Retro kitchens are bright, nostalgic, and theatrical. It’s quintessential American, yet fun and whimsical. Particularly reminiscent of the 1950s era is the diner.
Diner is a friendly place. It’s a place you go to with your pals, or on a date. That’s why retro diner style is so great for the kitchen: it’s friendly and inviting, not to mention a great conversation starter!If you, too, want to decorate your kitchen a-la retro diner, the good news is: it’s easy. You don’t have to invest thousands of dollars in renovation. A few thoughtful details can create the diner atmosphere that will transport you to another time.
Perhaps, the easiest way to create diner vibe is to put in a checkered floor. You can go classic – black and white tiles, or choose a brighter color palette, like maraschino red and buttercup yellow.You can find these flooring tiles anywhere, and in different varieties – carpet, aluminum, linoleum, vinyl – and you can even install them yourself to save money, just find a peel-and-stick kind.Another retro floor option is to go with a retro material: linoleum.
Another way to give your kitchen a cool retro look is to re-paint the cabinets. Pick a color that doesn’t overwhelm the senses (mint green, buttercup yellow, light baby blue), or if you have plain wood cabinets, you can simply paint them white.The task of painting the cabinets yourself may seem daunting, but fear not – it’s all about prepping the surface. With a right degreaser you remove layers of sticky kitchen grime; then you sand it, prime it, and paint it with an oil-based or an acrylic paint.
If you’ve ever been to a retro diner (or any kind of diner), you know that Coca-Cola is one of the most recognizable trademarks you’ll see displayed everywhere: from huge neon signs to salt-n-pepper shakers.What is it about Coca-Cola that made it such an iconic part of American culture?
Is it the taste, the fizz, the rust-cleaning properties, the vague reference to cocaine?All I can say is: if it’s good enough for the Santa Claus and the polar bears, it’s good enough for me.So what that most people can’t tell the difference between Pepsi and Coke? Coca-Cola is Classic American, which makes it a must for any retro kitchen design.
I hope you make a lot of great memories in your new kitchen!
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