How to Design a 1950s Kitchen
The 1950s kitchen was different from the kitchens of previous decades. This was the first time that women had the option of buying color appliances. General Electric was the first company to offer a choice of colors, starting in 1954. The most popular colors of the decade were buttercup yellow, pink and turquoise. Chrome was a popular material of the era and was used in several areas of the kitchen. Designing a 1950s kitchen is to create a colorful and inviting room that is also sleek and functional. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- standard round ceiling light
- wallpaper
- vintage refrigerator
- vintage stove
- chrome toaster
- chrome mixer
- white porcelain sink
- Formica counter top
- flour and sugar canisters
- breadbox
- chrome table and chairs
- vinyl table cover
- chrome napkin holder
- glass salt and pepper shakers
- paint
- linoleum floor
- throw rug
Instructions
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Install a ceiling light with a standard white light bulb. Lighting in the 1950s kitchen was usually only a single ceiling light in the center of the kitchen. However, even the smallest kitchens in row homes had a window that allowed ample sunlight for daytime use.
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Hang wallpaper that is buttercup yellow or pink. Avoid turquoise as it is too overpowering for walls. The wallpaper should have a small design with a kitchen theme such as food or appliances.
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3
Buy authentic major appliances of the era. The refrigerators had a single freezer compartment on the top. The refrigerator compartment had two or three shelves along with meat and crisper drawers on the bottom. The door did not have shelves or butter or egg compartments. The stove was the only other major appliance in the 1950s kitchen, although large kitchens had a second oven placed above the stove.
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Rewire 1950's appliances, as they do not meet today’s safety standards.
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Install a white porcelain sink with a Formica back splash and Formica counter tops in one of the popular colors such as turquoise or pink.
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Decorate the Formica counters with chrome canisters and a chrome breadbox. An alternative to chrome would be aluminum flour and sugar canisters with a matching breadbox in a turquoise, yellow or pink fruit design. Toasters and mixers were also shiny chrome.
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Buy a chrome table with a Formica or enamel table top. The matching chairs should have stuffed vinyl seats.
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Decorate the table with a vinyl table cover, a shiny chrome napkin holder and glass salt and pepper shakers with chrome lids.
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Paint the kitchen cabinets buttercup yellow, turquoise or pink.
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Install a linoleum floor that is one sheet, not individual tiles. Put a throw rug in front of the sink.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not put knickknacks or any clutter in the kitchen. The 1950s kitchen was sleek and functional.
