Kitchens in Phoenix, Arizona in the 1950s and 1960s were pretty much the same: blond wood cabinets that showed off the wood grain. By the 1970s, kitchen styles had changed.
Dark stained cabinetry was the new style in the 1970s. Tiled counters were replaced with Formica counters. Appliances had earthy colors with names like avocado green, burnt orange, and harvest gold.
Here’s a typical Phoenix kitchen from the 1970s. The combo oven/range and the upper oven were popular upgrades. Mostly, the oven and range were one unit, whereas in the 1960s they were separate pieces.
This kitchen from 1971 featured avocado green appliances and matching Formica counters. And very dark cabinets. (Orange and red Formica counters were also popular)
How’s this for avocado green?
Harvest gold oven/range. Door handles were not important in the 1970s.
1974 kitchen.
By the end of the 1970s, appliance colors were getting lighter. Almond or bone or ivory were popular color choices. The extended counter creating a breakfast bar was popular too.
1978 kitchen. With door handles! Cabinet stain was starting to lighten up a bit.
1979 kitchen. Butcher block Formica counters were starting to catch on.
Ornate cabinets.
Check out these cabinets from a home in Glendale, Arizona.
Kitchen in the early 1970s outside of Arizona. Chic and stylish!
Read our article on the 1970s ugly homes. You might find it interesting.
