{"id":2269,"date":"2017-09-08T17:15:17","date_gmt":"2017-09-09T00:15:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bestonlinecabinets.com\/blog\/?p=2269"},"modified":"2024-09-21T16:59:37","modified_gmt":"2024-09-21T23:59:37","slug":"kitchen-evolution","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bestonlinecabinets.com\/blog\/kitchen-evolution\/","title":{"rendered":"Kitchen Evolution: Kitchen Design Through The Years"},"content":{"rendered":"

A quick look at kitchens through the years<\/em><\/h2>\n

It\u2019s funny that the term \u201cModern Kitchen\u201d has been used for a long time. And yet, the modern kitchen of yesteryear has just as much in common with its contemporary counterpart as it does not.<\/p>\n

The major components have been the same for decades – a stove, a refrigerator, and a sink. It\u2019s often been a hub of activity where people gather and sometimes even dine. But such wasn\u2019t always the case.<\/p>\n

The History of Kitchen Design Through The Years<\/h2>\n

In the early days of the 20th century, the kitchen (most often) was a dark and dirty, poorly ventilated work room. Usually, it contained a cumbersome cast iron cook stove, and its unduly complicated procedure made it none too user-friendly.<\/p>\n

One would need to gather kindling and wood, then perform several other steps before adjusting the dampers, removing ash, and finally blacking the surface until they were ready to cook.<\/p>\n

After World War I, clean fuels such as gas and electricity rapidly became available for consumption. It was not long before the bulkiness and smoke of the industrial age of the kitchen were obsolete.<\/p>\n

\"stoveeeeeold\"<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t until the mid-1930\u2019s that the kitchen evolved into a large, attentively equipped and detailed \u2013 even decorated \u2013 space of new appreciation. It was typical to have a range standing on four legs, an oven on one side and four burners on the other. A motor-topped refrigerator could also be present along with a free sink. The clutter of the once-drab work room was abandoned and practicality and efficiency emerged.<\/p>\n

The need for storage was recognized and developed quickly. Originally, aluminum containers, metal or oak hutch flour bins, sideboards for pots and pans, and an ironing board folding down from the wall indicated early attempts at addressing the issue. Soon,\"glasscook\"\u00a0built in storage in the form of drawers and cabinets were added. Ultimately the drudgery associated with cooking was believed to be conquered as one new convenience after another became available.<\/p>\n

During the rationing years of World War II flame resistant glass cookware<\/a> made fine replacements for metal pots and pans. In 1946, airtight plastic containers revolutionized the world of kitchen storage. They were called Tupperware<\/a>. You weren\u2019t likely to have accidental spills with these miraculous little wonders and they staved off spoiling for as long as an air free environment would allow.<\/p>\n

\"refrig\"<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t long before innovative new features were included in nearly all new\u00a0homes. \u00a0Homeowners appreciated the implemented developments – cabinets and counters, linoleum floors, built-in fixtures, even a bulky refrigerator (now with a concealed motor). But most awesome of all was the electric range that allowed greater temperature control accuracy than ever before. Factor in the ease of Betty Crocker and Jello food mixes<\/a> and it\u2019s no wonder housewives loved the ease of living in the \u201catomic age\u201d.<\/p>\n

Interestingly, the d\u00e9cor didn\u2019t always reflect advanced science. In fact, at the dawn of the 1950\u2019s an Early America look was all the rage for new homes. In the kitchen, knotty pine woodwork reigned supreme. The cabinets, counters, backsplash even dining table `all appeared to be of the same lacquered rustic wood. Corners were rounded and the designs were distinctly western in flavor (as in the Wild West, for which nostalgia was at an all-time high).\"grooskitchen\"<\/p>\n

The next major appliance to be introduced was the dishwasher. In the post-war boom it was sold mostly to wealthy households (but was commonplace by the 70\u2019s). As the 50\u2019s marched on chrome crept its way into the kitchens design, and table and chair sets becam\"olde popular in the metallic finish. Blenders and toasters were soon prevalent, and the kitchen began to change rapidly, developing colorful identities reflective of the times. Floral patterned wallpaper and bold and pastel colors were used widely as decorative touches.<\/p>\n

In fact, the 60\u2019s brought upon a sort of color overload in kitchens. We\u2019ve all seen the Brady Bunch TV program, with its orange Formica countertops, wood grain cabinets and green appliances – groovy, man. It wasn\u2019t unusual to see pink or blue refrigerators, gold wallpaper, brick overlays or intricate paisley patterned linoleum flooring. Pots and pans hung from the same wall that ovens were now built to fit into. And at the end of the decade, if you didn\u2019t have a Fondue pot and fork set displayed proudly, you probably weren\u2019t interested in being hip.\"brady\"<\/p>\n

As the 70s rolled by, Hamburger Helper<\/a> became a staple of our diets and toaster ovens began to join regular kitchen mainstay toasters on the countertop. You wouldn\u2019t have been alone if you wondered \u201cWhat will they think of next?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u201d, indeed, because that which followed caused yet another revolution \u2013 the microwave oven. By 1975, the microwave had sold over one million units. It was a well-known product \u2013 certainly hailed as a modern marvel \u2013 but the integration was slow. By 1986, only 25% of all American homes had a microwave. It wasn\u2019t until the late 90\u2019s that more than 88% of homes were equipped with one.<\/p>\n

At the turn of the century, the advancements were more of a cosmetic variety. Granite and marble countertops became the preference for new homes everywhere, as did hardwood floors, and long oil-rubbed bronze faucets. Significant technology changes include glass cooktops, industrial style gas ranges and mini smart computers implanted in everything from our fridges to the ovens.\"glass\"<\/p>\n

Certainly kitchens have changed and yet they have generally maintained the same components throughout the years. I\u2019m just waiting for the day that I tell my oven, \u201cPreheat to 400 degrees\u201d and it responds, \u201cI can\u2019t do that, Brooke\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A quick look at kitchens through the years It\u2019s funny that the term \u201cModern Kitchen\u201d has been used for a long time. And yet, the modern kitchen of yesteryear has just as much in common with its contemporary counterpart as it does not. The major components have been the same for decades – a stove, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2271,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[244,243,75,241,242],"class_list":{"0":"post-2269","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-best-rta-cabinets-blog","8":"tag-evolution","9":"tag-history","10":"tag-kitchen","11":"tag-old-school","12":"tag-retro"},"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t