Do you find yourself wishing for a kitchen that reflects today while remembering the past? Interested in merging the straight lines of new age design with the appeal of earlier styles? In this article, I’ll show you how to create a retro feel in your kitchen that still looks and works well. I’ll guide you on how to infuse your space with character using both trendy color schemes and familiar bar stool designs.
Bold Color Palettes That Channel Retro Vibes
In most of the kitchens I work on, color is at the heart of what makes the room stand out. What makes a retro kitchen unique is its bright color choices, commonly yellow, red or blue. To use these colors in a modern kitchen, just focus on a few points and back them up with neutral spaces.
Using colorful designs on cabinets, the backsplash or islands is something I typically do to keep the retro look. A modern teal cabinet with a white quartz countertop, for instance, keeps the style clean and referenced by a traditional look. Choosing red or mint green open shelving adds a classic touch, but it’s still trendy.
When I bring these elements into a client’s home, they’re always delighted by how vibrant and inviting the space becomes. Adding some color keeps the kitchen original, so it’s not the same everywhere. Like House Beautiful suggests, when you choose one or two signature colors and display them again in different ways, your space will feel more put together.
You could put in some vintage appliances or brightly colored lights to stamp the theme onto the room. Right now, the surfaces and cabinetry have the theme and the appliances are an obvious pick next.
Checkerboard Floors for a Playful Twist
To me, checkerboard floors bring to mind 1950s diners, however, the right materials can make them look modern. Adding monochrome black and white checkerboard tile to your kitchen floor creates a bit of interest and helps the space feel more dynamic.
Matte porcelain or luxury vinyl are my favorites because they are simple to clean and don’t make the room dim. These cupboards look great with these floors and match nicely with stainless steel appliances. The way the geometry is arranged gives the design a comfortable balance between structure and enjoyment.
Clients who have opted for checkerboard floors tell me it becomes their kitchen’s signature feature. It’s not overwhelming, but it sets the tone. Domino Magazine’s interior designers say adding these floors is a straightforward way to bring pattern into a room mostly made up of solid materials.
I think adding a similarly colored rug below the breakfast nook and a matching wall clock would really boost this look. At the moment, the flooring creates most of the design, but following the pattern above it would unite everything.
Funky Wallpaper With Vintage Patterns
A funky wallpaper is an easy way to give any modern kitchen a retro look. Usually, I pick either strong geometric designs or flowers on a background paired with mustard, burnt orange or teal. Wallpapering one main wall is enough to spruce up the room while giving the rest room to breathe.
Wallpaper suits open-plan kitchens, especially if it’s placed behind the shelves or above the breakfast bar. When you need something to last a long time, vinyl-coated is best. Some of the patterns I’ve chosen are concentric circles, atomic stars and mod-style grids, so the look is classic but trimmed to fit the modern design of the client’s cabinets.
I’ve noticed that homeowners enjoy the decorative interest these plants bring to their gardens. Architectural Digest says retro wallpapers are on trend now and look especially stylish in houses with an eclectic mix of interior styles.
You could match the decor with things like patterned dish towels, as well as putting an old-style calendar on a wall. By doing this, the wallpaper adds to the room in a way that keeps it from fighting with the other features.
Mint Green Appliances With a Contemporary Edge
Since mint green is the ultimate retro choice, adding it to appliances gives a friendly and clean look to your kitchen. I’ve helped clients style rooms where mint green fridges or stand mixers are the main attention grabbers. It matches nicely with kitchen cabinets and accents made from natural wood.
I tend to advise people to have a striking piece such as a mint green range hood or fridge and keep cabinets and counters simple, with metallic knobs or handles. For anyone interested in modern versions of retro-style appliances, Big Chill and Smeg are great places to get them.
To me, mint green is soothing and full of energy which makes it a great choice to brighten up kitchens which we often use for both work and gathering. A recent post on Apartment Therapy used mint green for an oven and made it a striking focal point in a small condo kitchen.
I recommend placing vintage-style green canisters or cutlery on open shelves to go with your appliances.
Neon Accents That Pop in Modern Spaces
Adding neon brings a fresh shock of retro styles to any up-to-date kitchen. I try not to use too many, since their lively nature can make a room seem too much if positioned incorrectly. It’s great to hang a quirky neon sign with a funny image above your coffee station.
Personally, I like LED-lit neon the best, as it gives you the vintage look without the risks of traditional neon signs. While they stand out beautifully on white subway tile, matte black walls also work well and I’ve noticed neon pendant lights can be stunning.
Clients often ask me about the signs—they definitely stir up conversations. Neon in the kitchen, especially in urban lofts or large, open styles, can help give your space a fun and unique feeling, reports The Spruce.
Some coasters, hand towels or accent bowls in the same neon color would help bring all the elements together in your kitchen.
Classic Diner-Style Bar Stools Reimagined
As they don’t get much attention, adding diner-style bar stools can give your kitchen a great retro vibe. For me, chrome bases on cars with vinyl seats in candy-apple red, bright yellow or turquoise look best. They’re a lot of fun, make you feel nostalgic and are surprisingly cozy.
A kitchen island or peninsula with these stools becomes the main focal point of the room. You can accent them with current style stone countertops and one-tone cupboard finishes. A footrest on a swivel models makes it a good option for casual dining.
One client didn’t want to have a full retro look but liked these stools and now the space is all about them. It turns out that vintage bar stools are making a strong comeback in modern homes, according to HGTV.
I think this idea would be complete with a pair of diner-style globe lights or a metal wall clock nearby. Showing the style in other furniture pieces will really highlight the nostalgia.
Glossy Cabinet Finishes in Retro Hues
A fresh coat of buttercup yellow, robin’s egg blue or flamingo pink can make any modern kitchen more vibrant. I tend to apply them to the lower cabinets so the upper ones don’t stand out, making the area too busy. Glossy finishes catch and bounce light and work nicely alongside stainless steel door handles.
In any household, cabinets made from thermofoil or lacquer look smooth, are simple to maintain and provide an elegant designer touch. You can show off these styles more noticeably when set next to matte countertops or textured backsplashes.
Clients tell me they’re always amazed at how much more cheery the area is with these colors. Better Homes & Gardens recommends finishing your cabinets with glossy color if you would like to highlight your individual taste.
The kitchen might be improved by the addition of retro-style ceramic or chrome handles or knobs. All of these little touches add up to something important.
Retro-Inspired Light Fixtures With Modern Flair
Fresh kitchen designs benefit from retro-style light fixtures to add charm to the room. Using a globe pendant, an industrial sconce or a tiered chandelier in brass or chrome tends to create the balance I need. As well as illumination, they add a cozy touch and depth to both areas you work in and those you want to be cozy.
Most of the time, I hang big dome lights over kitchen islands in traditional enameled shades like mint green, firetruck red or buttery yellow. They honor the style of mid-century homes and fit right in with modern kitchens and countertops made of marble or quartz. Fixtures from days past may include frosted glass or patterned designs to lend more texture to a hallway.
Clients commonly notice that dimmable options for these kinds of lights make them especially prominent in a design. Including vintage-style lighting in your kitchen makes the space more interesting and it will continue to be modern. What’s more, homeowners can use lighting to express their own design ideas.
The only thing lacking here might be under-cabinet LED strips that pick up the same colors as the overhead lights. When the metal studs appear in both exterior walls and interior doors, the design idea is stronger.
Chrome and Metal Touches That Shine
Chrome was the metal of choice in the 1950s and ’60s, and today, using chrome and metal accents adds a nostalgic yet polished touch to any modern kitchen. I rely on adding metal features to add a nostalgic look to any surface I don’t want to repaint. Since they are affordable, last a long time and can reflect a lot of light, inhabiting small or dim rooms is easy.
The hardware I’ll use for cabinetry is chrome pulls or tubular handles. I generally make recommendations for chrome kickplates or corner brackets all around the island. Designers often put metallic range hoods with chrome-framed bar stools in this type of space. Having mid-century faucets in a chrome finish adds a big dose of vintage style.
I view metal features as enhancing both the mood and sophistication of any design. Real Simple says you can mix chrome and brushed steel finishes to enhance the atmosphere and yet maintain the overall retro-modern look.
If I wanted to include details here, I’d look at metal shelves or tables with chrome legs to keep finishing the pattern horizontally. A bit of sparkle can do a lot for vintage-style makeup.
Retro Clocks as Kitchen Statement Pieces
One well-chosen retro kitchen clock adds a piece of interest to any kitchen and creates conversation. I usually hang a big, colorful clock in bright red, yellow or mint green next to a toned-down backsplash or set of cabinets. The items help your kitchen serve its purpose, while also adding charm.
The diner-style ones and starburst atomic frames are what I prefer. Whether it’s a round face with bold numerals or a sculptural sunburst design, these clocks infuse personality. These labels are most suitable over pantries, in the middle of cabinets or as part of open shelving.
Most of the time, clients enjoy double purposes and a retro clock is great for that. In the opinion of Country Living, adding a vintage clock to your kitchen is a ready way to capture a retro feel without using lots of decorations.
For the best visual impact, why not complete the look by adding more matching wall décor or old-fashioned letter board signs? It allows designers to be strategic and avoid decorative elements only.
Pastel Color Schemes With Bright Accents
Using pastels gives homeowners an easy way to introduce retro colors that are not too strong. Many times, I advise starting with mint, blush pink, powder blue or pale yellow as your foundation and adding bold accessories to bring everything together.
We used pastel blue cabinets, a warm cream backsplash and added red stools and various colorful cookware in my last kitchen design. The reason this look stands out is because of the difference between soft and bold items. Having light pastel walls often looks good with colorful, shiny cabinet handles too.
Personally, I love the mood that pastels create—they’re uplifting and feel fresh year-round. According to Southern Living, mixing gentle neutrals and bright shades can help you keep a clean, stylish base, paired with the charming cheer of the 1950s.
For a full effect, use pastel-colored glasses or an old-fashioned kettle to go along with the rest of them. Just a few carefully selected accessories can change the look of your outfit.
Mid-Century Modern Furniture With Retro Spirit
Mid-century modern furniture connects the past with modern times, so it’s ideal for a retro-style kitchen. I chose dining chairs with low chairs, a bench under the window and a curved sideboard to make the space more cozy and organized.
Walnut, teak and molded plywood are important components of these styles. Any time I pick pieces with sharp edges and small legs, they have the effect of making the area appear bigger and funky. A classic Saarinen-style tulip table would work wonderfully in a breakfast nook and look as if it never went out of style.
I am always amazed by how these pieces fit right into a modern kitchen. According to Dwell magazine, these famous layouts are trending again since they blend style with practicality which most people require in their kitchens.
Using colorful cushions or recovering old furniture with fresh materials is a good way to make the design your own. Mixing the old with the new makes the kitchen both trendy and practical.
Smeg-Style Fridges in Vibrant Colors
A fridge styled after Smeg is the best example of retro taste and style in a kitchen. Red, blue and yellow fridges are my favorite to work with. Their main use is as a functional sculpture, but they influence the overall design of the space.
A fridge looks its brightest when paired with charcoal or white cabinets. I often tell people to make the other appliances simple and sober so that the refrigerator remains the main attraction. It’s useful to add a little color echo in smaller spots using utensil holders, toasters or old tins.
People are usually surprised by how much life these fridges add to the space. House & Garden UK reports that well-placed retro-style fridges can make a property more appealing to buyers because they remind them of happy memories.
I think too that including similar-colored shelves or handles would take this design even a step further. In that way, the fridge would really blend with the kitchen’s feel, not just act as an interesting gimmick.
Colorful Tile Backsplashes With a 70s Feel
If clients want their neutral modern kitchen to stand out, I regularly suggest a bright tile backsplash. Not only does a backsplash save your walls, but it also gives you a chance to express yourself. Borrowing style features from the 70s, many of these tiles appear with geometric patterns and bright shades of avocado green, burnt orange and sunshine yellow to give a splash of retro atmosphere to simple white or gray cabinetry.
Either glazed ceramic or zellige tiles can help give your kitchen a sleek vintage appeal, along with all the practical benefits. Whenever I put up options in repeating shapes such as circles or diamonds, the whole wall is made to stand out immediately. As the upper cabinets are kept sparse, this design is allowed to show off without being crowded.
From what I have seen, updating the tile in the backsplash area is the simplest way to start your retro-modern kitchen design. Updating a kitchen for a client with orange and mustard subway tiles set behind the range created a really nice contrast. According to Apartment Therapy, tile allows for lots of bold design with ease, so it’s perfect for adding retro touches to your space.
To enhance this section, try grout that matches your tile or use white or charcoal grout to help define the backsplash.
Open Shelving With Vintage Dinnerware
Open shelving is a great way to show off beautiful things and keep your kitchen feeling open. Slow cookers are great for decorating when you display them with vintage plates and bowls. Imagine how classic glassware, dainty floral teacups and several pastel-colored plates stacked in a kitchen look.
A choice of floating open wood shelves on brass or powder-coated finishes and for a cheerful touch, mint or coral is great here. It’s usual for me to match the shelves to the floor or other wood details to unify the space. To do this, I place vintage items, like Pyrex and Fire-King pieces which are both classic and functional.
What I like is finding great vintage things at estate sales or flea markets. Not only are they functional, but they usually have a story as well. What matters is how you set up your collection; if it’s excessive, you won’t enjoy it, but if you have too few books, your coziness will disappear. Modern kitchens, as explained by House Beautiful, benefit greatly from a carefully arranged open shelf.
What I recommend for this style is to add small pots of herbs or a retro kitchen scale to set your plates and mugs apart with different colors.
Pop Art Prints and Decor Accents
To easily get that retro mood, hang pop art prints and place some sweet-looking accessories around your space. Graphic and colorful pieces give a modern kitchen life and a personal touch. For me, bold art looks its best in homes with clean lines, making the art the main decorative element.
You might appreciate the look of Andy Warhol’s soup can prints or Roy Lichtenstein’s comic strips. Put them on small walls close to the dining room or hung above the kitchen counter. I also like the idea of enamel signs, vinyl covers from old records or ads for products that represent those old times.
This technique worked well for clients who hadn’t decided on much more expensive elements like colorful tile work or cabinets. Pop art is easy to move, often costs less than other types and it’s effortless to switch. According to Elle Décor, just one pop piece in a frame can transform the whole look of a room. I owe you a big agreement.
Take your focus further by using vintage toggles for your light switches and including illuminated signs made in neon style.
Retro-Inspired Countertops With Modern Materials
Picking the proper countertops will help stick with the retro-modern style. Formerly, cooks made retro kitchens stand out using Formica or laminate, but now quartz or acrylic can offer a stronger alternative that has patterns reminiscent of Formica or laminate.
I have found success with engineered stone that recreates the terrazzo style popular in homes from the mid-century. For certain individuals, I design with fabulous, shiny surfaces in calm blue or mint green which appear timeless but feel fabulous over time. They enhance your kitchen’s appearance while still upholding high quality and ease of care.
I designed the kitchen remodel I handled last year by using a soft yellow quartz for the island and red chairs which resembles traditional diner seating from the 1950s. Retro style can still look fresh in your home by choosing what makes it unique, not the mature details, says House & Garden.
I’d finish this by adding round-edge chrome drawer pulls or curved handles on cabinets for a vintage feel across the room.
Bold Linoleum or Vinyl Floors With Personality
To make your kitchen more efficient, look first at its flooring. Flirty linoleum or vinyl can easily make any room seem charming and retro. You’ll find that they are reasonably priced, durable and are becoming popular choices for kitchens today.
Sheet vinyl is what I usually suggest for minimal transitions and square linoleum in black and white or colored versions including red and cream or turquoise and tan gives room an attractive look. Laminates are ideal for kitchens because they look nice and require little effort to maintain. They’re perfect for retro furniture such as barstools or banquettes that look like those found in diners.
Floors like these always stand out to me because they give a room energy while not being too powerful. I installed black-and-white checkerboard vinyl in a tiny condo kitchen, resulting in an appearance of twice its normal size and a whole lot more interest. As Dwell explains, bold floors are the helping hand behind impressive kitchen designs.
For an individual style, you could put a colourful mat in the opposite color to a vintage rug runner.
Contrasting Color Cabinets With a Vintage Kick
Cabinets these days tend to be made from sleek and single-color materials. However, contrast is one of the main things retro style celebrates. I like to suggest contrasting cabinet colors to my clients such as using soft blue on the top and cherry red down below or canary yellow for the lower cabinets and white lacquer as the top.
You must find a way to bring together boldness and structure. Go for semi-gloss paints that catch the light and choose curved inset cabinets to give you a vintage feel. Adding mid-century handles such as chrome push latches to your cabinet doors helps finish the style.
I had a client pick red on the bottom cabinets and white on the upper floating cabinets and the look was incredible. Real Simple suggests that making your cabinets the main focus can make for a striking look when other decorations keep things simple. I always remind people: using color shouldn’t make you uncomfortable; just make sure it goes in the right areas.
I’d love to add cabinet lighting to highlight elegant dishes or beautiful antique kitchen appliances.
Bright Yellow or Red Retro Sinks
Most people wouldn’t imagine the kitchen sink as a bold decor statement, but it can really draw attention. Using a bright yellow or red vintage sink is a statement choice that looks great with neutral counters or a subway tile wall.
Many times, I’ve provided canary yellow and cherry red, fireclay and enameled, cast iron sinks to clients. Vintage kitchens are reflected in these solid, shiny sinks which are also made to current plumbing standards. Most of the time, I choose chrome or brushed brass faucets to make the look reflect mid-century style.
I set up a firetruck-red apron-front sink in my home which guests often mention. Architectural Digest points out that statement sinks are leading the way in today’s functional design and I agree.
I’d recommend you choose a sink faucet with a vintage look such as one with a porcelain handle, to create a consistent style.
Patterned Curtains That Echo the 60s and 70s
Kitchen designers usually focus on other things, but window treatments also affect the entire kitchen’s look. Retro-modern kitchens can be stylish and useful with curtains in 60s and 70s looks. I like to advise people to try bold floral, large geometric or interesting abstract prints in shades of avocado green, burnt orange and mustard yellow.
You should look for fabric that lets in plenty of natural light and also looks great as a design accents. Café curtains with scalloped edges or pom-pom trims give the room an old-style look and are still useful. I tend to put up curtain rods in brass or matte black because they look nice with patterned fabric.
Recently, we chose orange and teal flowered curtains which easily made our modern white cabinets and chrome fixtures appear more comfortable. They added coziness and brought back memories to the room. As written in Domino Magazine, a striking curtain can make a spacious spot look vintage.
You can enhance the room’s style by choosing cushions or a tablecloth that match your curtains.
Color-Coordinated Small Appliances and Gadgets
In addition to helping, small appliances reflect your kitchen’s character. Buying gadgets such as toasters, kettles and mixers in red, turquoise or yellow retro style can lend your neutral kitchen a cheerful vintage look.
SMEG and Swan are among the brands that offer smooth-edged appliances covered in attractive gloss, mixing old-fashioned style with current features. To avoid rooms filled only with stainless steel, I used mint green blenders and red espresso machines for a bit of color.
I change between using a soft pink toaster and a sunshine-yellow kettle based on the season in my kitchen. They aren’t just stylish — they inspire people to start talking to each other. The magazine Better Homes & Gardens believes that themed appliances can make a small kitchen feel cozy.
An additional way to enhance this look would be by adding utensil holders and timers that match the color palette used around the kitchen counter.
Bright Enamel Cookware Displayed Proudly
You can use enamel cookware as part of your kitchen decor if you store or place it correctly. A pegboard is a great place for these pots to hang or you can arrange them on shelving and stack them on counters below upper cabinets.
I tend to use Le Creuset or Dansk that comes in fiery red, cool cobalt blue or sunny tangerine, as their smooth forms and shiny finish make them both attractive and highly valuable. These items not only look great, but they’re built to last and can liven up a plain or simple kitchen.
Adding vintage Dutch ovens or enamel roasting pans to a modern kitchen has really won my clients’ hearts because it looks both charming and fashionable. According to The Spruce, enamel cookware can help your everyday life look a bit more vintage.
Using magnetic knife strips to sort colored spoon and fork sets or placing colorful covers for all your lids on the drawer will make your kitchen more attractive.
Whimsical Retro Art on the Walls
Art can be the perfect end to any room’s design and beautiful retro art adds a playful charm to the kitchen. Many times, I pick out diner signs from the 1950s, painted pictures of vegetables and advertisement art from the 1960s and 1970s.
They make the room feel a little lighter, even though most kitchens focus on function. A good place for these decorations is above doorways, along empty strips of wall or on the pantry wall — wherever some extra interest is welcomed.
A highlight of this exhibition for me was the wall covered in sardine tin labels and designs from cereal boxes. It ended up being the most striking feature in the space. Architectural Digest suggests that vintage prints in small frames are an easy way to add warmth and fun to your kitchen wall without making it seem crowded.
I also recommend using magnetic retro art on the refrigerator or a rotating art rail with different display pieces for every season.
Pinboard Backsplashes With Vintage-Inspired Texture
Pinboard backsplashes look great and let you reach fun new levels of creativity. Made from cork or treated with paint, these boards allow you to keep recipes, notes, spice jars or hang utensils. I enjoy decorating with turquoise green, pink or sunflower yellow for warmth reminiscent of the 60s.
Over time, you can display colanders and pans on the pegboard and when you want, switch those out for your favorite vintage kitchen towels. I have sections with chalkboard paint so I can place the daily menu or entertaining sayings on them each day. Thick wall tiles create a special contrast from flat surfaces found elsewhere.
I used this approach in a loft kitchen because there wasn’t much space for cabinets. Not only was the pinboard our centerpiece, but it also acted as a mood board. The publication Real Simple points out that at the heart of vintage-modern fusion is combining style with function and this design shows that perfectly.
If you’re interested, I recommend using hooks made from brass or copper and putting on some vibrant retro clock decals or magnets.
Geometric Shapes in Retro Color Combos
Geometric patterns like chevrons and starbursts define retro design and when combined with typical retro color schemes, they create striking end results. It will help things feel more lively if you choose tile, wallpaper or floor runners that have these patterns.
The usual styles I like are backsplashes with repeated diamonds in turquoise and white or hexagonal tiles in burnt orange and beige. They give a lively look to mid-century design, with a modern flow still present. When cabinets are simple and solid, the look turns pleasant and polished.
One thing the designer did that really stands out was placing a geometric wall tile behind the breakfast nook. As Houzz says, retro-chic rooms use geometry well to bring in boldness without becoming overbearing.
To finish the design, touch it up by setting retro pendant lighting with globe lights to match the shapes found in the patterns.
Bright Retro Bar Carts in a Modern Kitchen
Retro bar carts look nice and function well, fitting well into any modern kitchen. Thanks to their wheels, shiny metal parts and mirrored shelves, they can function as portable design features for storing mixers, glasses and cookbooks or plants.
Selecting carts with a glossy red, teal or chrome finish and either circular or square frames is my favorite. I tend to place them close to a window or somewhere that could use more color or fun. Together with vintage bottles and some colored glassware, plus a bowl of fruit, they look like frames taken from the 1960s.
All my cookbooks and cocktail tools are kept on a turquoise bar cart in my kitchen — it works as a useful focal point. Southern Living says: “Bar carts are about way more than liquid refreshments; they hold the spirit of a room.”
A good way to improve this section is to display a retro drink recipe guide above the cart or have a mini chalkboard next to it with a different message every day.
Vivid Accent Walls With a Throwback Look
The first thing I look at in a kitchen is the decor on the walls. A bright or colorful accent wall can give a whole new look to a room. If you put mustard yellow, turquoise or burnt orange in your kitchen, it’s sure to instantly cheer you up. They create the look of mid-century diners, but they also blend in smoothly with today’s minimal and uniform kitchen designs.
This style typically depends on the use of high-gloss or semi-gloss paint to better spread the natural light, so the room looks brighter. Checkerboard tiles arranged in different colors on your backsplash or patterned wallpaper, adds just the right amount of appeal. One bold wall looks best when placed with muted colors to keep the focus. What really counts is having a strategic balance.
In my experience, this method helps you see and use more space in your kitchen, whether it is small or big. Elle Decor believes that using bright pops of color on kitchen walls can make a room more visually interesting, but won’t clutter the space. Besides, it doesn’t cost much money and you’ll enjoy big visual benefits.
You can make this part of the room more unique by using old wall clocks, shiny signage or including an open shelf with old cookbooks and enamel items. All of these elements link the theme perfectly.
Glossy Finishes That Reflect Retro Energy
Reflective surfaces are meant to shine, add a bright, appealing touch to the kitchen and remind us of the past. I have found that coastal cabinets and appliances in cherry red, pastel mint or sky blue can give a room a clear retro look. The colors in these models pay tribute to the 1950s, when enamel was the most popular finish.
For modern looks in the kitchen, I prefer to pair high-gloss syrup cabinets with the upper white matte counterparts. A glossy-finish fridge or a stove from earlier years with chrome trims can be a big design highlight in your kitchen. If your backsplash or floor is tiled with glossy ceramic, the checkerboard design will fit perfectly with the retro style.
When my kitchen needed a highlight, I put in a mint green glossy island and it looked amazing. Architectural Digest has recognized that retro revivals look great when combined with glossy finishes.
In addition, tell them to choose scratched-resistant covers to protect the surface. Adding glass-fronted glossy cabinets stocked with attractive dishware can make the kitchen look more vintage.
Throwback Cabinet Handles and Drawer Pulls
Often, it’s not big alterations that have the most noticeable effect, but the small ones. You can easily make your modern kitchen retro by replacing the handles and drawer pulls in your cabinets. These styles— chrome-plated half-moon pulls, porcelain knobs with patterns or hardware like from Bakelite— instantly create an appealing look.
These features perform a role as well as adding charm and uniqueness to cabinets. The simple lines of flat-panel and Shaker doors are complimented without being covered by these aging handles.
It has become clear to me that clients are regularly delighted at how these simple hardware changes can add warmth and personality to a room. According to Better Homes & Gardens, mid-century hardware is coming back because it is both easy to use and never goes out of style.
What’s missing? I suggest either going to vintage stores or buying great reproductions. Matching materials such as blending chrome and colored glass, makes this concept even more interesting.
Colorful Ceiling Fixtures With a 50s Feel
I love to use lighting to add character and classic retro ceiling fixtures do just that. Bubblegum pink, lemon yellow or teal colored pendants have become a favorite addition in modern kitchens for me. Besides lighting the room, they add sculptural value to the area.
A great way is to select fixtures that have a curved shape, whether you pick a dome light, a sputnik chandelier or a schoolhouse-style pendant with different colors of enamel. Mount them above your breakfast spot to maximize the way they look. A modern kitchen is best when chic lights are matched with white cabinets and neutral countertops.
One recent example featured three burnt-orange pendants above a marble island which brought together a retro and luxe look that everyone was drawn to. Dwell suggests that adding retro lighting to any room and especially kitchens, will quickly add personality.
Add dimmers to your switches so the lighting can match your mood and pick warm-lit bulbs to add more vintage charm to the area. New wiring with old-style lighting looks attractive and enhances safety and efficiency at the same time.
Layering Retro With Minimalist Touches
When you combine the appealing history of retro decor with the clean lines of minimalism, it looks amazing. Modern kitchen designs often use this trick to keep plates from being dull and too filled. If you add vintage pieces over your minimalist decor, you make a clear and beautiful statement.
An example is displaying a vibrant red seat at the bar and a colorful SMEG toaster on your top-notch counter to blend some retro style in the kitchen. White cabinets can be matched with softly colored appliances or you can place one exotic tile on the backsplash along with neutral furnishings.
In my view, stopping before it’s too much is very important. From House Beautiful’s observation, the best retro-modern kitchens include only one bold accent, a vintage item and one pattern of design. It’s all about choosing pieces that go well together, not building a room based on a theme.
If I wanted to suggest something more, I’d note that open shelving suits these styles very nicely. You can use/display interesting old dishes, all the while keeping the rest of the space light and clear.
Mixing vintage retro styles in your kitchen means it will look interesting, still function and suit your preferences. A bright wall, sleek counter or interesting door handle makes your home feel unique and comfortable. I’d love to hear how you’ve mixed retro with modern in your own kitchen—share your ideas or ask questions in the comments below!
