Overall, the vintage kitchen is a welcoming space, where “raw” materials meet hand-made items and inherited objects, thus transforming themselves into personal and comfortable places.
Materials and decorations for a vintage kitchen remodeling
Thus, if you want plan to remodel your kitchen, the main elements that must be found in a vintage kitchen are: natural materials, textiles, warm colors, bold accessories. Solid, naturally “distressed” wood is the best choice in this case, whether it’s for a table, a countertop or a cabinet. The easiest way to incorporate some distressed wood into a vintage kitchen is to “steal” a piece of furniture from your grandparents’ home or find a good deal at a yard sale. Years and years of tear and wear will create the type of finish you’re looking for.
Another option is to check antique stores or flea markets, where you can find really awesome reconditioned parts, or to try and find something that only seems to be distressed directly at furniture manufacturers. Apart from the actual furniture, you can accessorize the kitchen with all sorts of textile decorations, such as: pillows, embroidered tablecloths, curtains, etc. In addition, natural decorations such as pumpkins, bell peppers or garlic, hanging on a string, will give the kitchen familiar touch, while natural stone, forged iron or wicker, but also flowers, leaves, chestnuts, pine cones or tree branches are elements that can be included in a vintage kitchen.
Color schemes suggestions for a vintage kitchen remodeling
Chromatically speaking, beige, green, brown, and pastel colors in general are the ones you have to look out for. To emphasize their charm, use blue, red accents (usually used in plaid combinations) or dark purple.
A traditional style, as is the case with a vintage kitchen, involves many “personal” items exposed in plain sight. Porcelain, ceramic pots, burned clay or copper items, wooden cutlery, paintings and photographs, all need to be integrated to obtain a genuine vintage style.
Unlike the classic vintage kitchen, you can opt for something more delicate, more feminine, the basic description in this case being “country-chic”. Fluid materials, floral prints, distressed furniture, and wrought iron elements are part of a vintage kitchen that draws inspiration from the French style.
What you should know about vintage kitchens
The approach to vintage style in the kitchen implies a return to the past. It’s a traditional, reinterpreted, bolder style. The presence of vivid colors – pink, blue, yellow, orange – is important for furniture, finishes and flooring, although the traditional style is maintained from a design point of view. For example, a mosaic is highly appreciated.
Moreover, floral or retro inspired wallpaper goes back to the ’50s and’ 60s. And for the vintage image to be complete, materials like copper have to appear either in terms of finishes or in the case of cutlery or dishes.
When it comes to vintage kitchens you will usually encounter contrasts. The furniture pieces must first of all relate to the aesthetics of the twentieth century, but classic reinterpreted pieces can also be found here. In vintage kitchens pastel colors prevail, sometimes enriched with strong accents. Typically, the floor is chosen in light colors, regardless if it’s a good old hardwood flooring, tiles or laminate.
In a spacious, vintage-style kitchen, you need space for a kitchen island and a dining place. It’s important that the room is well lit. It must have large windows, but also functional lamps that illuminate the workspace. If natural light is not enough, consider various lighting options, because you will need to have plenty of light for the work areas, for the dining area and for the overall ambiance.
In vintage kitchens there is no room for too many extra accessories. Countertops must remain free of clutter so you have enough space to cook or for prep work. On these surfaces you can store a few elegant items such as flour or rice dishes, small household appliances, potted plants, or kitchen utensils.
If you’re considering a kitchen remodeling, regardless which style you want to opt for, contact the Good Deal Remodeling team and we will be happy to walk you through all the steps and help you make the best decisions.