Want a 1950s Kitchen Design? Then Try these Kitchen Remodeling Ideas!

There’s something about the 1950s era that prompts homeowners to design their kitchens in similar décor. It seems that every now and then, old styles become new again. And it’s the same for the 50s kitchen look.

If you’re mesmerized by the quaint generation and want to implement it into your upcoming kitchen remodeling project, then this article is for you.

Let’s look at what you can do to achieve the 1950s look for your cooking space.

Bright Cheery Colors & Steel Cabinetry

If you’re a millennial, then you’ve likely never seen cabinets made of anything other than wood, laminate veneers, and plywood. However, there was a time when cabinetry was made with steel.

Now, this doesn’t sound very appealing, but as you could imagine, this made the cabinets quite durable. And to make them more homely feeling, they were oftentimes painted bright, cheerful colors like orange, blue, green, and yellow.

This was the generation that incorporated bright colors into home décor for the first time. Blame it on the need to cheer things up in America during World War II. Then there’s the fact that there was plenty of steel to go around (and at cheap rates) since we were still in war-production mode.

Sheet metal became the staple of cabinet designs. Particleboard didn’t come about until the 1970s. Also, the wall oven was first gaining popularity currently. Of course, there wasn’t an automatic dishwasher yet.

You may also be able to get away with having a built-in stove top installed in the cabinet countertop.

Open Floor Plans, Suspended Cabinets, and Peninsulas

Before there were kitchen islands, there were peninsulas. And just as you’d imagine, it’s a kitchen island that’s attached to a wall. Above these islands, you’d typically find suspended cabinets attached to the same wall.

This is a great look if you’re trying to incorporate more of a modern design for your kitchen remodel. At this time, you started to see more homes with open floor plans as well.

So, if you’re looking for an open layout for your kitchen, you can definitely do so while still incorporating a 50s vibe.

Built-In Appliances

The 1950s was when electric appliances started to come into play. We went away from the gas stoves to electric ovens and stoves. But what also happened at this time was more kitchen designs with built-in appliances.

No more protruding fridges and stoves. This made the workspace in the kitchen a lot easier to maneuver. You’ll even find some homes equipped with built-in dishwashers.

Rustic Wood Kitchen Designs

Rustic wood first reared its head in kitchen settings during the 1950s. You’ll find old photos in magazines of kitchens with knotty pine (late 1950s). Currently, it wasn’t as popular as steel, but starting to catch the interest of the public.

If you’re going for a more modern retro 50s look, then rustic wood cabinets and countertops is a great choice. It gives warmth and relaxation to the space, much like you’d find in a vacation home.

Resilient Floors and Laminate Counters

Back in the day, many of the kitchen floors was made with linoleum. This material was first introduced in the 1950s and quickly replaced sheet vinyl by the 1960s and 1970s.

This too offers a more retro 1950s vibe if that’s what you’re going for. You can find this is an array of colors. A lot of homeowners liked linoleum because it’s soft underfoot, easy to maintain, and doesn’t shatter dishes that fall.

Today, you’ll find some homeowners installing linoleum over plastic laminates, ceramic, and sheet vinyl. As for the counters, the 1950s saw a lot of laminate countertops popping up in kitchen designs. And you’ll still see it in kitchens today.

However, if you want to go with something more durable, like natural or engineered stone, you can get away with this while the rest of your kitchen is 50s themed.

Country-Style Kitchen

Not every homeowner wants sleek, contemporary kitchen designs. If this is you, then you should opt for a country-style design.

In this case, you can go with a rural-country design. For example, you can have a room divider, rooster, and wooden cabinets with hinges made of iron.

This is the style you’d find prior to World War II.

Eat-In Kitchen Design

The eat-in kitchen style also began in the 1950s, which is great news if you’re looking to keep your kitchen table. Before this time, families ate inside of the dining area only.

In the 50s, you’d see a small table in the kitchen and the larger table in the dining room.

In this design, you can go with the steel cabinets, fridge with the rounded-off corners, L-shaped design, and linoleum floors (maybe something like red or green).

Space-Saving Ideas for the Kitchen

A lot of innovations were made in the kitchen during the 1950s. This includes the implementation of lazy Susans, roll-out trash bins, and breakfast nooks.

Remember, kitchens back then were rather small, so these additions were great for adding functionality. If you’re working with limited space, this may work for you as well.

Designing Your Kitchen Remodel

Ready to get started with designing your 1950s kitchen? Then allow us to help. The licensed contractors at Fairfax Kitchen and Bath are licensed, bonded and insured. Plus, we have many materials you can use for your kitchen remodel.

We specialize in stone countertops made from engineered quartz, marble, and quartz. Plus, we have different varieties of cabinets to choose from. You can visit our local showroom to see some of the options we have available firsthand.

Give us a call today to get your free estimate!