Ideas For A 1950’s Kitchen?
I’m remodeling my kitchen using a 50’s theme: I have the old appliances, stove/fridge (white) and dinette set (red table/white chairs) already. What type of lighting was used in this era? Recessed? I’m going to paint my cabinets (not sure what 50’s color), what kind of countertop should I use? Stainless? Of course I’m going with the black/white checkered floor and same color mini tile for the backsplash. Maybe I chrome outer edge of the countertop? What colors were the walls primarily- white with a hint of coor as the cabinets (50’s teal/blue)? I need help choosing colors being a single guy. I can’t match for shite. Any ideas I on what was popular back then I would appreciate!
Houses built in the early 50s had linoleum counter tops and floors. It was because it took a while after WWII for building production to get back in swing. Late 50s houses had formica counter tops with metal edges in the boomerang or virrvarr pattern. The cabinets would have been white enamel or natural wood. People were not as adventurous with color as they are now.
The kitchen usually had a round fluorescent light in the work area and an over the sink fluorescent with a valence between the cabinets ( think scallops) If there was an attached dinette it had a hanging fixture over the table. see the link for styleshttp://www.rejuvenation.com/rooms/Kitche…
If I were doing your kitchen, I would put a light gray on the walls, white cabinets, red counter top and black and white floor. Chrome pulls on the cabinets.
Have fun!
When I moved into my 1950s house 20 years ago, the original counter tops were still here. They we covered with the same, original, linoleum that was on the floor.
Needless to say, they were about the first things to go.
Formica was popular back then. Try to find a retro pattern with black red and white.
Lighting was pretty basic and not very pretty. Maybe you can find something with a retro feel that will still give you lots of light.
The cupboards were originally natural oak in my kitchen.
I don’t think I would put teal into the mix. And it was aqua/turquoise that was a popular color.
Good luck and have fun.
Remembering my grandparents homes, one home had recessed lightening and the other had a hanging lamp(s).
White was the chosen color for appliances as that’s all the appliances came in at the time. Both grandparents had wood stoves for cooking/heating. Boy haven’t we come along way. Wall color was a pale yellow / or wall paper of colors. Their floors were “pure” wood or linoleum covering the wood floors. Countertops – wood grain.
How Fun! This article offers some great ideas:
Unique Kitchen Decorating Ideas: How to Decorate with a Retro Diner Themehttp://www.associatedcontent.com/article…
Hope it helps
Yellow formica counter tops.