When it comes to creating a retro kitchen, it is all about giving the idea of stepping back in time and not actually doing so. While you may love the retro look - no matter what past decade you enjoy most - living with a kitchen that is truly in the past isn't for the faint of heart.

If you're used to having all of your mod cons within arm's reach, you probably don't want to give these up just because you want your kitchen to look cute and retro. This means you need to find ways of making your kitchen look older than it is and disguising your modern appliances.

Here are our top tips for achieving a retro kitchen without having to give up on comfort:

Wall signs

No matter what era you want to represent in your kitchen, there are sure to be reproduction signs or pictures that are from this time. You can display these on your walls to add that retro feel and bring character to the room.

Signs like those advertising Pears Soap are perfect for a Victorian feel, while Coca-Cola signs are ideal for adding a touch of 1950s flair to your room.

One or two well-placed signs or pictures can work wonders, so you really don't need to cover every spare inch of space on your walls to create the look you want.

Spot-on shades

The right colours are an important part of getting your retro kitchen right. You should opt for realistic shades that would have been used during the era you love, although a touch of artistic licence is totally fine.

It is a good idea to research what colours are right, as the idea you have may not be totally accurate. For example, most people think that the 1950s were all about pastel shades, but the era also liked brighter colours like red.

Look at images from the decade you want to emulate, as well as modern interpretations to find the right balance.

Perfect materials

As well as colour, the materials used in your kitchen can also affect the overall look and feel of the space. Did people make use of wood or were they more about laminate during the period you are hoping to replicate?

Maybe there was a nice mix of materials used in the kitchens? Rooms from the 1070s, for example, made use of bright coloured tiles as well as wood, metal and plastic, creating really textured designs.

You may even want to use a more modern material but make it look retro. There are a lot of options so see what you think works together.

Appliances

Luckily you can still get kitchen appliances with a retro feeling, helping to build on your look. In fact, some aspects of your kitchen may not be overly different from what was available way back when - even if the price tag has gone up!

Things like range cookers have been around for years so could be a great choice for your kitchen if you want a really dated look, while you can get 1940s and 50s style appliances on the market from even cheaper high street retailers now due to the popularity of the era.

This means that everything from your cooker to your kettle can represent the time that you love.