7 Diner Decor Ideas To Give Your Kitchen A Retro Feel

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If you balked when you learned how much money a full kitchen remodel costs, you may have been inspired to switch up your theming and try something new in your cooking space, since a cosmetic facelift is definitely cheaper than a renovation. In design, everything old is new again, and for many that includes the retro Americana 1950s diner feel. There's something innately welcoming and cozy about diner vibes in your kitchen ... maybe it's the subliminal connection to classic comfort food, like Salisbury steak and mashed potatoes? (This is to say nothing of the old school diner foods that are no longer popular!)

Your kitchen need not evoke an Atomic Age time capsule for you to pull some inspiration from vintage diners. By picking and choosing just a handful of classic choices connected to this theme, you can add a playful and inviting aesthetic without looking hokey. The hardest part will be resisiting the urge to shout "order up!" when you dish up dinner.

What's black and white and goes surprisingly well with everything? That would be checkerboard tile, a 1950s diner mainstay. You can bring this retro look into the 2020s by pairing it with modern features like rustic farmhouse board and batten paneling and fashionable open shelving. Not ready to change your flooring? A vibrant checkerboard backsplash calls to mind the same vibes, just with different positioning and a bit less effort.

We've been over the reasons why you should avoid an actual vintage fridge in your modern kitchen — they can possibly leak Freon and contain asbestos, and they aren't very energy-efficient, for starters — but we approve wholeheartedly of vintage-style appliances. These beauties look like they came straight from the 1950s, but offer all the benefits of latter-day technology. That's to say nothing of the fact that they look cool as heck and come in a rainbow of fun colors. Candy-apple red is the classic diner choice, but don't feel like you need to stop there. 

According to social media lore, Coca-Cola was able to achieve prominence in the middle of the last century by plying diners with lots of branded swag. Today, you can bring that modern Coke vibe (not to be confused with the discontinued New Coke) to your kitchen with as little or as much merch as you care for, like a neon-style wall sign emblazoned with the shape of a classic glass bottle. 

While beige and soft neutrals rule the aesthetics of the 2020s, we are big fans of kitchen design that bucks the trend, like bold 1960s geometric wallpaper. If that sounds intriguing, step back another decade to a time when folks weren't afraid of color. As we've discussed, primary hues like bright red were classic, but you can achieve a definite "diner" vibe with pastels as well. Better yet, mix your brights for an eye-popping effect that will have your guests ready to dance the twist! 

Is there any feather in the cap of a diner-inspired kitchen quite like a working jukebox? Grocery stores play music to inspire you spend more while, at home, some lively tunes can make your meal prep a lot less tedious. Yes, a restored vintage model can run as much as the price of an entire kitchen, but a miniature jukebox Bluetooth speaker can sit on your counter taking up much less space ... and, also, it's much more affordable! 

The ubiquitous diners of the 1950s evolved from rail cars or "lunch cars" on a train, which is part of the reason why shiny chrome fixtures are a staple of this aesthetic. Today, you can incorporate the shininess and functionality of polished metal into your kitchen with stainless steel countertops or a stainless steel kitchen island like the one Ree Drummond loves in her own space. Beyond aesthetics, stainless steel is heat-resistant and oh-so-easy to clean. Plus, with a mirror finish, your kitchen will look straight out of a midcentury greasy spoon. 

If you want to add a 1950s diner touch to your kitchen, perhaps the easiest and cheapest way is to flaunt little touches that make you feel like you're about to be called "hun" by a waitress named Barb. A stainless steel napkin dispenser on the kitchen table, along with food service-variety salt and pepper shakers and squeeze bottles of condiments are a good start. We also love glass sugar shakers, novelty coasters, and cups of striped straws.