How to get a Vintage Kitchen

A vintage kitchen can really make your house feel like a home. Plus, this style won't become outdated as quickly. It will appeal to a lot of different kinds of buyers if you ever try to sell your house. Plus, you can stay true to the period that your home was built, without compromising function. Vintage kitchens can even save you a lot of money on a remodel.

Instructions

1. Take what works from the style, leave what doesn't. Vintage kitchens tend to be a galley style & kind of closed off. They are much smaller than modern kitchens. Obviously, you don't want to loose space just to get an authentic vintage look. Florals were popular fabrics, but you can go for a more muted strip instead. Use what you love.

2. Switch your color palette. Right now, the trend is toward neutral colors. Kitchens tend to be full of beige upon beige upon beige. An easy way to get the look of a vintage kitchen is to go black & white. These colors were popular throughout the 40's & 50's so they can go in a lot of different directions. Refinish your cabinets to a bright, fresh white to save money while being true to the style. Light greens & pale yellows were often used a lot in vintage kitchens. It's all about leaving a light & airy feeling in the room.

3. Stick to vintage materials. Granite counters are all the rage right now, but they can be really expensive. Instead, look for a traditional marble counter. Carerra marble has never really gone out of style, so you will get your money's worth out of the investment.

   If marble is out of your price range, look for a butcher block counter. You can use a food safe stain to get the look of dark walnut. On HGTV they have even stained butcher blocks funky colors like blue. Granted, these counters require maintenance & you'll need to use a cutting board to keep things look nice. However, it gives you an authentic vintage look for less money.

4. Tile, tile & then tile again. When you think of a vintage kitchen, you probably think of tile. Choose an inexpensive subway tile. These are rectangular shaped for a unique look. Match the grout to the tile color for a more seamless look. You can even put tile on the floor for an easy to clean surface.

5. Focus on the sink. Get a big farmhouse sink or stone sink that can really add to the ambiance of your room. Back before the days of dishwashers a lot of time was spent in front of the sink so make sure that it's pretty too!

Tips & Warnings

• You wouldn't find stainless steel appliances in vintage kitchens, obviously. You can keep your regular white appliances for a big savings. They will just blend into your cabinets. However, if stainless steel is your one true love, then go for it.