Characteristic features of the style
Retro from Latin retro is a retrospective, that is, a style turned to the past. In the context of interior design, this trend covers the first half of the 20th century. But the classic presentation is limited to interiors from the 50s to 70s.
Since retro styles are a concept that directly reflects history, their types are subdivided by time:
- Fifties... In the post-war years, the soul demanded bright colors, and the boom in the passenger car industry that came during this period only added to the style of dynamics. Retro kitchens are characterized by bold color solutions: combinations of rich yellow, red, green, blue, orange look lively and energetic. Another feature is chrome. Chair legs, furniture handles, technical details should shine in the literal sense.
- Sixties... The atmosphere of these years was influenced by hippies: hence the floristic and geometric ornaments, which were used both individually and together with each other. Furniture of the 60s was used by design, it is distinguished by interesting shapes.
- Seventies... Disco is in fashion! During this period, kitchens appeared bar counters, and in the living rooms - coffee tables... The shades become more subdued, the decor more complex.
Embodying the retro style in the interior of the kitchen, one should understand: unlike vintage, where all things should be of the era to which the interior is fitted, retro can and should be stylized! That is, it is not necessary to look for a kitchen set from the 50s, you can order a new one, but made in a suitable design.
Although some old elements still add charm to the interior: for example, refurbished chairs, a table or a small bar cabinet.
Color spectrum
Colors for the kitchen are matched in accordance with the era: the 50th is characterized by acidic tones, the 70th, on the contrary, is muted.
The most recognizable combination is orange with blue or blue. But there are other, no less expressive duets:
- muted yellow with light green;
- turquoise with red or pink;
- red with olive;
- lemon with blue.
If you do not want the kitchen to look too bright, use a light (white, beige) base and small color accents typical of retro.
What type of headset should I use?
Vintage kitchen cabinets are recognizable: bright, with unusual fittings. In general, kitchen sets are not high, they were not made under the ceilingand the upper cabinets were quite compact.
Features of the retro headsets:
- sliding doors - especially often found on the upper modules;
- custom fittings: from wooden handles in the entire width or height of the facade, to chrome-plated large buttons or even cut holes in the doors themselves;
- narrow top cabinets - instead of one, 60 cm high, it is better to put 2 rows of 30 each;
- paneled, carved facades;
- inserts from embossed glass or plastic.
Most often kitchen sets were colored: blue, yellow, green or consisting of several shades at once.
But ordinary wooden ones are also suitable, which complement the stylish colored (scarlet, dark blue) or stone countertops.
Which finish to choose?
Creating a retro kitchen starts with finishing, and finishing starts with the ceiling.
Ceiling
Classic - white matte ceiling, obtained by the method of conventional painting. If renovations are made in a house with high ceilings, beams can be placed on the ceiling - parallel to each other or across, creating squares.
Walls
There are several wall design options:
- monochromatic coloring in a light or bright shade (typical for earlier interiors);
- wallpaper and tiles with geometric or floral designs;
- lining from the bottom to the middle of the wall.
Apron
Appropriate material in the work area - tile... As a standard, tiles of a geometric shape or with a pattern in the form of lines, triangles, rhombuses, hexagons are chosen. The color is selected depending on the environment: an apron can be an accent in a retro kitchen, or it can be a calm addition.
Floor
As floor covering tiles were also most often used: chess masonry of black, white details was often used.
Another classic solution is a tree. In modern realities, waterproof laminate, linoleum, PVC tiles.
Doors and windows
Deliberately modern models will be discordant with the surrounding objects, so look for antique variations. You can take a classic paneled door - white or wooden. Windows - preferably with wide frames and dedicated vents.
What kind of furniture will fit?
The easiest way to focus on the kitchen is on lunch group: A table and chairs suitable for retro style will help you achieve the desired effect.
- Tables: on thin legs, folding, rectangular or round. Round ones can be on one leg, like in a retro cafe.
- Chairs: wooden Viennese, bright plastic or chrome metal base.
In addition to the eating area, you can emphasize the desired image with the help of additional furniture:
- “lips” sofa or leather kitchen sofa;
- an unusual bar;
- aged wooden or metal shelves;
- separate island tables;
- dish shelves with holders.
The nuances of choosing household appliances and washing
State-of-the-art touch-control technology will kill the charm of retro kitchens, so home appliances must also match the era. Fortunately, modern manufacturers have refrigerators, stoves, and hoods that are styled after the mid-20th century.
SMEG has a wide range, but suitable models are also found in the assortment of Polaris, Bosch, KitchenAid, Gorenje.
Unfortunately, stylized large appliances are not cheap, so you can go another, more economical way: choose a classic stove, hide the refrigerator in a pencil case, and add coziness with various small things. For example, a coffee machine, toaster, kettle, mixer, blender - all family members will like them.
To decorate the dishwashing area, you can choose a sink from any material: from enamel to aluminum, built into the worktop itself. It is more important to pay attention to the mixer: in the middle of the last century, there were no single-valve cranes, so a gander with two lambs would look more believable.
What textiles and lighting to use?
Bright curtains tablecloths or paths, decorative pillows, towels and even carpets in the kitchen in the style of the last century are welcome, especially if the decoration is quite minimalistic.
Carpets are usually laid in the dining area, best of all convey the mood of a model with a high pile, but aged oriental motives are also suitable.
As for the light - it is always accentuated! Lamps, especially above the table, should be eye-catching with their shape or color. Designer chandeliers - an integral part of retro.
Features of the choice of decor and kitchen accessories
Retro kitchen décor is primarily functional. On the small kitchen it may be enough just beautiful dishes, looking out of the sideboard or standing on the table top.
Original decor is placed on the walls: a great example in the photo below is a clock in the form of an eye.
Do not forget about retro motives: posters from the 50-70s are always in trend. In combination with a retro finish, a rotary telephone or a tube TV is also appropriate.
Retro is not just a way of decorating an interior. This style is a time machine that allows you to immerse yourself in a beautiful, memorable era.