How to Decorate a Small Apartment Kitchen With a Retro Theme

Kitchens in small apartments are not known for being visually interesting or stylish. Many apartment kitchens have white walls, ceilings and appliances. Unless the landlord lets you repaint, you can't do much about it. Decorating your small kitchen with a retro theme adds an interesting visual element even if you cannot fully remodel the room. If you enjoy hunting for antiques, decorating the kitchen with a retro theme is a good way to display your treasures.

Wall art
Retro-themed dishes
Glass jars
Antiques
Vintage furniture

Instructions

- 1
  Determine the decade that you want to showcase. The retro and vintage theme encompasses several decades. For example, a '70s-themed kitchen needs bright colors and bold patterns. A '50s-themed kitchen looks best with items from that decade.
- 2
  Hang vintage metal signs or posters in the kitchen. These let you decorate the walls even if you are not allowed to paint. Buying vintage replicas saves money. Replicas resemble authentic signs, but cost a fraction of the price.
- 3
  Buy antique dishes for a truly authentic look. Display the dishes in a china cabinet with a glass door. Serve food on the dishes if desired or use them solely for decoration.
- 4
  Store your spices in glass jars and arrange them on your counter or display them in a cabinet.
- 5
  Hunt for antiques at local and online auctions, or visit antique shops in your area. Look for interesting accessories, gadgets and figurines. Display your finds on the kitchen counters or shelves.
- 6
  Look for furniture that matches your kitchen decor. Painted wooden chairs complement most retro kitchens. Scratches and chipped paint add to the charm.

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