10 household items everyone in the USSR dreamed of

During the era of widespread shortages in the USSR, the value of an item was determined not so much by its functionality as by the status it conferred on its owner.

1. The ‘Madonna’ dinner set – In the USSR, porcelain dinner services from the GDR were called ‘Madonna’, as they were a symbol of prosperity. They were decorated with paintings by 18th-century artist Angelika Kauffman depicting ancient themes, but Soviet people gave it the name ‘Madonna’. Dinner sets were also often gilded and decorated with mother-of-pearl. Such tableware was typically never used, but rather kept in sideboards as heirlooms and given as gifts for weddings and anniversaries. Many Soviet families dreamed of owning this set.

2. Crystal – In the late USSR, crystal was an important symbol of material well-being: glasses, vases and candy bowls were prominently displayed in sideboards and "treasured", meaning they were used only on special occasions. Imported ‘Bohemian’ crystal from Czechoslovakia was especially prized; it could only be obtained through connections or as an expensive gift. But, even Soviet crystal, such as that produced by the ‘Gus-Khrustalny’ factory, was considered a must-have for a "respectable" home.

3. A wall unit – This massive set of furniture, manufactured in Yugoslavia, East Germany, Czechoslovakia or Romania, was not just a piece of furniture, but a measure of a family's respectability. It was impossible to buy it in a regular store – you had to sign up to a waiting list and… wait (sometimes for years!), obtain it through acquaintances or buy it for huge sums of money "through connections". The most valuable items, such as crystal, porcelain sets, books and imported knick-knacks, were displayed behind the glass doors of the wall unit, turning the wall into a showcase for the Soviet living room.

4. A wool rug – Like many scarce items in the late Soviet Union, hung on the wall not so much to insulate or soundproof the home or even decorate the interior, but, rather, as a symbol of the family’s prosperity. Since high-quality furniture and decor were in short supply, a large woolen rug covered the empty wall, creating a visual focal point of the room, as well as emphasizing the owners’ status.

5. A crystal chandelier –  This was every housewife's dream (specially a Czech or Hungarian one) and the ultimate proof that the family lived respectably. It was impossible to buy such an expensive and hard-to-find chandelier in a regular store – people “got their hands on” one through connections, paid for it with six months' worth of salary or received as a status gift. It was then hung in the living room, so that its thousands of glass pendants would fill the apartment with iridescent sparkles. It didn't so much illuminate the room as serve as a symbol of prosperity against the backdrop of the neighbors' modest ceiling lights.

6. Upholstered furniture – In an era of extreme shortages, even such an ordinary item as a living room upholstered furniture set became a symbol of success and prosperity, as it was incredibly difficult to obtain: people waited in line for years to get beautiful, high-quality furniture, paid above market price and pulled out all the stops. Having not just two armchairs and a sofa in the living room, but a complete, cohesive set, meant that the family could afford the best. Such furniture was not only prestigious, but also highly functional, helping to solve the problem of limited space in small apartments.

7. Nickel silver or melchior – In the late USSR, it was an affordable and sought-after alternative to silver cutlery. These silver-colored metal utensils were significantly cheaper than the precious metal, yet looked almost as elegant, which is why a set of nickel silver spoons, forks and knives was considered a must-have in any respectable home. Melchior was given as a wedding gift, carefully stored in sideboards and only brought out when guests arrived or on major holidays. Soviet pieces marked "MNC" (copper, nickel, zinc) and featuring a matte "embossed" pattern were especially prized and housewives would polish tarnished spoons with toothpaste until they shone.

8. A stereo system – For a Soviet person, it was a true window into the Western world and the envy of all neighbors. Obtaining this complex and expensive item was incredibly difficult – only the lucky few would bring one back from business trips abroad or buy one from friends for astronomical sums. Imported models were an unattainable dream for many, so music lovers settled for domestically produced, more affordable, but no less valuable alternatives.

9. VCR – For a Soviet citizen in the 1980s, a VCR wasn't just an expensive gadget, but a true symbol of wealth and a gateway to the world of Western cinema. A ‘vidak’,  as it was called back then, cost an astronomical amount of money. However, its main value was the ability to watch Hollywood action films and erotica at home. There was a month-long waiting list for the lucky owners of a ‘vidak’. And those who weren’t fortunate enough to have one at home flocked in droves to underground video rental stores.

10. Collected works of the classics – Hunting for them was a real challenge, because, despite the country's status as the "most literate nation”, good books were in short supply. While store shelves were overflowing with party brochures and pamphlets, a real battle raged for multi-volume editions of Alexander Dumas or the "Library of World Literature". The lucky ones could get a subscription, but, to do so, they had to line up the night before or use connections through bookstores. Many took a different route: they turned in 10-20 kg of waste paper, receiving a coveted coupon or voucher for the next volume of adventure stories or classic literature, which they then carefully placed on a shelf on their bookcase.