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Midcentury Kitchen Ideas and Designs

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Item 1 of 5
B House by Skiles Architect, PA in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
B House by Skiles Architect, PA in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Skiles Architect, PASkiles Architect, PA
Photo of a retro l-shaped kitchen/diner in Other with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, wood worktops, green splashback, stainless steel appliances, an island and brown floors.
Millionaire's Row Craftsman Estate
Millionaire's Row Craftsman Estate
Current DesignedCurrent Designed
We completely overhauled the drab, sad and dark kitchen into this custom designed modern, yet traditional chef's kitchen. It is perfect for entertaining, hosting gatherings and cooking everything you have ever dreamed of.
Earl St. Kitchen
Earl St. Kitchen
Alpha Design + BuildAlpha Design + Build
Photo of a medium sized retro u-shaped open plan kitchen in Detroit with a submerged sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, engineered stone countertops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, laminate floors, an island and brown floors.
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kitchen 126
kitchen 126
Savvy KitchensSavvy Kitchens
Large retro u-shaped enclosed kitchen in Los Angeles with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz worktops, blue splashback, glass tiled splashback, stainless steel appliances, cement flooring, an island and grey floors.
Ladera Heights Remodel
Ladera Heights Remodel
Natalie MyersNatalie Myers
Phoebe Chauson
Midcentury kitchen in Los Angeles.
Mid Century With A Twist
Mid Century With A Twist
Community Builders, LLCCommunity Builders, LLC
Opened up the tiny closed off kitchen to the living space. Added new large window in the kitchen, new hardwood flooring, lighting, cabinets (Bellmont), quartz counter tops, new exterior door, paint and appliances. Added new floor, lighting and cabinets in the laundry room.
MCM
MCM
CVI Design - Carly VisserCVI Design - Carly Visser
Midcentury kitchen in Grand Rapids.
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San Mateo Modern
San Mateo Modern
Peninsula ModernPeninsula Modern
Margot Hartford
Retro kitchen in San Francisco.
Beacon Hill Mid-Century
Beacon Hill Mid-Century
Ore StudiosOre Studios
Lauren Colton
Inspiration for a small retro l-shaped open plan kitchen in Seattle with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, marble worktops, white splashback, stone slab splashback, integrated appliances, medium hardwood flooring, an island and brown floors.
Arden Park Mid-Century Streng
Arden Park Mid-Century Streng
Nar Design GroupNar Design Group
This mid-century modern kitchen was developed with the original architectural elements of its mid-century shell at the heart of its design. Throughout the space, the kitchen’s repetition of alternating dark walnut and light wood uses in the cabinetry and framework reflect the contrast of the dark wooden beams running along the white ceiling. The playful use of two tones intentionally develops unified work zones using all modern day elements and conveniences. For instance, the 5’ galley workstation stands apart with grain-matched walnut cabinetry and stone wrap detail for a furniture-like feeling. The mid-century architecture continued to be an emphasis through design details such as a flush venting system within a drywall structure that conscientiously disappears into the ceiling affording the existing post-and-beams structures and clerestory windows to stand in the forefront. Along with celebrating the characteristic of the mid-century home the clients wanted to bring the outdoors in. We chose to emphasis the view even more by incorporating a large window centered over the galley kitchen sink. The final result produced a translucent wall that provokes a dialog between the outdoor elements and the natural color tones and materials used throughout the kitchen. While the natural light and views are visible because of the spacious windows, the contemporary kitchens clean geometric lines emphasize the newly introduced natural materials and further integrate the outdoors within the space. The clients desired to have a designated area for hot drinks such as coffee and tea. To create a station that could house all the small appliances & accessories and was easily accessible we incorporated two aluminum tambours together with integrated power lift doors. One tambour acting as the hot drink station and the other acting as an appliance garage. Overall, this minimalistic kitchen is nothing short of functionality and mid-century character. Photo Credit: Fred Donham of PhotographerLink
Bedford Place
Bedford Place
Prideaux DesignPrideaux Design
Matt Vacca
Design ideas for a medium sized retro galley open plan kitchen in Phoenix with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, engineered stone countertops, green splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain flooring, an island and grey floors.
Mid-century Modern Kitchen Remodel
Mid-century Modern Kitchen Remodel
Core Home Solutions, Inc.Core Home Solutions, Inc.
Mid-century modern kitchen design featuring: - Kraftmaid Vantage cabinets (Barnet Golden Lager) with quartersawn maple slab fronts and tab cabinet pulls - Island Stone Wave glass backsplash tile - White quartz countertops - Thermador range and dishwasher - Cedar & Moss mid-century brass light fixtures - Concealed undercabinet plug mold receptacles - Undercabinet LED lighting - Faux-wood porcelain tile for island paneling
Nordlund Kitchen--After
Nordlund Kitchen--After
Distinctive KitchensDistinctive Kitchens
What had been an outdated and dark space with old appliances, is now a bright, stylish and textural open-floor plan kitchen and dining space. Before the gut remodel, the spaces lacked the cool Midcentury style the homeowners craved. Distinctive Kitchens was brought in to help choose finishes--tile backsplash and floors, sink, faucet, lighting, countertops and cabinet hardware. The goal was to bring the style and flare of the Midcentury Modern aesthetic back to the home using a neutral palette and lots of texture. The adjacent dining room was also part of the design, because the rooms have such a strong relationship to each other. We consulted on furniture and lighting in that room, making sure the two light fixtures (one over the sink, the other over the dining table) didn't compete for attention. We feel the end result is fresh, clean, and texturally beautiful. Kitchen and dining room staging by Allison Scheff of Distinctive Kitchens. Photos by Wynne H Earle
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Contractor's Own House: Butler's House
Contractor's Own House: Butler's House
On The Level Remodeling CompanyOn The Level Remodeling Company
Inspiration for a medium sized retro u-shaped open plan kitchen in Boise with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, granite worktops, blue splashback, glass tiled splashback, integrated appliances, medium hardwood flooring and an island.
Mid Century Modern I Bellevue, Washington
Mid Century Modern I Bellevue, Washington
Syltebo Wight Homes & Jon Syltebo Painting CompanySyltebo Wight Homes & Jon Syltebo Painting Company
Large midcentury kitchen in Seattle with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, engineered stone countertops, black splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood flooring, an island, medium wood cabinets and brown floors.
Skye in Palm Springs, California
Skye in Palm Springs, California
Woodbridge Pacific GroupWoodbridge Pacific Group
Residence Two Kitchen at Skye in Palm Springs, California
Design ideas for a midcentury open plan kitchen in Los Angeles with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, metallic splashback, metal splashback, stainless steel appliances and an island.
Lake Sammamish Project
Lake Sammamish Project
Tammara Stroud DesignTammara Stroud Design
photos: John Granen Photography
Inspiration for an expansive retro l-shaped kitchen/diner in Seattle with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, marble worktops, grey splashback, glass tiled splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood flooring and an island.

Midcentury Kitchen Ideas and Designs

Want to discover beautiful midcentury kitchen ideas to inspire your new kitchen design? You’ve come to the right place. You can discover millions of midcentury kitchen designs and ideas; from kitchen islands and storage units, to all sorts of kitchen lighting ideas, such as pendant lighting or under cabinet lighting. Whether you want inspiration for all-in-one fitted kitchen designs, some small kitchen ideas or maybe just some tips for improving your kitchen decor, there are tons of retro photos to inspire you for your next kitchen project on Houzz.

What kind of midcentury kitchen design should I go for?

With so many kitchen ideas and photos to look at you might be a bit overwhelmed when it comes to picking your own retro kitchen design. If you are updating your kitchen you know what a big and important decision it is to get the design right – the kitchen can be the hub and heart of the home, and it’s unlikely that you would invest in renovating your kitchen again in a few years. But fear not, focusing first on the important elements like layout, cabinet style, worktops and appliances will help you to bring together your dream kitchen design. Additional elements like kitchen lighting, cupboard storage and decor can come after in the kitchen planning process. A kitchen designer or fitter can help you to decide the layout of your midcentury kitchen in terms of where to place your kitchen units, appliances and island (if you’re having one), but if you prefer to handle this yourself you can focus on where you want your key elements of your kitchen to be – the oven, hob, sink and fridge. Of course you might be constricted by space, but try to envisage the easiest and most efficient layout based on how you usually like to cook and prepare your food. If you’re fed up of always having to carry dirty pans and pots across the room to the sink, place the sink closer to your oven and hob. Once you have the core elements sorted, consider extra layout considerations, such as where your bins will be stored, where the cutlery draw should be and where small midcentury kitchen appliances can be installed.

Should I include a kitchen island?

Kitchen island ideas are abundant these days; it seems most kitchen designs include a kitchen island, if not multiple islands. However, if the layout doesn’t work, especially if you have a small kitchen, then there’s no necessity to add in a kitchen island. You can add a breakfast bar or counter to your existing kitchen units, or stick with a good old-fashioned dining table if you don’t need the extra work surfaces. That said, if you do have the room, take a look at some retro kitchen island ideas to see if the designs inspire you for your kitchen. There are a huge variety of island designs to cater to different needs – you can have sinks, ovens, hobs, wine storage and all sorts of drawers and organisers built-in, you can have separate bars and counters that extend from your island, or you could go for a kitchen island on wheels to make your kitchen layout more versatile.

How do I choose my kitchen units and cabinets?

When picking out kitchen units and cupboard styles for a fitted kitchen, you’ll first want to consider the more practical questions – how many units do you need? How many cupboards and drawers do you need? Do you need extra kitchen storage built into your units? It’s always best to overestimate how much kitchen storage you’ll need as we all tend to have a habit of filling up whatever current space we have to the maximum. Next you can consider kitchen cabinet style and colour. Shaker style cabinets and raised and recessed panel cabinets offer a more traditional kitchen cabinet look, while flat panel cabinet doors tend to lend more to the modern and contemporary style. However, going for raised or recessed panel work in a striking colour such as dark blue, green or black can still work with contemporary kitchen ideas. White kitchens can give a sleek and clean feel, but remember you may have to do a bit more cleaning of those cupboard doors if you want everything to stay shiny and fresh. Of course, grey kitchens are the neutral colour choice du jour and can be paired with pale and rich shades alike if you want your fitted kitchen cupboards to contrast with your worktop, splashback, floor, or all of the above. Exposed shelving and storage is also popular for eclectic, Scandi and industrial-inspired looks, so you could opt for glass-fronted cabinets or no wall-mounted cabinets at all. Remember that this will require more restraint in what you can store and more effort in keeping it looking presentable compared to what is stored away hastily behind cupboard doors. The kitchen cupboard handles are also another element to decide upon – do you want traditional round knobs, modern metal bars, country kitchen cup handles or maybe to go ultra sleek with a completely handleless kitchen?

What midcentury kitchen storage ideas should I consider?

If you want to keep your retro kitchen well-stocked and well-equipped but don’t want it spilling over with clutter, then you’ll need to rely on good kitchen storage. Apart from the usual fitted kitchen cupboards and drawer space, there are many other ways of keeping your kitchen tidy. Whilst a large kitchen pantry is the dream of most homeowners, it can’t always be a reality. However, there are now lots of pull out compartments and drawers with trays and shelving that can act as mini kitchen pantries, and you can install handy cupboard organisers that fit onto the inside of the door to make the most of your cupboard space. You can also look at corner drawers and cupboards that open up to reveal lots of extra storage. Rails or small shelves along your kitchen walls or splashback can help with hanging utensils or pans, or storing small items like herbs and spices in an usually empty space. Buy extra kitchen storage products for your home on Houzz

Are there small kitchen ideas for small midcentury spaces?

If you’re working with a galley kitchen, a one-wall kitchen in an open plan space or just a pretty small kitchen, there are some small kitchen ideas that can help you get the most out of your cooking and dining area. If you find that you don’t utilise the back of your cupboards (maybe they become the graveyard for out-of-date tin cans), you could decide to go with shallower kitchen units to free up some extra floor space in front of your cabinets. As mentioned, open shelving or glass-fronted cabinets are a popular trend and they should make the space feel more open and less boxed-in. However, if you have the capacity for it, cupboards and retro kitchen units that maximise the floor-to-ceiling space you have will mean you can use all of that for valuable kitchen storage. Wall or ceiling racks could be a useful solution for hanging pans and pots if you’ve run out of cupboards in which to store them. Kitchen ideas and 1950s style accessories such as baskets, trolleys and storage jars are both aesthetically pleasing and practical as they give you extra storage space. Kitchen appliances like a fridge or dishwasher can be tucked away in built-in units in fitted kitchens so they blend into your layout and don’t make the space look crowded. Discover all the small kitchen ideas you could need by taking a look at photos of compact kitchens.

What sort of midcentury kitchen lighting should I go for?

In the kitchen you need to have practical lighting – no one wants to chop, cut and cook in a dingy room. Kitchen ceiling lights are probably the best way to go, but should you opt for recessed spotlights or traditional hanging ceiling lights? While spotlight LED kitchen lighting will give you excellent light, they may not fit with a design that’s not contemporary. Traditional chandelier lights could work for other kitchen styles, and of course, kitchen pendant lighting comes in all sorts of styles, colours and designs. While the popular choice is to go with one or two pendant lights over your kitchen island, you could also opt for a single pendant light over your dining space, or a few spaced out across your kitchen. Of course, if you want good lighting for your worktops, under-cabinet lighting is the way forward. Speak to your kitchen supplier about having this pre-installed, or there are a number of easy-install options you can fit yourself or with the help of a lighting expert or electrician. In the market for your retro kitchen lighting today? Once you’ve found some inspiring kitchen lighting ideas here, take a look at our kitchen lighting products to find the new lights for your kitchen project.

Check out these popular kitchen pages below:

Cherry and black
Cherry and black
RNR DesignsRNR Designs
Smooth faced cabinetry is actually cherry stained maple, offering a sleek look. Maple was chosen for it's stronger and more durable qualities. Black countertops, floor, and granite countertop are highlighted with blue accents decor.
Midcentury modern kitchen remodel
Midcentury modern kitchen remodel
Leonardo Silva Architecture LLCLeonardo Silva Architecture LLC
LSA
Small retro l-shaped kitchen/diner in Other with a double-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, engineered stone countertops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic flooring and a breakfast bar.
Madison Park Mid-Century
Madison Park Mid-Century
RW Anderson HomesRW Anderson Homes
John Granen
Photo of a midcentury kitchen in Seattle.
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