How American Kitchens Have Changed Over the Years

Did you know that America’s love for stainless steel kitchen appliances goes back a lot longer than most people realize? It’s true, but while certain things in the kitchen haven’t changed much, like fridges and ovens, others have!

In fact, American kitchens have undergone several radical transformations throughout the decades, but the changes have been so gradual that most folks have never really taken the time to notice them. So, here’s a look back at how American kitchens have changed over the years.

1910s – Freestanding Furniture

Freestanding furniture stands on its own away from other things. In other words, kitchens didn’t have built-in cupboards or appliances and that’s not all. Kitchen sinks weren’t attached to the wall either. They came as a separate piece.

This was done to increase air circulation which reduced the risk of mold and mildew forming. Cabinets were also freestanding as well.

1910s – Linoleum Prints

Linoleum prints were pretty common in the 1910s as well, and they came in a wide array of colors, shapes and designs like floral, diamonds and water waves. These linocut wall arts served to add a sense of style as well as artistic class to the kitchens of that era.

And as homeowners entered into the next decade, running water and ventilation upgrades were slowly incorporated into kitchens.

1920s – More Colors Added

During the 1920s, kitchen designers and homeowners started incorporating livelier colors to their kitchens. This came in the form of floral drapes added to the windows and colorful linoleum tiles first seen in the 1910s. But color splashes didn’t end there.

People also added rugs to their kitchens and painted their cabinets to make the area cozier or give it a more energizing vibe.

Like the 1910s, 1920s homeowners still used free-standing appliances in their kitchen. And since the stoves of this era were bulkier, they took up a lot of space and limited counter space to cut vegetables and prepare food.

But there was a silver lining as built-in sinks and cabinets started making their appearances. Generally speaking, however, not all Americans could afford to upgrade their furniture from free-standing to built-in.

1927 – Refrigerators Were Introduced

Refrigerators were invented in 1911. Unfortunately, many Americans relied on an icebox, which kept perishable food items chilled using large blocks of ice.

But by 1927, kitchens started incorporating luxury electrical appliances like refrigerators, but kept electrical devices like toasters limited to the dining room. Another notable change towards the end of the 1920s was that built-in sinks had become the norm and Americans switched to gas ranges.