Give Your Contemporary Kitchen More Personality With This One Easy Change

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While there may be many kitchen trends being left behind in 2025, contemporary kitchens are here to stay. Alongside traditional and transitional designs, contemporary kitchens usually rank in the top three most popular kitchen styles. But while the open space layouts, clean lines, and the monochromatic color palettes of a contemporary kitchen are stunning, they lack one thing that makes the space feel like home — personality. There is, however, an easy and affordable solution to give your kitchen some character: Add something old. Even a few vintage touches will bring texture and warmth to the most sterile of kitchens.

For instance, swapping out your LED lighting fixtures for vintage ones, like antique brass or lantern-style pendants, will give your kitchen a warmer more lived-in feel. Kitchen hardware is another budget-friendly option to tackle, making the space feel a bit more storied. Replace the sleek handles on your cabinets with vintage-style knobs or pulls in porcelain or champagne bronze, like these highly-rated Eleet assorted ceramic cabinet knobs that would look stunning against white doors and drawers. Try thinking of fixtures in your kitchen like accessories They're small, but potentially transformative.

Contemporary monochromatic white kitchens are chic and many will never go out of style, but that doesn't mean they have to be cold or austere. There are so many more ways to add personality to your kitchen using a bit of vintage vibe. For example an anchor piece, like a vintage rug, is an excellent way to add a sense of coziness and a bit of color. Opt for an investment-worthy Persian rug for high-traffic areas like the kitchen. They're actually much more durable than many newer rugs made of synthetic materials. 

If your kitchen has an island or breakfast bar, look into swapping out boring, basic seating for retro-inspired versions, like the LOKKHAN industrial vintage bar stool. Seats like these can add a nostalgic touch. You can really go all in on the detail, adding even more character by displaying antique kitchen utensils — such as a wooden rolling pin and metal ladle — in a charming, vintage-style canister like the MacKenzie-Childs enamel utensil holder. 

Another option? Retro-style appliances like the Smeg 2-slice toaster would be the perfect accessory to your contemporary kitchen. Appliances like these add so much character to a countertop, adding rounded curves to the kitchen's super sleek clean lines. It's the perfect fusion of contemporary and timelessness. The best part? These appliances have a retro-aesthetic design, but offer all of the modern technology. 

By adding elements that introduce character and history here and there, you can easily make your new or contemporary kitchen feel more homey.