If you’ve landed on this page, I bet the kitchen in your mid century or older house needs some TLC. Use this page as a gateway to help you find what you need — from new flooring and counter tops… to new sinks… to faucets and refrigerators… to hardware … and much more… we are continuously scoping the products (old and new) that can help you renovate, remodel and decorate your retro kitchen in authentic vintage style. — Pam
Research on specific products you might need in your mid century kitchen remodel are likely organized in one of these categories:
- Cabinets — including new, vintage, repainting, cleaning
- Counter tops — from boomerang to linoleum to cleaning up
- Flooring — also a very popular topic
- Sinks and faucets — new sinks, re-porcelaining, cleaning… and lots of faucet research. I have done a lot of research on drainboard sinks — get to all my resources here.
- Cabinet hardware— knobs and pulls
- Appliances and accessories — stoves including repair resources, other appliances, and lots on retro and vintage style accessories. Looking for a new retro refrigerator? Read my comprehensive guide – I did a lot of research to round up all the options.
- Readers and their kitchen remodels — lots of great kitchen design and renovation ideas from clever and creative reader.
- Vintage steel kitchens cabinets are one of my areas of greatest interest.
- See my history of steel kitchen cabinets and also my encyclopedia of all the old brands. Steel kitchen cabinets: We have more info on vintage metal kitchen cabinets than you are likely to find anywhere else on the internet.
- Want to browse all of our kitchen stories — click here.
Some of my thoughts if you are NEW to your OLD house and contemplating a kitchen remodel:
- Environmental and safety issues come first. Vintage houses can contain vintage nastiness such as lead, asbestos, and more. Consult with properly licensed professionals to know what is in your house, and how to make informed decisions about how to handle. For more info, see our Be Safe / Renovate Safe page.
- If you are new to your old kitchen — go slow. Before you proceed thinking you need a gut remodel, for instance, get to know your kitchen first. Live in it a year to get to know its flow and how it works for you and your family. This includes getting a rich, deep understanding of whether there is a real need to alter the architecture. During this time, you’ll also be able to get to know its original style and features. You’ll have time to explore your “Retro Kitchen Style” — because there’s way more than one way to retro (?hey, I used “retro” as a verb, for the first time ever!). Wait a year — mull it over — and it may even turn out that, once you learn about the original features in your retro kitchen, you might come to love them — and you may not need to spend the money, and endure the aggravation of a major remodel.
- Consider updates that are in harmony with the original architecture of your house. Sure, an original retro kitchen may be “dated.” But every kitchen is dated. For example: Don’t kid yourself: Put a 2013 kitchen in your 1955 house… and in a few years that 2013 kitchen will be “dated”, too — and, dated to the wrong year. But, put in a kitchen that is harmonious with the original 1955 architecture — and at least its date will match the date of the house. “Yes, but what about ‘resale’?, folks always ask. Well, my point of view is: Mid century houses are now old enough to be considered “historic”, either officially or non-officially. “Historical restorations” or period-appropriate remodels are desirable to folks who are “into” old houses. And, you can do a period remodel that isn’t “over the top” — one that’s kind of “flexible” (this is what I did with my three bathrooms.) On the other hand, going back to our example, a 2013 kitchen in a 1955 house is unlikely to appeal to a shopper 10 years from now who is into what’s new in 2023; in reality, your financial loss* (*See item #5, below) on your fabulous 2013 kitchen remodel will only grow each and year thereafter, especially if you put in “trendy” 2013 stuff. And finally, mind you, “trendier” has a shorter lifespan every year, again, IMHO. Disclaimer, thought: All this is IMHO, do not consider this financial advice, this is something you need to do your own research and consult with your own professionals on, based on your market conditions.
- Humble materials — This point kind of goes with the one above. Many — probably “most” — mid century and older houses were decorated with materials that *today* would be considered kind of… low brow. Things like: Simple wood kitchen cabinets… laminate counter tops… vinyl flooring… even knotty pine. This is pretty much opposite of what the “mainstream market” wants to sell you today — (more expensive) granite… marble… blinged out cabinetry. I personally found it a relief not to have to spec out my kitchen to “Keep up with the Joneses.” My kitchen “fits” with the rest of my (humble materials) house. And by skipping the luxe, I think I saved a lot of money.
- Recognize that most major remodels are likely a bad financial “investment”. Data indicate that most homeowners will not recover the cost of a major kitchen renovation when they to go re-sell. Read my story looking at past annual research — and be aware.
- Save your time, energy and money for the final fix. Unless there is a safety or environmental issue involved, I am not one for putting a drop of money into a space as a “stop gap measure” while we agonize over the big picture plan. Okay, I might paint the wall (off white), so that I can “see” the space better so I can figure out what I want. My husband is really good about reminding me: An old house is a time and money pit constantly presenting costly surprises. Be careful about squandering on half measures. ‘Invest’ in making plans that will endure for years… and then spend the time, energy and money — once.
- Get a subscription to Consumer Reports. When you are in spending mode like this, your head will spin. As far as I know, Consumer Reports is the only resource out there to do testing to try and really triangulate to “value”.
- Disclaimer and clarification to all of the above: I am not a contractor, an architect, a designer, a real estate expert or variant of some such profession. I am writing this from my perspective as an owner of four old houses over my lifetime, and as a blogger who has been writing on this topic for a while. Do your own research… identify and engage your own properly licensed professionals… make thoughtful decisions that are right for you.
- Readers’ ideas — I asked readers to add to my list — and they came up with many more, terrific tips on things to consider when you’re considering a kitchen remodel.
Ellen says
I’m just looking for the material to upholster my1955 green kitchen chairs, original. I can’t find it. there used to be a website for all of this, but I can’t find it anymore. Can you help with that.
Thank you
pam kueber says
All of our fabric stories are in the category Decorate / Furniture — https://retrorenovation.com/category/period-accents/furniture/
Or, use the Search box and type in the word upholstery — numerous stories come up
Kevin amodio says
Hi, I will be starting a kitchen Reno in the next few months. The kitchen currently has metal cabinets that are original to the house. The badge on the cabinets says that they are “crane”. I have been told by several people that they me be worth selling before ripping them out. Do you think they have any value to anyone going for a retro style kitchen? As much as I appreciate the retro style it is not the look I am going for. Please get back to me with any advice or recommendations how to get these to a good home. Hate throwing something away that someone else could use an appreciate. Thank you
pam kueber says
Hi Kevin, we have stories on this. See the category Kitchen Help/Steel kitchens.
Michele says
I can not afford to remove the sliding glass doors during my kitchen remodel. Any ideas how to give them a vintage look??
nina462 says
Oh my ….Pam/Kate – check this out http://www.fridgefronts.com
For people who cannot afford to change their fridges out for a Big Chill – you can get these magnets for your fridge. And they are inexpensive – under $100.
They have solid and retro designs (along with other designs). I’m going to try the cheery Red.
Joe Felice says
Alas, no turquoise or yellow.
pk scott says
Hi I found this 4 inch tile in luscious colors at a good price ($2.49 a sq ft plus shipping) and wanted to pass it on to your readers.
http://tiledaily.com/2013/11/01/ceramic-wall-tile-18-colors/
I also found these knobs for 44 measly cents
http://www.dlawlesshardware.com/beautchromkn1.html
pam kueber says
Hmmmm… that tile supplier looks like an aggregator, not a new manufacturer. See this story: https://retrorenovation.com/2012/07/16/12-places-to-find-4-x-4-ceramic-bathroom-tile-in-vintage-colors/
kim says
Enamel table problem! While trying to repair the legs and where they connect to the table (the wood piece underneath) we accidentally made a hole in the top of a very expensive enamel kitchen table…any thoughts on making this look better? Very unhappy…..Thanks in advance.
Kim
pam kueber says
i don’t know the answer to this one…
eileen says
I have a Geneva kitchen complete in mint condition and wanted to know a appraisal for tav purposed before I donate
pam kueber says
check our faqs we have a story on this
Joe Ford says
Where can you buy the large Red and White checker board tiles
Terri says
I have I huge box of pink kitchen plastic tile that I would like to sell. I have corners, ends, and of course full pieces. I have tried Craigs List and Ebay. I would be happy to send anyone pic’s if interested. They are 4-1/2 ” I’m not sure this is the proper place to do this but I do NOT want to throw this away I know someone could use it. I am located in the St. Louis area.
pam kueber says
Give it to the ReStore
Sam R says
If it was yellow, I’d have someone waiting for it at the Restore…
paul klein says
I bought a custom MCM with single pane windows throughout. The living room window is 8 foot by 12 foot square design with the bottom corners being louvered. The heat transfer and wind chill is unbelievable to the point I don’t open the blinds. I looooove the look of the brushed aluminum but can not find anyone who can remove the louvers and/or replace with dual pane. Can you help?? Everyone tells me to rip them out and put in vinyl but that just gives me a heartache.