Creating a Retro-Inspired Kitchen – A Guide to Embracing Kitschy Design

PorchLyte • February 8, 2023

The kitchen is the heart of any home. It is the place where members of the family gather, share the comfort of good food, and create lasting memories. In recent times, minimalism has taken over the kitchen. Granite countertops, white kitchen cabinets, and stainless steel appliances are classy, but too much of it tends to take the life out of the kitchen. It’s time to bring back your kitchen’s personality by embracing kitschy design.

If you’re a fan of all things kitschy and retro, you’re going to love creating a retro-inspired kitchen. But designing your own kitchen can be both satisfying and challenging. With the right materials, accessories, and guidance, you can create a kitchen that’s full of vintage charm and nostalgia. 

Here’s a guide to creating a retro-inspired kitchen:

1. Choose the Right Color Scheme

When it comes to creating a retro kitchen, the color scheme plays a big role. You want to choose colors that evoke a sense of nostalgia and evoke the era you’re trying to recreate. For a 1950s kitchen, consider red, white, and turquoise. For a 1960s kitchen, go for bright and cheery colors like yellow and orange. Whichever you prefer, it’s all about how you mix and match the designs and decor that you choose!

2. Include Vintage Accessories

When it comes to creating a retro kitchen, vintage accessories are key. Look for vintage kitchen appliances, utensils, cookware, dishes, and even furniture. Thrift stores, antique shops, and flea markets are great places to look for vintage finds. Even old bourbon bottles and vintage light fixtures can add a lot of character to your kitschy kitchen.

3. Embrace Retro Fabrics

When it comes to fabrics, you want to choose materials that evoke a sense of nostalgia. For a vintage kitchen, look for bold and colorful prints, like polka dots, and playful patterns with different designs such as coffee or fruit. Choose wallpapers with bright colors like teal, yellow, or pink. A pop of color on the walls will definitely bring life back into your kitchen!

4. Bright Retro Appliances

Kitschy kitchens are all about retro appliances that look like they belong in grandma’s kitchen. Luckily, this style is becoming popular again and many manufacturers like Kitchenaid and Smeg are creating vintage-looking appliances with bright and funky colors that run with modern-day technology.

5. Dishware

Extend the kitschiness to your cupboards and shelves by displaying dishes with whimsical floral or bird patterns. These will not only bring life to your cupboards but will also definitely uplift everyone’s mood during dinner. Colorful and patterned serving trays or cookie bowls will also complete the retro look of the whole area.

6. Look into Family Heirlooms

There is no need to spend too much to achieve a retro-inspired kitchen. You will most likely find a lot of vintage yet useful items in your home if you know where to look. Check your mother’s or grandmother’s cabinets and you’ll surely find interesting things.

The trick to having a fun and playful retro kitchen is to not be afraid of incorporating bold patterns and bright colors. Just think of it as giving your kitchen a whole new personality. If you’re used to having white kitchen cabinets and granite countertops, you can start slow and balance it a bit by combining something neutral with something colorful. The good thing about this design trend is that you can’t make a mistake. 

So, are you ready to transform your kitchen?

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