Equip the kitchen with a retro refrigerator

Equipping the kitchen with a retro refrigerator is an increasingly popular trend in kitchen design. The retro fridges are coming back to power. They are modern and give the kitchen a special character and charm of the past century. Thanks to its external design and the diverse color palette in strong or delicate pastel shades, the retro refrigerator transforms into the centerpiece of every kitchen. What does the original retro refrigerator actually look like and how it can be integrated into the modern kitchen interior?

the modern kitchen with a retro character and blue accents

One of the peculiarities that distinguish the retro refrigerator from the others is namely the color. The color palette of light and dark colors in high gloss offers the right accent for every kitchen and every taste. What is hidden behind the colorful retro design from the 50s, 60s and 80s is actually innovative technology, thanks to which the modern retro refrigerator is one of the products with the highest energy classes. And it is precisely the combination of the two that is to blame for the high price.

Project ap1211_Alan Chu Arquiteto

original and bold color scheme in the kitchen with a retro refrigerator in yellow

Northstar refrigerator in light yellow – modern kitchen equipment in retro style

elegant kitchen design in blue, beige and white

fresh color accents in the kitchen with a retro fridge in orange

Mini retro refrigerator for mini kitchens

Photo: Julien Fernandez

black refrigerator Smeg with sticker “New York Time” as a great retro accent in the white kitchen

Give the old fridge a new retro look with cool stickers for refrigerators from KUDU magnets

Of course, the real retro fridges have an authentic retro character thanks to their unique design in different colors, but this is an investment that has its price. If you have decided to renovate the kitchen according to this trend and furnish it with such a retro refrigerator, there is also a more cost-effective solution as an alternative to the colorful classic. Thanks to the diverse selection of patterned adhesive films, sticker tattoos and different types of contact paper, the old and boring refrigerator can be easily and effectively redesigned again and again. The best part about spicing it up this way is the quick conversion of your fridge that you can make all over again and completely different in a while. Here you will find some inspiration for it, as well as the steps through which you can turn the white refrigerator into a real eye-catcher.

Spring mood in the kitchen – flower tattoos for decoration of the white refrigerator

DIY retro fridge with sticker

The materials you need to get hold of beforehand are adhesive foil, a pen, some washing-up liquid, a sponge, a cutter knife and a cloth.

Step 1: Measure the refrigerator to determine the amount of adhesive required. If the brand of the refrigerator is to remain visible, you must first mark its place on the sticker and cut it out.

Step 2: Clean the surface or wash it with a sponge and then dry it well with a dry cloth.

Step 3: Before removing the protective film, place the adhesive film on the chosen part of the refrigerator and use a pen to mark the exact piece of paper that you need to cut and glue. To make it easier for you, you can attach the adhesive film to the refrigerator using magnets.

Step 4: Cut the adhesive film with a cutter knife and attach it to the refrigerator.

DIY retro fridge with hexagon pattern – wallpaper ”sexy hexy” from chasing paper

Wallpaper ”speckle” from chasing paper for a new fridge look

renovate the kitchen, then pull the refrigerator door with you

great and simple idea for kitchen renovation and design with a striped pattern of the refrigerator

creative idea for fridge decoration from the kitchen of wedding photographer Ruth Allen

cover the refrigerator with dots made of adhesive film

colorful dots for colorful decoration of a white refrigerator

fresh green color accents for white kitchens

Bring bright colors to the kitchen with a refrigerator with yellow flowers

Another alternative for DIY retro refrigerators or simply beautifying the old refrigerator is to paint it. This is a bit more complex than decorating with stickers, but the effort will be worth it and lead to wonderful and cool results. There are already different types of lacquer and paint for household appliances. In addition to a color specifically for the target, you can also use spray paint, enamel paint or paint and primer in one product.

Eliminate ideas for the old refrigerator

DIY retro refrigerator using paint

If you have the inclination and the time to do so, here are the steps:

Step 1: Before applying the paint, you need to lightly sand the surface of the refrigerator. Then wash it off with a soapy cloth and rinse the surface with a damp cloth.

Step 2: Use the tape to protect the door handles, the brand logo and the rubber seal on the refrigerator.

Step 3: prepare the paint and paint the fridge. Here you will need a small paint roller as well as a small brush. After you’ve already colored the surface, apply a second coat of the color.

Step 4: Once the paint is completely dry, you can peel off the tape and remove any residue from the paint with rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover.

Step 5: For those who just need a new color, the motif is the next step. Those who are brave enough or are good at hand signals can paint the desired pattern with a brush and paint directly on the refrigerator that has already been painted. If you don’t dare to do something like that, you can use painter’s stencil. In the following example, the blue-painted refrigerator is also covered with various black flowers, some of which are also filled with white.

paint the old refrigerator and embellish it with hand-painted flowers

embellish a retro refrigerator from the 50s with a bit of color

DIY chalkboard retro refrigerator

If we are already on the subject of ‘gestalten Redesign the refrigerator with color‘,, then we cannot miss the variant with chalk paint. Most of you directly imagine the typical black chalk color, but in reality a chalk board surface is also possible in other colors.

a memo board and refrigerator in one

Step 1: First lightly sand the refrigerator surface, then clean it and simply cover all parts that are to be protected from the paint with adhesive tape. It is best to remove the door handles.

Step 2: Typically, a layer of magnetic primer should be applied before the chalk paint. However, for everyone who has read the instructions for use beforehand, the idea may not seem particularly suitable, due to the possible health effects.

Step 3: If you still want to use a magnetic primer to decorate the refrigerator with magnets and photos, let it dry completely and then apply the chalk paint using a paint roller. Let the chalk paint dry for three days.

Step 4: In three days, rub the whole surface with chalk and wipe it off. After that, the chalkboard refrigerator should be ready for writing on.

the black retro refrigerator will always be a classic

With the help of a magnetic primer and chalk paint, any refrigerator can be transformed into an original retro piece

Photo: Penny & Finn

As further inspiration for authentic kitchen design with colored refrigerators, we present a vintage refrigerator from the Spanish company Portobello Street, which clad modern refrigerators with wooden panels.

the modern vintage style refrigerator “Nevera Boston” from Portobello Street