Vintage Kitchen Accessories That Are Making A Comeback (& How To Style Them)

Whether you've recently moved into a new space or have stayed in the same house for some time, there's a chance you don't feel inspired by your current kitchen. However, changing up this area can feel a little daunting. After all, you may think you have to undergo a complete renovation or hire a professional interior designer to make the space your own. Thankfully, you don't have to spend big bucks to give your space some personality and character. Instead you can just purchase a few unique kitchen accessories that are both fashionable and functional to liven up the room. 

While this sounds a little counterintuitive, you might want to take some inspiration from kitchens of yesteryear when updating your space. In fact, there are quite a few kitchen accessories that were popular decades ago that are now making a serious comeback. And there's no need to feel concerned that these items will make the room look dated. All you need to do is style these reemerging accessories in more modern ways. 

If you're inspired by 1950s diners, a chrome dinette set may be right up your alley. These adorable pieces have become in vogue yet again, seemingly for a number of reasons. One major bonus is that you can find compact versions that don't take up too much space, meaning they're great for areas on the smaller side. The sets can also be found in a ton of colors — we're talking teal, silver, and bright red — so they can look great in nearly any home.

For a modern take on the 1950s dining space, use an updated spin on checkered floors with a patterned rug. For example, the Seavish Retro Checkerboard Washable Area Rug can serve as an ideal foundation for your new set. Or, maybe you want a natural twist on the aesthetic. To give the set a more modern, slightly bohemian look, you can swap out the metal chairs with some natural wooden ones, preferably in a light pine or a white oak. Then further play off the metal of the table with a wooden fruit bowl or a Set of Round Woven Placemats.

Due to the popularization of the cottagecore decor trend, mushrooms are certainly having their heyday. The resurgence of this particular item can be explained by a few reasons. As previously mentioned, it's a popular trend for homeowners to decorate their space with mushroom-inspired accessories. These canisters also offer a whimsical way to organize your kitchen. Plus, they are perfect for those who want something more unique than a clear jar to put their dry goods in. 

It's not unusual to come across social media users showing off the iconic Merry Mushroom Canisters from the 1970s Sears Catalogs in their kitchens. However, these authentic pieces can come at a price. If you're on a budget, you can buy something similar, like a Fairytale Red Mushroom 6.25" Medium Size Ceramic Canister with Silicone Seal, priced at $30. 

If you want to update your whole space, consider fully leaning into the mid-century vibe of the colorful canisters. After all, it seems like Mid-Century Modern design will never go out of style. For this look, use burnt orange and mustard tones throughout your space. For instance, you could purchase orange hand towels and hang them near your containers. You could also place the canisters amongst other kitchen accessories that are popular in mid-century modern design, like wooden cutting boards and colorful cookware.

Kitschy novelty salt and pepper shakers have made a comeback in recent years. These can be a relatively low-expense way to add a pop of color or some quirkiness to your kitchen. Plus, there are plenty of options out there to meet your specific tastes and interests. Mixing and matching sets can give you a unique yet functional display to bring whimsy to a floating shelf or sideboard.

Given the different types of salt and pepper shakers, you can find a set that suits either your interests or the aesthetics of your home. For instance, pup parents will want to proudly showcase this Staffordshire Dog Salt and Pepper Shaker Set on their kitchen table. Or, you can look for more streamlined ones in the hue of your choice like these Ceramic Mason Jar Salt and Pepper Shakers. Once you've acquired the set (or sets) of your dreams, use them to create a cohesive tablescape, playing off them with items like napkins and chargers in matching colors.

Many modern-day bakers enjoy the functionality of bread boxes. Not only does it keep your loaves fresh, but it also looks a whole lot better than the alternative — putting your bread in a ziplock bag on the counter. Bread boxes also have a wide appeal because they can be found in different materials, like stainless steel and wood. This means that you should be able to easily find a bread box that goes with the vibe of your kitchen. 

Wooden bread boxes, like this Bamboo Bread Box, have become increasingly popular because of their rustic aesthetic. These come in various colors that allow you to match your current palette. Or for a more modern option, look for designs in sleek materials that still have vintage charm like the Navaris Metal Bread Bin. To make your new bread storage a more stylish addition, use the top of the box to display pretty spice jars, a small plant, or your retro salt and pepper shakers. 

A kitchen scale is a great tool to have on hand for modern-day bakers and home cooks. Now, you always have the option of getting a digital food scale. However, you might want a stylish antique-style analog food scale, so you can proudly display it on your countertop. That way, you're saving some much-needed cabinet space. 

These food scales also can be found in plenty of colors, meaning you can easily purchase something that best suits your kitchen's aesthetic. For example, the KitchenCraft Living Nostalgia Kitchen Scale comes in grey and cream for a neutral look or pastel green or blue for a soft pop of color. To offset the utilitarian vibe of your scale, place it near live greenery or a floral arrangement. If you're not interested in it for its intended purpose, it can be used as a decorative storage solution. For instance, it could be the home for your measuring cups and spoons. You could even store your produce inside it if you are in need of a unique fruit bowl.

Similar to bread boxes and kitchen scales, those passionate about baked goods have an appreciation for the revival of the Mosser cake plates. The best part is you don't have to be an expert baker to enjoy these plates as they can even make a store-bought cake look gourmet. The plates are seemingly popular because many modern-day homeowners want simple, cost-effective ways to beautify their entertaining spaces. In addition, Mosser Cake plates are made in several colors, giving them a broad appeal. 

If you want a vintage 1950s vibe, you can pick up a Mosser Glass Jade Cake Plate or a Mosser Glass Crown Tuscan Cake Plate in pastel pink. For something a bit more modern, you can choose the Mosser Glass Black Raspberry Cake Plate or the White Milk Glass Cake Stand Plate. Regardless of the color you decide on, a Mosser cake plate looks charming with an equally fashionable table runner. It would also look beautiful flanked by glass taper candlesticks in the color of your choosing.

If you like the idea of putting your salt in something unique but don't love shakers, you may be interested in vintage salt cellars that can be purchased in a variety of colors. Like salt shakers, these quirky, yet elegant containers give your kitchen table or counter some personality and charm at a relatively low price point. In addition, these containers are appealing to at-home chefs who like to gradually salt their food because you can easily control the amount you add. 

These come in various styles with one of the most classic being the shape of a hen like this Mini Chick Salt Cellar from Rosso Glass. While these are used to distribute salt, they are also collectors' items that demand to be shown off. So, place them on a floating shelf for easy access and for all of your guests to see. If you're on a budget and have some milk crates on hand, you can get creative and repurpose them to make your own floating shelves. However, if the idea of putting the delicate salt cellars on a shelf makes you worried, you can group them in something like a Round Concrete Decorative Tray on your countertop. 

Unfortunately, creating a retro style kitchen complete with appliances is something not everyone can afford. A cheaper way to adopt the vintage trend is to purchase pastel mixing bowls that can live on your counter. Not only that, but the bowls are functional and can be used in a couple of different ways, like as a fruit bowl or your family's popcorn bowl. 

If you have a neutral kitchen, a display of pastel mixing bowls will act as a beautiful pop of color. For instance, a set like Lareina Ceramic Mixing Bowls would look lovely in a breezy all-white kitchen. However, if you already have a colorful kitchen, choose a mixing bowl that compliments the space. More neutral options like Vintage Farm's Stoneware Mixing Bowl Set still offer tons of charm without clashing with an existing color scheme.

The pastel toaster is re-emerging as a fun way to add function to your kitchen. Cute designs and pretty colors make leaving your toaster on the countertop a more stylish choice. Plus, these vintage-inspired toasters are also great because they still have modern features, like different browning settings. So you can have decor that brings back the 1950s without giving up modern cooking tech.

If you want to add pastel pops to your neutral kitchen, a vintage-inspired toaster can give you a great place to start. For instance, if you are drawn to this Aigostar Toaster 2 Slice Retro Toaster in Aqua Green, add matching accessories like vases, mugs, or salt and pepper shakers for a cohesive look. Pastels aren't your thing? You can still get a toaster with a retro vibe in more neutral colors, like Haden Dorset 4 Slice Wide Slot Stainless Steel Toaster in black and copper. 

For the last few months, the Lenox Spice Village, which made its debut during the late 1980s, has been all over social media. The set, which is equal parts cozy and kitsch, offers at-home chefs a super cute way to organize their spices. Frankly, this may help some people spend more time cooking!

Unlike most spice containers, you shouldn't just stuff the Lenox Spice Village in your cabinet. After all, the main perk of this set is how beautiful it is! Like this TikTok user, you can make your spice containers into a show-stopping work of art by placing them on gold framed shelves. If the glitz is simply not for you, you can display the Spice Village on rustic Wood Floating Shelves. You could also put fake flowers, like these Sukh Artificial Baby Breath Flowers, on the shelves to play into the subtle floral design on the containers.