The Roaring Twenties were a time of innovation and boldness, and the kitchen designs of the day implemented these trends. The 1920s kitchen design was vastly different than the homes of today. Kitchens were designed to be small and efficient, with a distinct lack of modern features. 1920 kitchens featured basic appliances such as a refrigerator and sink. In the early 1920s, gas stoves were popular, and electric stoves only began to become more common in the late twenties. Pantries that had begun to appear in wealthier households in the late 19th Century began to be more prevalent in the 1920s. The colors of the 1920s kitchen typically used a lot of light shades of buff, blue, and gray. They also included mild pastels, such as pink, lavender, and green. Kitchen islands were often the centerpiece of the 1920s kitchen. Many were custom-made for a particular room. 1920s Kitchen Design: Historical Overview
1920s Kitchen Design: Historical Overview
If you're looking to bring a little 1920s charm into your kitchen, there are plenty of ways you can incorporate vintage touches while still keeping your space modern. The key is to find the right balance of old and new. Here are a few tips for how to design a 1920s-style kitchen:How to Design a 1920s-Style Kitchen
How to Design a 1920s-Style Kitchen
The most quintessential kitchen of the 1920s was small, with minimal appliances and plenty of storage. This type of kitchen is usually referred to as a "galley kitchen". Galley kitchens are generally 5 to 8 feet wide and up to 18 feet long. They usually have a low ceiling, a long counter, and a single sink. Here are a few ideas for incorporating the quintessential 1920s galley kitchen design:1920s Kitchen Design Ideas
1920s Kitchen Design Ideas
Add vintage charm to your 1920s kitchen with vintage decor. Here are a few unique decorative elements that will bring the look and feel of the 1920s into your kitchen:1920s Kitchen Vintage Decor Ideas
1920s Kitchen Vintage Decor Ideas
If you're looking to give your kitchen a 1920s makeover, here are a few remodeling ideas that will capture the essence of the decade:1920s Kitchen Remodel Ideas
1920s Kitchen Remodel Ideas
During the 1920s, kitchen cabinets were often made of solid oak, with raised-paneled doors. Many cabinets were embellished with glass mirrors on the doors and flanking the sides. Oak was the most popular wood for making cabinets, although maple, birch, and cherry were also used. The style of cabinets changed significantly throughout the decade. In the early twenties, cabinets were typically Shaker-style or colonial-style, made with plain panels and shaker-style frames. In the late twenties, cabinets began to become more ornate, featuring molded panels, glass doors, and decorative hardware.1920s Kitchen Cabinets: Historical Overview
1920s Kitchen Cabinets: Historical Overview
Adequate lighting is important for any kitchen, but achieving a living, historic space is a special challenge and one best achieved through careful planning. With the right combination of lighting, you can make your 1920’s kitchen come to life. Lighting options for 1920 kitchens include vintage--style fixtures, such as pendant lights, wall sconces, and track lighting. For a classic 1920s aesthetic, use fixtures with soft shades of pink, blue, and green to create a cozy atmosphere. For a more modern look, look for fixtures with bold geometric shapes and bright colors.1920s Kitchen Lighting Ideas
1920s Kitchen Lighting Ideas
No kitchen is complete without a backsplash. The 1920s were a time of bold patterns and designs, and the backsplash is the perfect place to express your love for the era. Here are some classic 1920s-style backsplash ideas that are sure to make your kitchen stand out.1920s Kitchen Backsplash Ideas
1920s Kitchen Backsplash Ideas
Countertops and sinks were typically crafted from marble or granite in the 1920s. Marble was a popular choice because it was affordable and easy to clean. Granite was more expensive but had the added benefit of being heat-resistant, making it well-suited for use in the kitchen. Today, you can find countertops and sinks in a variety of materials, from laminate to stainless steel. Consider combining vintage materials with modern ones for a contemporary look, or picking a classic material for an authentic 1920s look.1920s Kitchen Countertops & Sinks
1920s Kitchen Countertops & Sinks
Due to advances in technology in the 1920s, appliances began to be more widely used in the kitchen. Refrigerators, stoves, and washing machines all saw improvements throughout the decade. Gas stoves and refrigerators were especially popular, as they were less expensive than their electric counterparts. In the 1920s, dishwashers were just beginning to become more common. Range hoods had fallen out of favor in the previous decade, but they were once again becoming popular in the 1920s. Toilets and bathtubs were also becoming increasingly popular during this era.1920s Kitchen Appliances
1920s Kitchen Appliances
Designing a kitchen in the 1920s style can be a fun and rewarding experience. Here are a few of the key design elements to keep in mind:Primary 1920 Kitchen Design Tips
Primary 1920 Kitchen Design Tips
1920 Kitchen Design: Retro Design with Modern Functionality
For many homeowners , kitchen design in the 1920s evokes a sense of nostalgia and a trip back in time; a time when kitchens were as much social gathering places as a place to prepare food. Despite the passage of time, many of the design elements that defined kitchen design in the 1920s remain popular, reflecting the timelessness of the style.
One of the hallmarks of 1920s kitchen design is the use of wonderfully bright colors, including blues, greens, and oranges. Cool grays and white, which tend to dominate modern kitchen designs, were rarely seen, even as a complement to brighter colors. Many 1920s homes featured wood flooring as well, rather than the linoleum or vinyl tiles found in many homes of today.
Functionality in a 1920s kitchen was a key consideration, and many elements were designed to maximize efficiency in the available space. Cabinetry was often designed with recessed doors and self-closing hinges to maximize storage options while display shelves for items such as cooking or bakery tools were used to add a decorative touch. Appliance placement was carefully mapped out, as there was often limited counter space around larger appliances such as stoves.
The design of the countertops in 1920s kitchens was also carefully planned. Often made of marble, granite, or durable laminates, the counter was carefully placed to create a comfortable workflow between stove, refrigerator, and sink. Lighting fixtures were also carefully chosen to provide ample lighting while keeping overhead installation to a minimum.
Achieving a Stunning Retro Look in A Modern 1920s Kitchen
The beauty of kitchens from the 1920s is that the style and design remains popular today. Between the bright colors, unique hardware designs, and a focus on great functionality, many homeowners are looking to recreate the look and feel of a 1920s kitchen in their own home. Fortunately, modern materials and appliances make achieving a stunning look much easier than it would have been a hundred years ago.
Bring Functionality and Elegant Simplicity to Your 1920s Kitchen Design
When it comes to creating a beautiful yet functional kitchen space, the classic design elements of the 1920s offer a unique and timeless look that can be married to modern amenities and materials. Knowing the basics about what makes kitchen design in the 1920s so popular can be the decision to making your kitchen look both functional and stylish for years to come.
