Designers Are In Love With This Kitchen Trend That Combines Retro And Modern

While a minimalist approach with neutral colors has its place in the home, there's a new kitchen design trend that's taking over — and it's all about nostalgia. Inspired by the fun and eclectic designs, hues, and textures of the past, the "kitschen" trend (combining the words "kitsch" and "kitchen") adds a touch of whimsy and a pop of color to any modern, sterile space. This retro design style brings together quirky and eccentric appliances, textiles, and shades of color that essentially add personality to an otherwise plain kitchen.

Unlike the beige, cream, or eggshell colors found in "minimaluxe" designs, the kitschen approach takes notes from yesteryear with vibrant and offbeat details such as a vintage, candy-apple-red toaster, soft-pink cabinets, or a seafoam green backsplash. A big part of the popularity of a kitschen design is how bright and cheerful it feels to be among the range of exuberant details. Yet, it doesn't feel dated either. You can still have your modern comforts, but you're just adding some thrift shop finds and stylish retro appliances to give it a curated, playful look. Essentially, if it doesn't bring you joy, it doesn't belong in the kitchen.

Going retro doesn't have to mean giving your entire kitchen a complete makeover. Even small details can infuse your space with a bit of personality. That can mean switching to bolder, more colorful appliances with a retro flair (like a toaster, blender, or electric kettle) that come in bright colors, have a rounded silhouette, and feature analog knobs. You can also go thrift shopping or antiquing for vintage, functional decor, such as salt and pepper shakers shaped like farm animals, neon signs, or an adorable Kit-Cat Clock that brings an instant retro charm wherever you hang it.

If you prefer to take a bolder approach to the kitschen look, you have plenty of paint colors, tile and wallpaper designs, and hardware to choose from. Layering pastels in a wide range of hues, including pink, green, blue, and yellow, is a good option for walls and cabinets, but you can also go bolder with aqua, lemon yellow, or an intense red to get that nostalgic look. You can also play with patterns like polka dots, checkerboard tiles, or atomic starbursts for extra character.

As you can see, the options are seemingly endless. This is where you can dig into some vintage inspiration on Pinterest, in vintage cookbooks made by beloved brands, or by visiting your local antique shops. Of course, you can still keep the modern bones of your kitchen, whether that's your espresso corner or stainless-steel appliances, but you can also thoughtfully add vintage elements that bring personality without disrupting the layout of your original kitchen.