What The American Kitchen Looked Like the Year You Were Born

Though 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.

By the early '20s, the piecemeal kitchen, with its freestanding Hoosier cabinet, stove, and work table, was being replaced with all-in-one configurations.

The 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.

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.

Easy-to-clean glass shelves, in-door compartments, and crisper drawers were a novel design in the '50s, and would become standard.

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.

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.

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.

Custom cabinetry was a popular option in the affluent '50s. White enamel and stainless steel reflect a more practical consideration.

By 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.

As 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.

The 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.

The 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.