9 Improvements Our Parents Thought Were Must-Haves

Every generation has a set of “must-have” home upgrades that end up dating their houses years later. For many of our parents, these were the big selling points that made a house feel modern, valuable, or ahead of its time.

Today, some of these upgrades make us laugh, while others still bring back memories of growing up in homes filled with them.

Sunken Living Rooms

In the ’70s and ’80s, sunken living rooms were everywhere.

That step down into the “conversation pit” made the space feel fancy and different. Parents loved showing it off, but the trend didn’t age well. Over time, people realized it was a tripping hazard, especially for kids and older relatives.

These days, most sunken spaces have been leveled out, but anyone who grew up with one remembers the bragging rights it gave their parents.

Built-In Intercom Systems

Our parents thought an intercom was the height of convenience. They could call down to the basement or up to a bedroom without yelling. Of course, in reality, most kids ignored the call or unplugged the system entirely.

While it felt high-tech at the time, the novelty wore off, and now smartphones have taken over. Still, those wall-mounted speakers are instantly recognizable if you spent your childhood in a house with one.

Wet Bars

A wet bar was a selling point in many homes from the ’70s into the ’90s.

Parents loved the idea of entertaining with a dedicated space for mixing drinks, complete with mirrored walls and glass racks. In reality, most sat unused, gathering dust.

These days, some homeowners turn them into coffee stations or storage. But when your parents bought the house, that wet bar felt like the ultimate upgrade.

Jacuzzi Tubs

Oversized jetted tubs were another must-have.

They looked impressive and were supposed to be the luxury everyone needed. But in practice, they took forever to fill, used a ton of water, and rarely got used more than a few times a year. Many homeowners have since ripped them out in favor of big walk-in showers, but our parents loved the status they brought.

Central Vacuums

Built-in vacuum systems were marketed as the future.

No more lugging around a heavy machine—you’d just plug a hose into a wall outlet. While it sounded amazing, the systems were expensive and often broke down.

Today, lightweight vacuums and cordless models have replaced them, but our parents swore by their convenience when they first moved in.

Mirrored Walls

Parents thought a full mirrored wall made any space feel larger. Dining rooms, gyms, even living rooms got the treatment. It was all about creating that “open” feeling, but the effect often felt overwhelming.

Mirrors showed every fingerprint and smudge, and they were hard to decorate around. Still, at the time, our parents were convinced it was one of the smartest upgrades they could make.

Interlocking Patio Pavers

Backyard patios with interlocking pavers were a point of pride.

Parents believed it was an upgrade from plain concrete, and it was. But over time, weeds popped up between the cracks, and maintenance became a headache.

Formal Dining Rooms

For our parents, a separate dining room was a must-have.

Even if it was only used a few times a year, the room was decorated to impress guests. Parents often filled them with heavy furniture and china cabinets, and kids were told not to play in there.

These days, many homeowners open up the space to connect with the kitchen, but growing up, that formal dining room felt like untouchable territory.

Alarm Systems With Keypads

Parents jumped on the first wave of home alarm systems. Keypads with numeric codes and loud sirens felt like cutting-edge security. They weren’t as advanced as today’s smart systems, but at the time, they made homeowners feel safe and modern.

Kids growing up in those homes remember the pressure of typing in the code fast enough to avoid setting off the alarm.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.