Character is the buzzword in kitchens right now, with designers and homeowners all searching for new ways to add personality and charm to schemes. And recently, a few vintage kitchen items are making a comeback for this very reason.
We're not talking big features, but rather small vintage kitchen items that add charm and talking points to schemes of every size and style. It's about adding small, useful features that double up as characterful decor.
And it's a revival designers are all getting behind. These are the vintage items you'll be seeing in kitchens everywhere, and the pieces designers say you should look out for to bring charm and old-age style to your space.
5 Vintage Kitchen Items Making a Comeback
There are so many staples of kitchens of bygone eras that have been lost over time. But as people continue to prioritize home-grown produce, making essentials from scratch, and creating rituals out of everyday tasks, these once-forgotten kitchen items are being reintroduced to our homes.
'We always focus on using vintage kitchenalia to style our showrooms. It seems natural for us to use these traditional items rather than new accessories because they are in keeping with the look of the rooms, and they have a much more inspirational and authentic feel,' says Helen Parker, creative director of deVOL.
And there is so much inspiration and joy to be found in pieces from and inspired by traditional kitchens of the past, which is why we are all embracing the vintage kitchenware trend. Here are the five vintage kitchen items designers say are making a comeback and how to style them in your space.
1. Wall-Mounted Pot Racks
You've probably noticed the most stylish kitchens around feature a pot rack, and it's a look that designers love for its vintage charm, which adds function in abundance.
'Pot racks provide a focal point in a kitchen as well as keep the pots and pans within reach. Mixed metals have been popular in kitchens for a while, and this provides another way to introduce a different metal, such as copper, to the space,' says Nadia Subaran, principal and senior designer at Aidan Design.
While they are a great way to store pots and pans you have no cabinet space for, there is an element of styling that makes pot hangers more appealing. After all, no one wants a battered, scratched pan as the centerpiece of their kitchen.
'You know I love a pot rack, and they are definitely having a resurgence. They seemed to have fallen out of favor because people try to avoid clutter, but the key to styling them is to only hang your prettiest pots,' adds Drew Michael Scott of Lone Fox.
With its aged brass finish, this pot rail from Rejuvenation can be easily customized to suit your kitchen and needs. You can make it as long or as short as you need, and adds a chic vintage detail.
The McGee & Co. pot rack is a favorite, and for good reason. This contemporary design has the look of a vintage piece, and has plenty of space for hanging pots, dried herbs, and decor.
For something a bit more decorative, this shinier brass rail from Anthropologie features a charming wiggle detail, adding a touch of extra interest to a functional feature. Sleek and chic in one!
2. Copper Molds
Perfect for displaying on open shelves or hanging on a pot rail, copper molds have been cropping up in kitchens of every size and style. These small, quirky items were once used to make jelly and cakes, but they now appear at vintage sales for reasonable prices.
'I love copper accents and have recently fallen in love with copper Jello or pâté molds. The shapes are amazing. I am sure you can still use them, but I think they are perfect for display. I’ve seen them hung on walls in a gallery-style arrangement, which can look amazing,' says Drew.
And while they are totally charming as display pieces, he notes that there are some fun DIY projects you can create with them, too. 'I recently saw someone drill a small hole in the top of one to use as a lampshade, and I will definitely be stealing that idea.'
If you're looking for copper molds to use as decor, Chairish offers some lovely examples. This cake mold is one of them – perfect for hanging on your pot rack or as wall decor.
For smaller, more unique shapes, these vintage copper molds are a characterful option. Collect a few designs for a dynamic wall display, or layer some with other decor on your shelves.
If, however, you are looking for copper mold to display and use, you can find some beautiful contemporary options, like this cake mold, featuring a ring for hanging when it's not in use.
3. Butter Shapers, Crocks, and Dishes
Butter dishes, crocks, and shapers are all making a strong comeback in kitchens and tablescapes, especially as more people embrace home-grown and reared produce and homesteading.
'Shaped butter is definitely having a revival right now, and there are so many cute molds you can use to shape your butter. The wooden ones are especially charming and can be displayed when you are not using them,' says Drew.
Butter keepers and dishes are also cropping up, and not just vintage examples. From Anthropologie to McGee & Co., all of your favorite homeware brands are bringing out these traditional kitchen essentials in the most timeless designs.
Butter keepers are an unexpected item returning, but it's an incredibly practical way to store your produce in a traditional way. This butter yellow design is a charming option that will never date.
Every host needs a butter mold or two. This decorative mold creates a pretty flower imprint onto your butter, but you can also choose a Christmas tree for holiday hosting for a special touch.
If you're new to storing your butter anywhere other than the packaging it comes in, a butter dish is a great entry point. This neutral dish is a timeless choice to blend seamlessly into any space.
4. Green Glass
Take a trip to your local antiques and vintage sale, and you'll probably find colored glass in abundance. From the 1920s and '30s and even throughout the '50s, it's unlikely you'd find a kitchen without a display of bright glassware. And one color in particular is enjoying a revival.
'Green glass that was thrifted or passed down from a family member is another vintage kitchen item we have seen making a return. For instance, one of our clients displays her heirloom green glass on open shelves in her kitchen. It accents the light wood cabinetry we designed for the space,' says Nadia.
'Green glass or vintage glass pieces look beautiful on open shelves or in glass display cabinets, where you can enjoy the color and shape of the pieces. In the kitchen shown, we paired the open shelves with vintage glass, an antique-style pendant over the sink, and white dinnerware and green dishes.'
One of the easiest vintage-inspired kitchen items to bring back into your home, this set of four tumblers is a stylish way to get the look. Display them on a shelf or inside a glazed cabinet.
You can source striking vintage green glass from local vintage sales or on Etsy. This seller is offering a range of green glass goblets, all with unique appeal to add character to your kitchen.
If you prefer glassware that feels a bit more decorative, these glasses are a chic choice. The patterned detail gives them a vintage feel – perfect as shelf decor or as part of a playful tablescape.
5. Traditional kettles and coffee pots
There's no denying there's a plethora of coffee makers and kettles on the market that are high-tech, easy-to-use, and give you a barista-grade brew in the morning. And while there will always be a place for them in our kitchens, there is something so appealing about traditional cooktop kettles and coffee pots.
'Making your morning coffee can be almost a ritual for some people. While Nespresso or Keurig machines are very convenient, there is something special about taking a little extra time to make it with a French press, moka pot, or Turkish coffee pot,' says Drew.
'They have such beautiful designs and take up much less space than a large countertop coffee machine,' he adds, noting their appeal in small kitchens. And these vintage-inspired pieces double up as decor. A copper pot perched on top of your range cooker, or a moka pot on a shelf layered with decor, adds vintage style to any space.
The ribbed glass paired with the stainless steel accents gives this French press a cool vintage look, and it's the perfect addition to your kitchen for slower, more intentional morning rituals.
How charming is this stovetop kettle? From Walmart's Beautiful by Drew Barrymore collection, the sage green colorway adds a cottage feel, while the brass details not to vintage style.
In an era where brass is the favored finish of choice, cooler tones add a vintage flair. This moka pot, finished in stainless steel, is a perfect example and offers a space-saving coffee-making appliance.
Whether you embrace the trend for pot rails or add character with a display of copper molds, this revival of vintage kitchen items is about more than an aesthetic. It signals the shift in the way we design kitchens that reflect our lifestyles. It's less about utility and high-tech design, and more about intentional living and embracing rituals.
