There was some reason for the excitement. In 1950, about 1 in 10 American homes still kept food cold with an icebox and a block of ice, so a refrigerator with a built-in freezer felt pretty space-age (although one photo below suggests Grandpa needed some convincing).
Manufacturers kept the upgrades coming. Shelves moved onto the door, where the butter was easier to find, and in 1955 GE started selling appliances in Mix-or-Match colors like Petal Pink and Turquoise Green. GE even made a refrigerator that hung on the wall like a kitchen cabinet, for anyone who found the floor a little too ordinary.
The pastel craze faded by the mid-1960s, when GE moved on to Coppertone and Avocado. Pink fridges still turn up in retro kitchens today, presumably with less dancing.
Below, see vintage refrigerator ads and photos from 1950 to 1958, including a family crowded around a brand-new freezer and one shy housewife who seems to be hiding behind hers.
MORE: How to be a perfect fifties housewife: Laundry edition & How to be a perfect ’50s housewife: In the kitchen
A proper ’50s housewife doesn’t settle for standard white appliances
A pink fridge — you know, to match the stove — is always a winning idea. But you might also try some other shades, like spring green, lagoon blue or buttercup yellow.
Ladies, be proud of your refrigerators! (1950)
A proper fifties housewife must seriously adore her fridge, and keep it fully-stocked at all times.
Here’s how to fill up the 50s fridge and freezer so it will keep you safe in your fallout shelter for a couple months (1956)
When we say fully-stocked, we mean it. This lady keeps her refrigerator and freezer so packed that you’d have a hard time fitting a raisin in there.
Make the kids do the work, so you can just dress up and look pretty!
Look at all the treats a housewife can store inside! (1950)
Who would like a slice of this lovely pink molded gelatin… thing?
VIDEO: Vintage TV commercial for Frigidaire refrigerators (1956)
True joy comes with sharing the love. (1950)
A typical ’50s housewife will introduce the family to your beloved appliance, and nurture that relationship.
Someone’s not sure about the new fridge (1950)
Don’t let Grampa be a party pooper and call it “a newfangled icebox.”
The universal sign of the refrigerator (1957)
You are so deeply inspired by kitchen appliances, you even want to do funky futuristic dances nearby… all while wearing an evening dress, long gloves and heels. Of course.
1950s housewives and the fun of fridges
Even space cadets liked the fridge with wide shelf on the door.
The housewife life: When ice cream was demanded by cowboys and Indians (1950)
Pink refrigerators were the best
Yes, yes, yes, it stores food. But bonus: It’s PINK! That’s so lovely against any woman’s complexion.
Also, check out that bottom shelf that is attached to the door. That’s one way to keep from losing things in the depths!
MORE: Wild! Color invades the kitchen on decorator appliances (1960s)
The joy of so much space in the housewife’s pretty pink refrigerator! (1957)
Regular fridge not enough for you? Try one of these wall-mounted babies in place of your cabinets! (1956)
SEE MORE! Transform your kitchen with a wall-mounted refrigerator! (1956)
Kitchen air conditioning (1950)
Always keep the refrigerator and freezer doors open at the same time. It will show off the feast within, and cool down the whole room!
And yes, of course, heels are always appropriate.
Tour the ultimate mid-century modern house: The Scholz Mark 58 Home of the Year
The perfect dance partner for a housewife (1950)
The refrigerators of the early fifties were apparently great fun at the sock hop.
“A built-in freezer! You don’t say!” (1950)
1950s fridge: It’s like magic!
The kids will never know how much time and money goes into feeding a family of five, because the fridge is always magically full.
It’s okay, Edna. You can come out now.
Unlike some of the other ladies on this page, this housewife is a little bit shy, and when people come around, she often peeks out from behind the fridge.
Party time ’round the 1950s fridge! (1950)
The refrigerator is the center of the party!
Filling the fridge was a family affair! (1952)
SEE MORE! How to be a perfect ’50s housewife: In the kitchen
