From the hostess trolleys of the Seventies to the rise of smart cookers today, this look back at retro Argos catalogues reveals just how much Britain’s kitchens have changed over the last 50 years.
Experts from the British retail chain have analysed cuttings from each decade to identify some of the biggest trends in kitchens.
The Eighties, for example, saw kitchen gadgets becoming more commonplace.
While some, like toastie makers, have stood the test of time, others like electric food slicers and wall-mounted can openers are largely a thing of the past.
Meanwhile the matching sets of the Nineties have made way for more Instagram-friendly aesthetics in this social media age of the last 10 years.
Scroll down to relive some of the biggest trends over the last 50 years – and see the expert predictions for what we’ll be snapping up in the future…
1970s: Dinner party favourites
Rise and shine! Automatic tea makers were the height of sophistication for many in the 70s
Hostess with the most-ess: A hostess trolley was the must have for weekend dinner parties
Attention to detail: This rotary iron, a steal at only £33.45, was just the tool to get all the creases out of table cloths and napkins before guests arrived for dinner
The Seventies saw a rise in ‘dinner party chic’ and any item that could help the hostess put on the perfect soiree flew off the pages.
The rotary iron, a steal at only £33.45, was just the tool to get all the creases out of table cloths and napkins before guests arrived, and household could be without a Hostess Royal Heated Trolley (£55.95), making sure that food stayed piping hot.
To make the morning after the festivities that much easier, a hostess would set her automatic tea maker to help her rise and shine.
1980s: Gadgets galore
How did we ever live without them? Pictured: 1) Electric carving knife; 2) Electric carving knife; 3) Electric food slicer; 4) Electric yoghurt maker; 5) Electric gas lighter; 6) Electric can opener
The Eighties saw gadgets of all shapes and sizes popping up in the catalogue pages – and being snapped up by homeowners keen to be at the cutting-edge.
As technology started to become cheaper and more accessible, kitchens filled with electrical gadgets, from electric food slicers to toastie makers.
This passion for small, speedy gadgets also extended to simpler items like electric can openers and carving knives – everything you need for the perfect roast dinner.
1990s: Multi-tasking and matching sets
Matchy matchy! Shoppers could buy their entire kitchen set in the Eternal Beau pattern
Saving time: All-in-one gadgets like ice cream makers and juice extractors dominated the 90s
The 90s were all about fast-paced living and this led to the rise in appliances that could do everything all at once.
Often big and clunky, the ‘steam cuisine’ epitomises the all-in-one era. This also led to the rise in automatic appliances that you could leave to their own devices while you went about your business.
The automatic rice cooker and ice cream machine are perfect examples of people wanting home cooking without the effort.
The trend for matching kitchen accessories also went to a whole new level in the 90s, with customers able to buy everything for their kitchen in the same pattern or theme – from the crockery and cutlery, right through to the spice rack, knife block, kitchen scales and even the bin.
The biggest-selling earthenware range of all time – Eternal Beau – was a catalogue staple throughout the 90s and a great example of a coordinated range.
2000s: Little Luxuries
At-home treats: Wine and beer fridges were the perfect indulgences for homeowners
Morning pick-me-up: Now commonplace, coffee machines first arrived in the 2000s
With the new millennium came a strong desire to treat yourself and customers wanted to splurge on extras like mini fridges dedicated to solely to alcohol, whether this be wine, beer or mixers.
As coffee shop chains began to take over the high street, people started to crave barista-style caffeine in the comfort of their own homes and opted for full service espresso makers.
2010s: Cook like a celebrity chef
Star power: Gordon Ramsay is among a number of celebrity chefs to sell branded kitchenware
Best-seller: Fans wanting to cook like Anthony Worrall Thompson can pick up this set
As television shows such as the Great British Bake Off and The F Word took off in the 2010s, chefs shot to fame. People wanted to mimic the kitchens of this new brand of celebrity and the catalogue filled with famous faces.
Whether you were looking for home cooking gadgets from Anthony Worrall Thompson or professional looking appliances to recreate the high standards of Gordon Ramsay, there was something for every budding head chef.
Worrall-Thompson’s pie maker and Ramsay’s mixing bowl were popular thanks to the celebrity seal of approval.
… And the kitchens of the future
Looking forward to the next decade, Fay Williams, White Goods Buying Manager at Argos, said: ‘When predicting the next big kitchen trends, it’s important to keep an eye on the world of tech as this is completely changing the way we use our homes and also the way we are using appliances in the home today.’
Teresa Young, Kitchens Buyer added ‘I look at the latest trends on social media, especially Instagram, as consumers increasingly want to show-off their home to the rest of the world.’
Smart Home, Smart Kitchen
Smart tech is taking over so much of the house, but it has only really just begun to expand into the kitchen. As customers become more comfortable with voice activation and controlling their home from afar, smart ovens and hobs will become the norm. With the next generation growing up in a world permeated with tech, there’s no telling how far this trend could go.
Texture and Accented Styles
Texture is proving popular in the design world and continues to infiltrate the kitchen, especially for image-conscious people who want to show off their kitchen accessories on Instagram. Textured, accented and muted colours are a winning combination for small appliances, helping customers inject softness as well as functionality into their kitchen space, and get the perfect picture for social media.
There are a range of muted hues for all the kitchen essentials available at Argos so everyone can have a on trend moment.