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Affordable Midcentury Kitchen Ideas and Designs

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ENUGU
ENUGU
Wood Works BrightonWood Works Brighton
We were commissioned to design and build a new kitchen for this terraced side extension. The clients were quite specific about their style and ideas. After a few variations they fell in love with the floating island idea with fluted solid Utile. The Island top is 100% rubber and the main kitchen run work top is recycled resin and plastic. The cut out handles are replicas of an existing midcentury sideboard. MATERIALS – Sapele wood doors and slats / birch ply doors with Forbo / Krion work tops / Flute glass.
Upper Alki Kitchen Remodel
Upper Alki Kitchen Remodel
Kirk Riley DesignKirk Riley Design
Mid-Century Modern Kitchen Remodel in Seattle featuring mirrored backsplash with Cherry cabinets and Marmoleum flooring. Jeff Beck Photography
Photo of a medium sized retro l-shaped kitchen in Seattle with flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, mirror splashback, a submerged sink, an island, composite countertops, lino flooring and red floors.
Bedford Village
Bedford Village
Erika Jayne Design BuildErika Jayne Design Build
Tired of the original, segmented floor plan of their midcentury home, this young family was ready to make a big change. Inspired by their beloved collection of Heath Ceramics tableware and needing an open space for the family to gather to do homework, make bread, and enjoy Friday Pizza Night…a new kitchen was born. Interior Architecture. Removal of one wall that provided a major obstruction, but no structure, resulted in connection between the family room, dining room, and kitchen. The new open plan allowed for a large island with seating and better flow in and out of the kitchen and garage. Interior Design. Vertically stacked, handmade tiles from Heath Ceramics in Ogawa Green wrap the perimeter backsplash with a nod to midcentury design. A row of white oak slab doors conceal a hidden exhaust hood while offering a sleek modern vibe. Shelves float just below to display beloved tableware, cookbooks, and cherished souvenirs.
Mid Century Dream
Mid Century Dream
SARA VANDERSTELT with Creative KitchensSARA VANDERSTELT with Creative Kitchens
Mid Century Dream Welborn Forest Cabinetry Avenue Slab Door Style ​Cherry in Wheat / Natural Stain HARDWARE : Chrome Finger Pulls COUNTERTOPS KITCHEN : Blanco Aspen Quartz Coutnertops BUILDER : D&M Design Company
Contemporary Green-Blue Kitchen Tiles
Contemporary Green-Blue Kitchen Tiles
Fireclay TileFireclay Tile
Create a backsplash that's sure to make a splash by using our vertically stacked green blue Flagstone kitchen tile,. DESIGN Interiors by Alexis Austin PHOTOS Life Created Tile Shown: 2x6 in Flagstone
Eichler Kitchen Renovation
Eichler Kitchen Renovation
Cathie Hong InteriorsCathie Hong Interiors
We had a tight timeline to turn a dark, outdated kitchen into a modern, family-friendly space that could function as the hub of the home. We enlarged the footprint of the kitchen by changing the orientation and adding an island for better circulation. We swapped out old tile flooring for durable luxury vinyl tiles, dark wood panels for fresh drywall, outdated cabinets with modern Semihandmade ones, and added brand new appliances. We made it modern and warm by adding matte tiles from Heath, new light fixtures, and an open shelf of beautiful ceramics in cool neutrals.
Littleton Kitchen Remodel
Littleton Kitchen Remodel
MOTIF Design Solutions, LLCMOTIF Design Solutions, LLC
Medium sized retro l-shaped kitchen pantry in Denver with a belfast sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, engineered stone countertops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, white appliances, light hardwood flooring, an island, grey floors and grey worktops.
Encino Mid-Century Modern Kitchen
Encino Mid-Century Modern Kitchen
LA Dwelling IncLA Dwelling Inc
Photo of a medium sized midcentury u-shaped kitchen/diner in Los Angeles with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, engineered stone countertops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances and white worktops.
Step 180 cabinet step stool
Step 180 cabinet step stool
Studio 76 Kitchens and BathsStudio 76 Kitchens and Baths
We installed 3 integrated Step 180 cabinet step stools (by Hideaway Solutions) throughout the kitchen to reach the highest heights of the upper cabinets.
House // TW
House // TW
M Gooden DesignM Gooden Design
Design ideas for a small retro u-shaped open plan kitchen in Dallas with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, engineered stone countertops, grey splashback, ceramic splashback, integrated appliances, light hardwood flooring, a breakfast bar and white worktops.
Meyer Remodel
Meyer Remodel
Laura Juarez Baggett Studio, PLLCLaura Juarez Baggett Studio, PLLC
Charles Davis Smith, AIA
Medium sized retro galley kitchen/diner in Dallas with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, engineered stone countertops, beige splashback, glass tiled splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood flooring, an island and white worktops.
Studio - Paris 5
Studio - Paris 5
Cécile Humbert - Design d'intérieurCécile Humbert - Design d'intérieur
Cuisine noire avec plan de travail en bois massif et étagères. Ouverte sur le salon avec délimitation au sol par du carrelage imitation carreaux de ciment.
Rancho Kitchen
Rancho Kitchen
David Galindo HomeDavid Galindo Home
photo credit: Christel Robleto styling: Michelle Qazi
This is an example of a medium sized retro l-shaped open plan kitchen in Los Angeles with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, engineered stone countertops, green splashback, ceramic splashback, white appliances, concrete flooring, an island and grey floors.
Oakland Modern
Oakland Modern
Knock Architecture and DesignKnock Architecture and Design
This is an example of a medium sized midcentury galley open plan kitchen in San Francisco with a submerged sink, black cabinets, black splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete flooring, an island and flat-panel cabinets.
Woodland Hills House
Woodland Hills House
Bunch DesignBunch Design
Kitchen, bathroom and partial renovation of a residence. Design intent was to create a design complimentary to the existing mid century house while introducing hints and love of Japanese lifestyle. Photographed by: Bo Sundius
Moss Hill House
Moss Hill House
place architecture:designplace architecture:design
Clean lines and a refined material palette transformed the Moss Hill House master bath into an open, light-filled space appropriate to its 1960 modern character. Underlying the design is a thoughtful intent to maximize opportunities within the long narrow footprint. Minimizing project cost and disruption, fixture locations were generally maintained. All interior walls and existing soaking tub were removed, making room for a large walk-in shower. Large planes of glass provide definition and maintain desired openness, allowing daylight from clerestory windows to fill the space. Light-toned finishes and large format tiles throughout offer an uncluttered vision. Polished marble “circles” provide textural contrast and small-scale detail, while an oak veneered vanity adds additional warmth. In-floor radiant heat, reclaimed veneer, dimming controls, and ample daylighting are important sustainable features. This renovation converted a well-worn room into one with a modern functionality and a visual timelessness that will take it into the future. Photographed by: place, inc
Narrabeen Renewed
Narrabeen Renewed
Pink Box DesignPink Box Design
A midcentury modern transformation honouring the era of this great ocean side apartment
Inspiration for a small midcentury u-shaped enclosed kitchen in Sydney with a double-bowl sink, green cabinets, terrazzo worktops, brown splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, laminate floors, beige floors and beige worktops.
CHAMBLEE Clean and modern kitchen
CHAMBLEE Clean and modern kitchen
Rosa Moreno KitchensRosa Moreno Kitchens
Photo of a medium sized retro single-wall open plan kitchen in Atlanta with a belfast sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, engineered stone countertops, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood flooring, an island, brown floors and white worktops.
Kitchens
Kitchens
Carina Vaz InteriorsCarina Vaz Interiors
Example of a minimalist concrete floor open concept kitchen design in Dallas, TX with flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz countertops and white tile backsplash,
Midcentury Home Addition and renovation
Midcentury Home Addition and renovation
Donald Lococo ArchitectsDonald Lococo Architects
The kitchen was designed two years ago and was then erased and redesigned when the world became a different place a year later. As everyone attempted to flatten the curve, our goal in this regard was to create a kitchen that looked forward to a sharp curve down and of a happier time To that promise for happier times, the redesign, a goal was to make the kitchen brighter and more optimistic. This was done by using simple, primary shapes and circular pendants and emphasizing them in contrast, adding a playful countenance. The selection of a dynamic grain of figured walnut also contributes as this once-living material and its sinuous grain adds motion, rhythm, and scale. Proud of their 1970s home, one challenge of the design was to balance a 1970's feel and stay current. However, many ‘70s references looked and felt outdated. The first step was a changed mindset. Just like the return of the ‘40s bath and the retro movement a few years ago, every era returns in some way. Chronologically, the '70s will soon be here. Our design looked to era-specific furniture and materials of the decade. Figured walnut was so pervasive in the era: this motif was used on car exteriors such as the 1970 Town and Country Station Wagon, which debuted the same year the existing home was built. We also looked at furniture specific to the decade. The console stereo is referenced not only by high legs on the island but also by the knurled metal cabinet knobs reminiscent of often-used stereo dials. Knurled metalwork is also used on the kitchen faucet. The design references the second piece of '70s furniture in our modern TV tray, which is angled to face the television in the family room. Its round pencil and mug holder cutouts follow the design of walnut consoles and dashboard of the station wagon and other elements of the time.

Affordable 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.

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