Red-and-chrome barstools can create a 1950s diner vibe in any setting.
If you enjoy all things retro, especially from the 1950s era, a '50s diner-themed kitchen may be ideal for you. Enhancing your functional kitchen, a diner theme lets you display all your diner-related collectibles and use them, too. From a checkerboard-tiled floor to booth seating, metal napkin holders, a jukebox or retro dinette set, there are many diner themes you can create in your kitchen, based on your budget and available space.
The Basics: Color
A key element that immediately gives your kitchen a 1950s diner vibe is a checkerboard black-and-white tile floor. The color of the furniture is also important -- turquoise or seafoam green for the seating or a bright red-and-chrome color scheme for the furniture. The red-and-chrome look is especially striking if you have a breakfast bar or diner bar for your kitchen. Add vintage lighting to round out the look.
Booth-Style Diner
Many 1950s diners featured large booth-style seating colored in 1950s classic shades such as turquoise or red. Metal diner-style napkin holders, available at many restaurant supply stores, round out the booth look. Vintage miniature jukebox selector modules could be placed on the table or hung from the wall of the seating area, giving it a more authentic vibe. An antique 1950s jukebox in the room, filled with 1950s classics, would be the icing on the cake. This theme works well in a very large kitchen that contains a dining area.
Bar-Style Diner
A bar-style diner theme can replicate a diner that has a soda fountain or a restaurant of the "greasy spoon" type. Transform your home's breakfast bar by adding spinning barstools from the 1950s, hanging 1950s-era advertising and signs on the walls and placing metal diner-style napkin holders on the bar. A vintage cash register is a nice added touch. If your kitchen has a wall opening or window that overlooks a dining area, give it the diner vibe by adding an "order up" bell and visible cooking utensils hanging on the kitchen walls. A retro or neon clock adds to the vibe.
Small-Space Diner
If your kitchen doesn't have enough room to fit in a bar or booths, purchase a vintage 1950s kitchen table and chairs from an antique shop. Hang vintage diner menus, framed, on the walls. Cardboard signs advertising the price of various diner specials would also work well. Show off 1950s-diner coffee mugs in a wall display, or use them for meals. Serve food on melamine in the classic 1950s melamine shades of turquoise, yellow, green and pink.
Kitchen Appliances
If you'd like the diner theme to include your kitchen appliances, consider purchasing a vintage stove, refrigerator, mixer or refrigerator in your chosen color scheme. If you prefer modern appliances, many new appliance styles mimic the shapes and colors of the past.
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