Vintage & Retro Kitchens

Updated November 2026

A retro or vintage kitchen borrows from the 1930s to the 1960s: soft pastel or two-tone cabinets, a range cooker, metro tiles, open shelves and simple brass or chrome knobs. The easiest way to get the look is plain painted cabinetry in a period colour, then let tiles, lighting and the things on your worktops do the rest.

The White Kitchen Company’s cabinets are made from solid wood with no MDF and hand-painted in any Farrow & Ball or Little Greene colour, so a retro scheme is easy to build and easy to change later. They are made in 10–12 weeks and delivered fully assembled, with cabinetry from £1,180 per metre including painting and VAT. Below are our tips, a scrapbook of vintage-style kitchens and answers to the questions people ask us most.

What is the difference between a retro and a vintage kitchen?

People use the words loosely, and most kitchens mix the two. As a rough guide:

Vintage and old-style kitchens

A vintage or old-style kitchen looks as if it has been there for decades: painted cupboards, a deep ceramic sink, wooden worktops, a dresser or open shelving and well-used crockery on show. It is softer and more traditional, and sits happily in period homes and cottages.

Retro kitchens

A retro kitchen leans towards the 1950s and 1960s: sugared-almond pastels, a coloured range cooker or fridge, chrome, chequerboard floors and a breakfast bar with stools. It is brighter and more playful.

Vintage kitchen tips

Choose your colours carefully

Pick a vintage colour palette, your favourite fabric or an old photo you love, and try plenty of sample pots before you decide.

Mix those pastels

Soft sugar pastels are hard to get wrong: mint, turquoise, soft blues, lemons, pinks and creams. Mix them with vintage crockery, utensils and enamelware. A two-tone scheme, with one colour on the wall units and another on the base units or island, is an easy way to make it feel retro rather than simply traditional.

Polka dots and ginghams

Don’t be afraid of a little kitsch. Polka dots or gingham on blinds, a sink skirt or seat cushions add fun without committing the whole room.

Black and white

Even if you don’t want much colour, a black and white chessboard floor gives you a classic retro kitchen with real impact.

Metro tiles and cladding

Whatever theme you are going for, metro tiles or tongue-and-groove cladding will give you a vintage feel.

Add a breakfast bar for an American diner look

A breakfast bar, a few stools and some chrome will give you that 1950s diner feel. If you have room, an island with seating on one side does the same job.

Lights

Plain enamel or stainless steel pendants and ribbed glass both work well. Clear jam-jar lights add interest too.

Mixers and bread bins

Leave enamel mixers, bread bins and tins out on the worktops. They should be seen, so use them as part of the decor.

Add some signs

Vintage signs are an easy way to bring in your own personality.

Glass-fronted cupboards

Add a few glass-fronted cupboards to show off glassware and china.

Choose plain units and change the handles

Use our simple Shaker kitchen units for a clean base, then add vintage-style knobs and cup handles. Our guide to vintage kitchen cabinet hardware goes into more detail.

How to choose vintage kitchen cabinets

The cabinets are the part of a vintage kitchen you live with longest, so it is worth getting them right before you think about accessories.

Pick a door style that suits the era

Simple framed doors suit most vintage looks. Our in-frame styles, from the plain Shaker to our Period English furniture, give the traditional look where the door sits inside the cabinet frame.

Go for a painted finish you can change

Because our solid wood kitchen cabinets are hand-painted, they can be repainted later and the handles swapped, so you can move from pastel retro to something calmer without replacing the kitchen. We paint in any Farrow & Ball or Little Greene colour and can colour-match other shades for a small charge.

Think about freestanding pieces

Old kitchens were rarely fully fitted. A dresser, a larder cupboard or a butcher’s block makes a kitchen look collected over time. See our freestanding and unfitted kitchens and our larder cupboards.

Check what is behind the paint

A vintage kitchen should last. Ours use no MDF, MFC or chipboard: Paulownia carcasses, beech frames and doors, poplar panels and solid oak dovetailed drawers. They are made in 10–12 weeks and delivered fully assembled.

How much does a vintage-style kitchen cost?

Our cabinetry starts from £1,180 per metre for our Cottage range, £1,818 for Town House and £2,372 for Manor House, including painting and VAT. The total depends on the size of the room, the number of units and the worktops and appliances you choose. See our kitchen prices or read our guide to what a bespoke kitchen costs.

Frequently asked questions

What makes a kitchen look retro?

A kitchen looks retro when it has pastel or two-tone painted cabinets, a coloured range cooker or fridge, metro tiles, a chequerboard floor, chrome or enamel details and a breakfast bar. You don’t need all of them: two or three, done well, are enough.

What colours suit a vintage kitchen?

The classic vintage kitchen colours are soft blues, mint and sage greens, pale pinks, lemon and creams. Pair them with white tiles and warm wood worktops.

Can I have a vintage kitchen with modern appliances?

Yes, a vintage kitchen can have modern appliances. Built-in appliances can sit behind painted doors, and a retro-style fridge or range cooker can be the one piece that sets the tone.

How do I make a new kitchen look old?

To make a new kitchen look old, use framed, painted doors, mix in freestanding furniture such as a dresser, choose traditional handles, and keep some open shelving for everyday crockery.

Can I see vintage-style kitchens in person?

Yes. You can see The White Kitchen Company’s hand-painted kitchens at its showroom in Pitsford, Northampton, book a home visit or talk it through on a phone consultation. Browse our kitchen project gallery first for ideas.