image via Pinterest Trends
New Trend Alert: Kitschens
First up – what does “Kitschy Kitchens” really mean?
Kitschy home decor is nostalgic, quirky and whimsical. This trend embraces playful and unconventional items, such as retro-inspired appliances, novelty-shaped utensils, and colorful accessories, creating a fun and lighthearted atmosphere in the kitchen space. “Kitschy Kitchen” decor includes unique and unexpected design choices that evoke a sense of charm and individuality.
Kitschy style is making a comeback heading into 2024. I’m not saying to go ahead and renovate, but you can incorporate some small items to ease into the trend! Below are five categories of items (all available on Amazon!) that you can bring into your kitchen.
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1. Retro-Inspired Coffee Maker
These adorable coffee makers bring a delightful retro touch to any kitchen. They don’t just have a charming vintage design, but are also practical for your morning coffee routine. Here a couple different options at a higher and lower price-point.
1. Try out this Nostalgia coffee maker in a bold aqua color:
Nostalgia Retro 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker With LED Display, Automatic Shut-Off & Keep Warm, Pause-And-Serve Function, Aqua
2. This Café coffee maker has more of a timeless design while tying into the vintage-inspired trend. It also has built-in wifi and smart home tech. It’s more of a splurge, but would be more of an investment to last:
Café Specialty Drip Coffee Maker
3. If tea is more your thing, you can’t go wrong with this vintage-inspired Smeg electric tea kettle. I have this exact kettle and I use it no less than twice a day to heat up water for my tea. I love the different temperature settings and the cute song it plays when it’s ready!
Smeg Cream Stainless Steel 50’s Retro Variable Temperature Kettle
2. Whimsical Ceramic Planters
These quirky planters in playful shapes infuse some greenery into the kitchen space. This is a great option to add a touch of whimsy to your countertops or windowsills. There are so many great options on Amazon, but here are a couple of my favorites:
1. This set of 5 cute planters from La Jolie Muse are so fun to sprinkle around your kitchen and into other nearby rooms in your home:
LA JOLIE MUSE Small Succulent Pots with Drainage
2. This adorable giraffe planter puts a modern spin on the kitschy style:
HAUCOZE Flower Pot Succulent Cacuts Planter Giraffe
3. This daily flower pot might be my favorite! Such a fun pop of color and whimsical design:
GUGUGO Cute Daisy Flower Pot
3. Colorful Utensil Set:
Colorful utensils serve a functional purpose, but also act as a vibrant decor element. If you don’t want to use them every day, they’re fun to have as special-occasion utensils to pull out at dinner parties, birthdays & special occasions or to use for dessert.
1. This utensil set is bold without being over the top in pastel shades:
ANNOVA 24PCS Flatware Set Stainless Steel Silverware/Cutlery Set With Colored Handles
2. How fun is this colorful set of utensils?! Imagine how fun these would be for a birthday party or special occasion. Pairs perfectly with birthday cake!
VANDBAO Rainbow Flatware Cutlery Silverware Set 20 Pieces
3. If you don’t want to take the plunge into kitschy utensils, consider these other kitchen tools in vibrant colors. They’d look so cute in a pretty ceramic holder on the counter.
Keidason Silicone Kitchen Utensils Set, 12-piece Silicone cooking Utensils
4. Novelty Salt and Pepper Shakers:
Now this is where you can really have fun! Since they’re so small and typically inexpensive, salt and pepper shakers are such a fun way to bring a little kitsch into your kitchen. You can get all sorts of different shapes, animals and colors. Here are a few that I love!
1. These mushroom salt and pepper shakers are SO cute. I’m obsessed. Just the right little touch of kitsch to add to your table.
Bico Gnome Mushroom Salt & Pepper Shaker Set, Dishwasher Safe
2. These little Kisses add a sweet touch to your kitchen.
Godinger Hershey’s Kisses Chocolate Salt and Pepper Shaker Set
3. Okay, these little kissing chihuahuas have a special place in my heart! I have a chihuahua myself and these are so adorable – they even magnetize together!
Pacific Trading 1 X Tea Cup Pups Magnetic Salt & Pepper Shaker Set
5. Playful Dish Towels:
Finally, these playful dish towels add a touch of personality to any kitchen. These are fun to swap out for different holidays or moods and come in so many different designs – from vibrant patterns to character designs to quotes.
1. These little cactus towels would pair perfectly with your new kitschy planters! These add a little pop of interest while staying in a subtle color.
Hiera Home Kitchen Towels – Ultra Soft Cotton and Super Absorbent Dish Towels for Kitchen
2. These bees add such a cute nostalgic touch without being over the top. Pair them with a solid color yellow towel to make it more low-key.
Eyanle Kitchen Towels Dish Cloths for Washing Dishes
3. The throwback hippie design on these towels is such a bold pop of fun to add to your kitchen!
AnyDesign Retro Boho Kitchen Dish Towel Vintage Daisy Sunshine Dishcloth Here Comes The Sun
4. I absolutely love the coastal design of these towels. The words give them a little kitsch and remind me of a vintage handkerchief.
Folkulture Dish Towels for Drying Dishes or Boho Kitchen Towels with Hanging Loop
Ready to Add Some Kitsch to your Kitchen?
If you’re loving this trend that you’re seeing on Pinterest, but aren’t ready to commit to a renovation or more expensive pieces (ie: a new fridge), these decor items are the perfect place to start! I always like to dip my toe into a trend before fully committing. Absolutely love it? Stay tuned for a post where I round up some bigger-ticket items alongside some inspiration pics to incorporate into your redesign.