26 Retro Kitchen Ideas for the Ultimate Vintage and Throwback Look
From pastel color palettes to checkerboard floors and everything in between.
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When your kitchen starts to feel dated or if it originally was bought with an aged and historic look, renovations become essential. If you want to turn your kitchen into your dream space with chic colors and a smart layout, it's worth considering a retro aesthetic.
Browse through our retro kitchen ideas for inspiration on how to revamp your cooking area into a classic yet modern space. While you may consider retro-inspired interiors to have a negative connotation, that's not always the case. Whether you're drawn to looks from the 1940s, 1950s or another intriguing decade, retro design schemes can be fun. For instance, a perfect combination of vintage touches with modern appliances is a great way to make a design statement. You can turn your kitchen into a fully retro-designed setup or stick to subtle accents to experiment with the trend. From checkerboard floors and quirky patterned walls to a colorful palette and brightly painted furniture, the design and renovation options are endless (and fun to mix and match for your ideal aesthetic).
Yellow and White Checkerboard Floors
Checkerboard floors are a classic when it comes to the retro look. Opt for a yellow and white combination for a clean yet vibrant feel.
Retro Hanging Lights
Remember those lava lamps that were popular back in the day? Install hanging lights with a similar appeal above your kitchen island to create a focal point. Choose a design in a dark purple hue to complement the wood furnishings in the space.
Patterned Flooring
If you want to keep the modern feel of your kitchen, go with bold patterned flooring. Using an intricate pattern will bring the retro vibes, while staying true to your original look.
A Coca-Cola Look
Coca-Cola has been around since the 1880s, so take inspiration from the iconic brand and try red cabinetry and seating for a playful look.
True 70s Vibes
The mix of warm and dark shades featured throughout this kitchen can inspire your own space. Recreate the look with a dark accent tile wall and an antique-inspired island.
Yellow Tile
The right color and texture can help you achieve a retro kitchen look. If your space is mostly white, consider a yellow backsplash and hanging lights to give it personality. What's more, it's the perfect way to balance wood flooring.
Vintage Bar Stools
If you want your kitchen to have the same homey feel as the bars and restaurants seen in your family's photo album, replace your modern seating with vintage-looking bar and counter stools.
Mosaic Inspired
Create a checkerboard-like mosaic accent wall in your kitchen using bright color combinations. Yellow and light blue make a quirky yet fun design palette.
A Boho Look
Bohemian touches and retro accents can blend seamlessly for a unique look. Revamp your kitchen with a white palette, gold accents and graphic wallpaper for a throwback feel.
Vivid Blues
The right blue shade can turn your modern space into a retro haven. Weave seating and dinnerware in aqua or turquoise tones throughout your kitchen for an eye-catching look.
Mint Green Furniture
Mint is a favorite color among retro design lovers, especially when it comes to appliances and furniture.
A Colorful Refresh
Deck out your entire kitchen in an overall retro look with an array of lively colors. This means moving your dinner table into the kitchen and outfitting it with colorful chairs and a checkerboard tablecloth. While you're at it, consider replacing your basic fridge with a red design to stay on theme.
Silver Meets Red
A focal point can make your kitchen shine. In this space, a daring red oven and sleek stainless steel appliances are perfect for creating a futuristic yet vintage approach.
Present-Day Nostalgia
Pastel hues are a great match for white, as seen in this inviting kitchen. Blue wall tiles and light green bar stools keep the space feeling clean and airy.
A Blue and Yellow Palette
Layer blue-and-white patterned tiles with a vibrant yellow island and glass globe pendants for a retro-inspired setup.
Antique Appliances
Adding a retro feel to your kitchen can be as simple as switching your modern appliances out for those with an antique vibe. Incorporate a colorful patterned floor to pull the space together.
Classic Black and White Checkers
Black and white checkerboard floors are the epitome of a retro design. While smaller-scale checkered flooring is a nice touch, using larger squares can make your space stand out.
Colorful Chairs
If your space has more of a farmhouse appeal, going retro can be as simple as picking the right chairs for your island. Colorful stools in green, yellow, red and blue can easily make a statement.
Patterned Walls
Adding the right pattern to your walls can instantly exude a decades-old feel. Think throwback looks like floral patterns and geometric looks.
One Bold Color
Be subtle with your nostalgic approach by adding only one bold hue to the kitchen area. Here, yellow pendant lights add a pop of color to the neutral space.
Mariah Thomas (she/her) is an assistant editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers home and lifestyle content. Mariah has more than four years of editorial experience, having written for TLC, Apartment Therapy, Women's Health and Avocado Magazine. She received her master's degree in journalism at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism and published her first book, Heart and Soul: Poems of Thoughts and Emotions, in 2019. She's also the founder of RTF Community, a platform for creatives of color to connect, learn and showcase their work.
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