Retro style... How diverse it is! It greets us with sophisticated, multifaceted, sometimes somewhat naive, but always charming and cozy interiors. Today, this decor has increasingly begun to appear in our homes. He wouldn't mind staying in the bedroom or settling into the living room, but the most luxurious of all the rooms is the retro-style kitchen. Why her? In this case, everything is quite understandable. Think about it, what other room, bearing the stamp of time, is associated with the hearth and can subtly hint at the fact that family values, an atmosphere of peace and warmth in the house are incredibly important to you? The answer is obvious. Is not it?
bright kitchen in retro style
What a retro kitchen can be like, what furniture and appliances are appropriate in it, what designers say about the style, what materials, colors and decorative elements to use in the design - all the answers are in this article.
About the characteristic features and versatility of retro style
Since the concept of “retro” is not tied to a specific historical period, it remains quite vague. The designers managed to reach a consensus regarding the time frame of the period, limiting it to the end of the 19th - second half of the 20th centuries. Naturally, this made it possible to decorate the kitchen in a retro style, using a number of interesting trends.
checkerboard flooring is an important accent in creating a 60s interior
Victorian sketches
Two centuries have passed since the birth of the Victorian style. It received its name in honor of the then ruler of England, Queen Victoria. Distinctive features of “Victorian” cuisine include:
- Solidity and presentability;
- General feeling of being expensive;
- Richness of decor.
The kitchen of kings is recognized by the constant heavy table topped with a massive countertop, always high cabinets with transparent doors, a stove stylized as a real hearth, and always natural finishing materials on the furniture. Notice, no hint of the current industrial age. Retro - interior without metal and plastic!
classic Victorian kitchen design
It is better to lay the floor with stone tiles or trim it with wood, but if desired, it can also be covered with linoleum.
This will not be considered bad manners, because the first linoleum appeared precisely in the Victorian era. You can and should use appliances, but in a kitchen decorated in a retro style, it will have to be built in and hidden . Lighting is provided by a massive chandelier and sconces of similar style. Forget about spotlights - they absolutely do not fit into the Victorian style.
French sketches
The Art Deco style has a more precise date of birth. A landmark event for its appearance was the artistic and decorative exhibition held in Paris - Arts Decoratifs. Subsequently, these two words became the name of an entire direction of decorative art, which still amazes with its originality and boldness of lines. Among the distinctive features of the style it should be noted:
- Strict orderliness;
- Ethnic richness;
- Luxury and chic.
Art Deco is a representative of mixed styles. In it, the artistry of Art Nouveau merged with the monumentality of neoclassicism.
luxury kitchen interior in art deco style
The following style-forming features are always present in the interior:
- Strict geometry;
- Expensive finishing;
- Ethnic motives;
- Bright lighting.
A kitchen in this subtype of retro style is recognized by richly inlaid countertops made of natural stone, chairs with carved legs and invariably high backs, furniture facades generously decorated with carvings, and expensive dishes placed on glazed shelves. Art Deco is characterized by a multi-level floor and the same stepped ceiling. As for decorative elements, the prerogative remains with striped, zigzag and “radiant” details.
general retro kitchen interior
Sketches on the theme of late modernism
Late modernism in design is called the post-war period. The calling card of this substyle was “candy” colors and absolutely awkward shapes. In the interiors appeared:
- Plastic chairs glowing with neon;
- Armchairs: “Hourglass”, “Ant” and “Egg” - designed and implemented by maestro Jacobsen;
- Just gigantic, monster-like refrigerators, striking, in addition to their size, with their incredible shades, like menthol green or super pale pink;
- Sofa lips, given to the world by Salvador Dali.
Yes, retro 50s style kitchens have perhaps the most amazing designs.
retro style kitchen appliances
So, late modernism is recognized by the abundance of plastic and chrome, furniture made of bleached natural wood, “checkerboard” floors assembled from linoleum slabs, intricate accessories, bright colorful textiles and a futuristic, unearthly atmosphere.
Industrial direction
A kitchen decorated in an industrial style cannot be confused with anything else. Concrete or brick walls, defiantly rough furniture, an abundance of metal elements - these are its main features.
Industrial style basically means:
- Large space;
- The presence of ventilation pipes, sewerage pipes, ceiling beams and other similar “delights” in the decor;
- An abundance of glass, steel, concrete;
- Furnishings with units made of untreated wood and metal.
industrial motifs in a retro-style kitchen
As a finishing option, an “industrial” retro-style kitchen may have:
– plank floor;
– decorative brick or relief plaster;
– wood-panelled or white-painted ceiling;
– glass block partitions.
“That little interior!” - you will say, and you will be completely wrong, because despite all this, at first glance, unsightly atmosphere, the room turns out to be spacious and cozy in its own way.
The variety of trends that exist within the retro style is no reason to think that it does not have clear features that should be taken into account when arranging a kitchen from the past. In addition to the fact that only furniture with an aged effect is used in the setting and all equipment and other modern paraphernalia are hidden, it should have an abundance of textiles and dishes. In general, the retro trend does not shy away from a large number of decorative elements, because in those recreated years, lifeless minimalism had not yet been heard of. As for the color palette, in Art Deco and the Victorian style its muted tones prevail, but in late modernism we can simply observe a madness of compositional mixing and brightness of colors. So no matter what direction the kitchen is decorated in retro style, it will always have something to stand out.
monochrome retro style kitchen with pendant lamps
How to properly furnish a kitchen in retro style
If you are not ready to spend serious sums on antique furniture for a retro-style kitchen, then you will have to be content with a purchased or custom-made set.
Recreating the spirit of bygone years in the kitchen is not an easy task. Intelligently selected furniture will help solve this issue almost halfway. It remains to be seen: what exactly should be in a retro kitchen? The problem of the situation can be solved in different ways. In one case, it is worth looking for real antique pieces of furniture, which, most likely, will also have to be restored: painted, sanded, in general, to give them a spectacular and stylish look. Naturally, such an approach will require considerable financial investments.
kitchen design in the style of the 70s of the last century
If you are not ready to spend serious sums on antique furniture for a retro-style kitchen, then you will have to be content with a purchased or custom-made set. Budget furniture is usually assembled from MDF and has a PVC coating. Since various “aging” techniques are actively used in its production (craquelure varnish treatment, brushing, patination) and the decorative and historical features of each item are taken into account, the resulting sets are not much different from antique analogues, and are much cheaper.
Whatever you decide when working on furnishing your unusual kitchen, take into account the specific nuances of style. The fact is that in those ancient times, kitchen sets, in the form in which we are accustomed to seeing them now, simply did not exist. The kitchens were furnished with buffets, cabinets, and sideboards. It is even conventionally difficult to call such a selection a furniture set. If you want to get a kitchen in a real retro style, then replace the upper modules of the set with open shelves, and give the lower part the shape of cabinets equipped with hinged doors . A drawer can be conveniently hidden under the tabletop. Door finishes may vary. When choosing a Victorian style, it is better to make the facades paneled and decorated with inlays or carvings. In modern style, smooth surfaces will look optimal.
a sideboard and a wall cabinet with a glass door are an important feature of a retro kitchen interior
If the furniture is made of real wood, then it will be perfectly decorated with stone countertops and ornate brass fittings. The overall decor can be supplemented with forged elements.
A dining group in the spirit of early eras should be represented by a massive table and equally solid chairs that evoke admiration for their dimensions. The not-so-distant middle of the last century was not so demanding of such furnishing elements, so in a retro-style kitchen of this period, a modest table of simple design, surrounded by bright stools or chairs, which can even be made of light plastic, is quite enough.
retro style kitchen furniture
Retro kitchens from different periods
Often in conversations about retro style the term “fusion” comes into play. This lifestyle occurred in the last decade of the last century. It denotes a combination of various directions in one interior.
Fusion – offering everything without denying anything.
This is not just a refrigerator - it's just a dream for fans of a bygone era
The scope of this style is quite diverse and wide. The retro category includes interior solutions from decades of the twentieth century, from the turbulent 30s to the dashing 90s. A kitchen, decorated according to the best traditions of past years, can look completely different. But the main characteristic features of retro style interior solutions are still there. Based on the characteristics of a particular period, you can create a clearly defined interior of your preferred era in the kitchen.
The design of a modern kitchen in a retro style has always been considered a sign of good taste.
Fusion is the originality of retro in a combination of other styles
In kitchen interior design, the retro style includes many trends from past years.
To make it easier to navigate the variety of design trends in this style, you should take a closer look at the features of the most famous eras:
- The end of the twentieth century . Kitchens of this era generally included many decorative elements, most of which were homemade. Wicker baskets, embroidered napkins, decorative interior details. This classic retro kitchen features plenty of open shelving and mostly wooden surfaces.
- Times of the 50s . The era of exemplary kitchens. Kitchens of this time were haunted by a lot of chrome parts, mostly bright colors and all kinds of utensils. A special distinctive feature of retro kitchens from the 50s was the large tiles with which the floor was laid.
- 40s period . The interior of kitchens of the forties was dominated by bright, vibrant colors, and this became the main feature of this era. Mostly cherry, bright green and sky blue colors diluted with black and white splashes were used. The final design element is stainless steel kitchen appliances.
- The era of the 30s . The Art Deco era was characterized by functionality and decoration. The retro kitchen of this era is dominated by muted tones and many glass decorative elements.
Retro style for modern kitchens includes many cabinets and open shelves where utensils are displayed as decor. This trend is characterized by natural shades of natural wood or finishing in light colors. Lacquered surfaces are also allowed, but maintaining the texture of natural wood.
Household appliances in a retro interior
A retro kitchen is not a reason to give up the benefits of civilization. It may well contain household appliances, you just need to fit them into the interior so that the general idea of the style is not violated. You can achieve such a compromise by decorating the refrigerator, dishwasher and other gadgets with false panels. This can be done easily and without much expense. The second method is more expensive and involves purchasing equipment in already stylized cases. Streamlined shapes, smooth lines, bright colors are complemented by elongated handles. Not every manufacturer can boast that their line of products includes such equipment, because manufacturing it is troublesome and expensive, and the demand for such household appliances is low. However, if the opportunity exists, do not deny yourself the pleasure of choosing this option, which will give the retro-style kitchen a special chic.
retro style refrigerator
And one more thing: do not forget about the importance of decorative elements. Tablecloths and curtains, kitchen utensils and wall clocks, tin jars and decorative plates, figurines and vases - all of them, being carefully selected in accordance with the spirit of the era, will add incredible charm to the kitchen interior.
Retro kitchens: designer master class
When choosing details and thinking through the accents with which you are going to fill the kitchen in a retro style, try to ensure that they are not deliberate.
- The main source of inspiration when reproducing a retro interior is old, slightly restored furniture. Don’t rush to send a table or chairs that have been sitting in the attic for decades to the landfill. They contain a special energy that will help create a truly original atmosphere in a retro-style kitchen.
- When looking for suitable accessories, don’t be too lazy to climb into an abandoned closet or go to grandma’s house. After turning over mountains of junk, you may well become the owner of an antique coffee grinder, an elegant bookcase made by the hands of a famous furniture maker, or an expensive antique set, so don’t be afraid to get dirty. In general, in this specific retro decor, old engravings, yellowed photographs, cute tin boxes that once contained lollipops and other little things reminiscent of bygone times can find their place.
- When choosing details and thinking through the accents with which you are going to fill the kitchen in a retro style, try to ensure that they are not deliberate. Things must certainly create an atmosphere of comfort and evoke only positive and vivid emotions. If you don’t find anything like this in your family’s stash, you’ll have to look for such “little things” at flea markets or thrift stores. Often you can “unearth” real treasures there.
- The charm of retro style can be maintained not only with authentic and old things. An interior with a slight touch of antiquity, a subtle hint of a room with history, which can be created with small but incredibly expressive details, will be perceived much more interesting. You can get ideas for this by watching retro films. They contain a whole treasure trove of retro tricks. A lot of interesting things can be found in printed publications or on the Internet.
good bright lighting is a must when creating a retro-style kitchen interior
50s: America in the style of “PinUp”
Bright colors, a bar counter and “ultra-modern” equipment
Let’s stay on the American continent for another two decades. The 50s were marked by the heyday of rock and roll and technological progress. We can say that a retro kitchen in the style of the 50s is a high-tech kitchen of that time with a clear “rock and roll” touch. If we talk about examples of this style, the first thing that comes to mind is the famous Jack Rabbit Slims cafe from Pulp Fiction (and who among retro lovers has not watched this cult film), in which John and Uma danced their famous twist .
Kitchen layout
A classic example of the layout of an American kitchen from the middle of the last century.
The main feature of the layout of American kitchens of that time is the combination of a dining table with a bar counter. Another characteristic point can be considered the location of the work area in the form of an island in the center of the room.
Color spectrum
Fans of bright colors will be delighted - the use of red, blue, green or orange is not only acceptable, but also mandatory when decorating an interior in the style of the 50s. Moreover, in this case it is almost impossible to “go too far” with colors - the walls can be painted bright yellow, the refrigerator blue, and the floor decorated with “chess” of white and red tiles.
The brighter the better
Of course, you shouldn’t paint absolutely everything in bright colors. White walls (at least some of them) and ceiling will only emphasize the brightness of “tasty” color accents.
Lighting
When talking about lighting in the kitchen of the 50s, it is quite difficult to identify its main source. Even the lighting of the dining table was often presented in the form of several lamps hanging from the ceiling. Plus, there was separate lighting for the work area and the almost obligatory bar counter.
Speaking about lighting in the American kitchen of the 50s, one cannot help but recall neon lighting, which, in addition to lighting, also served a purely decorative function.
Furniture
Forget about carved facades and plush sofas. Furniture in the style of the 50s is “modern” forms and technological materials. Smooth laminated facades in bright colors, the use of chrome and aluminum for finishing, vinyl upholstery on upholstered furniture - these are the main features of rock and roll style furniture.
"High-tech" of that time
And be sure to install in the kitchen even a small bar counter with bright swivel chairs. What Elvis fan wouldn't want to sit down at the bar and drink a "five dollar milkshake" through a straw from a tall glass.
Appliances
In the 50s, technological progress was at the peak of fashion, so the kitchen of that time was distinguished by a large number of a wide variety of household appliances. In addition to the standard stove, oven and refrigerator, a toaster, blender and coffee maker were required. Naturally, all household appliances were made in a space style, which in those years was associated with rounded shapes and chrome fittings.
Finding stylized kitchen appliances today is not difficult
Accessories: dishes, curtains, decor
The dishes in the American kitchen were extremely simple and functional - massive white coffee cups and large plates that could accommodate a “real American portion.”
For window drapery, either simple checkered curtains or horizontal blinds, which were “newfangled” at that time, were used.
A kitchen in the style of the 50s is unthinkable without a large number of stylish accessories. Parts of cars of that time hanging on the walls are almost obligatory: from license plates to entire front parts of the body. Continuing the automotive theme in the decoration, one cannot fail to mention road signs, for example, from the legendary Route 66.
American style is impossible to imagine without an abundance of accessories.
Of course, we cannot forget about the icons of that era, Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe. Their images in any form will fit perfectly into the interior, as well as installations from vinyl records, vintage radios and, of course, PinUp-style posters, which can safely be called a “concentrated expression” of the style of the 50s.
