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+13
Putting televisions in kitchens and bathrooms was a distinct trend, particularly in the late 1980s and 1990s. While it may seem unusual now, it was a practical solution for entertainment during a time when households had more than one set and open-concept floor plans were not yet standard.
The Kitchn
+1
Here is a look back at why people did this and how the trend evolved:
The "Golden Age" of Kitchen & Bathroom TVs
Kitchens (Late '80s–'90s): Small, affordable, and portable CRT (cathode-ray tube) TVs became popular for countertops. As kitchens were typically closed-off rooms, a TV provided company while cooking, cleaning, or eating breakfast.
Bathrooms: Often seen as an "eccentric luxury" or a "spoiled" addition, a TV in the bathroom allowed people to catch the morning news while shaving or watching a show while soaking in the bathtub.
Cable Cost Structure: During that era, cable companies often charged one flat fee, regardless of how many televisions were in the house, encouraging people to add sets in smaller rooms.
Yahoo
+4
Why the Trend Disappeared
Open Floor Plans: Starting in the late 1990s, the "sledgehammer" approach to home renovation became popular, taking down walls between the kitchen and living room. Since residents could see the main living room TV from the kitchen, a separate small set was no longer necessary.
Space & Tech Changes: Bulky, heavy tube TVs required precious counter space and weren't water-resistant.
The Digital Transition: As homes transitioned from analog to digital flat-screens, the small, boxy, "retro" kitchen TV vanished.
The Kitchn
+4
The Modern Comeback
As of 2025-2026, the kitchen TV trend is actually making a comeback on platforms like TikTok and Instagram as part of a nostalgia wave, often featuring vintage sets with built-in VCRs or small, discreet flat-screens for "cozy" vibes.
Facebook·Martha Stewart
+1
Modern Solutions: Today's "bathroom TVs" are high-tech, waterproof, and often disguised as smart mirrors over the vanity, showing up only when turned on.
Styling: Modern kitchens often integrate TVs into cabinets, rather than having them take up counter space.
First Priority Audio
+1
Interesting Facts:
Safety First: Modern bathroom TVs use specialized sealing techniques to ensure safety around water and moisture.
The "Vanishing" Mirror: Some luxury bathrooms use TVs that look like normal mirrors when turned off.
Vintage Niche: Some people seek out vintage tube TVs specifically for their 1990s kitchen aesthetic, often paired with VCRs to watch old movies while cooking.
First Priority Audio
+2
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Dive deeper in AI Mode
Reddit · r/nostalgia
200+ comments · 3 months ago
TVs in the kitchen used to be a thing : r/nostalgia
Kitchen TVs existed so you could half watch the news while burning dinner in peace. Honestly, peak multitasking before phones ruined everything.
Why did so many people used to have a little kitchen tv?
r/AskOldPeople
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850+ comments
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1y
TV in the bathroom? : r/ApartmentHacks
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So You Want a Bathroom Television
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