11920s: A Little Bit of Color
GraphicaArtisThough color didn't totally dominate until the '50s, some designers encouraged a little playfulness with decor as early as 1920. Note the compact icebox and the very roomy double-sink.
21920: All Hail the Cooking Stove
Charles Le Grice/Hulton ArchiveIt's big, it's bulky, but it's useful. Multiple burners let you multi-task. In the 1920s, enamel finishes became trendy, which added more style options but also ease when wiping them down.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
31923: Built-Ins Reorganize Our Spaces
By the early '20s, the piecemeal kitchen, with its freestanding Hoosier cabinet, stove, and work table, was being replaced with all-in-one configurations.
41926: Labor Savers Came Along
Waffle irons, toasters, and percolators were such marvels in the '20s that we suggested placing them — all of them — right on the dining table.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
51934: Keeping It Compact
A more streamlined gas stove and over-the-sink dish storage maximized space in smaller rooms.
61935: Art Deco Accents Arrive
Douglas Miller/Topical Press AgencyThe sleek, glamorous lines of the Art Deco period made its way into the kitchen. There's an emphasis on light (a triple window), sleek lines, and a geometric motif make a definitive statement.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
71939: The "Self Cleaning" Kitchen
Saving time was a consistent theme in the '30s, when House Beautiful teamed up with Procter & Gamble to create the Ivory Washable House. The design emphasized materials that were easy to clean and maintain, like metal cabinets, stainless steel counters, and linoleum floors.
81949: Eat-In Kitchen
Built-in dining nooks first hit our pages in 1920, but they weren't exactly comfy — think church pew – style benches. Fast-forward to 1949, and the nook had morphed into a comfortable banquette, ideal for casual family meals.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
91950: Inside the Modern Fridge
Easy-to-clean glass shelves, in-door compartments, and crisper drawers were a novel design in the '50s, and would become standard.
101950: The Electric Range
We've cooked with wood, coal and gas, but by now, an electric range, however small, was the hallmark of the high-tech kitchen of the period.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
111950s: The Kitchen as Status Symbol
William HowlandNew advances in food tech and labor-saving devices theoretically saved time in meal prep, making it possible to devote more space in your kitchen to decor (rather than to a pantry).
121951: I Love Lucy
Lucy and Ricky Ricardo ate breakfast together at their kitchen countertop every morning rather than a typical dining table—a space-saving trick that apartment dwellers employ to this day.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
131951: Open Kitchens Take Hold
Though we think of open floor plans as very "today," the modern homes of the midcentury often boasted the boundary-less designs that combined many functions into one space. Here, pastel cabinets separate the social area from the cooking space in the kitchen.
141953: Hidden Helpers
While we can't speak to the safety of pull-out steps that function as an eating surface (let alone speak to the hygienic impact), but the '50s were all about innovations ... quite often for the sake of innovations.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
151955: The "Fitted" Kitchen
HousewifeCustom cabinetry was a popular option in the affluent '50s. White enamel and stainless steel reflect a more practical consideration.
161955: The New "Living Room"
FPG/Hulton ArchiveBy the mid-century, the kitchen had become a stylish gathering space. In 1953, House Beautiful wrote about this new era: "The best measure of the revolution in the food world is that the kitchen has become a presentable living room. The kitchen has changed because the work done there is different, and because modern materials can look beautiful — yet still be practical." This combo kitchen and dining area elegantly proves the point.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
171957: Getting Gourmet
Maynard ParkerAs food prep becomes simpler, cooking takes on a more "hobby" status. Budding gourmets flock to the teachings of Julia Child, while more adventurous types take advantage of new tech (like the indoor barbecue and range hood in this kitchen). Decor-wise, color is king, but also lighting — high-end kitchens rely on recessed or hidden sources of illumination.
181959: Leave It To Beaver
June Cleaver's spotless kitchen on the beloved sitcom was a central gathering place for her wholesome family. The picture-perfect mother and wife regularly washed dishes wearing heels and pearls.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
191960s: Going for Gold
ArchiveThe emergence of earth tones in the mid-to-late '60s brings shades like "harvest gold" and "avocado green" into kitchens across the country. Though some may go even bolder with color, these hues remained popular even though the '80s.
201960s: The U-Shaped Kitchen
Tom Kelley ArchiveThe U-shaped kitchen gives a space the feeling of intimacy without being enclosed by walls. This design also provides a little extra space for cooking and storage, while still allowing natural light to come in.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below