The kitschy kitchen decor style is all about everything retro. This means using light pastel colors, old-fashioned appliances, and fun, old-timey accessories to decorate.
To find these items, visit thrift shops where you can find vintage glassware, wall art, and coffee mugs with cool designs.
You could also replace your everyday items like your coffee maker, toaster, and blender with ones that look like they’re from the past to really get that retro feel.
What is the “kitschens” trend?
Kitsch kitchens are fun and not too serious, which is different from the simple and sleek kitchen designs we usually see. While modern kitchens are practical, many homeowners now want to make their kitchens more colorful and unique.
Kitsch style is inspired by the 1940s to the 1960s. It includes lots of colors and decorations from the past instead of modern, simple furniture. To me, a “kitsch” kitchen is lively and playful, filled with different and old-fashioned things.
How to create a kitschy kitchen decor
If you want to add some old-fashioned charm to your kitchen this year, keep reading for expert tips on how to do it. You can make your kitchen completely kitsch, or just add a few touches to keep it modern too.
If your kitchen already has modern, smooth features, you can mix in some of these ideas to make it more interesting without going over the top.
Bring joy above all else
When you pick colors for your kitsch kitchen, choose bright and energetic ones. Add lots of fun colors and different patterns to make the kitchen lively and playful.
You can use these colors and patterns in paint, wallpaper, curtains, tablecloths, and more. There are no strict rules with creating a kitschy kitchen.
I suggest using lively colors like electric blue, fiery red, bright pink, and sunny yellow. Also, use fun patterns like polka dots, stripes, or flowers to make things like curtains and wallpapers more interesting.
If you want to quickly add color to plain kitchen cabinets, another tip is to use peel-and-stick drawer liners and wallpapers.
They are easy to apply and can really change the look of your white cabinets. Try using bright and bold patterns for the best effect.
You can go all out with many colors, or keep it a bit simpler. Kitsch should look fun and mixed up, but to keep it from being too messy, stick to a color scheme that you like. This could be all one color or many colors, depending on what you prefer.
If you like this style, choosing many colors will really make a big impact.
Choose retro tiles
Decorating with tiles is a great way to give your kitchen a fun, kitsch look. You can make a big statement with colorful tiles on your kitchen floor or backsplash. This makes your kitchen stand out with a bold, playful design.
I suggest keeping your kitchen cabinets simple and neutral, since they are expensive to replace. Tiles, however, can be changed more easily if you decide you want something different later on.
It’s best to keep the cabinets simple and focus on colorful flooring or backsplashes.
For a really retro style, think about using big checkerboard patterns. When picking colors for your tiles, choose shades that are fun but still easy to live with. You might like the mustard yellows and harvest golds from the 1970s.
If you want something less bold but still retro, try a checkerboard pattern in a dark color like rich burgundy. This will make your kitchen look playful but also keep it looking classic for years.
Layer playful decor items
The most important step in making a kitsch kitchen is to fully use a mix of different decor styles. Decorate with vintage items that bring back old styles, and you’ll be on your way to nailing this fun trend.
Look for old treasures like unusual salt and pepper shakers or cute ceramic figurines to add old-time charm. Use bold items like a retro fridge or a unique light fixture to set the theme of the room.
Mix different styles by combining modern appliances with old-fashioned accessories, or blend simple and rustic items with modern touches.
Collect fun things like old cookie jars and unique teapots to show off on your shelves or counters. The kitsch kitchen is all about showing off your personality and mixing different things to make a space that feels both fun and nostalgic.
I also recommend using a variety of decor styles. This approach lets you get the look without having to redo your whole kitchen. If you like this style but don’t want to completely change your kitchen, start by adding some vintage kitchen items.
Use fun patterns
Using fun patterns is an easy way to make your kitchen look bold and eclectic. You can use checkerboard, floral, polka dot, striped, and geometric patterns. When you mix different patterns, remember to use different sizes.
For example, pair a big stripe with small polka dots or a large checkerboard print with tiny flowers. This helps the patterns look good together.
Add color in unlikely places
Even if your cabinets and main surfaces are plain, you can still add lots of color to your kitchen. Begin by putting a colorful rug on the floor.
Then, use fun kitchen towels or placemats, or buy bright dishes or glassware.
You can easily and cheaply change these items if you want, so don’t be shy about choosing bold colors. You can always switch back to plain colors if you decide you want a different look.
Decorate with accessories that look like food
The kitchen is the perfect place to show off a food-themed style.
Use accessories inspired by ingredients, like salt and pepper shakers, vases, candles, cups, and artwork. You don’t need many items; just one or two fun accessories can make a big difference.
Bring art into the kitchen
The kitchen is a great place to show off your art, even though it might not be the first place you think of. Choose some fun art pieces with bright colors and set them up on a gallery wall, a shelf, or against your backsplash.
If you’re worried about cooking splashes, use framed prints instead of canvases or original art, which can get damaged more easily.
Embrace the retro vibes
The kitschy kitchen trend is all about old-fashioned style. It includes pastel colors, vintage appliances, and fun, old-timey accessories. You can find things like vintage glassware, wall art, and coffee mugs with cool designs at thrift shops.
You could also replace your everyday items like your coffee maker, toaster, and blender with ones that look like they’re from the past to really get that retro feel.
Showcase your vintage collection
To create a fun, kitschy kitchen, start with bright-colored cabinets and appliances and add retro patterns. The best part is filling your shelves with old dishes and knick-knacks. The kitchen in the picture above shows a perfect example of this style, with lots of these special items.
Go to your local thrift store to find unique items, or bring down old dishes like grandma’s Pyrex from the attic to show off. You can even paint an old hutch to make it a great place to display these treasures.
You don’t need to buy a whole new set of vintage dishes—just a few special pieces can make your kitchen feel kitschy. If you don’t have open shelves in your kitchen, a vintage bar cart is another great way to display your things.
You could use it to show off your Pyrex, set up a fun baking area with old baking tools and copper tins, or make a cute coffee station with your stylish coffee maker.
Add vintage patterns
Using vintage-inspired wallpaper with bold floral patterns from past decades is a fun way to decorate your kitchen.
You can choose a boho, vintage style, or mix different styles that inspire you! Colors like pink, sage green, and orange are great for creating a fun, old-fashioned look.
Adding textiles like crochet or embroidered items can make your kitchen feel like it’s from another time. You can even make these items yourself to add a personal touch.
If you like to sew, keep an eye out for vintage fabrics at local thrift stores and flea markets. You can use these fabrics for window treatments, pot holders, and dish towels. You might even want to make a sink skirt to add to the retro feel.
One creative person updated a kitchen cabinet and used real 1970s wallpaper as a backsplash. This shows that even a small amount of pattern can make a big difference in creating a retro vibe.
You can start with just a little on an accent wall or backsplash to see how it looks. Using a matching color scheme helps highlight a collection of 1970s dishes and adds to the kitchen’s quirky style.
Think pink
It’s no secret that retro pink kitchens are becoming more popular. If you want a pink kitchen, you can add pink cabinets, tiles, furniture, and dishes.
Adding a touch of turquoise can balance the pink so it’s not too overwhelming. A muted checkerboard floor gives a subtle hint of a classic diner floor.
Imagine having a DIY pink booth that looks like it’s from a fancy 1950s nightclub, just like in Audrey Hepburn movies.
It would be exciting to have such a luxurious pink booth in your home! You can decorate this pink dining booth in many fun ways in a kitschy kitchen.
Instead of just pink, mixing mint and pink colors can give your kitchen a 1950s ice cream parlor feel. This combination is especially nice in a basement kitchenette. That way, you don’t have to change your main kitchen.
You can try out this retro design in a basement or in a small kitchenette area.
Use natural wood
The owners of this AirBnB decided to keep the original 80s cabinets. They refreshed the wood and changed the hardware.
Then, they added pink walls and pretty wallpaper from Anthropologie. To complete the look, they added an affordable Smeg-like appliance.
Now, the kitchen looks cute, warm, and welcoming. It’s a great example of how you can use what’s already in your kitchen to make it look nice.
Go green
You don’t have to stick to pink in your kitschy kitchen. Try using surprising colors and combinations that remind you of the past.
For example, there’s a recreated 1940s kitchen that looks like it could have belonged to someone’s grandma. It has a special touch with pops of red in the vintage wallpaper and decorative wall plates.
The owners of a beautiful 1930s kitchen worked very hard to keep its original look, and they did a great job! The owner, Rhiannon, shows off her impressive collection of antique kitchen items, from an old blender to jadeite spice shakers.
Every detail in this kitchen is beautiful and inspiring!
Transform your kitchen into a diner
Take your kitchen back in time and make it look like an old diner! All you need are checkerboard floors and Formica tables to get that 1950s feel.
This Brooklyn AirBnB has the perfect retro kitchen with a real Coca-Cola fridge and checkerboard floors. Remember, you can paint your cabinets any bright color to make them look more fun and kitschy.
Focus on the small details
The best part about a kitschy kitchen is that you don’t need a big remodel. You can keep the structure the same! You could change your backsplash and flooring, but sometimes just painting your cabinets a bright color is enough.
Adding small, fun details like colorful utensils, a retro breadbox, and different trinkets on the shelves can give your kitchen a vintage look.
Instead of buying an expensive Smeg refrigerator right away, you can start with smaller vintage appliances like a Smeg blender and kettle.
These items are more affordable and still add that retro touch. Even a microwave in a bright color works well—you don’t need famous brands to create a vintage feel!
But, getting a retro-inspired refrigerator can be a great idea too. It completes your kitschy kitchen and its bright color will make your guests happy.
When life gives you lemons…
Yellow is perfect for a kitschy kitchen!
You can add a touch of this sunny color by painting one wall with a lemon pattern or using bright yellow tiles for your backsplash. To make your kitchen even more cheerful, add a neon sign and some colorful dishes.
This yellow and red kitchen loves to show off its kitschy style! It’s filled with all sorts of fun items, like vintage signs, pretty cake stands, and jadeite. You can find these whimsical decorations at local antique shops and flea markets.
A kitchen with lots of yellow and pink will definitely have a kitschy feel. You can use tiles with sixties-inspired flowers for your backsplash.
Adding decorations like ice cream cone fixtures and junk food memorabilia might seem more 80s than 50s, but they still bring fun and color to your kitchen. Kitschy decor is great for making everyday life more colorful and enjoyable!
Add a bright pop of orange
Wake up in the morning happily with this colorful kitchen! The orange cabinets go well with the dark teal walls and highlight the lighter colors in the backsplash.
Dark blue works well too
Just because your cabinets are dark doesn’t mean your kitchen has to be dark too. If you paint the bottom half of the cabinets a dark color, you can paint the top half a lighter color. This helps keep the kitchen bright by reflecting light around the space.
It’s “mint” to be
For a gentle look, this designer decided to redo her kitchen in mint and pink. She painted the lower cabinets with Sea Glass color. For the upper part of the kitchen, she used a paint called Fluff. She even painted the fridge Soft Pink. These soft colors changed her once dark, outdated kitchen into a light and bright space.
Be bold with red
Adding a splash of red to the island cabinets matches the red drawer handles and creates a bold center of attention in this space. If you’re not ready for all colorful cabinets, think about painting smaller pieces as a good middle ground.
Add hunter green
Green is the color of nature and a great choice to bring life to your kitchen and balance out brighter colors. For a bohemian style, this designer painted her cabinets with Palmetto by Dixie Belle Paint and added gold drawer knobs.
These go well with her pink backsplash from the 1950s.
Add a pop of purple
Did the rug or the cabinet paint come first? It doesn’t matter which inspired the other because we love the color combinations in this kitschy kitchen. The purples, pinks, reds, and greens show a bold and fearless style.
Don’t be afraid to show off the colors you love!
More “Kitschy Kitchen” decor inspiration
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. If you need more ideas for your kitschy kitchen decor, here are some more to inspire you!
Conclusion
We’re happy that kitschy kitchens are popular again! We hope our ideas inspire you to create the retro kitchen of your dreams. The kitsch style isn’t for everyone, but if you want to make a cheerful and retro-inspired space, try out these fun decorating ideas from design experts.