Nowadays, most of the population is going for the more modern type of kitchen furniture and decorative items. However, there are also those people who see themselves as “old souls” and prefer the comfort brought by the retro style. If you want a fashionable retro kitchen and need a couple of ideas, here is what you can do to bring things up a notch.
- Checkerboard Backsplashes
In the past, checkerboards were all the rage. People had them pretty much anywhere, their most popular spot being on the floor. However, if you do not want to fully commit to checkerboard floors, then you may want to consider adding a backsplash of this kind. For a blending look, you may want to go for a shade that matches your cabinets.
- Wallpaper Accents
When thinking of the retro era, we also dive back into the 1950s – and around that time, there’s nothing that people DIDN’T stick some wallpaper on. “I don’t suggest papering an entire room, but accent walls are trendy,” says Angela Williams of Extreme Agent Realty. Rather than covering all the available kitchen walls with wallpaper, you might want to consider covering a kitchen island and turning it into a focal point.
- Yellow Tiles
If you want to go full retro, then you can’t go wrong with yellow. From the ‘60s till the ‘90s, yellow was associated with life, energy, and vibrancy. People wore it on their clothes and used it in their home design – pretty much anywhere they possibly could. Therefore, if you are committed to bringing color to your kitchen, you might want to consider adding some lustrous yellow tiles.
- Statement Pendant Lights
Nowadays, everything is all about soft lights that you barely even know they’re there. However, in the 60s, everything revolved around pendant lights. It gave a nice look without overwhelming the space. Placed above a table with a checkerboard tablecloth, you could easily get that smooth vintage look.
- Dusty Rose Cabinets
Do you want to paint your cabinets into a more retro look? In that case, you should go for dusty rose cabinets. These types of cabinets will be reminiscent of the vintage polaroid that was sun-worn – a color that appears very unique but at the same time subdued. You may want to try a two-color cabinet theme, matching the dusty rose with some white appliances that can help blend in the background.
- Linoleum Cabinets
If the retro period was a material, then it would certainly be linoleum. Applied on your cabinets in a summer green color, it would remind you of the main vintage palette of the time. By matching it with some black marble countertops, you could get a modern twist to an overall vintage feel.
- Veined Marble Countertops
Nowadays, we have a lot of materials and designs that we use for our countertops – but in the past, everything was about marble. The material was often present in high-end kitchens, its classic attributes and durability being heavily appreciated. “Heavily veined marble is making a significant comeback in the design world and has become synonymous with high-end luxury,” says architect Natalia Miyar.
- Wood Paneling
Between the ‘60s and the 90s, the norm was to add warmth in every space of the house, including the kitchen. Matching wood paneling with some clean white countertops would balance the whole look and make your kitchen seem all-natural and sunny. It’s a look that was greatly appreciated around those times.
- Lime-Toned Color Themes
In the past, people were crazy about color – and you couldn’t go any more daring than lime. Citrus-inspired kitchens were very common around the time, with people choosing these shades for their furniture and the walls. Citrus-colored chairs and yellow patterned curtains gave a cool yet welcoming vibe, one that looked as lively as it was polished.