The 1960s Kitchen Design Trend We'd Love To See Come Back

Retro touches in your kitchen can be a serious mixed bag. The recent trend towards eye-popping '80s-era graphic tile? We love it! Installing a vintage fridge in your modern kitchen? Bad idea — they might just contain asbestos, among other worries. The best nods to the past are those that combine old-school aesthetics with modern improvements in form and function, and nowhere does that intersection grab our attention more than when it comes to vibrant wallpaper. In the 1960s, geometric designs with tons of "pop" factor leapt off walls in designer kitchens, wooing homemakers who wanted their cooking space to feel trendy and fun. This adhesive wall covering kind of went dormant in the trend annals for several decades, but, as the saying goes, everything old is new again.

Whether you are in the midst of a full kitchen remodel taking a good chunk of money or simply looking for a way to give your kitchen a facelift, wallpaper might feel like a left-field choice. But hear us out. Today's wallpaper options are more plentiful than ever, with gorgeous choices in terms of textures, patterns, and colorways. They can be more sustainable than paint, which we love, and the advent of peel-and-stick application means that it has never been easier to put wallpaper up or take it back down when you are sick of it. Paint or tile are perennial choices when it comes to your kitchen walls, but, for the bold homeowner, maximalist wallpaper beckons with abundant personality and an implicit daringness that ensures your guests will always have a positive comment.

Before you splurge on several rolls of colorful wallpaper and clear your calendar for a long weekend of hanging it on every flat surface in your kitchen, take a few moments to appraise the situation. Unsurprisingly, the bolder the wallpaper, the higher the chance that it can overwhelm your space, especially in a smaller kitchen. Springing for wallpaper doesn't have to mean that you use it exclusively to cover your walls, either. A little goes a long way, so you might want to start small before leaping headfirst into the wallpaper life. Consider using it on an accent wall in a pattern that complements your paint, plaster, or tile — or, if you are a very trendy sort, really go for it and paper your ceiling! If you have a pantry or cabinets that are open, you might also consider wallpapering the back. If you absolutely fall in love with your smaller project, you can always add more wallpaper down the line.

Nowadays, bold patterns of fruit, birds, or eye-catching stripes are popular kitchen wallpaper choices, but, for a true nod to the midcentury vibe, don't be afraid to lean retro with dots, waves, or preppy-chic plaids. Your colorway may be governed by fixtures you already have, especially if you are working wallpaper into an existing kitchen design, but don't restrain yourself — go for choices that seem audacious, because this trend is all about gutsy statements.