From the 1960s Through The Turn Of The Century Big Changes Took Place In Kitchen Design Trends

The kitchen has always been the heart of the home. That being said, kitchen design trends have changed dramatically over the decades. From the availability of new materials, appliances, and fixtures to how we interact with our kitchens design trends have evolved. Technology has expanded into the kitchen, making the latest appliances more energy-efficient and advanced. In fact, kitchens often reflect changing tastes, trends, and technology faster than any other room in the house!

This post will explore some of the biggest changes in kitchen design trends and how kitchen functionality, aesthetics, and materials have changed since the 1960s until today.

1960s Kitchen Design Trends

The 60s were a casual and free-spirited time. That vibe was reflected in 60s kitchens. The 60s brought a rise in in-home entertaining, and kitchens were designed to connect more easily to the dining room. Kitchens sometimes included eat-in nooks and breakfast bars. The U-shaped kitchen became a popular design, adding extra space for cooking and storage.

Although many kitchen appliances were introduced in the 60s, like the dishwasher, the 1960s was the first decade where there was more of an aesthetic shift than a technological one. Steel cabinets became a thing of the past as wood cabinetry became more affordable. This resulted in kitchens becoming warmer. Homeowners complimented this new warmth with brighter colors and wallpaper to personalize the space.

The mid-to-late 60s saw the emergence of earth tones as shades like harvest gold and avocado became popular and remained popular through the 1980s.

1970s Kitchen Design Trends

The 70s took the kitchen design trends from the 60s and upped them to create the statement kitchen. Kitchens featured knotty pine, harvest colors, and increasing texture and pattern. Homeowners were opting for tile backslashes and embossed linoleum floors. Kitchens became more experimental combinations like colorful foil wallpaper, wood cabinets, and avocado appliances.

Tech also added new appliances to the kitchen. The 70s brought the microwave to modern kitchens of the era. The mid-70s brought appliances that blended into the kitchen. Faux wood refrigerator panels and the tiled kitchen island, a cutting-edge kitchen design trend in the 70s, became a deal breaker to homebuyers in the future.

The emphasis was not just on bold design colors. Another prevailing 70s trend was the nature-inspired look that took its cues from California living. Rustic wood grain, a stone backsplash, gleaming copper, and plants made for a modern look in the 70s.

By the late 70s, acid-hued formica (the decade's most popular material) let homeowners get creative with their cabinetry. By the end of the decade, water and ice dispensers began to show up in the new super high-tech refrigerators.

1980s Kitchen Design Trends

Like the hair of the era, 1980s kitchens were big and exaggerated. By the 80s, more women were entering the workforce, and the kitchen became less of a domestic zone and more of a gathering space for the family. The 80s saw the beginning of the open floor plan, and kitchens began to sport large islands and breakfast bars. Today, the island is a kitchen mainstay and marked the evolution of the kitchen as a social space.

The open kitchen also meant more neutral colors like white and beige countertops and matching tile. The most recognizable kitchen design trend of the 80s (now despised and out of style) was the Euro-style cabinet that featured a white laminate front with light-toned wood at the top that functioned as an integrated handle.

Colorful appliances were out and were replaced with sleek black or white options. By mid-decade, color returned to the kitchen. Pastel and bright colors were a popular trend that started to make their way into the kitchen.

1990s Kitchen Design Trends

The neutral palette that came into vogue in the 1980s was still the look of the '90s. However, the overall design aesthetic shifted from sleek to shabby-chic. Features included white-painted cabinets with more ornate details, ceramic tiles with a country look, and wood cabinets adding a shabby-chic warmth. Some homeowners took their cues from professional kitchens, instead opting for uncluttered counters, large refrigerators, and gas ranges.

In previous decades, kitchens featured laminate, wood, or Formica countertops. By the 1990s, high-end homes turned to stone with the introduction of granite countertops. It became the go-to surface for durability and the uniqueness of this natural material. It was often used in dark tones to contrast the bright colors favored in the 90s. As the decade progressed, the country look of the 80s pared down even more with the emergence of the farmhouse look. A little European and a little nostalgic, farmhouse style brought marble, thrift store finds, open shelving, and vintage ceramics into the kitchen.

By the mid-to-late 90s, colors became more subdued as colors like sage and hunter-greens gained popularity since they worked well with black and stainless appliances. One of the kitchen design trends that (thankfully) didn't last was sponge painting the walls in beige and yellow paint to resemble stucco.

2000s Kitchen Design Trends

The new millennium brought with it a new aesthetic. The rise of design channels like HGTV made people more aware of kitchen design trends and the possibilities for their own kitchens. Wood cabinets and stainless steel appliances took off, and darker wood cabinets helped to balance out the popular industrial look.

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Rather than the neutral palette of the previous decade, high-contrast kitchens became popular. Light cabinets and dark granite countertops became a popular trend. The McMansions of the 1980s and 90s gave way to small, smart interiors that utilized space more efficiently.

Features like reclaimed wood floors, subway tile, farmhouse sinks, and brass hardware (still incredibly popular) add a vintage look to the kitchen. Today, neutral tones are back as people look to cooler neutrals like grays and blues with high-contrast pops of color.

Stainless steel appliances are still popular, and many manufacturers offer panel-ready appliances and low-profile appliances like microwave drawers and cabinet lighting that create a more streamlined kitchen.

What Does the Future Hold?

Only time will tell. One thing is certain, kitchen design trends will continue to evolve as new products, materials, and design aesthetics become available.

Are you considering a kitchen remodeling project? We can help you with both the latest kitchen trends and timeless design! If you live in the Greater Madison area, call the experts at Degnan Design-Build-Remodel at (608) 846-5963. We can take your home to the next level of comfort, design, and function! Ready to learn more? We're always happy to answer your questions