Renovation of a 1950s Kitchen

Walls

• If the home is structurally sound, homeowners should start a kitchen remodel by selecting a wall color. Styles of the 1950s usually included wallpaper or paint in bold colors, including red, turquoise or yellow. To modernize the look, consider selecting something more neutral such as white, cream, taupe or mossy green. For a more vibrant style, consider using a hue from the jewel tone family such as purple, red or gold. To embrace a bit of traditional '50s style, consider combining neutral tones with a vibrantly colored accent wall.

Flooring

• Proper flooring selection is essential to making the room function properly and keeping it looking good. Traditional '50s kitchens often had linoleum or ceramic tile floors. Both of these options are still widely available and come in a vast selection of colors, textures and patterns. Additional options include manufactured hardwood, which will withstand damage, warping and cracking better than natural hardwood, or concrete, a material that is not uncommon inside the home. Concrete is durable and resistant to stains, cracks and chips, and you may stain or stamp it to just about any color or texture imaginable. To stick with a flooring design of the era, consider a black and white checkerboard pattern. This design was a common one in the 1950s and is a fun way to keep the style authentic to that of the home's origins.

Cabinets and Counters

• Cabinet selection and countertops are often the largest chunk of a budget. If new cabinets are not in the budget, you may be able to refinish and upgrade existing pieces with new hardware. You'll most likely need to replace countertops in an older kitchen, and there is a wide selection of materials available for just about every budget. Granite is common in contemporary homes but may be cost-prohibitive for some budgets. Alternatives include concrete, which you can paint or stain, ceramic tile or engineered stone, which resembles its natural counterpart but is a fraction of the cost.

Layout

• A few common layouts provide both ample storage and an efficient arrangement of work space. The galley kitchen is ideal for small spaces, particularly apartments and condos. This style is long and narrow, with appliances and countertops along two walls. It is simple and the most inexpensive layout. L-shaped kitchens work for just about any size space and provide free movement for the cook and visitors without creating bottlenecks. Countertops sit along perpendicular walls, which focuses the work area and appliances at the crook of the L. Additionally, U- and G- shapes add more counter space and cabinets for storage.