Vintage-style appliances are making a major comeback in kitchen design, offering a fun and retro way to outfit your cooking space. Often brightly colored and featuring classic silhouettes, vintage-style appliances are a great way to add personality and nostalgic flair to a modern kitchen. From refrigerators to stand mixers, there are many appliance options to give your kitchen a blast-from-the-past style.
Why Choose Vintage-Style Appliances?
There are many reasons to consider vintage-style appliances when renovating or redecorating your kitchen:
- Nostalgia – Vintage-style appliances are heavily inspired by retro designs from the 1920s to 1960s. Their colorful, streamlined look harkens back to previous eras and can bring feelings of nostalgia.
- Unique style – Tired of stainless steel? Vintage appliances offer unique colors like seafoam green, light blue, bright red, and sunny yellow. Their retro silhouettes offer a different look.
- Personality – Vintage-style appliances allow you to showcase your fun and quirky personality through your kitchen design.
- Coordination – Vintage appliances coordinate well with other interior design styles such as mid-century modern, industrial, cottagecore, and boho chic spaces.
- Small kitchens – The compact size of some retro appliances makes them a good fit for small kitchens. Their stylish look maximizes your tiny cooking space.
- Affordability – While high-end vintage-style appliances are available, you can also find very affordable options from discount retailers. Great deals are available on used and vintage items.
- Reliability – While aesthetics are important, don’t worry – vintage-style appliances offer the convenience and reliability of modern appliances. Many are energy efficient.
Styles of Vintage Appliances
There are a few key style elements that define vintage-style kitchen appliances and make them stand out. Keep these in mind as you search for items to recreate a retro look:
Colors
Vintage appliances come in fun, colorful hues like mint green, bright yellow, robin’s egg blue, bright red, and pink. Pastel shades are very popular. Choose colors you already have in your kitchen design.
Retro Shapes
Look for round, curved shapes on items like stand mixers and microwave ovens. Streamlined, horizontal silhouettes also create a retro look.
Details
Keep an eye out for charming details like retro clocks, radio dials, lucite knobs, or matching accessory sets to complement your major appliances.
Logos
Many companies creating retro appliances model their logos after ones used in the 1950s and 60s. Look for stylized script and font styles.
Materials
Enamel, chrome, porcelain, lucite, and glossy finishes give a vintage vibe. Stainless steel is not commonly used.
Colorful Vintage-Style Appliances for Kitchens
There are many appliance categories to consider outfitting with retro finds to create a cohesive vintage kitchen appliance suite.
Refrigerators
Refrigerators are a natural focus in any kitchen. A vintage-style refrigerator anchors the retro vibe. Look for:
- Slim proportions and minimalist form
- Rounded corners and beveled edges
- Pastel colors like pink, turquoise, mint green and bright yellow
- Chrome accents and swing bar handles
- Brand logos reminiscent of the 1950s and 60s
Retro-style mini fridges are also available to add whimsy.
Ranges and Ovens
Several companies make vintage-inspired ranges and ovens. Look for:
- Colorful enamel finishes in shades like daffodil yellow, cobalt blue, pink, etc.
- Matching knobs and dials
- Rounded corners and beveled edges
- Chrome or porcelain accents
- Brand logos created to look historical
Slide-in or drop-in designs work well for a retro kitchen style.
Microwave Ovens
A pop of color and retro details like dials transform a microwave oven into a vintage focal point. Look for:
- Pastel colors like pink, seafoam green, light blue
- Rounded corners
- Chrome or enamel details
- Analog clocks or radio knobs
- Matching accessories like step ladders
Stand Mixers
Stand mixers are a kitchen staple perfect for a retro makeover. Look for:
- Iconic silhouettes from classic brands like KitchenAid
- Glossy finishes in bright shades like fire engine red
- Chrome accents
- Retro font and logos
- Accessories like mixing bowls in matching colors
Toasters
An essential for any kitchen, you can find vintage-style toasters with materials like enamel and chrome. Look for:
- Two slice vertical slots
- Colors like mint green, bright red, robin’s egg blue, yellow
- Chrome or metal accents
- Wooden knobs if desired
- Matching kitchen accessories available
Kettles
A colored retro-style kettle looks great on the stovetop. Look for:
- Colors like mint green, pink, yellow, robin’s egg blue
- Enamel or chrome finish
- Rotary control dials or switches
- Matching tea sets or mugs as accessories
Coffee Makers
Coffee makers are available with retro details to round out your suite of appliances. Look for:
- Enamel housing in bright, light colors
- Analog clock
- Wood accents
- Matching cups and accessories
Essential Design Tips for Vintage-Style Appliances
There are a few key design moves to make retro appliances look their best:
- Color coordination – Choose appliances in colors that complement each other for a cohesive look. Stick to 2-4 colors for the best effect.
- Pair with patterns– Vintage patterns like gingham, polka dots and even florals look great paired with brightly colored appliances.
- Contrasting accents – Think about mixing a bright blue stove and red refrigerator. Contrasting colors in the same color family work well.
- Hardware coordination – Vintage cabinet hardware in chrome, enamel, or porcelain finishes looks great with retro appliances.
- Consider walls and floors – Have fun pairing bright appliances with colorful patterned tile, checked floors or even a light pink wall!
- Add vintage accessories – Finish the space with accents like step stools, tea sets, and clocks.
Benefits of Purchasing Vintage vs. Retro-Style
If you love the look of vintage kitchen appliances, you may be debating whether to purchase true vintage items or new appliances designed with a retro style. There are pros and cons to each approach:
Vintage
- Pro: Unique charm and truly authentic retro design
- *Pro: * Often less expensive than new
- Con: May require repairs and restoration
- Con: Difficult to find full matching sets
- Con: May not have modern conveniences and efficiency
Retro-Style
- Pro: Easier to find full matching sets of appliances
- Pro: Reliable like any new appliance purchase
- Pro: Often have modern conveniences like auto-defrost
- Con: Can be more expensive than vintage items
- Con: Does not have the same authentic retro feel
Many people opt for a blend of vintage and retro items when designing their space for balance. Small vintage shop finds like a pink stand mixer or mint toaster can be paired with new retro-inspired refrigerators or stoves to get the look you want.
Popular Brands for Colorful Vintage-Style Appliances
Several appliance manufacturers offer great options for creating a vintage kitchen. Some top brands to know include:
- Big Chill – Famous for retro fridges in fun colors like pink, orange and blue
- Smeg – Offers refrigerators, stoves and small appliances in cute retro shapes
- Elmira Stove Works – Known for Northstar ranges in colors like seafoam, yellow, red and more
- Home Depot – Affordable retro-style appliances like Excellence ranges
- KitchenAid – Stand mixers and kettles in glossy retro colors are classics
- Crosley – Radio-inspired mini fridges come in bright colors and patterns
- Café – GE’s line includes dishwashers and refrigerators with retro details
- The Cubic Mini Fridge Company – Offers rounded mini fridges with retro charm
Vintage shops, Etsy, eBay, and Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore are great places to hunt for deals on authentic vintage items to incorporate as well.
Frequently Asked Questions About Colorful Vintage-Style Appliances
- Are vintage-style appliances reliable?
- Yes, vintage-style appliances may have a retro look but they offer the same convenience and reliability as any modern appliance. Reputable brands ensure their products work just as well!
- How much does it cost to outfit a kitchen with vintage appliances?
- Costs can really vary, but expect to invest around $2,000 to $6,000 outfitting a full kitchen. Buying one or two statement vintage appliances can create the look for less.
- Should I renovate my kitchen before installing new appliances?
- It’s recommended to choose your appliances early so you can design your kitchen remodel around them. But you can certainly install vintage appliances in your existing kitchen!
- Where can I buy replacement parts or accessories for vintage appliances?
- Many brands sell replacement parts online. Etsy is a great source for vintage appliance accessories like knobs. Brands like Big Chill also offer coordinating accessories.
- Can I get vintage appliances in any color?
- Retro appliance companies tend to offer appliances in the most popular 1950’s era colors, but custom color options are sometimes available for an additional fee.
Conclusion
With their cheerful colors, charming details and retro vibe, vintage-style appliances are a fun way to outfit your kitchen with a heavy dose of personality and nostalgia. Allowing you to coordinate a bright, patterned, and playful cooking space, vintage appliances offer the reliability of modern appliances with classic design appeal. Whether you opt for true vintage finds or new retro-inspired stoves and refrigerators, there are many options to give your kitchen a colorful, vintage style your family and friends will adore.