Vintage Kitchen
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Vintage Kitchen
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Caitlin Sole is the senior home editor at BHG. She is a writer and editor with nearly a decade of interior design expertise. She has vast experience with digital media, including SEO, photo shoot production, video production, eCommerce content, print collaboration, and custom sales content.
Whether inspired by a 1940s diner or an Old World scullery, vintage kitchens offer charm and contemporary convenience.
This beautiful kitchen melds reclaimed building materials, architectural elements, and vintage graphics in innovative ways. Tin details spark interest on the ceiling and above the range. Chip-painted boards create an inexpensive, high-impact backsplash, while corbels support the island's breakfast bar. Symbols of a different time, including a sugar-curing sign, stained-glass window, and assorted advertising tins, supply era-apt colors and motifs.
Today's vintage kitchens need to work harder than ever before. Easy-to-clean painted cabinets, a deep apron sink, sealed wood countertops, and painted floorboards provide country style with plenty of function. Open shelves and glass-door cabinets show off vintage mixing bowls and serving pieces. A primitive shelf unit converts to a petite but purposeful island that rounds out the work core.
Beaded-board cabinets and weathered-wood countertops set the stage for exhibiting collections that accentuate this vintage kitchen's period look. Bottles, baskets, and jugs displayed atop the cabinets pay tribute to the past. Counter-set canisters, crocks, and a bread box supply modern function in old-fashioned forms.
Captivating colors and vintage fittings energize classic kitchen designs. Start with neutral foundations and sprinkle in upbeat details, such as vivacious patterned dishes, bright barstools, and unexpected fixtures, to build a vintage kitchen design with plenty of personality.
Incorporate open shelves into your vintage kitchen with our simple step-by-step instructions.
Give new life to old fixtures and furniture to add collected charm to your vintage kitchen. In this room, pieces of salvaged marble serve as a counter atop a cabinet base built from reclaimed wood. French tiles create a colorful backsplash above a hospital sink set among an antique desk and aged office hutch that now holds cups.
This window-hung sign makes a clear style statement. Antiques and vintage kitchen decor combine to give this new kitchen a been-around-awhile attitude. Hooks on a meat rack hold kitchen tools near the range. A stainless-steel shelf contributes old-school diner shine. Door latches and painted knobs outfit cabinets with vintage profiles.
Stripped cabinets, a doorway trimmed in reclaimed lumber, and floors seemingly scuffed over generations bring a primitive feel to a kitchen equipped with modern stainless-steel appliances and countertops. A crystal fixture, shapely urn, and tarnished silver serving pieces elegantly counterbalance the room's time-battered furnishings and finishes.
Bring vintage style to your kitchen by adding an island that ties together the new and old. This island base was built to fit a vintage wood top that was originally part of a farmhouse table. The beaded-board work space also features a counter overhang that provides room for simple family seating.
Shelves displaying handcrafted pottery, heirloom servers, and colorful antique glassware establish personalized appeal in vintage kitchens. This room's weighty woodwork, beamed ceilings, and hardwood floors add age-old substance, as do worn wicker chairs and a vintage chandelier.
Employ tarnished patinas, tag-sale furniture, and old-fashioned kitchen textiles to weave vintage vibes throughout new kitchens. Any type of cart on casters, whether meant for serving tea, holding cookware, or hauling machine parts, deserves a place of honor in any vintage kitchen. Carts with weathered white finishes work well in shabby chic kitchens; vividly painted metal carts popular in the 1950s and '60s suit retro work spaces.
Feminine touches, such as crystal chandeliers and ruffle-skirted slipcovers, create vintage designs that overflow with collected character and furnished-room appeal. Weathered boards and decorative brackets fashion period-apt partitions in this old-fashioned kitchen. An enamel-topped table on casters provides a prep and serving station. Flea market artwork contributes cheery color to the mix.
Layer in striking architectural elements to emulate the assembled-over-time appeal that defines vintage kitchens. Here, rough-hewn ceiling beams provide rustic counterpoints to more elegant elements, such as ornate tiled walls and substantial painted woodwork. Round out the look with vintage-style chandeliers, faucets, and furnishings.
Although finely finished, this pretty kitchen bears a remarkable resemblance to old-fashioned soda shops and lunch counters. The checkerboard floor, tiled walls, beaded-board details, and pendant lights reference diners from days gone by, while too-cool Lucite stools sound a decidedly modern note.
Industrial relics perfectly suit a vintage kitchen's hardworking purpose. Styled after old-timey factory lights, a trio of chrome-and-glass pendants drops down to illuminate an island crafted from a repurposed mill table. Subway-tile walls, simple paneled cabinets, and a farmhouse sink further the kitchen's period feel.
Before remodeling, research period kitchens so you can choose kitchen decor from the proper era. These homeowners opted for a fresh take on Victorian. The room features classic backdrops, including subway tile and glass-door cabinets, to spotlight vintage-style fittings and fixtures, dark-stained woodwork, and painted island cabinets crowned with a thick marble slab.
Take a hue cue from your favorite collectibles when invoking a blast from the past. Jadeite dishware, which came onto the scene in the 1940s, inspired this kitchen's vintage design and color scheme. The color repeats in the backsplash tiles, on the beaded-board-clad island, and as retro accessories that pop against the kitchen's mostly white finishes.
This kitchen owes its good looks to a mix of vintage finds and new industrial pieces. A hutch top from an old country store fits perfectly over the new sink and stainless-steel cabinets. The island, a 50-year-old bakery fixture, was cleaned, sanded, and put right back into use. To master a mix of old and new, buy vintage pieces first, then purchase new pieces that complement them.
You are at: Home » Decorating Ideas » 34 Vintage Kitchen Design and Decor Ideas that Stand the Test of Time
34 Vintage Kitchen Design and Decor Ideas that Stand the Test of Time
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Have you been pinning a lot of retro kitchen looks lately? Maybe you’ve even been thinking about hitting a flea market. If you’re ready to take the retro leap, it helps to do a little planning first. Without a design plan, some shabby chic looks can quickly become just shabby. Our list of 34 vintage kitchen design and decor ideas offers some much-needed guidance on how to pull off an era-spanning interior.
Many of us have found memories of a mother or grandmother’s kitchen. Others draw design inspiration from bygone movie and TV favorites. Regardless where your dream kitchen concepts started, we can help you finish them right. Take the extra time to peruse the following gallery of vintage kitchen design and decor ideas to get a good idea of how to merge classic kitchen design with modern sensibilities.
The kitchen is the ideal place to integrate timeless trends like a farmhouse table or subway tile backsplash. Even Martha Stewart embraces elegant old-fashioned design features like open-faced china cabinets and milk white porcelain serving dish arrangements. Be your own design diva by bringing some of these beautiful concepts into your own kitchen.
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Give your kitchen a characterful update with these vintage kitchen ideas
Vintage kitchen ideas are in high-demand at the moment, and for good reason. Introducing vintage kitchen elements instantly imbues your space with a sense of personality that is impossible to replicate in off-the-shelf kitchen design.
Of course, when it comes to kitchen ideas of any kind, there are plenty of things to consider, from cabinetry and storage, flooring and countertops right through to window dressings and soft furnishings.
All of these vintage kitchen elements offer the opportunity to add a vintage flair to your kitchen.
Vintage kitchen ideas combine the beauty of the past with the practicality of the present day. There are several ways to achieve this look, from introducing reclaimed freestanding furniture alongside your built-in cabinetry, through to accessorizing your traditional kitchen ideas with open-shelving displaying fleamarket finds.
Vintage kitchen design requires a curated approach. A vital step to achieving the look ‘is realizing that style is about longevity, careful, wise choices, and time, soul and patience to see things evolving,’ says Helen Parker, creative director at deVOL (opens in new tab) .
Vintage kitchen design has seen a resurgence in recent years, not only for its charming aesthetic but also as a highly sustainable way to furnish your home.
‘Buying pre-loved is crucially a more ethical way to buy, especially at a time when mass consumption is costing us the earth and driving small businesses under,’ says Period Living magazine's antiques expert Alice Roberton. 'An increased awareness of sustainability and production has fueled this decision and while people often come to vintage from a sustainable standpoint, they stay for the instantaneous burst of character that antique and reclaimed furniture and accessories bring into their home.'
Below, you'll find our favorite vintage kitchen ideas.
A key tenant of vintage kitchen ideas is accessorizing. Keep the essential elements classic in style, understated Shaker cabinetry, fluted butler’s sink and aged brass hardware all work together to create an elegant backdrop against which your vintage finds can really shine. Here, a vintage cabinet, wallhanging, lace curtains and decorative details all work together to imbue this space with vintage charm.
‘Buy unusual pieces, try putting things in your kitchen that might be traditionally suited to a living room, or even your grandma’s home,’ suggests Helen Parker, ‘Mix up old with new and always try to source authentic and well-made pieces.’
While wallpaper might not seem like the natural choice for a kitchen, the right design can totally transform your space. There are plenty of country wallpaper ideas for kitchens that will give your room a splash of color and pattern.
While such a bold print, like this heritage-inspired blooming teal Hykenham wallpaper from Sanderson (opens in new tab) , might seem overwhelming on the roll, the key to success is balance. The built-in cabinetry, window and floor-to-ceiling dresser all visually divide the space, providing a pared-back and elegant foil to the floral print. At the same time, the rich tones and floral motifs bring warmth, adding personality to the minimalist design.
If wallpapering your kitchen, be sure to install an upstand attached to your countertop which will keep any spills off your walls. Marble makes for a luxurious finishing touch, though there are lots of kitchen countertop ideas that can also look great.
The beauty of creating a vintage kitchen is that you are not restricted by the parameters of contemporary kitchen design. In this kitchen, a vintage shop counter serves as additional workspace, bringing creativity and charm in equal measure, and is perfectly complemented by the cream and wooden tones of the British Standard by Plain English (opens in new tab) cabinetry.
The lived-in aesthetic is further enhanced by the generous farmhouse table and chairs, a mainstay of any vintage kitchen design as it doubles as both a dining space and preparation area – acting in the same way kitchen islands do in modern kitchens.
Kitchen lighting ideas are a key factor when designing a vintage kitchen.
A blend of wall lights that offer downward task lighting, and pretty pendants that provide broader illumination is the most efficient way to achieve this. T
here are lots of different vintage lighting designs available that will imbue your home with a heritage feel, however, if buying an antique, be sure to do so from a reputable company that restores reclaimed lights to modern day safety requirements. Skinflint (opens in new tab) , who provided the vintage Czech pendant light above the sink in this Midland Architecture (opens in new tab) kitchen design, is one such company.
When curating your vintage kitchen, think about the tonality of materials. With solid floors and lots of cabinetry, the kitchen can feel quite cold, the antithesis of the welcoming ambience that a vintage scheme seeks to provide – which is where freestanding kitchens come in.
‘Matching dark antique woods with light cabinetry is a great way to add depth to your kitchen color scheme, whereby those warm, richer accents contrast against cool neutral tones,’ advises George Miller, home designer at Neptune (opens in new tab) ‘A great example would be including an old vintage dresser or larder cabinet in a modern kitchen. This will create a stylish contemporary feel that draws on traditional country kitchen ideas .'
Vintage kitchen ideas go hand in hand with cottage kitchen ideas and it's not surprise; both styles seek to embrace historical designs and evoke a cozy and welcoming ambience.
Chintzy florals are one of the defining features of both looks, however, they must be used wisely. Here, this neat roman blind offers a stylish take on the tradition adding rustic charm and color to this scheme. Coupled with a pared-back linen ticking curtain on the cupboard underneath, it works to give the kitchen a softer look than a block-patterned blind and traditional cabinetry doors would achieve.
Creating a modern vintage look is all about balancing vintage kitchen ideas with newer details. Sleek, sage green cabinetry with a marble splash-back and chrome hardware wouldn't look out of place in a more contemporary setting, however, when combined with a reclaimed wooden workspaces, along with the shiplap ceiling and aged wooden floor, they take on a more vintage look.
‘An easy way to add vintage flair to your kitchen is adding an old butcher’s block,’ advise Jen and Mar, co-founders of Interior Fox (opens in new tab) , ‘Pair this with walls or shelves painted in a sage green or dusty champagne color which look lovely against wooden bowls or ceramic dishes. Display fresh herbs, greenery, mis-matched dishes and plant pots to help add a vintage charm to your kitchen'.
Kitchen flooring ideas for vintage kitchens need to have a touch of pre-loved heritage about them. Having been used as a floor covering for centuries, terracotta brings with it a rich color and warmth that is the perfect complement to other vintage kitchen ideas. Evoking old-world Mediterranean style, these tiles are crafted from clay and full of unique character. Opt for pieces that have hand finished edges as this will give them a slightly aged appearance.
It's worth noting, however, that unfinished terracotta is very porous meaning it is vital that it is sealed before use in the kitchen. Select pre-sealed tiles or protect with an impregnating seal to ensure a hardwearing finish that is resistant to the inevitable staining and spills.
Backsplash ideas for kitchens present the opportunity to add a subtle hint of character into your kitchen. While you may dream about decorating your kitchen with authentic antique tiles, the reality is that sourcing them is often time-consuming and costly. Thankfully, there are lots of nostalgic designs that are sure to give your kitchen a hint of history.
These tiles from deVOL are made using its antique press, the clay forms are imprinted using vintage lace remnants and garments to unveil gorgeous reliefs of repeating patterns and trims. Available in three colors – Vintage Teal, Rose and Sepia – the tiles have been finished to replicate the delicately worn look of antique designs.
Vintage kitchen ideas all aim to create a space that is warm and welcoming. A large table with plenty of chairs dressed with cushions is a great way to achieve this.
‘You want to create the impression that a room has evolved over time by mixing and matching fabrics, furnishings and tableware. This gives the impression of a collection built up over time rather than instantly created,’ suggests Rachel Rose, head of interior design at Susie Watson Designs (opens in new tab) . ‘Also take into consideration the paint color chosen, a light shade with undertones of green is a great backdrop to compliment lots of pattern in the fabrics, it's neutral but warmer than any shade of white.’
A range cooker is an essential part of any vintage kitchen ideas and therefore must harmonise with the rest of the design. For the most part, vintage appliances are best avoided as they will be inefficient and potentially dangerous. Instead, you have two choices.
First, consider a restored cooker, that has a vintage exterior but with modern electrics and safety certifications. These are likely to be cheaper than buying new and will imbue your home with that signature vintage look.
The other option is to purchase a new design that has a heritage inspired design. There are lots of range cookers available that have the signature enamelled exterior and covered hot-plates and are undeniably vintage.
Once a mainstay of traditional kitchen design, pantries fell out of favor in the 1960s following the invention of the refrigerator/freezer and the desire for spacious kitchens. However, there has been a recent resurgence in pantry ideas being reintroduced into kitchens, particularly as a vintage kitchen idea. There are several vintage kitchen ideas for incorporating a pantry depending on your tastes and the amount of space you have available.
A walk-in pantry is the dream. Build wall to wall shelves and dress with vintage tins, baskets and other
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