7 Things In The 60s We Had in Our Room as Teens

Teen bedrooms in the 1960s were more than just a place to sleep—they reflected music, fashion, and personal style. Many of the items teens kept in their rooms spoke to the pop culture and trends of the decade. Whether it was the influence of rock bands, the growing counterculture, or changing technology, these room essentials said a lot about what mattered to teens at the time. These are some of the most common things you’d find in a teenager’s bedroom during the 1960s, based on true trends and items from that era.

Posters of James Dean

Many teens in the 1960s had posters of James Dean on their bedroom walls. His image from Rebel Without a Cause—leaning against a wall with a cigarette—was especially popular. The photo became a symbol of teen rebellion and coolness, even though Dean had died years earlier.

James Dean was remembered for playing troubled, misunderstood characters. Teens felt a connection to his roles and his mysterious life. His face appeared in magazines and movie ads, but it was the black-and-white poster that truly stood out in bedrooms across the country.

The Beatles Memorabilia

The Beatles changed music and fashion in the 1960s, and their image was everywhere. Teenagers decorated their rooms with Beatles posters, record sleeves, and fan items from concerts. A poster from their 1964 appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show was especially common.

Beatles fans collected everything they could. Some had Beatles dolls, lunchboxes, or magazines featuring the group. Whether it was during the mop-top era or later, teens felt proud to show their love for John, Paul, George, and Ringo by covering their walls with images of the band.

Psychedelic Art

As the counterculture movement grew, so did the popularity of psychedelic art. Posters with bright, swirling colors and strange shapes filled many teen rooms by the late 1960s. The designs were often inspired by rock concerts, comic art, and the rising use of LSD.

These posters usually used neon or blacklight-sensitive ink. Artists like Peter Max helped make the style mainstream. Teens who wanted to stand out or who followed the hippie movement saw this art as a way to express themselves and rebel against traditional styles.

Vinyl Records Scattered Everywhere

Vinyl records were a big part of a teen’s life in the ’60s. LPs and 45s were often scattered around bedrooms, stacked near turntables or leaned against the wall. Popular artists included The Supremes, The Rolling Stones, The Byrds, and Jefferson Airplane.

Many teens spent hours listening to albums from start to finish. Album covers were often just as important as the music and were used as decoration. Records were also played during parties or just while hanging out, making them a central part of daily life.

A Stack of Teen Magazines

Magazines like Seventeen, Tiger Beat, and 16 Magazine were often found in piles in teen bedrooms. These featured the latest gossip, fashion tips, and interviews with pop stars like Paul McCartney, Davy Jones, and Frankie Avalon.

Teens would flip through them to find posters to hang or cut out pictures of their favorite stars. The magazines also included quizzes, beauty advice, and letters from fans. They were an easy and affordable way to stay connected to pop culture and trends.

Radio Alarm Clock

By the mid-1960s, radio alarm clocks had become popular. These allowed teens to wake up to music from AM or FM stations instead of a loud ringing bell. They were often placed on nightstands or desks close to the bed.

Most teens used them to listen to Top 40 hits before school or while getting ready. DJs played a mix of rock, soul, and pop, and many teens kept the radio on even while doing homework. It was a small but important piece of daily life in the bedroom.

Lava Lamp

The lava lamp became a well-known room decoration in the late 1960s. The lamp’s slow-moving blobs of wax floating inside colored liquid made it popular with teens looking for something different. It was often placed on a desk or dresser.

The lamp fit well with psychedelic posters and was used as a relaxing way to zone out. Watching the shapes move was calming and fun. Though first sold in the U.K., lava lamps became widely available in American stores by the late ’60s and were especially common in teen bedrooms.