We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. The 1930s brought us one of the coolest design movements of the whole 20th century: Art Deco. It kicked off at the 1925 International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in Paris, then took off like wildfire across Europe and the United States. This style was totally different from the nature-loving Art Nouveau that came before it—Art Deco was all about sleek, modern vibes and looking forward to the future. You’ll spot Art Deco designs featuring bold colors, sharp geometric shapes, and fancy materials like chrome and stainless steel. Since Art Deco was all about mixing art with cutting-edge technology, it makes total sense that this aesthetic showed up everywhere, including on those gorgeous vintage toasters with their shiny chrome finishes. Want to snag one of these beauties for yourself? Head to your local thrift store or check out online marketplaces—that’s where the magic happens. After the Great Depression hit, more women ended up spending serious time in the kitchen instead of relying on household help like previous generations did. When you combine that shift with the manufacturing boom, you get 1930s kitchens that were all about embracing new tech and modern style. Art Deco’s fingerprints were everywhere, especially in appliance design, with those cool sunburst patterns and ridged sides popping up on everything. Fast-forward nearly a hundred years, and these vintage toasters are still bringing that authentic Art Deco charm to homes everywhere. They’re a fantastic way to add some retro flair to your space. The good news? Tons of them are available to buy secondhand!
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Where to find a 1930s Art Deco toaster
Walking through a thrift store, you’ll spot those gleaming Art Deco chrome toasters from a mile away, but you’ll want to do some detective work to confirm it’s really from the ’30s. Flip it over and check the bottom for maker’s marks and brand names—look for the big players of that era like Dominion Electric, Toastmaster, or Landers, Frary & Clark. Take the Toastmaster toaster, for instance: it debuted as part of a fancy nine-piece “Toastmaster Hospitality” set back in 1934, complete with a chrome finish, fluted sides, and sleek black plastic handles. Even if you can’t find those exact brands at your local shop, keep an eye out for any toasters that nail that era’s signature look—that blend of sleek sophistication and fancy details, kind of like the New York City Chrysler Building but in toaster form.
If hunting through stores isn’t your thing, you’ve got plenty of online options like Facebook Marketplace or eBay. Prices depend on how good the toaster looks and whether it actually works, but you’ll usually find them for less than $100. A lot of them are really just for show, which is perfect if you just want something pretty to display. But if you’re actually planning to use yours, skip the ones with busted heating elements, wonky levers, or that rattle around when you pick them up. Think about having a pro clean, refurbish, and rewire your toaster so it runs smoothly and safely in your modern kitchen. If all that sounds like too much hassle, some websites specialize in selling toasters that’ve already been refurbished and are ready to go.
