Fashions come and go, but no part of the home has changed more in the past 100 years than the kitchen. Long gone are the days of waiting for the ice man and cooking on a coal stove—at least, we think so.
Here, we take a look at kitchen trends from the past and how cooking spaces have changed – or, in some cases, stayed the same at all.
1900s-1920s
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Kitchens as we know them today really only came into their own in the early 20th century, when running water became commonplace in homes. During this time, kitchens only had a stove and a sink. The rest of the kitchen was a mishmash of different pieces of furniture pieced together to create storage and workspace, so no two kitchens were alike.
It's worth noting that there were no modern refrigerators. Instead, people had iceboxes, which were basically insulated cabinets with space to put giant blocks of ice to keep food cold. The ice was delivered by icemen, and people tended to buy it daily for their groceries, rather than buying it in bulk like today.
1930s
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Despite the dark days of the Great Depression, 1930s kitchens remained bright, shiny, and fun, but people began to look for efficiency. With a new emphasis on streamlined, standardized cabinetry, companies began manufacturing standard cabinets so that countertops could be built to a consistent height. People even incorporated the new gas ranges and sinks into the cabinetry rather than leaving them as separate objects.
(Note: All details and prices are accurate at the time of publication but are subject to change.)
1940s
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Kitchens of the 1940s were characterised by an emphasis on sophistication, reflecting the changing times and out of necessity as World War II raged in the background. Kitchen appliances such as electric stoves and refrigerators were experiencing technological leaps and eventually became commonplace.
Aesthetically, kitchens remained simple and minimalist, but people began to treat practical items as décor, such as decorative storage containers and brightly colored small appliances on the counter. Bold colors, especially red and blue, were popular, bringing a patriotic feel to the kitchen.
1950s
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The 1950s kitchen was undeniably iconic, a post-war, candy-colored daydream. As young families began to move to the suburbs and a new housing boom brought renewed attention to the kitchen as the space where many women would spend their days. Kitchens not only needed to be modern and functional, but comfortable and stylish as well.
Meanwhile, the steel industry turned to manufacturing cabinets and appliances as a way to utilize now-defunct steel mills and factories, and pastel-painted steel cabinets became popular. Not only that, but newly developed materials like Formica could even be used to match countertops to the cabinets. Stylistically, it was still relatively sleek and geometric, but the bubble-shaped appliances that became popular during the decade lent a certain cheeriness that we still associate with today's retro kitchens.
1960s
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The 1960s became more casual and free-spirited, and kitchens were designed to easily connect to dining rooms and sometimes had eat-in nooks or breakfast bars, promoting a culture of hospitality. Although many kitchen appliances were introduced (such as dishwashers), the 1960s was the first decade to see more aesthetic, rather than technological, change.
As wood cabinets became more affordable, steel cabinets fell out of fashion and kitchens began to take on warmer, richer hues. People often complemented this new richness with bright accessories and wallpapers to add more personal touches.
1970s
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Welcome to the 1970s, a time filled with knotty pine and those soothing harvest tones you know and love. While everyone wanted the modernity and convenience of new technology like the microwave, they also wanted to retain the homey feel of their parents' and grandparents' kitchens with the warmth of wood in cabinetry, wall paneling and other furniture and decor items.
People were keen to incorporate texture and pattern, often opting for tile backsplashes and embossed linoleum floors. Colourful cookware and kitchen accessories made it easier than ever to add a personal touch to the kitchen, harking back to the kitsch of the 1940s.
1980s
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Like hairstyles, kitchens in the 1980s were big and luxurious. As more women worked full-time, kitchens became more of a family gathering place rather than a domestic space. This is when we started to see open floor plans with spacious islands and breakfast bars overlooking the spacious suburban living spaces.
A more integrated kitchen also meant a more neutral color palette, with white-and-beige counters and matching tile or Formica countertops. Perhaps the most famous (and now-loathed) trend of the 1980s was Euro-style cabinetry, with white laminate fronts and a light-toned wood band at the top that served as an integrated handle. You might remember this style from the shabby apartment you rented in your early 20s.
1990s
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While the 1990s continued the neutral palette of the 1980s, the overall aesthetic shifted from polished to shabby chic. Whitewashed cabinets with more decorative paneling, country-style ceramic tile, and wood cabinetry created a warmer feel, while many homeowners took cues from professional kitchens, with clean countertops, larger refrigerators, and gas ranges becoming popular.
Another new material was granite, which became a staple for durable, natural countertops and was often seen in dark tones contrasted with lighter color schemes. But perhaps the most iconic trend of the 1990s was sponging beige and yellow paint onto walls to create the look of stucco.
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2000s
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A new century is upon us, and with it a new aesthetic. The rise of design TV channels like HGTV has led people to pay more attention to kitchen design and trends. While wooden cabinets and large appliances remain popular, stainless steel appliances really took off in the 2000s, and dark wood cabinets, like cherry, helped balance out a more industrial look.
Rather than sticking to basic neutral colors, high-contrast kitchens that paired light cabinetry with dark granite countertops were also popular. Another popular combination that seems to have been carried over from the Italian rustic sponge-painted stucco look was the Tuscan-style kitchen, with its heavy use of deep reds and tans.
2010s
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And then we come to the final decade. Though it wasn't that long ago, there are still plenty of standout trends from the 2010s. Reclaimed wood floors, subway tile backsplashes, farmhouse sinks, and brass hardware were incredibly popular, lending a timeless, vintage appeal. Neutral tones were common, but people favored cooler colors like grays and blues with contrasting navy accents.
While stainless steel appliances are still pretty popular, panel-ready appliances and less obvious gadgets like microwave pull-outs and under-cabinet lighting are also growing in popularity to create a more streamlined kitchen. But perhaps the most memorable trend of the 2010s is the rise of the Instagram-worthy kitchen jungle, and it's a trend that doesn't look like it's going to stop anytime soon.
What will the new decade bring? Only time will tell. Maybe we'll see more companies leaning into the retro appeal of appliances like Smeg, or maybe we'll see a comeback in cool wallpaper and wood paneling. Whatever happens in the next few years, there are some trends we just hope are a thing of the past (looking at you, European-style cabinets). What have been your favorite kitchen trends of the past?
