15 Retro Kitchen Ideas that Will Take You Back in Time

Enjoy a stylish blast from the past with our collection of retro kitchen design ideas. We've gathered our favorite vintage kitchen decor, nostalgic color schemes, and designs dedicated to a bygone era.

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Pop of Color

Glossy laminate cabinets framed with a gray plaster backdrop shine bright in this retro kitchen design. Orange interior panels personalize upper glass cabinetry and highlight a funky old-fashioned clock. Sleek stainless-steel stools blur the line between past and present design styles.

Retro Kitchen Trends that Are Coming Back

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Playful Pattern

Vintage kitchen ideas don't get much better than this classic color scheme. White, brown, and black with a few pops of red provide a simple but stimulating kitchen backdrop. A round pendant light above the island supplies the room with retro visual drama. Budget-friendly vinyl barstools and geometric wallpaper usher in elements of classic 1950s decor.

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Scandinavian Influence

Lime green slab-front retro kitchen cabinets brighten this room that's filled with clean lines and natural light. A wall of teak-veneer cabinetry continues the streamlined space and centralizes storage. A table at the end of the island features a green glass surface and Danish-inspired seating.

More Rooms with Scandinavian Style

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Bold in Blue

A countertop-to-ceiling backsplash of turquoise glass mosaic tiles sets off bright retro kitchen accessories, including an antique soda siphon, in this cheerful space. An old science lab table used as an island adds a sense of history. A trio of teardrop pendant lights boosts the room's style quotient.

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Citrus Scene

Few colors are more reminiscent of the past than golden burnt orange. The hue extends to both countertops and seating in this retro style kitchen and pops against clean white cabinetry. Repetition of square and rectangular shapes in the backsplash and flooring nicely juxtapose a round pendant light and curved chairs.

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Modern Mix

Clean bamboo cabinets with minimal hardware exude 1960s midcentury style. A retro range hood made with clear blue glass gives a touch of color in the neutral kitchen furnishings. A modular light fixture highlights a wooden island and Eames-inspired chairs below.

Midcentury Modern Decorating Ideas

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Pretty in Pink

An eye-catching table and chairs hold court in this retro kitchen design. The top of the Saarinen tulip table is the same as the countertops, while the Hans Wegner chairs are a Danish classic, painted coral for a fun twist.

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Patchwork Display

Splashed in lively colors, this retro kitchen decor finds its happy place with apple green walls set off by white lacquered cabinetry. A peninsula, outfitted with a sleek, chimney-style hood, serves as a social hub and buffet. An area rug made of self-sticking carpet tiles designates the dining area, where Bertoia-inspired wire chairs pull up to an antique table.

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Quiet Glamour

Contrasting glossy and matte elements with textured and smooth ones give this kitchen a classic yet contemporary feel. Punchy patterns featured throughout the space, including on draperies, the backsplash, and bar area, give a nod to geometric designs of the '60s. Sleek pendant lighting and a modern range hood supply retro futurism.

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Blended Textures

Modern convenience pairs with retro charm to create a warm, family-friendly hub. Vintage kitchen cabinets with shiny metal handles evoke midcentury style and let a burgundy backsplash sparkle. Long pendants above the built-in table match nearby seating for a clean, cohesive retro kitchen design.

Tips for Mixing Textures

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Fearless Color

Look no further than bright, bold paint colors when searching for retro kitchen ideas on a budget. Turquoise wall cabinets provide the highest impact in this quirky kitchen, while commercial-grade flooring provides updated vintage styling in three more hues. Different shades of yellow work in harmony by going from darkest on the floor to lightest on the ceiling.

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Old-School Accents

Vivid colors from a vintage poster accessorize this renovated kitchen. Retro kitchen accessories can be found throughout, including unique yellow pendants that echo the poster's fun factor, modern barstools, and cabinet pulls that mix curved and straight lines.

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Dynamic Duo

Red and white provide high impact in a small space. Fun print fabric pops against a stainless-steel apron-front sink. Butcher-block countertops balance the cherry-tomato hue and all-white, high-gloss, retro kitchen cabinets.

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Retro Kitchen Accessories

Trimmed with a metal band and a thin line of red fabric, the stools are reproductions of seating options from a bygone era. Open shelves and glass-front cabinets make the perfect stage for displaying vintage kitchen decor or other collector's items.

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Diner Design

A classic gathering spot, the raised kidney-shape kitchen bar lets a family prep meals together. It also provides a place for informal meals. Paired with stools, the bar reflects a diner look. The glossy cherry red adds energy to the black-and-white palette of this retro style kitchen.

More Vintage Kitchen Ideas

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Retro Kitchen Ideas

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Pop of Color

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Playful Pattern

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Scandinavian Influence

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Bold in Blue

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Citrus Scene

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Modern Mix

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Pretty in Pink

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Patchwork Display

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Quiet Glamour

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Blended Textures

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Fearless Color

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Old-School Accents

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Dynamic Duo

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Retro Kitchen Accessories

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Diner Design

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