A sleek new kitchen with double ovens and double islands may not be a reality for many of us, but anyone from renter to rehabber can achieve a cheery vintage kitchen! Get inspired and check out the 5 simple tips for getting the look.
• Collection inspiration. Old soda bottles, dishes, glassware or fans: try displaying a collection in your kitchen for a touch of history.
• Put a skirt on it. Use fabric to replace cabinet doors or hide the plumbing under the sink. It softens the room and visually breaks up the space.
• Play with color. Whether bold or muted, mixed or monochromatic, a vintage kitchen has a happy, playful color story. Bake shop pastels or brights like turquoise and red are classic combos.
• Don't despair, distress. Let the age of old pieces shine, or make a new item a bit rough around the edges. A mix of woods and hardware just adds to the charm.
• In with the old appliances. Real or reproduction, vintage appliances are the showpieces of a retro kitchen. Not in the market for a Smeg fridge? Get the feel with antique egg beaters, washboards, or other vintage tools.
MORE VINTAGE KITCHEN IDEAS ON APARTMENT THERAPY
• New Uses for Vintage Pieces in the Kitchen
• 5 Cool Kitchen Collections
• Retro Kitchenware: Vintage & Newstalgic Finds
Image credit: 1. Love Made Me Do It; 2. My Home Ideas via The Kitchn; 3. CasaSugar; 4. Country Living; 5. Design*Sponge; 6. Home; 7. Eric Roth via Cynthia's Cottage Design; 8. Country Living; 9. Retro Renovation; 10. Houzz.
Jessica's Crafted Space
Ana Creates a Community at Home
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Ercol Bar Stool
True Greek Recipe: Paximadi Bread Salad with Tomatoes, Feta and Capers
True Greek Recipe: Paximadi Bread Salad with Tomatoes, Feta and Capers
Double ovens and double islands may not be reality for some of us, and it may not be desired by some of us, either. I love these vintage kitchens, especially the yellow countertops. But gosh, it would seem nearly impossible to cook anything in that last picture--I need prep space next to the range!
Here is mine. Sort of vintage - the appliances are 20-30 years old and just about everything is second-hand.
I love the huge farm style sink in #4.
My ideal kitchen would have one of these and tons of countertop space for prep. I never even use my full size oven, so I'd be willing to sacrifice space from that.
I agree. Double ovens and double islands are NOT on my wish list. Give me a little vintage kitchen with charm and I'm a happy homemaker.
Interesting to note that 3 of the 4 stoves shown have double ovens. You may get a double oven with your vintage charm where you want it, or not.
I've always preferred vintage kitchens. No. 2 is my favorite - very Swedish country.
Love no. 5!!! No. 9 was a labor of love for Pam from Retro Renovation and just perfect. These kitchens make me smile.
I just love these kitchens. Give me vintage charm over sleek modernist chic any day. Kitchens are for cooking.
love this! In my opinion simple is so lovely!
My favorite vintage kitchen is the one in "Six Feet Under."
Chalkware is nice in a vintage kitchen. Lots of nice pieces for walls on eBay and etsy.
EVERY SINGLE KITCHEN ABOVE beats the ubiquitous granite-island-with-stainless-appliances-and-glass-backsplash mess. Thank you for this refreshing collection!
my dream kitchen looks something like this
So curious about kitchen #5 -- used to think you couldn't adapt the vintage look to a galley kitchen. But this one works!
I am loving all of these kitchens!
Oh, my god, I'm in love! I am condo-hunting in downtown Boston and I am SO sick of open kitchens with ugly granite, stainless steel appliances, Home Depot cabinets, and those stupid islands with bar stools. These are dream kitchens! I'd do anything for a real pantry with original oak cabinetry.
what ElleMNT said!!!!
It's harder to make a 70's kitchen vintage/charming, but I'm working on it and gratified NOT to have a granite/stainless look.
I especially like the analog clock on my 70's black and white electric stove. Digital is without soul.