Decorating Your Kitchen With A 1940's Retro Theme

These days kitchen décor comes in all colors, sizes and eras. One fun way to decorate your kitchen is with a bit of 1940's nostalgia. Painted cabinets, glass knobs, and vintage linens combined with new appliances that have a retro look can give you a unique and functional kitchen.

You can get a great 1940's look without spending a bundle and still be able to fill your kitchen with some nice collectibles. Here's some ideas on how you can get a 1940's look in your kitchen.

Decorating

Colors

Decorating Your Kitchen With A 1940's Retro Theme

Some popular colors from this era include jadeite and a red and white theme. You can find plenty of vintage accents to fill your kitchen for either one of these color schemes. Why not start a collection of jadeite that you can display in open cabinets as well as use for dishware? You can jazz the place up with vintage wooden handle gadgets that are painted jadite and cream. If you are going for the red and white theme, there are plenty of red vintage kitchen ware gadgets out there and vintage linens can really perk up the place. Another advantage of the red and white theme is you can also add in a fruit theme on top of it like apples or strawberries.

I would leave the walls a neutral color - white of off white so that it does not detract from all
your great accessories. Linoleum flooring in a checkerboard pattern would be perfect.
Some color coordinated throw rugs can add a bit of color to the floor and pull it all together.

Lighting

Simple lighting is best. You can buy vintage ceiling lights and wall sconces if you want a
really authentic look. Of course you'll want to make sure you have enough task
lighting so some modern lights will have to be worked in. I suggest you make them as subtle as possible so they don't look out of place.

Window Treatments

Use vintage curtains for your windows. You can buy them with complimentary colors and great patterns.
If you can't find curtains make some out of vintage dish towels or tablecloths - you can buy tablecloths that have stains in 1 area pretty cheaply and then just use the good area for the curtains! If you are going with a red and white 1940's kitchen decorating theme, you might want to pick either cherries or apples as a secondary theme and look for curtains with those fruits in the motif.

Furniture

Glass knobs will really jazz up your furniture and cabinets and add an authentic vintage look. If you have painted cabinets in either white or cream, try the green glass knobs. Your table and chairs should either be a chrome vintage style dinette (you can buy these new and you can still get vintage ones as well), or a vintage wooden style table with enamel top. If you can't find either of these, you can buy any type table and hide it with a vintage tablecloth.

Accessories

Accessories for 1940's style kitchens can be found in antique malls as well as bought brand new.
Soften up the room by hanging vintage tablecloths and tea towels around. Chrome appliances go well with this look as do the retro style appliances you can buy brand new these days. And don't forget the vintage
breadbox and canisters - every kitchen had them on the counter and you can choose from chrome
or enamel in cream and green, or red and white to complete your look.

Decorating Your Kitchen With A 1940's Retro Theme

Lee Dobbins is the owner of A Kitchen Decorating Idea where you can get more ideas on how to decorate your kitchen on a budget .

Tips For Adding Color to Your Kitchen

Most families spend a great deal of their time in the kitchen, so why not make it more interesting and add some color. Even if you don't want to have a drab and dreary kitchen you may not know quite how to add the right touch. Here are some easy ways to add color to your kitchen and make it go from boring to beautiful.

Add Color by Dressing up Your Table

Decorations

One of the easiest ways to add color to your kitchen is to dress up your kitchen table. This may include a colorful tablecloth or placemat as well as colorful dishware. Adding a centerpiece such as flowers in a vase or basket is another great way to dress up your table and add some color in an instant. Look for colors that will compliment your kitchen but at the same time add some interest.

Add Color with a Backsplash

A kitchen backsplash doesn't have to be boring. Some people keep it simple with a neutral colored tile or laminate, but why not venture out a little and choose a colorful backsplash. There are plenty of different colors of tile and laminate that can be used for a backsplash. A unique idea is colored glass that has been broken up and placed in a random pattern on the wall. You can get a few different colors worked into the décor and have a personalized, one of a kind backsplash.

Paint an Accent Wall a Different Color

If the paint in your kitchen is a neutral color, then add color by painting an accent wall a different color. Choose a wall that is not completely covered with cabinets or appliances. Pick a color for the accent wall that works well with the décor of your kitchen. You can go for a matching color or you can pick a complimentary color and have the wall really stand out.

Take the Doors off the Cabinets

Taking the doors off your kitchen cabinets is a great way to showcase your colorful dishes and other tableware. You can also paint the inside of the cabinets a contrasting color to add some pop if you have neutral dishes. You don't have to take every cabinet door off, but you may want to choose between one and four prominent cabinets above the countertops as your "color cabinets."

Use Window Treatments to Add Interest

Most kitchens have at least one window so why not utilize the window area to add color. Choose a window treatment, whether it is a valance or drapes, in a color that will stand out. If you have a black and white kitchen, red or purple window treatments would be a great way to add color to the room.

Adding color to your kitchen doesn't have to involve redecorating the entire room. Instead use what you already have and build upon that to add your own touches here and there.

Tips For Adding Color to Your Kitchen

Leon Tuberman has been in the home furnishings and interior design industry for 40 years. He owns and manages a popular furniture store in California. They have a huge inventory of handcrafted Amish built solid wood furniture for your bedroom, dining room and living room. It doesn't matter whether you're shopping for a oak coffee table for your living room or a wood file cabinet for your home office then they have everything you need.

Western Decorating Ideas For Your Kitchen

If you are into the Western decorating theme, you can have a lot of fun using it to decorate your kitchen. In fact, you can take one element of the theme and go crazy with it. For instance, one Western decorating idea is to focus on a Western object like some cowboy boots or a cowboy hat. You can even combine elements and use both of them as your central decorating theme.

You can find all types of decor in the Western decorating theme. Try looking for cookie jars or other ceramics that you can sit out on your counter for an interesting effect. Also look for western themed curtains and light switch covers. One fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon is to scour the local antique shops for Western themed decor. You'll be surprised at the interesting items you can find! You can use browns, red, navy, or cream to pull in the Americana theme to the mix as well.

\"decorating Ideas\"

One great way to pull off the theme is to also look for accents made of unfinished wood. You can often find tables and chairs that actually look like they were made with unfinished logs. These are perfect for a Western decorated kitchen. In addition, you can use photo frames that look unfinished and put pictures of your family or of western mountains and hills in them. You can also find many items made from tree branches or logs as well as items made from deer antlers and items covered in cow hide (either faux or real!)

Another great thing to use is copper or black iron accents. You can get away with either of these. If you have a pot hanger over your kitchen island, you should try mixing both copper pieces and cast iron pieces. In addition, you can even use cast iron skillets or pans as wall decor and hang them accordingly. And don't forget pot holders, tablecloths and dish towels made with Western theme fabrics.

Try your own Western decorating ideas in your kitchen to see exactly what works for you and what doesn't. The Western theme is perfect if you love to constantly feel like you are the "Wild West" or in a log cabin. It can look great in any home if you are consistent with the decor. Using Western style accents on the counters, window treatments, floors and walls will help pull the look together and make you feel like you are rustling up grub for your cowhands on a Western ranch even if you are living in a modern city home!

Western Decorating Ideas For Your Kitchen

Lee Dobbins writes for www.a-kitchen-decorating-idea.com where you can get more ideas for decorating your kitchen.