A trip down memory lane with retro kitchens we get inspired by!
Dive into a world of nostalgia and charm with our curated selection of 11 retro kitchens designed by some of the most talented interior designers in the industry. From vibrant pops of color and playful patterns to sleek chrome accents and statement lighting, these kitchens capture the essence of a bygone era with a modern twist. Get ready to be inspired by ingenious layouts, unique material choices, and a touch of vintage whimsy that will make you long for milkshakes and checkered floors. So, grab your poodle skirt or saddle shoes, and let’s take a trip down memory lane with these stunning retro kitchen designs!
SEE ALSO: 14 1960s Kitchen Ideas We Still Love Today
LA designer Jessica Ayromloo brought a blast from the past to a pied-à-terre in Mexico City’s Centro Histórico. The client envisioned a small, stylish space that paid homage to 1960s mod style, with minimal cooking functionality. Ayromloo rose to the challenge, creating a visually striking kitchen packed with personality.
Practicality and durability were key. Stainless steel, cork, and Un Rayito de Sol concrete tiles (used throughout the retreat) provided a solid foundation. Furniture blended vintage finds from downtown’s 20th-century design havens with unique treasures from La Lagunilla flea market, Trouvé, and Puebla antique stores. The designer’s personal favorite touch? A custom shelf using repurposed antique dragon sconces as brackets – a detail that’s both unexpected and utterly original.
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Inspired by the bold color palette of Gucci’s 2020 runway show, Prospect Refuge Studio transformed a Minneapolis kitchen. Victoria Sass, the design director, embraced the synergy between a “medical green” and rich red, setting them against the existing warm browns and wood tones of the 1960s architecture. Deep red cabinets in Sherwin-Williams’ Flower Pot and Benjamin Moore’s Dunmoore Green steal the show, complemented by a sleek glass backsplash in Benjamin Moore’s Cucumber Salad. The island, bathed in the warm glow of RBW pendants, boasts a red laminate countertop – a playful nod to the iconic Alvar Aalto bentwood tables with their vibrant linoleum tops.
In a Pasadena kitchen renovation, LA designer Leah Ring meticulously balanced modern updates with a tribute to the home’s midcentury origins. While the layout transformed to embrace open space and modern appliances, Ring thoughtfully selected materials that echoed the original design by Buff, Straub & Hensman. New cabinets mirrored the stain of the originals, and classic elements like square backsplash tiles, dark countertops, and checkerboard flooring were meticulously incorporated. Functionality met aesthetics with a Knoll fabric and vinyl banquette, easy to clean yet stylish. The pièce de résistance? A backsplash inspired by Alvar Aalto’s kitchen, featuring stunning royal blue Heath tiles with a beautiful glaze variation, illuminated by Ravenhill Studio and Servomuto pendants. “It brings so much life into the space,” Ring muses.
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Washington, D.C. designer Zoe Feldman channeled her clients’ love for 90s and 00s pop culture into a vibrant row house renovation. The kitchen became a playground of color and pattern. A neon yellow Ilve range and hood takes center stage, “a lively accent that sets the tone for the whole space,” Feldman says. Black and white Clé tiles evoke the iconic Vans checkerboard pattern, while Fajen & Brown shelving, soft peach cabinets, In Common With pendants, and a gleaming Waterworks faucet complete the look. The result? A kitchen brimming with “bold, arty, retro feel.”
In a Shingle-style Cape Cod new-build, designer Jocelyn Chiappone crafted an airy kitchen that seamlessly connects to the living and dining areas. The principal of Digs Design Company (Newport, Rhode Island) aimed for a “Palm Beach meets Cape Cod” aesthetic, bursting with color and texture. “The client envisioned a joyful space that reflected their vacation home,” Chiappone explains. This vision translated into playful Grow House Grow cement tiles, infusing the kitchen with “energy and a relaxed summer vibe.” Balancing the vibrancy is a Benjamin Moore’s Athabasca island in a serene pearly gray, anchored by custom legs designed by Chiappone. These “Jenny Lind-turned legs” pay homage to the classic Cape Cod style.
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San Francisco designer Ken Fulk transformed the kitchen of a coastal New England summer cottage into a timeless haven for family gatherings. The goal? A space that felt “timeworn and unpretentious,” prioritizing functionality without sacrificing charm. Fulk’s team achieved this by enveloping the kitchen in custom, beadboard-paneled cabinetry. The cabinets were washed in a minty Farrow & Ball paint, “Arsenic,” and further enlivened with pops of historic, geometric-print Adelphi wallpaper. Industrial pendants, sourced from the Brimfield Flea Market, hung alongside Serena & Lily bar stools, adding a touch of vintage character. For the floors, a playful touch: a hand-painted checkerboard “rug” that evokes a nostalgic feel. “Retrofitting vintage elements is a fun way to add character,” says Fulk, “but don’t underestimate the value of a custom piece, like the central island, for lasting durability.”
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In an Austin Spanish Colonial, SCW Interiors conjured a captivating kitchen that exudes a grounded, old-world charm. Custom Tabarka Studio tiles with a rustic, rubbed-clay edge set the tone, seamlessly marrying with leathered Ubatuba granite countertops and hammered brass CopperSmith sinks. Vintage rugs add a touch of cozy sophistication, reminiscent of a moody study. The pièce de résistance? SCW’s signature private-label ash cabinets, crafted in Pennsylvania. These beauties stand out against the backdrop of Modern Matter hardware, and their stained finish was a deliberate choice by lead designer Shazalynn Cavin Winfrey. “We wanted to avoid black paint and lean into the organic nature of the other materials,” she explains. But the kitchen’s true showstopper is the unexpected: a luxurious True Residential refrigerator, boldly painted a grassy green. “It was a splurge,” Cavin Winfrey admits, “but one that elevates this kitchen to a whole new level.”
In a two-story Culver City home, the original kitchen felt cramped and isolated. To remedy this, Hema Persad, principal of Burbank’s Sagrada Studio, opened it up entirely during a first-floor renovation, creating a seamless connection to the dining room and courtyard. “Preserving their heritage was important,” Persad explains. So, the original Indian dining table and light fixtures, cherished for years, were incorporated into the new design. Durability reigns supreme with quartz countertops, a cement apron-front sink from Native Trails, and a butcher-block island. But the true standout? The bold green color scheme. Persad opted for sage cabinets paired with an emerald Zia Tile zellige backsplash. “Most people play it safe,” she says, “but I find the all-green statement exciting. It’s a unique touch you don’t see everyday.”
Stepping into this Upper East Side apartment kitchen is like stepping into a luxurious jewel box. Emerald green tiles, adorned with whimsical clover shapes, dance across the walls, a perfect partner to the client’s original green American Range stove. Local designer Deana Lenz masterfully weaves together eras. The custom hood, adorned with brass tacks, pays homage to the pre-war architecture, while sleek, clean-lined cabinetry and a modern table inject a touch of contemporary flair. The hardware on the oak cabinets plays in harmony with the black and brass Brizo faucet, the Maya Romanoff wallpaper, and the Zak+Fox textiles. Lenz cleverly incorporated a coffee bar into the breakfast nook, featuring a combination of glass and black wrought-iron cabinetry. “This allowed my client to showcase their prized antique coffee grinder,” she says, adding a delightful personal touch to the space.
In a new-build Austin home, designer Annie Downing envisioned a space that was both “refined and sophisticated” yet “playful and youthful.” The heart of this vision? The kitchen. Here, a custom-designed lilac-tinted banquette takes center stage, channeling the spirit of convivial roadside diners with a charming twist. The banquette seamlessly blends Moore & Giles leather with a graphic Ottoline fabric—a playful reinterpretation of classic plaid—which is echoed in the window treatment above. “The curved back and edges, along with all the details of this piece, are not only practical for the corner space,” Downing explains, “but also incredibly pretty.” This unique seating area is further enhanced by a metal-capped Allied Maker pendant and captivating artwork from Natural Curiosities. It’s a space that perfectly embodies Downing’s playful yet sophisticated design aesthetic.
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Transforming a Washington, DC, row house kitchen known for its lack of sunshine was the challenge Lisa Shaffer, CEO and creative director of Lisa & Leroy, embraced. Her solution? A burst of light and personality. Custom mint green cabinets became the star of the show, paired with warm brass hardware and a bold botanical wallpaper grounded in white. This wasn’t just any wallpaper – it added a fresh, bright perspective and a touch of whimsy. Cool tiles complemented the overall look, while a cozy rug and artwork brought a touch of homeyness. Being a master of space optimization, Shaffer maximized the small footprint by cleverly concealing a workstation and countertop microwave behind cabinets – all while keeping the kitchen’s charming retro vibe intact. Functionality met style in this light-filled, cleverly designed kitchen.
READ MORE: Mid-Century Modern Dining Tables for Every Decorating Style
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