The Sneaky Way Trendy Retro Kitchen Appliances Could Be Dating Your Home

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Retro-style appliances can add a whimsical touch and a fun bit of color to your kitchen. But before you dive into creating a retro style kitchen, there's a trick for adding the appliances in a way that won't date your home. The secret is to have no more than one or two vintage kitchen appliances, especially if they're large appliances. Otherwise, instead of the look coming across as intentional, your kitchen will just read as old. For example, adding a either a refrigerator and a toaster or a stove and coffee pot in matching retro styles can revive your kitchen. But adding any more "themed" items risks looking too kitschy and dated.

Besides the rule for how many vintage appliances you should have in your kitchen, there's also a difference between retro that's trending and retro that feels outdated. Appliances that have a '50s or '60s vibe look fresh and fun to us today. The rounded shape, sturdy materials, and pastel colors like baby blue, lemon yellow, and light green can give your kitchen loads of character. On the other hand, '70s and '80s appliances, with their yellowing, boxy exteriors and wood veneers, can have a higher risk of appearing tired and old in today's modern kitchens. Of course, trends are always changing, so if you like the look of a certain decade, it's all in how you style it. That said, if your kitchen is already a bit old-fashioned, tread carefully with adding more retro pieces, since the goal is for your retro appliance to be an accent piece.

In addition to choosing only two "throwback" pieces, there are a other ways to approach the retro look without dating your kitchen. Truly vintage appliances are built to last, but they may require more frequent servicing due to their age — plus, their dimensions and cooking capacities may not work as well for today's oversized kitchens. Instead, invest in modern versions of trendy kitchen appliances, such as the SMEG 50's Style Retro FAB 28 Refrigerator. These current renditions strike a better balance between modern and vintage aesthetics. They can also be a smart move since new appliances are generally made with energy efficiency in mind, saving you money on your utility bills. Plus, new appliances are more likely to have convenient features like ice makers in a fridge or uniform heating in an oven. 

Whatever direction you go when picking retro appliances, make sure the colors work together in your kitchen's overall theme. For example, a crisp, minimalistic kitchen may not blend well with a colorful '50s fridge, but a traditional kitchen in a neutral tone may be the perfect stage to showcase a retro appliance. You can also consider trying out the trend by outfitting your kitchen with countertop appliances and smaller vintage kitchen accessories that are making a comeback. A standing mixer, coffee maker, or vintage toaster like the Mueller Retro Toaster is a budget-friendly way to see if the retro look enhances or overwhelms your space.