How to create a kitchen in retro style?

Characteristic features of the style

Retro from the Latin retro – retrospective, that is, a style turned to the past. In terms of interior design, this trend covers the first half of the 20th century. But the classic idea is limited to interiors from the 50s to the 70s.

The photo shows an example of decorating a dining room in a retro style

Since retro styles are a concept that directly reflects history, their types are divided by time:

• The fifties. In the post-war years, the soul demanded bright colors, and the boom in the passenger car industry that occurred during this period only added dynamics to the style. Retro kitchens are characterized by bold color solutions: combinations of rich yellow, red, green, blue, orange look lively and energetic. Another feature is chrome. Chair legs, furniture handles, and appliance parts should shine in the literal sense.
• The Sixties. The atmosphere of these years was influenced by hippies: hence the floral and geometric patterns that were used both separately and together. Designer furniture was used in the 60s, it is distinguished by interesting shapes.
• The Seventies. Disco is in fashion! During this period, bar counters appeared in kitchens, and coffee tables in living rooms. The shades become more muted, the decor – more complex.

The photo shows a bright countertop combined with wooden facades

When embodying the retro style in the kitchen interior, you should understand: unlike vintage, where all things should be of the era to which the interior is adjusted, retro can and should be stylized! That is, it is not necessary to look for a kitchen set from the 50s, you can order a new one, but made in a suitable design.

Although some old elements will still add charm to the interior: for example, restored chairs, a table or a small bar cabinet.

Color scheme

Colors for the kitchen are selected in accordance with the era: the 50s are characterized by acidic tones, the 70s, on the contrary, muted.

The most recognizable combination can be called orange with light blue or blue. But there are other, no less expressive duets:

• muted yellow with light green;
• turquoise with red or pink;
• red with olive;
• lemon with blue.

The photo shows a combination of muted shades

If you don’t want your kitchen to look too bright, use a light (white, beige) base and small color accents, typical of retro.

Which set to use?

Vintage kitchen cabinets are recognizable: bright, with unusual fittings. In general, kitchen units are not high, they were not made to the ceiling, and the upper cabinets were quite compact.

Features of retro units:

• sliding doors – especially common on upper modules;
• non-standard fittings: from wooden handles across the entire width or height of the facade, to large chrome buttons or even cut-out holes in the doors themselves;
• narrow upper cabinets – instead of one, 60 cm high, it is better to put 2 rows of 30;
• paneled, carved facades;
• inserts made of relief glass or plastic.

The photo shows sliding kitchen fronts

Most often, kitchen sets were colored: blue, yellow, green or consisting of several shades at once.

But ordinary wooden ones are also suitable, which are complemented by a stylish colored (scarlet, dark blue) or stone countertop.

What kind of finish should I choose?

Creating a retro style kitchen starts with the finish, and the finish starts with the ceiling.

Ceiling

Classic – a white matte ceiling, obtained by regular painting. If the renovation is being done in a house with high ceilings, beams can be placed on the ceiling – parallel to each other or across, creating squares.

Walls

There are several options for decorating walls:

• monochrome painting in a light or bright shade (typical of earlier interiors);
• wallpaper and tiles with a geometric or floral pattern;
• paneling from the bottom to the middle of the wall.

The photo shows bright, single-color walls in the kitchen interior

The photo shows tiles on the work wall with a geometric pattern and white walls for painting in the style of the 60s

Apron

An appropriate material in the work area is tiles. Typically, tiles of geometric shapes or with patterns in the form of lines, triangles, diamonds, or hexagons are chosen. The color is selected depending on the surrounding environment: the apron can be an accent in a retro kitchen, or a calm addition.

Floor

Tiles were also most often used as a floor covering: a checkerboard pattern of black and white details was often used.

Another classic solution is wood. In modern realities, waterproof laminate, linoleum, PVC tiles will do.

Doors and Windows

Deliberately modern models will be dissonant with the surrounding objects, so look for antique variations. You can take a classic paneled door – white or wooden. Windows – preferably with wide frames and highlighted vents.

What furniture is suitable?

The easiest way to focus on the kitchen is on the dining group: a table and chairs that match the retro style will help achieve the desired effect.

1. Tables: on thin legs, folding, rectangular or round. Round ones can be on one leg, like in a retro cafe.
2. Chairs: wooden Viennese, bright plastic or on a metal chrome base.

The photo shows chairs on chrome legs

In addition to the dining area, you can emphasize the desired image with the help of additional furniture:

• “lips” sofa or leather kitchen sofa;
• an unusually shaped bar;
• aged wooden or metal shelves;
• separate island tables;
• dish shelves with holders.

Nuances of choosing household appliances and a sink

Ultra-modern appliances with touch control will kill the charm of a retro kitchen, so household appliances should also match the era. Fortunately, modern manufacturers have refrigerators, stoves and hoods stylized as the mid-20th century.

SMEG has a wide range, but suitable models can also be found in the assortment of Polaris, Bosch, KitchenAid, Gorenje.

Unfortunately, stylized large appliances are not cheap, so you can go another, more economical way: choose a classic stove, hide the refrigerator in a tall cabinet, and add coziness with various small things. For example, a coffee machine, toaster, kettle, mixer, blender – all family members will like them.

The photo shows a SMEG coffee machine

To design the dishwashing area, you can choose a sink made of any material: from enamel to aluminum, built into the countertop itself. It is more important to pay attention to the mixer: in the middle of the last century, there were no single-handle taps, so a goose with two lambs will look more plausible.

The photo shows a two-handle mixer with a gold sink

What textiles and lighting to use?

Bright curtains, tablecloths or runners, decorative pillows, towels and even carpets in the kitchen in the style of the last century are welcome, especially if the decoration is quite minimalistic.

The photo shows options for retro textiles

Carpets are usually laid in the dining area; high-pile models best convey the mood, but aged oriental motifs will also do.

As for light, the emphasis is always on it! Lamps, especially above the table, should attract attention with their shape or color. Designer chandeliers are an integral part of retro.

Features of choosing decor and kitchen accessories

Kitchen decor in retro style is primarily functional. In a small kitchen, it may be enough to have just some beautiful dishes peeking out from a sideboard or standing on a countertop.

Original decor is placed on the walls: a great example is in the photo below – a clock in the shape of an eye.

Don’t forget about retro motifs: posters from the 50s-70s are always in trend. A rotary telephone or a tube TV are also appropriate in combination with retro finishing.

Retro is not just a way of decorating an interior. This style is a time machine that allows you to immerse yourself in a beautiful, memorable era.