13 Stylish Ways To Bring A Little Kitsch Into Your Kitchen

Rooted in vintage and mid-twentieth-century nostalgia, kitsch design elements are making a steady comeback, filtering into other decor styles in small amounts. From cutesy raccoon salt and pepper shakers to rounded retro appliances, the effect is a cool old-meets-new vibe. Kitsch, taken from the word for "tacky" or "tasteless" in German, involves a certain over-the-type, fun, vibrant vibe that dwells in nostalgia and odd juxtapositions. According to Decor Tips, the over-the-top style is most popular in commercial spaces, but it's just as fun to incorporate into your home. The kitchen, which can often need a little livening up, is a great space to employ elements of this cool design style.

Initially, the term kitsch was used pejoratively, but more recently, it has been wielded to describe cuteness and sentimentality that can be fun, homey, and a more maximalist alternative to sleek modern and neutral-driven kitchens. While many retro-inspired kitchens embrace kitsch in a big way, you can also bring this fun concept into any style in small or large doses with your choice of color palettes, appliances, and fun nods to the past.

Kitsch design style often revels in the past, particularly the mid-20th century, for inspiration. As such, one of its primary color palettes is a love of pastels. Favorites include baby pink, powder blue, luscious peach, soft yellow, and minty green.

On the other end of the spectrum, kitsch interiors often employ bright, bold colors like neons and vivid primary shades. Here, a bold yellow vintage-inspired refrigerator brightens up an otherwise gray neutral-based kitchen for extra pop. 

While many minimalist, modern kitchen styles prefer more streamlined looks, kitsch-inspired kitchens adore soft details like curtains, tea towels, cushions, and tablecloths in luscious candy colors or bright shades. 

Since so much of kitsch style is rooted in nostalgia and the past, try bringing in some vintage or vintage-looking appliances. These can be larger, like popular retro fridges and stoves, or smaller touches, like toasters, coffeemakers, and clocks. 

Cute animals are a hallmark of kitsch style, and you will see them in a kitschy kitchen on everything from wallpaper borders to dishware. Here, some adorable roosters brighten up a tea-time set-up. 

Kitsch style takes its inspiration from the middle decades of the 20th century, so finding the perfect mid-century table and chairs set is one of the keys to an authentic vintage space. Look for metal chairs in floral vinyl and shiny chrome-accented tables at flea markets, antique markets, and thrift stores.

Much of the charm of this design comes in startling and unexpected combinations, including clashing colors, jarring combinations of styles, and visual chaos. Here, a lemon-yellow kitchen provides a backdrop for flashes of neon and bright, surrealistic artwork. 

Sweet details pervade any kitsch-inspired kitchen, including baking motifs, candy prints, and ice cream accents. Here, a set of sweet canisters offer a vintage vibe and serve as valuable storage for all your best treats. 

With modern kitchens usually based on natural materials or neutral shades favored by modern and farmhouse styles of décor, the bright, surprising shades of a kitschy kitchen stand out. Consider non-traditional options like aqua, mint green, yellow, and red to make your cabinetry unique. 

Mid-century dishware is a favorite of many retro-inspired styles, including a number of highly collectible Pyrex sets like the above. Many feature florals and cute designs that complement many kitchen styles like cottage and shabby chic. Dishware is a great way to bring just a dash of kitsch to your space. 

Grandmas always knew best about welcoming, fun, nostalgia-soaked spaces. While kitchens filled with floral details, cutesy patterns, tea sets, and other vintage touches may have seemed dated at one time, now they are experiencing a renaissance with the popularity of granny chic, grand millennial, and other nostalgia-related styles. 

Along with bold or pastel colors, kitsch style revels in dynamic patterns. Consider adding wallpaper, backsplash tile, or flooring in floral or brightly-colored designs. 

At its base, kitsch style is a highly maximalist style, so never be afraid of having too much happening. Rooted in nostalgia, you will want to collect and display all the things you love prominently, so open shelving is a perfect solution for holding not only pantry basics but also dishware, cookware, and other kitschy decorative elements.