Kitchens of the 1950s:

• Hallmark traits include flat, utilitarian cabinets, linoleum floors, laminate countertops, and square or U-shaped layouts.

• Steel kitchen cabinets were common, as post-war steel factories shifted to domestic production.

• Rise of built-in appliances and wall-mounted ovens to save space.

• Movement of kitchens from the back to more central parts of the house.

• GE and other manufacturers produced both appliances and cabinets.

• Typical design: lots of cabinets, laminate counters with steel banding, spatter-pattern linoleum floors with distinctive yellow lines.

• Color Trends:

  • Pastel colors: pink, turquoise, mint green, pale yellow, and blue.

  • Modern colors: vibrant yellow, electric blue, orange, red, black, and white.

  • Formica countertops with metal banding were standard.

• Appliances and Features:

  • Colored appliances matched with cabinets became popular.

  • Dishwashers became accessible to a broader audience, no longer a luxury just for the wealthy.

  • Shift from enameled to metal cabinetry and the introduction of stainless steel sinks.

  • Transition from wall-hung to deck-mounted faucets.

• Refrigeration and Adoption:

  • By 1950, the U.S. led in domestic refrigeration.

  • In 1951, 80% of families had refrigerators; by 1980, the number was nearly 100%.