The Find That Feels Like the 70s
February 11, 2026
Source: Reddit
As soon as I saw that big heavy amber colored glass thing with a large bottom and a top that had a “lid” attached to it, I thought it would make a good find at Goodwill. I took it home and put it on my counter. Then I just sat and looked at it until I figured it out. When I did figure it out, I loved it even more!
What an Amber Glass Bedside Carafe Is
A Bedside Carafe is a two piece set. The bigger piece of the set holds the water. The “top” is a drinking cup that fits onto the top of the carafe. This allows you to have a cup right there when you need to take a drink. It also keeps dust out of the carafe.
The Design Clue
The clue to the design is the small ledge (shelf) near the top of the carafe. This ledge is where the cup rests on. Because the cup does not seal to the carafe, it does not require any threads or parts to seal it airtight like a jar.
Why Amber Glass is So 1960’s and 1970’s
Amber glass has that warm brown color that appears in a lot of old vintage kitchen and barware. In the light of a lamp, it adds a cozy ambiance. It also pairs well with all of the wood, brass and earth tone decor that many homes had during the 60’s and 70’s. Therefore, it is obvious that an amber glass bedside carafe is retro, even if you’ve never seen one before.
Why People Had These By Their Beds
This type of carafe and cup solved a very basic problem: needing to get something to drink at night without getting out of bed. You fill the carafe before going to bed and then place the cup on top. Then you can drink from the cup when you wake up in the morning. They also made a guest bedroom seem complete. A carafe and cup communicated, “help yourself”, but didn’t require anything fancy.
The Lid Is the Cup
The best part is that the cup does double-duty. You remove it from the top of the carafe, drink from it, and then replace it on the carafe. The carafe remains covered between drinks and the overall size of the set is kept to a minimum.
How To Know Whether You Got a Real One While Thrift Shopping
I look at three items to determine whether I got a real one while shopping at thrift stores:
1st, I check the ledge or shelf inside the carafe where the cup will rest.
2nd, I check to see if the top piece has a finished lip that would allow it to work as a drinking glass.
3rd, I check the appearance of the entire set when the cup is placed on the carafe. If the set appears to be intentionally designed, stable, clean and in alignment, it is likely to be a real amber glass bedside carafe.
Where You Would Have Seen Them
You could see these types of carafes and cups in nightstands and guest bedrooms. You may have seen them in bathrooms, particularly in homes where the countertops were equipped with matching accessories. Many hotels used similar sets for their guests’ bathrooms, etc. because they appeared to be both tidy and functional.
How I Use My Amber Glass Bedside Carafe Today
I place my amber glass bedside carafe on my nightstand and I use it for drinking water. It is also suitable for a guest bedroom because it gives a sense of hospitality without taking up too much space. If your thrift store purchase appears to be older than usual, I wash it thoroughly before using it. Also, I try to avoid exposing the glass to extreme temperatures so the glass does not break.
It Wasn’t Just Some Weird Jar
What appeared to me to be a weird amber jar was actually an amber glass bedside carafe that was designed to provide a means to keep water available and covered. It is useful, it looks nice, and it provides the nostalgic feel of having lived in the past. This is a major reason for purchasing second-hand merchandise.