From Ace & Acme to Yorktown & Youngstown:
Our guide to 80 82 83 84 85 86 …90+ brands of metal kitchen
cabinets made after World War II
Most recently updated: Oct. 30, 2021
The product that started it all — the blog, that is: Vintage steel kitchen cabinets. I wanted to renovate my kitchen. Vintage steel kitchen cabinets entered my consciousness. I went on a five-year quest to find a set. Along the way I also obsessively researched how to put a 1950s-1960s kitchen together. When I was all done, it turned out so well that I started the blog to share what I had learned. In my cabinet-quest, I already had identified many brands of steel kitchen cabinets made back in the day. And in the years since — very often with the help of readers — we have identified 90+ different brands of metal kitchen cabinets built before, during but most after World War II — mostly steel, mostly in the U.S.
Will we make it to 100? Research continues!
Salesman sample video!
Then dive in:
90+/- brands of metal kitchen cabinets made in the U.S. — pretty amazing, huh!
- Ace
- Acme Metal Products Corp., Chicago, Illinois, as early as 1938 reference … 1939 brochure/catalog.
- See this story with photos of Acme sink base from 1948
- Admiral
- Alden
- American Kitchens of Connersville, Indiana. Parent company was AVCO Manufacturing Company, and the cabinets were produced by their American Central Division; part of a web of related steel kitchen cabinet-making companies, including Crosley. Great 1943 image here.
- Historic bones: Designed by famed industrial designer Raymond Loewy and his company. Faucets for the sink top that went with these cabinets still sold today!
- Six American-brand kitchens from 1953
- The unique American “Pioneer” kitchen with its birch doors, copper drawers — color-styled by (our) famed Beatrice West.
- I do not believe there was any familial relationship between American Kitchens and American-Standard Kitchens. These were two different companies in two different locations and with different cabinets designs.
- American-Standard
- 1953 American-Standard steel kitchens catalog
- “Standard” was the original or earlier name of the company (perhaps Standard merged with American? Need to confirm). See this 1938 catalog of Standard kitchen cabinets — in colors!
- Famed industrial designer Walter Dorwin Teague (second reference here) and his company had a relationship with American-Standard Plumbing fixtures; unknown whether they also consulted on cabinet designs.
- Ampco, Rosedale, Mississippi
- I believe these were the same cabinets as Regency. See entry below. The reason: The unique handles are the same source for comparison here.
- Art Metal Cabinets, Jamestown, New York, as early as 1938 reference
- Beautycraft Custom
- Made by Miller Metal Product, Baltimore. Yellow set here.
- Green set here
- Beauty Queen — a subsidiary brand of Toledo Desk & Fixture Corp., Maumee, Ohio
- We love their bathroom Vanettes and Lavanettes
- Label found by a dumpster
- Vintage set, in pink, spotted in the wild
- Belknap Hardware & Manufacturing Company
- Berger, made by Berger Manufacturing of Canton, Ohio, part of Republic Steel Corp. Predecessors were Berloys, and Bergers appear to have morphed into Republics (see separate entries).
- See my Berger Steel Cabinets for Kitchens catalog from 1949. This company was owned by Republic Steel. Berger steel kitchen cabinets may subsequently have been subsumed by Republic Steel Kitchen cabinets.
- Berloy, made by Berger Manufacturing of Canton, Ohio, part of Republic Steel Corp. A predecessor of Bergers, which themselves seem to have morphed to Republics (see separate entries)
- Blietz Construction, Chicago; maybe; (added per spotting by Jim, Sept. 2016)
- Briggs Beautyware
- An early maker with 12 colors as early as 1938! Made by auto body maker Briggs Manufacturing Co. based in Detroit.
- Capitol
- Columbia
- Cox
- Crane, designed by Henry Dreyfuss, I am pretty sure. I have a brochure from 1936, so this is among the early brands, I think.
- See this 1953 catalog from my personal collection.
- I also have a brochure from 1936 — need to dig it out.
- Dreyfuss shown in catalog next to new 1956 Crane steel kitchens, available in white and four colors, here.
- Crosley — also designed by Raymond Loewy
- Ellen’s search to recreate her parents’ Crosley kitchen
- Ideas for Dana and her 1953 Crosley kitchen
- Garth & Martha’s restoration
- Some history here: “…American Kitchens manufactured kitchen sinks, faucets, kitchen shelving, and modular kitchen base & wall cabinets. AVCO had purchased the Crosley Appliance Co. from its founded Powell Crosley Jr. in 1945. During the early 50s AVCO introduced their Crosley Kitchens line of metal kitchen cabinets and appliances. The Crosley kitchen cabinets were built alongside the firm’s American Kitchens products in Connersville.”
- Dieterich Steel Cabinet Corp., Chicago, Illinois — as early as 1933. .
- Dupont-Dulux — immediately recognizable for its distinctive streamline moderne design including its die cut sink base doors; probably an early maker. Unclear whether these were branded Dupont or whether that was just the paint finish; more research required.
- Elgin, Elgin Stove Company, Elgin, Illinois
- A very early maker, although their 1932 designs were not ‘modern’ — even still, important: reference. Also see this later reference photo)
- Eljer
- Frigidaire
- A photo I spotted online indicates this brand — also designed by Norman Bel Geddes, was first shown at 1939 New York World’s Fair. The photo also suggested that Bel Geddes designed Servel’s steel kitchen cabinets.
- GE
- A major brand of steel kitchen cabinets — and oh my, how GE innovated in so many related ways, too! I have quite a few stories.
- Geneva
- Precursor was Modern Kitchen Cabinets, both of Geneva, Illinois
- I have many stories about Geneva Kitchen Cabinets, one of the top-three brands
- I have original finish Genevas in my kitchen — they are what lead to the creation of this blog!
- Genesee
- Hallmark Custom Steel Kitchen Cabinets
- Manufactured in Wellsburg, W. Va.
- Harrison Steel Cabinet Co. — officially the “Harrison Radiator Cover and Steel Kitchen Cabinet Company,” 3718 W 5th Ave., Chicago, per a reader tip.
- Hobart
- Hoffman — but may be a Canadian brand
- Homart
- Hotpoint
- Aluminum kitchen cabinets introduced 1948
- I believe Hotpoint also had steel kitchen cabinets
- Humphreys Manufacturing
- J&L Steel, likely Jones & Laughlin Steel Co. of Pittsburgh, Pa., (thanks, Chris!)
- Jamestown White Steel Kitchen Cabinets, made by Jamestown Metal Products, Inc., Jamestown, NY (also came in Apricot, Aqua, Green, and Yellow)
- Jubilee
- KBC
- Kelvinator
- I am really thinking Kelvinator made steel kitchen cabinets — see the photo here and here
- King
- Kitchen Kraft
- Kitchen Queen — note, I do not think this is a brand — it is one of the Crane sink base designs that I spotted in my 1956 catalog. But I will leave it here from now just in case.
- Kelvinator
- Kohler
- Levitt
- Yes, as in Levittown!
- Lustron
- We suspect they made their own steel cabinets for their steel houses. Thanks, Jim!
- Lyon
- Leisure Made
- Majestic Stove Company
- 1923 source found indicating they may had “more elaborate cabinets” than just kitchenets or apartment alcove units — suggests there may have been an early “fitted” kitchen — need to find illustrations! Evolved from Powell, then into Murphy Cabranettes. See this story.
- Marvel Metal Manufacturing Company, Chicago, Illinois
- See 1950 catalog and info. Sold as Westline Steel Kitchen Cabinets by Western Auto Dealers.
- Midwest Mfg. Company, Galesburg, Illinois
- Miller Metal Products, Inc.
- Modern Steel Co., Geneva, Ill.
- Precursor to Geneva Kitchen Cabinets
- Montgomery Ward
- 1941 catalog of Montgomery Ward steel kitchen cabinets
- Later marketed as Signature by Montgomery Ward. Reference. May also have had a brand marketed as “Fairway”; manufacturer was Central Manufacturing of Connersville, Ind., a company involved in a web of connections to the steel kitchen cabinet industry.
- Morgan Kitchen Cabinet
- Morhand Kitchens
- Morton, of Libertyville, Illinois, beginning in 1942.
- Murray
- Murphy Cabranettes, made by Murphy Door Bed Co. and later, Dwyer Products Corp.
- Big story here — the earliest fitted kitchen I’ve validated so far.
- Likely an evolution of Powell and Majestics; then, evolved into Dwyer.
- Nationaline — although may have been made by another major manufacturer and rebranded Nationaline.
- Olympia Aluminum Kitchen Kabinets, Olympia, Wash.
- Made by Western Metalcraft / Metalware in both aluminum and steel
- Story here.
- Palace
- Palley Manufacturing Co.
- Paul (U.K.)
- Peerless-Mayer
- Powell Steel Gas Kitchens
- As early as 1919 — but may only have been kitchenets or unitized apartment alcove kitchens. Sold exclusively by Murphy Bed Door Co. and subsequently renamed Majestic, then Murphy Cabranettes. See this story.
- Puritan
- RCA-Whirlpool
- Regency, Rosedale, Mississippi
- Republic, made by Berger Manufacturing of Canton Ohio, which was part of Republic Steel Corp. Predecessors in this three-sibling family were Berloy steel cabinets and Berger steel cabinets (see separate entries).
- I have several stories about Republic Steel Kitchen cabinets, which seem to have been a well-advertised brand in the 1950s and likely into the 1960s.
- Reynolds — aluminum cabinets, possibly. reference
- Roberts & Mander Corp.
- S.M. Shower Door Co. — Bronx, NY. Catalog on its way to me 10/13/2020.
- St. Charles
- I have many stories about St. Charles cabinets. This was the creme de la creme manufacturer. St. Charles seems to have started in 1935 when it bought out Janes & Kirtland, maker of the “White House Line” steel “dressers”. Unclear whether Janes & Kirtland made unitized cabinets; see entry below.
- Sellers Kitchen Furniture, Elmwood, Indiana
- As early as 1939. Reference here.
- Servel, Evansville, Indiana
- This brand had a rare, museum-worthy feature. See my c. 1948 catalog.
- I also believe this brand of steel kitchen cabinets was designed by famed industrial designer Norman Bel Geddes.
- Sears — a manufacturer was Central Manufacturing of Connersville, Ind., a company involved in a web of connections to the steel kitchen cabinet industry.
- Shirley All-Steel Kitchens and bathroom cabinets
- Signature
- A brand of Montgomery Ward (see above.) Set spotted in avocado green in Walworth, Wisconsin.
- Standard
- Later merged with American to become American-Standard
- 1938 catalog including Standard steel kitchen cabinets here.
- Steel Kitchens Corporation of Waukegan, Illinois and c. 1933 relocated to Connersville, Indiana.
- Sterling – Jordan spotted this on his grandparents’ kitchen sink base. Not sure if they made entire kitchen sets, but will put in this placeholder pending further research.
- Stewart
- Swanco
- Thriftee
- Tracy, Tracy Manufacturing Company, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania reference
- Universal-Rundle, New Castle, Pennsylvania
- United Lifetime Kitchens
- United Metal Cabinet Corp./United Metal Box Co., Brooklyn
- Walters Steel-Fashioned Cabinets, Walters Manufacturing Co., Oakmont, Pennsylvania 1954 reference
- Westinghouse
- Westline Steel Kitchen Cabinets — sold by Western Auto dealer;
- See Marvel Metal Manufacturing Products, the manufacturer, story above.
- White House Line by Janes & Kirtland, St. Charles, Illinois
- Story here
- Importantly, Janes & Kirtland seems to have been bought out by St. Charles in 1935, although it continued with the White House Line for at least a few years. Janes & Kirtland was a longtime maker of ornamental iron and later, “steel dressers” in the vein of Hoosier cabinets. We’ve seen ‘extended’ dressers (1929), but still need to determine whether they made unitized cabinets (the subject of this Encyclopedia.)
- White Mountain
- Whitehead Monel
- Wood-Metal Kitchen Cabinets
- Yorktown
- Youngstown, made by Mullins Manufacturing Company based in Warren, Ohio
- I have many many stories about Youngstown Steel Kitchen cabinets — without a doubt the most popular brand ever sold in America. One of the stories says that at one time they had some 40 manufacturing plants across the U.S.!
Metal kitchen cabinets made outside the U.S.:
I have not tried to identify steel and aluminum kitchen cabinets made outside the U.S. in the mid 20th Century. But I’ve started capturing them as I see them, including with the help of our wonderful readers!:
- Anemone Kitchen Furnishings / U.K. — Brochure cover
- English Rose – aluminium cabinets / U.K.
- Galgo Steel Kitchens and Vanities — Mexico. See reference here.
- Hoffman’s Steel Kitchen Cabinets / Toronto — hmmm, sold in U.S.? I am not sure. Have it in both U.S. and outside-U.S. lists pending further research.
- Kirby / Australia
Note: In my compendium, I do not include companies that seemed only to have made single-unit items. That is, some companies made steel hoosier cabinets… some made only a sink base with sink… and companies like Dwyer made apartment kitchen combos. I don’t include these — I want to focus on companies that made complete kitchens with lots of mix-and-match models that you could order in bulk to fill out a typical family fitted kitchen. In this sense, I should probably not include Lustron on the big list above, as it was bespoke only for Lustron houses; I may take out of the list at some point — or perhaps make and put it into a supplementary list along with the other such units described in this section; pondering.
Trish says
Just adding this for your readers. This is on display in Youngstown, Ohio. https://mahoninghistory.org/2016/02/09/history-of-mullins-manufacturing-corporation/
pam kueber says
Hi Trish, yes, we were part of the chain that made the display happen! See: https://retrorenovation.com/2016/03/08/youngstown-kitchens-museum/
Trish says
Cool! I worked in the gift shop there this past Friday and finally got to see it up close Very nice!
pam kueber says
Cool!!!!
BoJack says
All of the cabinets and doors in our entire 80 unit apt building are Olympia Aluminum. We’re Obviosly in Olympia, WA, but it’s still pretty striking/impressive.
pam kueber says
Wow! Are the doors plain or do they have any decoration?
As I recall, Olympia is the only brand we’ve identified that was made of aluminum. We did a story on Olympia Aluminum here — https://retrorenovation.com/2011/06/14/our-74th-brand-of-vintage-metal-cabinets-olympia-aluminum-kitchen-kabinet/
Sam R says
Didn’t someone recently mention Whirlpool steel cabinets in a comment?
pam kueber says
They are under RCA-Whirlpool — see the follow up story today! –> https://retrorenovation.com/2016/04/12/rca-whirlpool-kitchen-cabinets/
J D Log says
Pam you forgot the Australian Kirby stuff I sent you
pam kueber says
Oh, I’ll have to go look! Thanks for the reminder!
Judy H. says
I have some American Standard in one of my bathrooms and in the kitchen I have Montgomery Ward. I had not the SLIGHTEST idea that this many brands were up for offer!
Jonny says
I have one in my laundry room with the original sales ticket for Maysteel Products Corp of Mayville, Wisconsin, although there is fine print calling them hospital equipment. That might disqualify it? 80 would be a nice round number! Was from an old farmhouse here locally, looks 1940’s era to me. I’d post pics but I don’t think I can do that in the comments.
pam kueber says
Wow! I will email you. Yes, I am not sure if it counts if it’s hospital equipment. This reminds me of Melita’s story — she used steel laboratory cabinets still made today in her kitchen — https://retrorenovation.com/2013/06/24/genie-scientific-moya-living-cabinets/
Carolyn says
Has it occurred to anyone else that history classes would have been a little more interesting if these subjects had been covered also? Personally, I’m a little nutso about history and every time Pam and Kate offer stories, it opens a floodgate of questions.
I’m hoping some of the UK uploads.
pam kueber says
Umm, I actually took down the uploader. It occurred to me I will have trouble monitoring it, given the way it works (don’t ask…) Sorry!
Shannon says
Can you tell me where the “steel is sturdy” ad came from? My friend who works in the steel industry wants a copy of it.
pam kueber says
Lucky for your friend, I put the whole ad in this story EIGHT years ago! Click on the thumbnail, it will enlarge onscreen. https://retrorenovation.com/2007/12/15/check-out-my-new-postwar-steel-forum-dedicated-solely-to-40s-50s-and-60s-steel-kitchen-cabinets/
Shannon says
Thanks a lot!
Stephanie in MD says
I have no clue what brand the steel cabinets in our rental home are. The house was built in 1946, the uppers have been relegated to the laundry room in the basement, and painted many times (looks like they were white originally, then 70s bright yellow, then 80s cornflower blue, and now creamy white), so any original labels are long gone. The base cabinets are long gone too, which I am sure were rusted out (or maybe there weren’t any and it was just a sink – it is a teeny tiny kitchen in a teeny tiny Tom Thumb house). I am hoping someone uploads cabinets with the same handles so I know what I have!
But, after 70 years, they still work like a champ, aren’t warped, no rust. Wish they still made steel cabinets.
Mary Elizabeth says
Wow, that is way more than I ever thought. But aren’t Sears and Homart the same manufacturer? I know the Homart tiles came from Sears. Or did they perhaps sell cabinets under two brands?
pam kueber says
I am guessing that I have them listed twice because they sold them under two brands.
ElectraChime says
Sears had scores of OEM manufacturers for their product lines. Still do. Kenmore appliances are made by Whirlpool among others.
Mary Elizabeth says
Thanks for chiming in, Mr. Chime! But I don’t think Homart products were sold under its own name, the way Whirlpool was and still is.
pam kueber says
I love the Homart sinks! There’s one in Lynne’s bathroom (pink, of course!): https://retrorenovation.com/2011/08/14/a-knotty-pine-pink-bathroom-channeling-marilyn-monroe/