Are Retro Appliances on the Way Out? Designers Just Settled the Debate

Kitchen design trends change with the times, but that doesn’t necessarily mean your retro appliances are completely out of style. In fact, there’s been an increase in popularity in recent years—from fridges to microwaves and coffee makers.

“They are nostalgic and fun,” says designer Pamela O’Brien. “They can also bring some color to a kitchen, because generally, most kitchens are going to be in a pretty narrow palette of colors and finishes.”

So, how can you add a retro appliance to your kitchen while still staying stylish? Our experts say it’s doable, but with some caveats to be aware of.

Why They’re Back to Stay

O’Brien says that retro appliances were never technically “in,” despite being considered contemporary at one point. However, they’re definitely not “out” when it comes to design, thanks to the sense of nostalgia and whimsy they bring to kitchens.

“Retro appliances are ‘in’ for certain reasons, like if you want to add that little bit of a vintage vibe if you truly want a colorful home,” O’Brien says. “If you’re going for one of the core types of decor—like cottagecore or lemoncore—all those things would make retro appliances perfect for you.”

Interior designer Darlene Molnar agrees that these vintage devices haven’t gone out of style due to the nostalgia factor.

“I have to say retro appliances will never go out of style,” she says. “They are classic and oh so fun. It’s not really a surprise that retro is creeping up in popularity, on the heels of grandmillennial trends and all that harkens back to a simpler time.”

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How to Style Retro Appliances the Right Way

Molnar and O’Brien agree that retro appliances are in style, as long as they are styled the right way. Molnar recommends using them in your kitchen sparingly and not overloading the space with them.

“I don’t particularly love when every appliance in the room is retro or the same pop of color,” she says. “But one interesting retro piece in an otherwise monotone kitchen is a game-changer.”

O’Brien advises looking at the general vibe of your kitchen first. For instance, if the aesthetic is more modern, retro appliances may feel out of place.

“If you have a very, very traditional, beautiful kitchen, it might look a bit silly to have a little miniature 1950s refrigerator in a corner in robin’s egg blue, it just would throw off the whole aesthetic,” she says. “It’s more for whimsy and fun, if that’s your style.”

O’Brien adds that many homeowners have opted to use them in secondary cooking areas or sculleries.

“I recently did a very fun vintage-looking refrigerator and a powder blue color in a small secondary kitchen,” she says. “A miniature fridge and a fun color was a great accent.”