The kitchen in the style of the cafe is a kitchen stylized under a cafe in the spirit of retro or vintage, namely under:
- French bistro;
- Italian trattoria;
- English bakery;
- American snack bar 50-ies;
- ... or any other cafe.
For those who want to simulate in their kitchen the relaxed and laid-back atmosphere of a coffee shop, a confectionery, a pizzeria or a restaurant, we have prepared a list of 10 decorating ideas and 100 photos for your inspiration.
10 design ideas for the kitchen in the cafe style
1. We acquire a bar counter
The bar counter will not only support the stylistics of the cafe in your kitchen, but it will also make it more convenient for snacks, partying and working at the computer.
In a small kitchen, she can replace the dining table, and in a large kitchen, she can divide the space into the kitchen, bar and dining area.
The most authentic variant of a bar rack is a rack in a niche of a partition, as, for example, in this small kitchen in studio apartment.
Tip: if there is absolutely no place in the kitchen, then you can convert a window sill into a bar counter.
2. We design a dining area a la bistro
Particular attention should be paid to the dining area. After having formalized it correctly, you will already achieve half the atmosphere of the cafe.
For the kitchen in the style of a cafe will suit:
- Forged tables and chairs;
- Wicker furniture;
- High tables and chairs;
- Round tables;
- Tables on the same foot;
- Sofa;
- Benches;
- A combination of 2-3 small tables like, for example, in this kitchen in the style of a French cafe:
And here is a selection of photo-examples of design of dining areas (scroll the slider to the right).

Tables on the same leg in the style of a cafe
And of course, do not forget about the thematic decor of the dining area. It can be a small bouquet of flowers on the table, hanging clocks or sconces on the wall, signs and inscriptions (we'll discuss this issue in more detail below).
Advice: in search of tables and chairs in furniture stores, do not forget to look into the garden furniture department and contact organizations that sell specialized restaurant furniture, including street furniture.
3. We use open shelves, racks and rails
Open shelves in the kitchen are not very practical, but they exactly correspond to the canon style bistro, as they resemble display cases with pastries or a barista coffee shop. Quite to abandon the hanging cabinets, the headset can be far from every kitchen, but for a couple of shelves and rails in addition, it's not so difficult to find a place.
If the kitchen and dining area are isolated from each other, then the kitchen can be turned into a professional chef kitchen with a "warehouse" in the form of a rack as on the upper right photo.
Advice: do not forget to put stylized cafe decor on the shelves, for example: jars of spices, bottles with oil, glasses for wine, copper Turks, etc.
4. Turn on the interior of the characteristic colors
In the design of interiors, advertising and elements of the corporate style of restaurants and cafes most often use colors that stimulate appetite: red, orange, yellow, burgundy. Especially it is typical for American snackbars of the 50's.
Tip: in the kitchen in the style of the American cafe red, orange and burgundy is often diluted with contrasting white, black and blue tones. In the interior of the kitchen in the style of a Parisian, Italian or English bistro, a muted shade of red or burgundy is more appropriate in the neighborhood with more natural shades - gray, terracotta, beige, brown, etc.
If your kitchen faces south or bright warm colors are not in your taste, then you can choose any other color as the main one. For example, green as in the photo below.
More information on the use of all colors in the interior of the kitchen can be found in our section "Kitchen Color".
5. Choose the right finish
What materials to choose for finishing walls, floors and apron?
Our choice:
- Real brickwork or its very high quality imitation in the decoration of walls;
- Cretaceous wallpaper or slate paint with lettingering to decorate 1-2 accent walls;
- In the cladding of an apron - tiles "pylon";
- On the floor a parquet board and / or tile, especially authentic tile of a color of a sidewalk tile and black-and-white;
- Wooden lining along the walls;
- An old fashioned design - in a flower, a cage, etc., or with a thematic print;
- Topical wallpaper for highlighting the accent wall;
- Aerography, painting or frescoes on one wall;
6. Make out the windows in the style of the cafe
Curtains - this is another style-building detail of the kitchen interior design in the style of a cafe. For an impromptu French, Italian or English restaurant, curtains of restrained colors and country motifs of the following types will suit:
- Curtains-cafe;
- Roman curtains;
- Canopies-awnings in stripes - this is a direct quotation of the bistro style. The photo below shows an example of how you can beat such curtains in the interior of the kitchen in the style of a cafe.
In the interior of the American diner will be the same awnings-marquises of red color, blinds and any curtains with a chess or thematic print.
Tip: ready-made curtains in the right color and size are difficult to find, so it's better to order them in the studio, on the "Fair of Masters" website, or even better - sew yourself.
7. We prefer technology and plumbing in retro style
If you are at the stage of planning the design of the kitchen, then try to choose all the home appliances and sanitary equipment in retro style, since today it can be purchased at any store.
If your goal is to update and redo the already formed interior or you do not have the possibility / desire to choose all the equipment from the refrigerator and to the retro-perfume coffee machine, then you can buy only a couple of stylized appliances, for example, a toaster or a teapot from Smeg.
Council: in the interior of the kitchen in the style of cafes, small household appliances are not only the necessary things, but also a part of the entourage. If there is enough space on the table top, then there can be a lot of devices and you should not hide them in the closet.
8. We decorate the walls with vintage or retro signs
Creating in your kitchen a small France, Italy or England, do not forget to add one or a couple of signboards and display words such as '' Bon appetite! '', '' Bistro '', '' Patisserie '', '' Café "in French , English "Bakery", "Tea time", "Coffee", "Cookie", "Good morning!", etc., and Italian "Cucina", "Ristorante" '' Pizza '', '' Spaghetti '', etc. Signs with LED-backlights such as '' Open '', '' Grill '', '' Bar "etc. are suitable for American retro themes.
Tip: a large selection of different imitations and real vintage (or retro) signs can be searched on the Etsy website or done by yourself.
9. Create cozy lighting
Take the tricks of restaurant light design, with their help you can instantly create an atmosphere of intimacy and romance in your kitchen, for example, during dinner. Lighting in coffee houses is always local and warm, so let your dinner table also have a candle, and above it hangs a sconce, ceiling lampshade, chandelier-chandelier or country lamp.
Of course, the working area should also be well illuminated, and for the entourage you can hang a wall-mounted lantern like a street lamp.
10. We select thematic decor and accessories
As you know, the style of the interior creates details, so try to select decor, dishes and various accessories of the appropriate theme, but keep in mind that they must be of good quality, so as not to seem like a sham.
Here's what decor items can decorate the kitchen in the style of a French bistro.
But such a kitchen in the style of the American snack era pop art.