Retro Remodel: 5 Vintage Styles for Your Kitchen Makeover
Old is new – retro kitchen makeovers are IN.
Homeowners everywhere are asking how to make their kitchen feel more “retro” during their kitchen remodel. Not just relying on wooden panels or incandescent lighting, but ways to make retro kitchen styles feel fresh, trendy, and inviting.
When you’re ready to say goodbye to modern, millennial gray and hello to bright colors and bold styles, these 5 vintage styles for your kitchen remodel will help you find the perfect design to light up your day.
Retro Kitchen Tip #1:
Focus on Funky Tiles, Bold Flooring, and Wallpaper
Nothing says retro like tile and wallpaper. The best thing about a retro kitchen makeover is that tile is everywhere – the floor, the countertops, the backsplash. Whether you create an accent wall, a checkered floor, or go all-out across the entire room with bold backsplash, tile is the easiest way to make your kitchen feel retro from any era.
Retro Tile Tips:
- Bold colors, like pops of red, yellow, and blue
- Contrasting colors, a classic black and white or a red and white, red and yellow – it goes on!
- Don’t ignore the floor, this sets the tone for the kitchen
- Backsplash is your place to experiment with designs and colors
- Choose an accent wall or area to rest out bright colors
- Not a fan of tile? Wallpaper is vintage in and of its self
Retro Kitchen Tip #2:
Pick a Color Palette from Your Favorite Vintage Era
Going for a retro kitchen makeover is all about your color palette. Some retro designs go for the bold colors of the 70’s, channeling a disco vibe with florals, red, and yellows. However, retro doesn’t have to be bright – pastel colors can bring in a soft retro feel that lightens up a kitchen.
And if you prefer darker, more natural colors, earth tones are the perfect way to get a retro kitchen remodel, with dark wood cabinets, green walls, and plant accents throughout.
Retro Color Palettes for Any Kitchen:
- Earth tones: wood, grains, and deep greens with light yellow accents
- Pastels: toned-down blues, pinks, and yellows paired with white accents to soften a room and reflect light
- Bold colors: contrasting bold colors can really make a retro kitchen pop and become the heart of your home, like reds and yellows
Retro Kitchen Tip #3:
Patterns and Designs Can Customize Your Kitchen Makeover
Colors and tiles are the start of how to make a retro kitchen makeover. Retro remodels are all about incorporating patterns and designs instead of solid colors.
When picking tile, wallpaper, or even curtains and decorations, think about patterns. Floral curtains with contrasting colors can create the perfect statement piece, or vases with mismatched shapes in alternating colors.
If you like an open-face look, get rid of the cabinet doors or use glass to showcase patterned dishware like your cups, bowls, and plates. Think outside the box to make your retro kitchen makeover unique.
Favorite Retro Patterns:
- Floral curtains in bold colors
- Black and white patterned flooring
- Mismatched shapes on dishware
- Swirls and waves on vases and accent pieces
- Blobs, squares, and ‘trippy’ shapes for placemats and table runners
Retro Kitchen Tip #4:
Lighting Isn’t Just Illumination - It’s a Statement
The easiest way to test out a retro design for your kitchen is with lighting. Globe lights, floral or large patterns, multi-colored lampshades, stained glass, and odd shapes all make a simple light into something central for your kitchen makeover.
When talking with your kitchen remodeling company, discuss hanging globe lights over the sink or island with a retro design; shop for odd-shaped chandeliers that use different glass lampshades; and consider stained glass accent lighting that dims for the right level of ambiance.
Retro Lighting Tips:
- Globe or pendant lights as a focal point
- Stained glass
- Odd or “funky” shaped chandeliers
- Patterned lampshades
Retro Kitchen Tip #5:
End Your Retro Kitchen Remodel with Appliances and Decorations
A retro kitchen remodel isn’t just the tile, new lighting, flooring installations, or funky wallpaper paired with deep wood cabinets – it’s all the appliances and decorations you add as the final touches.
To really make a trendy retro kitchen makeover, look into retro appliances (new and stylish or restored and original), along with stools, dishware, plants and planters, and your hardware. Get creative in thrift shops and reclamation stores to add authentic pieces that pull the entire look together.
Retro Kitchen Décor:
- Hanging plants and woven or wicker planters
- Floral or retro patterned dishware – display a few plated or vintage cups
- Stools, chairs, and breakfast nook tables or booths (vinyl is a must)
- Retro-designed refrigerators, microwaves, toasters, and mixers
- Cabinet hardware, including detailed handles or knobs
- Lightswitch covers for a small detail
Get a Retro Kitchen Remodel Quote Today
Designing your retro kitchen is a chance to be stylish, trendy, and get the perfect kitchen you want to wake up to every morning. At Beautiful Baths and Kitchens in Maryland, we can help you find the perfect balance of retro design with modern function.
Go big with an entire makeover, including flooring, tiling, and appliances, or start small with accent pieces and a backsplash installation to get a feel for the new design. It’s your home, make it dazzling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What colors work best for a retro kitchen makeover?
Retro kitchens pop with bright, cheerful colors! Think red, turquoise, yellow, or mint green. Black and white checkered floors also bring that classic 1950s diner feel.
What kind of cabinets should I choose for a retro kitchen remodel?
Retro-style cabinets usually have a simple, smooth design with rounded edges. Try pastel colors or crisp white with chrome handles for that vintage touch!
What flooring looks best in a retro kitchen?
Checkered tiles in black and white or fun patterns like bright red or blue can really set the retro mood. If you want a softer look, try classic linoleum in bold colors.
How do I pick the right appliances to make a retro kitchen?
Retro-style appliances are a must! Look for fridges, stoves, and microwaves with rounded edges and fun colors like red or teal. If you can’t find new ones, check out vintage stores or get modern versions with a retro look.
What kind of kitchen countertops fit a retro design?
Laminate countertops in bright colors or speckled patterns bring that old-school charm. A shiny chrome or metal edge will add even more vintage flair!
What retro decorations should I add to my kitchen remodel?
Think diner-style stools, funky wall clocks, and fun vintage signs. A jukebox-style speaker or a record player will bring even more retro vibes!
