31+ Accessories for Vintage Kitchen Designs UK
Everything you need to create the most retro/vintage kitchen aesthetic possible. Design ideas, accessories, appliances, cookware and bits and bobs that make the biggest difference.
One of my favourite kitchen aesthetics has to be the retro vintage theme. What I mean by that is all these 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s style inspirations. Bright vibrant colours and unusual shapes all the way to cutesy eclectic and American diner type designs.
However, it can be difficult putting that design into practise. You don’t just want great looking kitchen appliances and accessories, you need functionality, things that actually work. So I’ve done the digging for you to create this list of over 31 things to make your kitchen scream vintage chic.
Swan Retro 3 Piece Appliance Set
This retro-purple 3 piece appliance set by Swan, not only is totally in-fitting with the retro theme, but they will work a treat. You can also buy each piece separate or even get them in yellow instead.
Vintage Stainless Steel Tea Coffee & Sugar Jars
How about these totally wicked vintage stainless steel tea, coffee, and sugar tins. They look great and you don’t have to just put tea, coffee, and sugar into them, how about using them for sweets or those random bits and bobs that always go missing - jar of sewing needles, piping nozzles, odd spoons and a wine corks anyone?
iTek Table Top Jukebox
If you’re going to have this beautiful retro/vintage design going through your kitchen, you’re going to be spending a fair bit of time in there, so something you need is music. What better way to fit that music into your kitchen then a totally on-theme vintage aesthetic table top jukebox? How cool is this!
FYI it has Bluetooth connection as well as a FM radio and CD player… for anyone who still has CD’s.
Housewares Retro Kitchen Scales
Something very functional and usually a bit of an eye sore which gets shoved in the back of a cupboard is kitchen scales. These ones have that beautiful retro shape and colour to make you feel proud to display them.
Denny International Vintage Pedal Bin
There are only 2 bins I deem acceptable for a retro kitchen aesthetic. Both completely different. First one is this - 30l, vintage vibes, subtle pedal bin which would blend in nicely with a retro kitchen.
You can also get in black or red.
Retro Swing Bin
The second option is this one in stark contrast - bright, in your face, retro cupcake print bin.
AIKKIL 24-piece silicone kitchen utensil set
One aspect of kitchen designs that often get overlooked. Often we focus on those large appliances to fit a theme and things like utensils get missed, an easy fix here for a retro themed kitchen design is this set of 24 silicone kitchen bits and bobs, from spatulas to measuring cups and even a utensil holder to proudly display them.
KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer
When it comes to baking, the ultimate retro design must-have is this here pastel stand mixer. If you’re looking at this thinking that it looks familiar, you may be right, as this is the exact make and model that’s used on The Great British Bake Off.
If that little fact interests you, you might want to check out my article on getting the Great British Bake Off equipment.
LOVECASA Porcelain Dinnerware Set
When it comes to eating and drinking, to complete your retro kitchen aesthetic I’d recommend the Lovecasa porcelain sets. You can get them multicoloured like the photo here which works perfectly for retro themes, or you can get them all in the same colour which range from vibrant yellow to pastel pink and everything in-between.
Swan Retro Coffee Machine
In terms of coffee machines, there are two recommendations I have that fit amazingly into any retro designed kitchen. The first is this Swan coffee machine with built in milk frother, 1.5 litre water tank and 15 bars of pressure. It looks amazing and works amazingly.
You can also choose a range of retro colours to fit your design needs but I really like the vintage yellow look. I also featured this exact model in my ‘Best Home Coffee Machines for 2022’ article.
Ariete Retro Style Coffee Machine
My second recommendation is this retro styled coffee machine by ‘Ariete’. Much like the Swan retro coffee machine, this also has a milk frother and water tank. They preform much the same, at the end of the day its more about which style you prefer.
With the unique shape of this one it’s easy to see how it would perfectly fit into a retro styled kitchen aesthetic. It also comes in a range of 3 colours, green like in the photo, blue, or cream.
Jones Retro Kitchen Clock
Nothing quite screams vintage like a clock in the kitchen. As for which to go for, I once again have two recommendations. The first being this one by ‘Jones’. The colour, the shape, everything about this clock screams retro vibes, and as always, its a product that you can buy in various retro colour options.
SkyNature Vintage Wall Clock
The second recommendation is this SkyNature clock. Whilst as the above clock fits that 70-80s style retro theme, this one is more about that raw vintage energy - Rusty, metal, contrasting colours.
Swan 5-piece Vintage Pan Set
Okay, back to functional kitchen accessories. Here is yet another Swan product, this time it’s their vintage styled pots and pan set in retro yellow. Aluminium made, these are both high quality and beautiful to look at. Imagine if you had one of those pan hanging racks with these arranged in size order? Loving that retro vibe.
Retro Breakfast Glass Chopping Board
Here’s a cheap addition to complete your kitchen’s vintage design. A breakfast printed glass chopping board.
KitchenCraft Nostalgia Breadbin
Here’s something to take you back in time, the KitchenCraft nostalgia inducing bread bin. Perfect for your vintage/retro theme.
SodaStream
SodaStream seemed to of taken the world by storm and it’s easy to see why. Functionally speaking, it’s a lot cheaper then buying sparkling water and fizzy drinks, its fun to use, you have more control over the carbonation level, and its 10x better for the planet.
In fact, I have one myself which I use all the time. I couldn’t recommend them enough. I’ve even written an article previously on my self review of this model and how it saves you money in the UK.
The great thing about this model in red is that functionality aside, it looks retro AF. That vibrant colour and smooth angled sides scream retro. They look great on kitchen counter tops even if you would never use.
Vintage Soda Siphon
Now if the mainstream retro look of Sodastream doesn’t appeal to you, but you still love sparkling water or generally just like the vintage look of soda siphons. Then I would highly recommend this vintage soda siphon. They look amazing as part of your kitchen décor but it also works amazingly.
Women’s Vintage Kitchen Apron
Okay, what I want you to do is to picture your complete retro designed kitchen. Beautiful, isn’t it. What’s it missing? look down at yourself, now look back at the Kitchen. You see what’s missing yet? No Vintage kitchen is complete without someone cooking up a storm in a cute little retro Apron.
I have two recommendations for vintage apron aesthetics but I don’t see why you can’t get both given the price! This first one is a cute, yellow, lemon designed apron in super soft cotton with pockets for all your retro cooking needs.
‘Sweetheart’ Retro Cooking Apron
So the above apron is the classy, sophisticated “I’m vintage but I also mean business” type of apron. Great for Sunday roast cooking vibes. This one however, is the totally adorable ‘Golden Apple Sweetheart’ apron. Perfect for baking vibes, cupcakes and sweet treats. This is more Retro pinup style apron.
I also didn’t want to get carried away posting apron after apron, so I chose my two personal favourites, some of the other ones I loved which I highly considered adding and you might love was this Vintage Frilly Apron, this Cottage feel apron, and this multi-purpose vintage apron. Check them all out and see which you prefer.
Vintage ‘Coffee’ Tin Painting
Nothing quite says vintage like these tin paintings. Especially if you have white walls in your kitchen, it really helps with the retro designing. They work well all around the house for vintage aesthetics but for kitchens in particular I really love the drink ones. Like these coffee ones.
Milkshake Retro Tin Wall Art
Another great option for retro kitchen wall art is this Milkshake one. Perfect if you’re trying to convey a retro diner aesthetic.
Nostalgic Coca-Cola Tin Art
Finally is this nostalgic coca-cola tin art. Super vintage and perfect for vintage/retro kitchen décor.
All 3 of these options for tin art would work perfectly together as a collection.
Galanz Retro Fridge Freezer
For the star of the kitchen we have this retro Galanz fridge freezer. The fridge is one of the larger kitchen appliances and so the first thing you see when you walk in. It sets the tone for the vibe of your kitchen.
This one is perfect for hitting that vintage/retro design aspect. This one in particular is 215L but it also comes in the smaller and cheaper option of a 86L. So if you’re not ready to commit to your retro theme or you already have a perfectly working fridge freezer you don’t want to get rid of, then you can get the smaller one as a countertop piece.
Finally, you also have the option of more subtle colours such as cream or black.
Countertop Kitchen Vinyl
Perfect for renters is vinyl. If you haven’t heard of this before I’m about to blow your rental home design minds. It’s basically glossy wall paper which has a sticky back. Meaning you can put it on anything to protect the surface so when you eventually move out, you retain all your deposit, and it means you can decorate without asking for the landlords permission.
Back in my old flat I used this stuff all over my kitchen. On every single cupboard to make my kitchen vibrant green, it was like I had a whole new kitchen without having to paint or buy new cabinets. And it was super easy to remove.
Some ideas for this is to use it on the walls like wallpaper, you can even do part of the walls like your splash back area, or use it on your countertops, cupboards and cabinets, it even can be used on the floor.
Livelynine have a range of vibrant retro colours that work perfect for vintage aesthetics.
TOTIO Adhesive Tile Pattern Vinyl
If you want something more creative for vintage vinyl, I recommend this tile pattern vinyl by Totio.
I’d recommend this on the entire splash back area of your retro kitchen, or on the floor to make the ground pop.
The beauty of vinyl is that it’s relatively cheap and so easy to put up and take down that you can go as wacky as you like. If it doesn’t look good, you can just remove it.
2-Piece Kitchen Rug Set
Question… How do you feel about kitchen rugs? Just check these ones out and let me know what you think. For vintage/retro kitchen designs I couldn’t recommend them enough. They don’t just look retro but they feel proper well and truly retro.
Retro Multi-Coloured Rug
Now I couldn’t just give you one option for kitchen rugs, so to make things more difficult for you to decide, I have this here second option. Whilst the above is radiating vintage vibes, this is more 70s retro.
Retro Breakfast Bar Stools
For those of us lucky enough to have a breakfast bar, I’d highly recommend some stand out bar stools to fit your retro design.
My top picks would have to be these pink and gold retro styled diner stools.
Mosine 6-piece Knife Set and Ceramic Block
Let’s talk about knives for a second. We need some that are great value for money, stand the test of time, work well and look retro. Hard find but worry not, I’ve found just the ones. This Mosine set ticks them boxes perfectly.
American 50s Diner Furniture Retro Set
I figured I’d end this post with a big one. The ultimate “accessory” for achieving the ultimate retro/vintage kitchen design. Which is none other than an actual 50s American diner set. This is a dream piece and actually great value for money considering what you’re getting. If there was one thing to create the perfect retro kitchen vibe, it would be to have this in the corner of your kitchen/dining room…
Smartblend is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.co.uk and amazon.com. Smartblend does earn a small commission on goods purchased through the included links. Don't worry, it doesn't cost you any more, but we do appreciate your referral!
Hi, I’m Cameron, guv’nor of Smartblend and author of this article. I hope this helped you live out your retro kitchen design dreams. If it has, why not check out other kitchen recommendations I have right here on Smartblend? A few are listed below.
Which air fryer would best suit your lifestyle - Price, pros, cons and review comparison of the top air fryers on the market 2023