15 Valuable Home Items You Should Never Let Go

This post may contain affiliate links.

Our homes are treasure troves, loaded with things, each with a story and a memory, or with possibilities of uses we never thought of. However, there are times when we are just so tempted to declutter that we throw away hidden gems without us realizing it. These items are worth a second glance before you decide to ditch them.

This is not about hoarding, it’s about getting potential out of the seemingly average. What is very small today can be very big tomorrow, emotionally or practically. Keeping that in mind, let’s take a look at some household treasures you might want to think twice before throwing in the bin.

Sewing Supplies

Image Credit: Nikodem Nijaki/Wikimedia Commons

Grandma’s sewing kit could hold some pretty nice threads, needles, and tools that are hard to find today. Even if you aren’t into sewing, these things come in handy for small repairs or crafts.

Antique Furniture

Antique or Vintage Furniture — Image Credit: OliveiraTP/Pixabay

It’s not just sturdy, antique furniture tells a story. You may find out that old rocking chair or ornate dresser is worth more than you think. Antiques tend to go up in value over time, especially if they’re made out of fine wood or are a work of art, so don’t lose out on that cash cow.

Handmade Quilts

23 Surprising Secrets I’ve Learned After 20 Years of Antiquing! — Image Credit: Craftingmomof1/Flickr

If you’ve got a handmade quilt, love it. These aren’t blankets, they are works of art that, in many cases, took hours and hours of labor. Even if your quilt isn’t in the best of shape, you can repurpose it into smaller items, such as throw pillows or wall art, that have a little charm left in them.

Vintage Records

With its huge comeback, vinyl records are the trending music tool. If it’s your parents’ old Beatles albums or a rare jazz LP, these records could be valuable—or just sound better than anything else.

Vintage Jewelry

Jewelry isn’t just worth money, it’s worth memories. A family heirloom can be created by a vintage brooch or necklace that was handed down through generations. Even things that currently aren’t stylish can usually be repurposed, or repaired to appeal to modern tastes.

Medicine Cabinet

I’m sure there are lots of useful or sentimental items that end up in the medicine cabinet. Fragrances that date from years gone by, first aid kits from past adventures, or maybe antique packaging that may not have the significance you expect. Experts recommend looking things over before tossing them, as some older medications can have historical or collector’s value, especially for those obsessed with vintage branding.

Old Books

The first editions or out of print books can be treasures hiding in plain sight. Imagine your attic, there is a signed copy of To Kill a Mockingbird, that’s some history or cool cash, whatever your preference. Moreover, the stories and annotations within make these books worth holding onto even if they’re not valuable.

Family Photo Albums

17 Forgotten Skills Boomers Had in the Past That Today's Kids Lack — Photo Credit: Cottonbro Studio/Pexels

A photo album is more than simply a collection of images; it’s a family archive. In the age of the digital camera, physical photos are becoming rare and they have a charm that a smartphone just can’t match. A University of California study found that digital photos provoked less emotion than tangible photographs. These are worth far more than the shelf space they occupy, hang onto them.

Vintage Kitchen Tools

Vintage kitchen tools can be both functional and quirky: From old fashioned egg beaters to quirky cookie cutters. Many of these items are well built and better than their modern counterparts, so they make for great everyday use or display items in your kitchen.

Holiday Decorations

22 Basement Clutter Items a Pro Organizer Would Toss Immediately! — Image Credit: Alenakr/123rf

Vintage holiday ornaments are especially sentimental and can sometimes be worth a lot of money. That hand painted glass ornament from decades ago may be worth far more than you realize, and will bring you a nostalgic charm as you celebrate the festive season.

Flower Vase

A flower vase is an invitation to bring life into your space, and it’s more than just a decorative piece. A vase can immediately uplift any room whether it’s holding fresh blooms or styled with dried pampas grass. Additionally, vintage or handcrafted vases may possibly be worth more than you know.

Tools

Set of Tool Wrench — Photo Credit: Pixabay

Some tools might be old, rusty or just not what you want to keep, so you might feel as though you will never use them again. However, don’t throw it yet. One day that tool may save you hundreds of dollars in repair payment.

Cast-Iron Cookware

A cast iron skillet is gold if you have one. These pans last generations, and generally cook better with age. Apart from that, if you’ve inherited one, bear in mind that it will most likely be well seasoned with love and years of yummy meals. It’s no surprise searing a steak perfectly is nothing short of perfection.

Liquor Cabinet

Maybe you’ve got more than just your casual cocktail ingredients stashed in that liquor cabinet. Whiskey or wine, aged spirits can appreciably rise in value with age. Rare whiskey prices have soared more than 373 percent in the past decade, according to a report. So do a quick search before you pour out that dusty bottle, it just might be liquid gold.

Board Games

You can sell vintage board games for quite a bit online or they can be a great hit at family gatherings. Recently, an auction for thousands of dollars was made for a rare Monopoly set from the 1930s. The fact that they aren’t worth a fortune doesn’t matter, the memories they bring are priceless.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.