
1950ies Kitchen
Kitchen Design
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%.

