How to Remodel a 1940's Kitchen

Consider incorporating cherries into your 1940's kitchen remodel.

The decorating style of the 1940s allowed for bold, bright colors. When remodeling your 1940’s kitchen, consider implementing your favorite bold color into your kitchen. Consider shopping local consignment shops for vintage artwork and decorative display items for your kitchen remodel. You do not have to change your appliances when designing your 1940’s kitchen; instead think about colors, vintage items and bold patterns. Allow your imagination to guide you during your remodel, but take into consideration the kitchen was typically the most used room in the home during this era and plan accordingly.

Things You'll Need

• Linoleum flooring
• Tape measure
• Flooring adhesive
• Interior semi-gloss paint
• Glass knobs
• Screwdriver
• Kitchen linens

Instructions

1. Consider laying linoleum flooring in your kitchen. Measure your kitchen with your tape measure and take these measurements with you when you purchase your flooring from your hardware or flooring store. These measurements will ensure that you purchase enough flooring to cover your floor. Typically, 1940s kitchens had linoleum flooring. You may wish to purchase linoleum in a bright red or bold blue color to complement your kitchen design. Install the flooring according the manufacturer’s directions.

2. Implement either fruit or gingham patterns into your 1940s kitchen theme. Fruit, such as cherries, commonly decorated a 1940's kitchen and you may also want to implement gingham into your kitchen design. Purchase accessories for your kitchen in your chosen theme (cherries or gingham). You may wish to purchase red and white cherry curtains or blue and white gingham curtains. Consider purchasing your small kitchen appliances in the matching color--for example, a red blender.

3. Incorporate navy blue, cherry red, sunny yellow or kelly green into your kitchen, recommends the Retro Kitchen website. Kelly green dishes frequently adorned kitchens of the 1940s with a red and white kitchen theme. If you decide to go with a blue and white kitchen theme, purchase dishes in a sunny yellow color instead.

4. Paint your kitchen cabinets with your interior paint and paintbrush. Kitchens of the 1940s commonly had painted cabinets. Remove all items from the cabinets and allow ample time for the cabinets to dry before returning items (consult the paint package instructions for recommended drying time). Paint the cabinets in a color that complements the theme you decided on for your kitchen.

5. Replace your kitchen cabinet knobs. Unscrew them with a screwdriver and screw on the new glass knobs. Glass knobs radiate 1940’s charm.

References

• The Retro Kitchen: 40’s and 50’s Kitchen
• Home Designing: Retro Kitchen Design Sets and Ideas
• Gallimauphry: Decorating Forties Style