20 Nostalgic Kitchen Décor From The '60s & '70s That Instantly Brings Back All The Good Vibes

When you want to give your kitchen a dose of positive energy, you only have to take a step back to the '60s and '70s. It was a time when kitchens were unafraid and unapologetic. Earthy colors coexisted with splashes of orange and mustard yellow. Bringing these nostalgic elements back into your kitchen can spark memories of simpler times: Sunday dinners in the dining room, the bring-bring of a rotary phone, or the sound of a scratched record jumping on the player. Similarly to today's open floor plans, kitchens didn't have as many walls as they did in earlier decades. They were extensions of the living and dining rooms — and so was the decor.

Kitchens in the 1960s boasted quirky colors like oranges and lime greens. It was an era of more functional spaces designed with family cohesiveness in mind. By the 1970s, earthier hues had replaced that '60s glow. Harvest gold and avocado green are colors that define the decade. A commonality was bursts of color, texture, and oodles of personality. During the '60s and '70s, décor was the star of the kitchen — think bold wallpaper patterns under a globe pendant light, or sunburst clocks that embodied the energy of the era. Even ordinary items, like spice racks, bread boxes, and cereal canisters could double as functional decorations. Today, you can refresh your kitchen by adding texture, retro character, and the defining radiant glow of the mid-century.

Although sunburst clocks, uh, burst onto the scene in 1949, their popularity trickled into the later mid-century. Part good looks and part functional, this clock's bright design and metal hands bring a retro feel to any kitchen. Some vintage designs will set you back several hundreds of dollars, but you can find a plethora of replicas that are much more affordable, like this Handmade Atomic Starburst Design Wall Clock for a bit under $22, making it easier to bring one into your home.

Subtlety was not something wallpaper designers in the '60s and '70s were known for. With such daring patterns as big florals and geometric shapes, paired with bright, happy colors, like orange, yellow, and green, kitchens looked far livelier than they do today. Bringing back this iconic look in your kitchen is an easy way to give it a nostalgic vibe. Peel-and-stick wallpaper options, like this Spoonflower Retro Floral Peel & Stick Wallpaper, make installation a breeze and way less messy than traditional wallpaper. Be sure you know the trick to smoothing out wallpaper creases, though, just in case.

Built-in breakfast booths were a hit in kitchens in the '60s and '70s. These comfy spots made family meals, morning coffee, and late-night talks feel extra special. Back in the day, these seats were typically made from vinyl that your legs stuck to on hot days. Today, you can find modern versions constructed from fabric, leather, wood, and other, more natural materials that don't pull at your skin when you stand up.

When you want shiney bling in your kitchen, vintage beaded fruit delivers. They were made by covering fake styrofoam fruit, like apples, grapes, strawberries, or bananas, with small, bright beads that bounced off the lights like a disco ball. Whether you put them in a bowl or clustered in a pile, they make kitchens feel more sparkly. Gaudy? Sure, But these delightful beaded fruits know how to bring those '70s vibes.

If you grew up in the '70s, chances are you made your fair share of latch-hook creations. Once you got the hang of constructing these shaggy craft items, you could make wall hangings, seat cushions, and even small rugs that brought so much color and fun to a kitchen. You can skip the homemade part and buy the finished product on handmade seller sites like Etsy. If you do want to make your own, try this Yoolooky Wildflower Latch-Hook Rug Kit.

Back in the '70s, an electric can opener felt like a futuristic tool. If you walked into almost any home during that time, one would be proudly displayed on the kitchen countertop like décor. They typically came in colors like avocado green or harvest gold to match that of other, larger appliances. Electric can openers still exist, but the modern versions are sleeker, with more streamlined profiles. Some are even small enough to fit in a drawer.

You could fill your kitchen with iconic designs from the 1970s, but nothing would scream retro as much as Corningware dishes. It's relatively easy to get your hands on these super cool designs — like our favorite, the 1975 Country Festival pattern, which features brighter colors than most. There are more recognizable, commonly found designs like Blue Cornflower, Garden Harvest, and Spice of Life, too. There are also valuable vintage Pyrex pieces to look out for at thrift shops and estate sales.

Bread boxes weren't invented in the '70s, but the mid-century versions definitely boasted a certain profile that has become iconic. These metal and enamel bread boxes were made to be seen on kitchen countertops, and boasted colorful patterns to make sure that was the case. Other varieties were made out of wood with an accordion-style lid. You can find them at antique or thrift stores. Use them in the same way your grandmother did over 50 years ago: to store bread and keep it fresher longer.

Amber drinking glasses were common in kitchens and dining rooms in the '70s, but their popularity extends further back in time. While it's not the best idea to use authentically vintage amber glassware for drinking since it's known to contain lead, you can grab vintage-inspired glasses that are guaranteed safe from high-end homewares stores like West Elm and Williams Sonoma. They'll add nostalgic ambiance without risking your health.

Macrame is a staple in boho home décor. You can add a '70s boho vibe to your kitchen by using macrame hangers to display a dainty vining plant. It's guaranteed to add a dash of life and texture to any cooking space. These hand-knotted, woven hangers are great for hanging ferns, pothos, or spider plants in a sunny window. Plus, if your plants are hanging in a place you visit multiple times a day, you're less likely to forget to water them.

Back in the '60s and '70s, you'd often find a rotary phone in the kitchen, either hanging on the wall, sitting on a counter next to a notepad and pen, or constantly held up to the ear of a teenager. It had a spinning dial that took an excessively long time to operate compared to today's instant-touch devices. They're still around today — a Sangyn Rotary Landline Phone is a vibrant (and functional) way to up the retro factor in your kitchen.

Globe pendant lights were a popular feature in '70s kitchens. They gave a soft, futuristic feel to the room. Their basic round shape made them feel modern but classic, whether they hung over a breakfast nook or in the middle of the kitchen. Globe lights are simple yet ooze style and fit effortlessly into any home design. Don't be afraid to try this stunning DIY pendant light idea to brighten up your space — or buy them if you're not crafty.

Throughout history, cats have been a favorite animal to replicate in art and home décor. From the 1950s through to the 1970s, atomic cats remained a popular mid-century accent. They featured a futuristic look with sharp lines, pointy ears, big tails, and a body not unlike a bowling pin. If you're a fan of felines, you can find this modern decorative feature that pays homage to kitties on cutting boards, lamps, and sculptural metal wall decor.

Long before pantry organizers allowed you to hide your spices, people used to display them on their walls for everyone to see. It was usually hung somewhere close to the stove or countertop, so busy cooks could reach the spices when making their favorite casseroles. You don't even need to use it to hold spices. Just having it in your kitchen is all you really need to capture that '70s vibe.

Embrace the earthly, laid-back look the 1970s brought us with natural fiber kitchen décor. You can grab vintage items like oversized rattan fruit baskets to store your cooking utensils or nifty wicker bar stools to sit on while you eat. The great thing about wicker and rattan is that they go with any kitchen style. Remember, a few vintage-y imperfections bring oodles of character to a room.

Mushroom motifs are the quintessential kitschy '70s kitchen décor. The nature-inspired themes and earthy colors could be found on everything from Sears ceramic jars and canisters to salt and pepper shakers and trivets. Whether hand-painted or mass-produced, mushrooms bring an element of nostalgic whimsy and happiness to modern kitchens. We adore the funky edge a fungi cookie jar brings to kitchens, along with a functional place to store treats.

Decorative ceramic cookie jars have been in American kitchens for decades. In the 1960s, cookie jars featured the decade's most popular products and adorable characters or celebrated momentous events. Sitting on top of kitchen counters and bringing a colorful aesthetic to the room, some cookie jars were purely decorative, while others safely stashed homemade cookies. Expensive vintage cookie jars that are worth looking out for when thrifting include Brush Pottery Company novelty jars, Glen Appleman Automobile cookie jars, and the aforementioned mushroom jars.

Kitchens in the 1960s featured its fair share of practical ceramic décor. From cookie jars to utensil holders shaped like fruit, people, or animals, these unique ceramic designs added character to such a practical space. They typically featured bold glazes and rich colors you can't miss in a kitchen. Today, you can find these quirky vintage treasures at thrift stores and online estates sales.

Art with abstract designs could be found hanging on kitchen walls in lots of home in the 1960s. That's because abstract art boasted the bright colors, geometric shapes, and flowing designs that could turn plain walls into eye-catching centerpieces. Whether we're talking a framed print with orange and brown hues or a textured canvas full of motion, abstract art gave kitchens a modern feel well before it was cool.

During the '60s, furniture was functional. Enter drop-leaf tables. They were small enough to fit in a family kitchen breakfast nook, but with the fold-down sides, it could quickly shift into a dining table that could seat guests. These nifty tables were usually made of solid wood with rounded edges and simple shapes, so they were great for do-it-all kitchens back then — and even today.