11 magnificent ideas for setting up a breathtaking, vintage-styled kitchen
The kitchen is much more than a space delimited by four walls where food is prepared: it represents a space where imagination and art come together to satisfy culinary desires and where experimentation, creation, and learning takes place.
If you share this perspective, you're certainly not the type of person who will settle for a bland decor, based on a cookie-cutter approach, and commonly found in many modern homes. So why not think about your kitchen while casting a glance to the past, recalling those feelings you had as children when you were by your mother's side as she prepared Sunday lunch? A vintage kitchen is ideal for this and much more: check out the 11 suggestions below:
1. A basic design
Natalie Jeffcott/Apartmenttherapy
Let's start with the basics, what exactly is vintage? Well, we can define anything as "vintage" if it is considered "outdated", old-fashioned, outmoded or belonging to another era.
But it is precisely these qualities that give vintage things their unique charm.
2. Vintage colors
Ellie Arciaga Lillstrom/Apartmenttherapy
Certain colors perfectly identify the vintage style: they are typically bright and often contrast with each other.
Mint green is one color that is a signature for the vintage style. In the photo above, the black and white checkered flooring further emphasizes the green, immediately taking us on a trip down memory lane.
3. Yellow makes everything more beautiful
Staying with the theme of colors, we want something that is striking, surprising and at the same time, makes us feel welcome.
Sun yellow meets these criteria and undoubtedly creates a pleasant and cheerful atmosphere: ideal for when we spend hours in the kitchen.
4. Pure and simple: the strength of old school wood
@renovatingthepinkhouse/Instagram
If vintage colors are meant to be striking, this does not necessarily mean that the furniture's design in terms of decor has to be equally "flashy".
Furniture with a worn-out, shabby appearance perfectly reflects this vintage style, especially in the kitchen!
5. The importance of household appliances
@ mylifeinmulticolor/Instagram
Furthermore, a fundamental role is fulfilled by all those kitchen appliances and accessories whose shapes and lines are now considered outmoded/unfashionable.
A "rounded" fridge reminds us of the design of old 90s jukeboxes and immediately catapults us into the past. However, electronic devices with square and clean shapes also work well: the important thing is that they are basic in nature and appearance.
6. The perfect balance of a vintage kitchen
@myvintagecottagestyle/Instagram
Harmony and balance of few simple elements are the main path to follow when decorating in a vintage style.
We recommend choosing only two colors: one will be the main color, and the other will be the one whose purpose is to accompany and highlight the main one. Once this is done, you can move on to the other fittings and fixtures.
7. The importance of details
The details with which you will outfit your kitchen will play a significant role: this includes shelving, the dishes, and plants.
Each detail should be as simple as possible, such as the golden handles on the dark green cabinets shown in the photo.
8. Kitchen with a vintage peninsula/island
Furnishing in the vintage style doesn't necessarily mean giving up on innovativation: do you like kitchen islands, for example? No problem, you can easily incorporate one into your kitchen, adapting it to the vintage style, just like shown in this photo.
9. When you combine vintage and rustic elements
@myvintagecottagestyle/Instagram
Of course, every design has its "best friend," and the vintage design goes will with a rustic style.
Artificially aged, shabby furniture perfectly complements a style that aims to hark back to the past.
10. The importance of color contrasts
Question: What does a candy pink color have to do with Persian green? Simple, nothing at all! But it's a perfect color-combo for our vintage kitchen!
Strong contrasts make the style immediately obvious: the visual impact must be immediate, and this kitchen (pictured here), furnished in this way, perfectly achieves this goal.
11. A "floral" vintage kitchen
The beauty of vintage design is that it can be customized according to your own tastes: if you prefer less flashy colors, that's perfectly fine.
Very little is needed to give an unmistakable vintage touch: even flowers with bright colors can help to enrich a vintage environment!
So remember: for a vintage kitchen capable of evoking nostalgia, all you have to do is opt for solutions with colors typical of the past, basic and neat furniture, color contrasts, and accessories which are in harmony with the environment. Enjoy your trip back down memory lane!
