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Feeling like you've caught a '40s fever? Start with these iconic 1940s kitchen design ideas. From demure wallpaper to bright and bold ceramics, we have all of the 1940s kitchen inspiration you need to make your culinary hidey-hole pop. 

1940s Kitchen Design Basics 

Every good design starts somewhere, and these are the vintage basics every modern '40s kitchen can build off. 

Color Palette 

Bold, primary, and vivid colors were all the rage in the 1940s, with there being two-toned kitchens in abundance.

Additionally, '40s kitchens embraced this sense of color in unique tiling techniques. Countertops were tiled with one color for the main area and a second as the border and trim. These colors were then repeated in a checkerboard on the floor, in the curtains, the appliances, and the wall art.

When building a '40s kitchen color palette, you can't go wrong with these colors: 

• ³Ò°ù±ð±ð²Ô²õ:ÌýLook for kelly green, dark greens, or any shade in between. 
• Red and White: Bright cherry or apple red paired with crisp white was extremely popular in 1940s interior design.
• Blues: Seek out military-inspired blues like Air Force blue and navy blue.
• Yellow: Bright and cheery sunshine yellow was very popular.

Kitchen Accessories

If you have a small decorating budget, finding vintage or vintage-inspired accessories is a great place to start.

Look for old embroidered hand towels to frame, or a favorite piece of art — it's totally fine to mix vintage and modern to get the wall decor look you want.

These are a few of our favorite ideas: 

• Adding window treatments decorated with red cherries, gingham, or checked pattern
• Adding wallpaper with cherries, fruit, and rooster patterns
• Replacing cabinet pulls and knobs with painted acrylic or enamel ones
• Setting up your dinner table with tablecloths, especially easy-to-clean oilcloths
• Decorating your cabinets and countertops with vintage bread boxes and canisters
• °Õ³ó°ù¾±´Ú³Ù¾±²Ô²µÌývintage kitchen tools

Furnishings

Kitchen furniture in the 1940s sets the stage for what's to come in the '50s and '60s. If you're buying new, keep an eye out for brightly colored upholstery and chrome or enamel chairs and tables.

If you're working with what you currently have, consider painting your wooden chairs in bright '40s colors like sunny yellow or mist green. Keep the wood tone of the table intact, and if possible, look for tables that have chrome legs to finish the design.

Square and/or rectangle dining tables were all the rage, with smaller sets fitting perfectly into late-'40s breakfast nooks. These wood and enamel dining room tables would give way to the diner-style metal tables that were preferred in the 1950s. 

Related: 9 Vintage Kitchen Items Much Better Than the Modern Versions

Appliances

One of the quickest ways to evoke a 1940s kitchen is with enamel (or faux enamel) appliances. White was a popular color for ovens, and other colors like blue, red, and yellow were also frequently sold. 

Though wood and coal-burning cast-iron stoves were still used in many homes, gas stoves were increasingly popular with brands like Roper, Gaffers & Sattler, and O'Keefe & Merritt dominating the market. Electric stoves were widely advertised, and with electricity becoming cheaper, many households upgraded to electric stoves throughout the 1940s. 

Ice boxes were widely used throughout the early '40s thanks to wartime rationing. However, after the war, refrigerators soared in popularity. 

Additionally, there weren't too many small appliances during this era. However, some authentic small appliances from this period you may want to collect as decorative pieces include:

• Toasters
• Stand mixers
• Electric tea kettles
• Waffle irons
• Irons (usually kept in the kitchen)

Cabinets and Cupboards

Many upper cabinets reached the ceiling, and soffits were used for cabinets that didn't. Soffits were often decorated with wallpaper as a way to add interest and color to the kitchen.

Cupboards, lards, and hutches were decorative, standalone units that stored linens, ceramics, and crockery that expanded the storage space in these typically smaller home kitchens. 

Countertops and Sinks

While stainless steel countertops were still being used, the introduction of laminated countertops quickly became a fan-favorite. After WWII, the housing boom gave homeowners new choices, and the colorful options laminated countertops offered were a welcome change.

Wall-mounted kitchen sinks were made from molded, cast iron and covered with porcelain enamel. The sinks featured either one or two wells that were deep and flanked on each side with a drainboard. These sinks featured a high backsplash with the faucet and handles mounted on the backsplash.

Flooring

Linoleum was a popular kitchen flooring in the 1940s and continues to be. Much like why many people prefer linoleum to hardwood or tile, linoleum flooring in the '40s cost significantly less than hardwood. Linoleum floors were also easy to clean and maintain, with several patterns and color options to choose from. Large checkerboard patterns were popular and available in several colors.

Related: 10+ Vintage Platters That Serve Food in Style

Where to Find Items for Your Forties-Inspired Kitchen 

Armed with our primer on 1940s kitchens and this cheat-sheet for sourcing the perfect period-accurate pieces, you'll be able to bring your victory kitchen to life in no time. 

Antique Stores & Thrift Stores 

Antique stores are one of the best places to find domestic items from the 1940s, though you can occasionally come across special pieces in thrift stores. What you pay for in the more expensive prices, you make up for in variety. 

Upgrading your kitchen on a smaller budget? Keep your eyes peeled for glassware, ceramics, and vintage linens at the thrift. While you may come across a vintage toaster or two, you have the highest chance of stumbling across period-accurate dinnerware. 

Online Marketplaces & Resellers 

From the stalwart that is to the upscale and pricey option that is , there are tons of online marketplaces where you can hunt down authentic 1940s pieces. The name of the game is patience. Finding the perfect piece may take time, so set some search alerts and visit a few times a week to be the first one to call dibs. 

Estate Sales 

Estate sales are an awesome way to hunt and peck for valuable vintage treasures, especially domestic items like furniture, cutlery, dinnerware, and more. To make the most of your time, familiarize yourself with the period pieces you're most interested in so you can quickly pick them out in a picture.

It also helps to have a general visual knowledge of the design aesthetics and fashion from the era, as finding these in the listing's pictures can be an indicator of more period treasures lying in wait.  

Retro-Inspired Manufacturers 

Online retailers aren't the only digital places to source delightfully '40s pieces. There are entire businesses dedicated to bringing retro aesthetics back, and Smeg is one of the most renowned. Smeg makes beautiful to coffee makers, toasters, and everything in between. 

Mix & Match the Old & the New 

The 1940s were a bridge for traditional craftsmanship and modern aesthetics, pushing rich colors and new technology to the forefront. Mixing and matching the old with the new is easier than you think once you have your head wrapped around the basics. Now that you're familiar with 1940s kitchen design foundations, you're ready to recreate your own!