Welcome to the domestic center: the kitchen! If you desire a kitchen space that's nostalgic, has big personality, and is both functional and genuine, a kitschy kitchen design may be right up your alley. This style of design embraces comfort, familiarity, pattern mixing, and bold color. Compared to a general retro or mid-century modern design, kitschiness is more expressive, artsy, and playful, sometimes with a hint of humor. It also avoids the "sterile" nature and heavy rules associated with many interior design styles.
Read on to see how you can successfully achieve a delightfully dated kitchen with whimsical, kitschy touches.
Kitchen Accessories That Paint a Vintage Aesthetic
A quirky kitchen is the best conversation starter and is sure to leave a lasting impression on your guests! With an intentionally bold design and retro influences, a kitchen with a kitsch aesthetic can successfully convey warmth, joy, and hospitality.
Want an edgy kitchen that doesn't whisper? It all starts by incorporating the right kitschy kitchen accessories for everyday use.
Begin with the "bigger" components of your space. Perhaps dress up your fridge with this fun cottagecore retro refrigerator wrap or atomic cat sputnik starburst refrigerator handles. On your oven, consider hanging retro-inspired linens, such as this atomic cat kitchen towel or flower power dish towel set. Accessories like these can help tone down the modern-leaning design of your appliances.
Unlike other design styles, a kitschy interior design has fewer boundaries, so feel free to mix patterns and eras. For instance, consider incorporating a tropical blast from the past in your space with this colorful flamingo palm tree toaster cover. Build on the tropical vintage style with this 1960s throwback: a mid-century modern tiki glass cutting board.
The groovy kitchen accessories don't end there. Stick to a mid-century modern look with this starburst oven mitt and pot holder set to add a vintage touch to your daily cooking. It also has a matching dish mat. Little additions like this can add personality and charm to any kitchen to make it feel less cookie-cutter.
So, even with modern appliances and contemporary cabinetry, you can still achieve a retro look in your kitchen with the right accents.
Dinnerware and Serveware Every Funky Kitchen Needs
A kitchen inspired by the past shouldn't just look retro at one glance; it should also provide the experience of one.
Add to the jet-age charm with vintage dinnerware and serveware, allowing both you and your guests to take a little time travel. Old school plates and bowls should embrace imperfection, use color as a catalyst, and trigger memories. Striving for functional pieces can help reinforce the idea that your space isn't just decorative; it's intentional and designed for gathering.
Return to simpler times with these retro vintage geometric squares plates or, for a groovier look, these retro rainbow daisy plates that feature a joyfully clashing color scheme.
And don't settle for boring bowls! These boomerang starburst bowls stay true to their time and are right in line with your vintage design.
As for serveware, stick to fun finds like this throwback-inspired doxie dog cocktail platter or 1950s retro print serving platter.
Just imagine, Sunday morning breakfasts with your folks or gathering around the table with extended family around the holidays with these vintage finds!
Keeping it Classy with Kitschy Drinkware
Don't end at dinnerware and serveware; classic drinkware deserves a spot at your dining table. They also pair well with the vibe of the rest of your vintage kitchen.
Begin with mugs, like this retro reading lounge atomic cat mug. Or how's a cup of joe sound in this retro kitsch starburst metallic mug?
Move on from morning mugs and now place focus on your general drinkware. Aim for mismatched sets and era-mixing; uniformity shouldn't be your goal. Think, this groovy daisy pint glass to bring out your inner hippie and this mid-century blue breeze block pint glass, for example.
If you're loving these vintage drinking glasses, there's more to check out! Visit Kate McEnroe New York’s mid-century modern pint glasses for more visual muse.
Looking forward to entertaining guests? You can't go wrong with this atomic cat stemless wine glass or mid-century modern beer glass. If whiskey's more your thing, consider this 50s kitschy couple rocks glass or atomic cat starburst bar glass. Character glasses and ribbed-textured glassware are so kitsch.
The Basis of Every Proper Dining Composition: Retro Table Linens
With table linens "disappearing" in modern culture, except for formal gatherings or special occasions, adding them to your dining table can help reinforce the vintage feel of your everyday kitchen design.
Retro tablecloths also allow for an easy play on color and pattern, have a big design impact on a low budget, and allow for a low-commitment refresh, especially during special occasions or holidays.
This flower power orange brown tablecloth can help bring the 70s into your home in a snap. For a "safer" chinoiserie-inspired piece, consider this luxury blue and white floral tablecloth instead.
If you love the idea of a bare table look but still want to dress up your dining table with retro linen, go for a classic Franciscan starburst table runner or 50s rockabilly pin-up place mats. With one of these funky kitschy kitchen decor items, you can still show off your table while still adding a more elaborate, finished touch to your table and bringing a splash of color to your table setting. A simple, vintage table runner can also help you avoid going overboard with colors and prints in your design.
Finish off your vintage table set with atomic mid-century modern cloth napkins or these retro orbs cloth napkins to pull the table setting together.
Besides adding vintage charm to your kitchen or dining area, the latter linens help soften your space, make meals with family more intentional, and allow you to turn any boring table into a visual masterpiece.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What gives a kitschy kitchen personality?
A well-balanced kitschy kitchen featuring a mix of new and old accents can help give it personality, rather than a staged or stale look. Also, focus on incorporating timeless materials like wood and metals, thrifted finds, and some hints of playful hues to keep the vibe fresh and character-rich.
Should a funky kitchen be decorative or functional?
It should be both! Retro-inspired kitchens, however, should focus on function and comfort first over decor. A functional and open kitchen can make cooking, dining, and gathering easier. Meanwhile, decorative accents can essentially breathe "life" and add season to the space.
Can kitschy design work in a modern home?
Absolutely! You can incorporate kitschy elements in your modern kitchen by strategically layering vintage pieces into your design. Consider a modern foundation with small pops of vintage colors like cherry red or mint and a few classic statement pieces. We also recommend adding kitschy everyday items to your space and using of timeless natural materials to keep the eras from clashing.
How do I incorporate kitschy kitchen decor without going overboard?
Always start with a gentle backdrop. Think neutral-colored walls, contemporary cabinetry, and simple walls. From there, you can add hints of retro elements to your kitchen. For a kitschy kitchen design, consider limiting your color palette to a few main colors, making function your main goal, and displaying a few standout pieces. (Your kitchen shouldn't look like a garage sale!)
Do I have to stick to bold colors in a kitschy kitchen?
Not at all! A funky retro-inspired kitchen doesn't always mean bold and colorful. There are many kitschy-inspired designs that feature a neutral base with a few splashes of color or even toned-down hues like mushroom, sage green, or warm terracotta.
Ready for a Kitschy Kitchen?
We want to hear which retro kitchen elements you'll be incorporating this year. Spill the beans down below!
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