A Look at Kitchen Trends Through the Decades

Kitchens have experienced major changes over the years when it comes to decor, appliances, and fixtures, such as countertops and cabinets. Learning more about kitchen trends over the past several decades can provide you with ideas for your own kitchen. While some trends have faded with time, others continue to be part of a timeless kitchen design.

Kitchen Trends in Countertops

Back in the 1920s, kitchen countertops were often made of tile or stainless steel, providing a surface that was functional and easy to clean. Stainless steel and other metal countertops continued to be common choices from the 1930s through the 1960s. However, wood and stone took over as the preferred kitchen countertop materials in the 1970s and 1980s. In the 1990s, granite countertops were often part of upscale kitchens. This material, along with quartz, marble, and other stone materials, became more common in kitchens during the 2000s.

Kitchen Cabinet Trends

Cabinets in kitchens during the 1920s were often made of wood and featured a built-in design rather than being freestanding. Starting in the 1930s, cabinet materials changed to metal rather than wood. Although this continued through the 1940s and 1950s, cabinet materials changed back to wood during the 1960s. Wood cabinets were still common in the 1970s, as well as Formica laminate cabinets. In the 1990s, oak cabinets were the dominant choice among homeowners. Common cabinet materials in the 2000s have included dark cherry wood and other wood finishes. Frameless kitchen cabinets have also emerged as a growing trend in the present day.

Kitchen Faucet Trends

Silver and chrome were among the more common finishes for kitchen faucets during the early and mid-1900s. Other finishes were sometimes used for kitchen faucets during this time, such as brass or black. Faucets with separate spouts for cold and hot water were also the norm at this time before single-spout faucets came along. In recent years, gold and brass have been used more often for kitchen faucets, although silver and chrome are still in demand. Single-spout faucets are much more common in kitchens than old-fashioned double-spout faucets.

Kitchen Appliance Trends

Kitchen appliances didn’t come along until the 1920s and 1930s. During this time, kitchens often had early refrigerators or iceboxes and small gas stoves. White was a common color for kitchen appliances in the early years until the 1950s, when teal and other colors became more common. During the 1960s and 1970s, stoves and other kitchen appliances often featured eye-catching colors, such as golds and greens. This trend changed in the 1980s when neutral appliances became more common. All white or all black appliances were the leading choices for homeowners in the 1990s, while stainless steel became a top trend in the 2000s.

If you’re looking to update your home with new windows, countertops, cabinets, or other fixtures, please contact The Window Depot. You can also visit one of our locations in California, Arizona, Texas, or New Mexico.