9 Kitchen Color Combos To Nail The '70s-Inspired Trend

The 1970s were the golden age of bold interior design, with its deep colors, fearless patterns, and statement appliances. Every cabinet, tile, and countertop told a story and competed for the spotlight. Fast forward to today, when some of those joyful pairings are finally stepping back in the kitchen. These past few years, '70s interior home design has been making a huge comeback. After years of sleek, steel-heavy, and open-concept kitchen designs, burnt orange, deep browns, and olive greens are coming back in style.

But of course, we don't want to go straight back to our grandma's kitchen. Let's call it retro-inspired interior design instead. There are tons of home decor ideas that can bring back the '70s into your home. One place to start is with the kitchen, where some simple color combos can bring back that nostalgia.

And you can start small. Buy some lamps, appliances, or decor in those colors to evoke a retro vibe. If you'd like to amp it up, try painting kitchen cabinets in just one day for a splash of vintage. If you're more ambitious, try using some colored tiles, countertops, and flooring to match these 1970s color combos.

Nothing says '70s like bright orange. But while some modern homeowners might be wary of turning their kitchen into a full-on orange sorbet, there are plenty of ways to incorporate bright colors into a kitchen while making it feel lighter and easier on the eye. Start by pairing bright orange with white and wood. White won't add to the brightness of the room, while wood brings a grounding and organic touch to the combo. Use orange sparingly, like as an accent color on a few cabinets or with appliances like espresso machines or Dutch ovens.

Harvest gold and deep brown are a bold and nostalgic pairing that instantly evokes the '70s. To keep this style fresh and modern, let the gold take the spotlight on walls or textiles, while deep brown plays a supporting role through cabinets and furniture like tables and chairs. To make this more modern, add some greenery, which complements the harvest gold's yellow hues and matches the wood's earthy vibe. 

Blue and red create a vibrant, high-energy pairing that feels playful and classic at the same time. For this to work, try not to overwhelm the kitchen completely, and opt for small splashes and accents of color on a wooden or white base. For example, look for blue stools or chairs paired up with a red SMEG fridge. If you're worried that colorful fridges will go out of style soon, buy some cheaper and smaller appliances instead, like a toaster. 

One thing that you might remember from your grandma's home in the '70s is that we loved green. Green paint, green tile, green everything. While that monochromatic look screams retro, it's also a bit stuffy and overwhelming. To modernize it and make it your own, choose a much less saturated, almost pastel shade of green and pair it with wood counters and brass fixtures like sinks and knobs. By going lighter, you avoid making the room feel smaller, while brown and brass accents help it come alive with contrast. 

Can you name a more iconic color combo than light pink and baby blue? This color pair was already famous from the '50s to the '70s, especially in bathrooms. It's made it through the decades thanks to its playful, almost childlike energy that's perfect for a retro kitchen. To try this color combo, opt for light pink paint to cover walls and doors. Then, use baby blue as an accent color with stools, chairs, coffee machines, or other appliances. Another option is to get a blue Formica table paired with vintage pink utensils.

Mustard yellow and other yellow tones that lean toward green are a perfect fit for a '70s-inspired retro kitchen. Bright but cool yellows pair beautifully with orange tones, whether burnt and deep or punchy and bright. Try using mustard yellow on walls, countertops, or cabinets, and accent the room with orange appliances or some iconic orange '70s dishware. This will give the room a beautiful, nostalgic feel that's like a grandma's hug. 

Yellow and green are a great combo that can bring a fresh energy to a kitchen, while still nodding to the playful edge of '70s interior design. To keep this combo modern, opt for a lighter shade of yellow, paired with a darker but desaturated hue of green, like a dark pastel or a sage. This color combo pairs well with white and cream colors for walls or countertops, which makes it look youthful and clean while giving the eye some rest. That way, your colorful kitchen won't look like an overwhelming mess. 

Rust orange and deep aqua blue make an absolutely striking '70s color combo. Both are strong colors that are quite contrasting, but they pair very well together. Rust has that true vintage warmth that contrasts with deep and cool aqua blue. You can create this pairing by painting accent cabinets or walls, or with some tiles. For something more subtle, add this color combo to your kitchen through smaller touches like dish towels, dishware, and appliances.

And finally, is there a more iconic '70s color combo than olive green and orange? This pairing radiates vintage charm. Olive green is earthy and dark, and it balances out the vibrancy and cheerfulness of the orange. To keep this combo modern and fresh, opt for some smaller touches like orange retro '70s lighting ideas, such as wall fixtures and pendant lights. Add in some olive green through upholstery, stools, or appliances. Small accents, like wall clocks, vases, or flower pots, can also be used if you're just looking to give your existing kitchen a small and subtle '70s makeover.