.
3. Faded TV Guide Collection
Grandma swore these would be valuable someday! Stacked neatly in the corner cabinet, those yellowing TV Guides from the 1970s and 80s were carefully preserved for future generations. She’d point to the Princess Diana wedding issue or the Elvis memorial edition with particular pride.
Reality check: except for a handful of truly iconic covers, most vintage TV Guides are worth less than their original cover price. Their paper deteriorates, information is outdated, and few collectors seek them out.
4. Plastic Souvenir Snow Globes
Lined up on the windowsill, grandma’s collection of plastic snow globes from various vacation spots holds precious memories but little monetary value. Each one tells a story – “This is from when your grandfather and I visited Niagara Falls in ’76!”
Made of lightweight plastic with synthetic “snow” that now clumps together or sticks to the sides, these souvenirs were inexpensive when purchased and remain so. The water inside has often yellowed or evaporated, and the painted bases have chipped.
5. Avon Perfume Bottles Shaped Like Objects
Those quirky perfume bottles shaped like cars, telephones, and animals weren’t just containers – they were grandma’s prized collectibles! Avon’s marketing genius targeted women who enjoyed both fragrances and decorative tchotchkes, creating the perfect storm of collectability.
Grandma believed these “limited editions” would skyrocket in value. Alas, they were produced by the millions, and today most sell for $1-5 at flea markets. The perfume inside has usually evaporated or turned rancid, and the painted details have worn off from handling.
6. Macramé Owl Wall Hangings
That slightly discolored owl made of knotted jute rope has been watching over grandma’s living room since the Carter administration. Once the height of 1970s crafting fashion, macramé wall hangings were created by the millions during craft nights and sold at church bazaars nationwide.
Despite their recent minor comeback with boho-chic millennials, vintage macramé pieces rarely command more than garage sale prices.
7. Factory-Made “Hand-Painted” Chinese Vases
Prominently displayed on the mantel, grandma’s pair of “hand-painted” Chinese vases with peacocks and floral designs came with a story about their exceptional value and antiquity. She treated them with reverence, believing they were centuries-old treasures.
In reality, these mass-produced ceramics were made in factories during the 1950s-80s and sold to tourists or through import stores. The “hand-painting” was often done assembly-line style with stencils and stamps.
8. Plastic-Covered Lampshades and Furniture
Nothing says “grandma’s living room” quite like plastic covers protecting furniture and lampshades from nonexistent spills. That pristine 1970s sofa, perfectly preserved under thick, crinkly plastic that sticks to your thighs in summer, isn’t actually increasing in value despite the protection.
The plastic yellows over time, often damaging the fabric underneath through condensation and preventing natural leather from developing desirable patina. Ironically, this preservation method often decreases value rather than maintaining it.
