Remember when the television set was the undisputed centerpiece of the living room, that massive wooden console that commanded respect and attention? Back in the 1960s, that flat surface on top of the TV wasn’t just dead space—it became prime real estate for all sorts of treasures, trinkets, and everyday essentials. These items would migrate to that sacred spot and somehow become permanent residents, gathering dust and memories in equal measure.
1. The Rabbit Ears Antenna (Plus the Aluminum Foil Fix)
Those iconic V-shaped antennas were the lifeline to the outside world, constantly being adjusted, twisted, and repositioned in the eternal quest for a clearer picture. Someone in the family always had the magic touch—usually Dad—who could somehow coax Channel 7 into crystal clarity with just the right angle and a gentle curse under his breath. The antenna would sit there like a metallic sculpture, often adorned with strips of aluminum foil that someone swore improved reception. Over on Install My Antenna, this strategy still receives praise as a reliable hack.
When the picture got snowy or started doing that annoying horizontal roll, the antenna became the family’s first suspect. Kids would be recruited as human antenna adjusters, standing in awkward positions while holding the rabbit ears just so, creating a bizarre tableau that every 1960s household knew by heart. Those antennas were permanent fixtures, never moving from their perch except for the occasional desperate repositioning during important broadcasts.
2. TV Guide Magazine Stack
Before DVRs and streaming services, TV Guide was the bible of home entertainment, telling families exactly when Bonanza or The Ed Sullivan Show would grace their screens. These digest-sized magazines would accumulate on top of the TV set like sedimentary layers, with the current week’s issue on top and months of back issues creating an impressive tower. Mom would insist on keeping the old ones “just in case,” though nobody could ever explain what case that might be. It’s About TV offers a retrospective on TV Guide.
The TV Guide stack served as both reference material and time capsule, documenting the viewing habits and forgotten shows of months past. Flipping through old issues was like archaeological work—discovering shows you’d completely forgotten about and marveling at how different the television landscape looked just a few weeks ago. That stack was sacred territory, and heaven help the person who threw away an issue without checking with the family first.
3. The Cigarette Lighter and Ashtray Set
Back when smoking indoors was as common as breathing, every TV top featured an ashtray—usually glass, often elaborate, sometimes matching a decorative lighter. These weren’t just functional items; they were statement pieces that reflected the homeowner’s taste and sophistication, whether it was a simple crystal number or an ornate ceramic creation with painted flowers. The lighter, if fancy enough, might even have its own special spot next to the ashtray, creating a smoking station that spoke to the era’s different attitudes about tobacco. AC Silver explores what to look for when determining if an old ash tray is valuable today.
These ashtrays saw constant use during evening television viewing, when the whole family would gather to watch their favorite programs. The gentle clink of glass and the soft scratch of a lighter wheel were part of the soundtrack of 1960s television watching, as natural as the TV’s own sounds. Even in households where smoking wasn’t the norm, an ashtray often remained as a catch-all for small items or simply as part of the expected living room landscape.
4. The Fancy Doilies (Usually Crocheted by Grandma)
Delicate, intricate, and absolutely everywhere in the 1960s home, doilies were the antimacassars of television sets—protecting that precious wood veneer from scratches, water rings, and general wear. Most were lovingly handcrafted by grandmothers, aunts, or the lady of the house herself, representing hours of careful needlework and an eye for domestic beauty. These lacy creations came in all sizes and patterns, from simple geometric designs to elaborate floral motifs that looked like snowflakes made of thread.
The doilies served a dual purpose: protection and presentation, elevating the humble TV top into something more refined and civilized. They were conversation starters when guests came over, prompting discussions about handiwork, family traditions, and the lost art of creating beautiful things by hand. Woe to the family member who moved something and forgot to put the doily back exactly as it was—these textile treasures had their proper places and weren’t to be trifled with.
5. Family Photos in Ornate Frames
The television top served as an impromptu gallery for the family’s most cherished memories, displaying formal portraits, wedding photos, and milestone moments in elaborate frames. These weren’t just any pictures—these were the good ones, the professional shots that deserved places of honor where guests could see them and family members could glance at them during commercial breaks. The frames themselves were often as impressive as the photos, featuring ornate silver, gold-toned metal, or rich wood that complemented the TV’s own wooden cabinet.
School pictures, graduation photos, and wedding portraits formed a visual timeline of family history, updated annually with new additions and occasional rearrangements. Visitors would naturally gravitate toward these personal displays, sparking conversations about family members, shared memories, and the passage of time. The photos became conversation pieces and memory triggers, transforming the simple act of watching television into something more connected to family heritage and personal history.
6. The TV Dinner Tray (When Not in Use)
Those convenient aluminum compartmentalized trays weren’t always in the oven or being eaten from—when not serving their primary purpose, they often found temporary homes on top of the TV set. These metal marvels represented the height of modern convenience, promising complete meals with minimal cleanup and maximum efficiency for busy families. Between uses, they’d stack neatly on the TV top, ready for the next time someone needed a quick meal while catching their favorite show.
The presence of TV dinner trays spoke to changing family dynamics and the increasing pace of American life in the 1960s. They were symbols of innovation and practicality, representing how technology was reshaping even basic activities like family dinners. Having them visible on the TV top was almost like displaying a badge of modern living—proof that this household had embraced the convenience revolution that was transforming American kitchens and dining rooms.
7. The Channel Changer (Before Remote Controls)
Long before anyone dreamed of remote controls, families relied on manual channel changers—sometimes built into the TV, sometimes separate devices that connected via wire. These mechanical marvels would often live on top of the television when not in active use, representing the height of convenience technology for their time. The click-click-click sound of changing channels became as familiar as the programs themselves, and operating one required a certain finesse that came with practice.
Channel changers were serious business, often controlled by the patriarch of the family who wielded this power with the authority of a king with his scepter. Arguments over channel changing were legendary family affairs, leading to elaborate negotiations and compromises that could rival international diplomacy. When the changer wasn’t in Dad’s hand, it lived on the TV top like a crown waiting for its next royal user.
8. Decorative Figurines and Knick-Knacks
Every respectable TV top featured at least one decorative figurine—perhaps a ceramic shepherdess, a small horse, or delicate birds that served no purpose other than looking pleasant and adding personality to the living room. These collectibles were often gifts from relatives, souvenirs from family trips, or impulse purchases that somehow found their way to the television’s summit and decided to stay. They represented the homeowner’s aesthetic sensibilities and created small scenes of domesticated beauty in the utilitarian space of the family room.
The figurines became part of the television-watching experience, familiar friends that family members would notice during quiet moments between programs. Dusting day was always an adventure, as each piece had to be carefully moved, cleaned around, and precisely repositioned according to the unwritten rules of living room feng shui. These small decorative touches transformed the TV from a mere appliance into a curated display that reflected the family’s personality and taste.
9. The Good China Salt and Pepper Shakers
For reasons that made perfect sense at the time but seem mysterious now, many families displayed their finest salt and pepper shakers on top of the TV set, far from the dining room where they might actually be used. These weren’t everyday shakers—these were the special ones, often wedding gifts or inherited pieces that were too precious for regular use but too beautiful to hide away in cabinets. They stood as tiny sentinels of domestic elegance, adding a touch of formality to the casual act of television watching.
The logic seemed to be that if something was beautiful enough and valuable enough, it deserved a place of prominence where it could be admired daily. The TV top provided that perfect display space—visible to family and guests alike, safe from the chaos of meal preparation, and elevated both literally and figuratively above the everyday. These decorative shakers became conversation pieces, family heirlooms on display, and small reminders of special occasions and thoughtful gift-givers.
10. A Small Potted Plant (Usually Plastic)
Live plants were often considered too risky for the TV top—too much potential for water damage to that expensive television set—so many families opted for artificial alternatives that provided greenery without the worry. These plastic plants were surprisingly convincing, especially the popular varieties like small ferns, philodendrons, or flowering plants that added a touch of nature to the electronic landscape. They required no water, no sunlight, and no care beyond occasional dusting, making them perfect companions for busy households.
The artificial plant served as a bridge between the natural world and the increasingly electronic environment of the modern living room. They softened the hard edges of the television set and added visual interest without creating maintenance headaches or potential disasters. Some families did brave real plants, usually hardy varieties that could tolerate the warmth generated by the TV tubes, but the plastic versions were often indistinguishable and infinitely more practical for busy families.
11. The Rotary Phone (In Later ’60s Homes)
As telephone technology evolved and phones became more portable, some families moved their rotary phones to the TV top, creating a communication command center that served multiple purposes. This placement made sense—it was centrally located, easily accessible during television viewing, and elevated enough to be noticed when it rang. The phone’s presence transformed the TV area into the household’s information hub, where important calls could be taken without missing crucial plot developments or breaking news.
The combination of television and telephone represented the intersection of two major communication technologies that were reshaping American home life. Having both devices in close proximity meant that families could stay connected to both broadcast entertainment and personal communications without having to choose between them. The phone on the TV top became a symbol of the modern, connected household that could multitask between different forms of media and communication.
12. A Small Clock (Usually Electric)
Every TV top seemed to require a timepiece, usually a small electric clock that served the practical purpose of helping families keep track of when their favorite shows would start and end. These clocks were often decorative as well as functional, featuring interesting shapes, colors, or designs that complemented the overall aesthetic of the living room. The gentle hum of an electric clock became part of the ambient sound of television watching, barely noticeable but somehow comforting in its consistency.
The clock served as a referee for television viewing, helping families manage their time and coordinate their schedules around favorite programs. It was particularly useful during the era of appointment television, when missing a show meant missing it entirely—no second chances, no recording options, no streaming later. The TV-top clock became an essential tool for navigating the rigid scheduling that defined 1960s television viewing and family entertainment planning.
13. Mom’s Reading Glasses (in Their Special Case)
As television screens grew larger and family members aged, reading glasses became essential accessories for television viewing, especially when trying to read TV Guide or make sense of small print during commercials. These glasses, usually in protective cases, found natural homes on top of the TV set where they were easily accessible but safely stored. The glasses case itself often became part of the décor, whether it was a simple plastic protector or an elaborate leather or fabric container that added its own aesthetic appeal.
The presence of reading glasses on the TV top spoke to the multi-generational nature of television viewing and the practical needs of family entertainment. They were reminders that television wasn’t a passive activity but often required active engagement—reading program schedules, following credits, or examining details that required visual assistance. The glasses became as much a part of the television-watching ritual as the programs themselves, essential tools for the complete viewing experience.
Looking back, that TV top was like a time capsule of family life—a collection of practical necessities, sentimental treasures, and decorative touches that somehow made perfect sense in their time and place. Each item had its purpose and its story, from the purely functional antenna to the purely decorative figurines, creating a personal museum that reflected the values, habits, and personalities of the families who carefully arranged and rearranged these collections. Those days of appointment television and permanent TV-top displays may be gone, but they represent a time when families gathered around a single screen and made that electronic hearth the true center of home life.
