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Midcentury Kitchen Ideas and Designs

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Dover Shores Remodel
Dover Shores Remodel
Eric Aust ArchitectEric Aust Architect
Lane Dittoe Photographs [FIXE] design house interors
Inspiration for a medium sized midcentury galley kitchen in Orange County with light hardwood flooring, an island, white splashback and white worktops.
San Jose Eichler 5
San Jose Eichler 5
Urbanism DesignsUrbanism Designs
Inspiration for a retro u-shaped kitchen in San Francisco with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, mosaic tiled splashback, stainless steel appliances, grey floors and white worktops.
The Mid-Century Modern House Renovation
The Mid-Century Modern House Renovation
Champion Floor CompanyChampion Floor Company
The homeowners of this Mid Century Modern home in Creve Coeur are a young Architect and his wife and their two young sons. Being avid collectors of Mid Century Modern furniture and furnishings, they purchased their Atomic Ranch home, built in the 1970s, and saw in it a perfect future vessel for their lifestyle. Nothing had been done to the home in 40 years but they saw it as a fresh palette. The walls separating the kitchen from the dining, living, and entry areas were removed. Support beams and columns were created to hold the loads. The kitchen and laundry facilities were gutted and the living areas refurbished. They saw open space with great light, just waiting to be used. As they waited for the perfect time, they continued collecting. The Architect purchased their Claritone, of which less than 50 are in circulation: two are in the Playboy Mansion, and Frank Sinatra had four. They found their Bertoia wire chairs, and Eames and Baby Eames rockers. The chandelier over the dining room was found in a Los Angeles prop studio. The dining table and benches were made from the reclaimed wood of a beam that was removed, custom designed and made by Mwanzi and Co. The flooring is white oak with a white stain. Chairs are by Kartell. The lighting pendants over the island are by Tom Dixon and were found at Centro in St. Louis. Appliances were collected as they found them on sale and were stored in the garage along with the collections, until the time was right.. Even the dog was curated...from a South Central Los Angeles Animal Shelter!
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House // TW
House // TW
M Gooden DesignM Gooden Design
Small midcentury u-shaped kitchen in Dallas with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, engineered stone countertops, white worktops, window splashback, stainless steel appliances and medium hardwood flooring.
Sunset Aveune
Sunset Aveune
RS | MANNINO Architecture + ConstructionRS | MANNINO Architecture + Construction
Photo of a medium sized midcentury l-shaped kitchen/diner in New York with a belfast sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, engineered stone countertops, white splashback, stone slab splashback, coloured appliances, dark hardwood flooring, an island, brown floors and white worktops.
Wales House
Wales House
Flavin ArchitectsFlavin Architects
Flavin Architects was chosen for the renovation due to their expertise with Mid-Century-Modern and specifically Henry Hoover renovations. Respect for the integrity of the original home while accommodating a modern family’s needs is key. Practical updates like roof insulation, new roofing, and radiant floor heat were combined with sleek finishes and modern conveniences. Photo by: Nat Rea Photography
Tuscany Mid-Century Modern
Tuscany Mid-Century Modern
Alison White HomesAlison White Homes
Midcentury l-shaped kitchen in Los Angeles with flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, light hardwood flooring, an island, beige floors, white worktops and a vaulted ceiling.
Midcentury Kitchen
Midcentury Kitchen
Retro galley kitchen in Los Angeles with flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, light hardwood flooring, an island and brown floors.
Anthony Residence
Anthony Residence
DesignARCDesignARC
Inspired by DesignARC's Greenworth House, the owners of this 1960's single-story ranch house desired a fresh take on their out-dated, well-worn Montecito residence. Hailing from Toronto Canada, the couple is at ease in urban, loft-like spaces and looked to create a pared-down dwelling that could become their home. Photo Credit: Jim Bartsch Photography
Diamond Kitchen
Diamond Kitchen
ARTOARTO
big and airy kitchen
Photo of a large midcentury galley kitchen in Los Angeles with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, stainless steel appliances and an island.
Beverly Hills Post and Beam Mid-Century
Beverly Hills Post and Beam Mid-Century
Joel Reis Architecture and Real Estate PhotographyJoel Reis Architecture and Real Estate Photography
This is an example of an expansive retro open plan kitchen in Los Angeles with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, stainless steel worktops, an island, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood flooring and brown floors.
Pacific NW Mid-Century Kitchen Remodel
Pacific NW Mid-Century Kitchen Remodel
Crescent BuildsCrescent Builds
Ross Anania
Midcentury u-shaped enclosed kitchen in Seattle with mosaic tiled splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium wood cabinets, recessed-panel cabinets, wood worktops and multi-coloured splashback.
Mid-century Modern | Arete Kitchens
Mid-century Modern | Arete Kitchens
Arete European KitchensArete European Kitchens
Midcentury modern remodel project featuring German-made LEICHT textured walnut cabinetry and integrated appliances. Cabinetry design and installation by Arete Kitchens. Architecture by Webber + Studio, Architects. ©Archer Shot Photography.
MCM
MCM
CVI Design - Carly VisserCVI Design - Carly Visser
herringbone wood floor, white countertop, waterfall countertop, midcentury modern, exposed beam, vaulted ceiling, skylight, wire pendant, black pendant light, renovation, waterfall island, yellow counter stools
Willow Creek
Willow Creek
Baelin, Inc.Baelin, Inc.
Inspiration for a midcentury kitchen in San Francisco with shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood flooring and an island.
Kitchen
Kitchen
Laidlaw Schultz architectsLaidlaw Schultz architects
This is an example of a retro kitchen in Orange County with wood worktops, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, beige splashback, stone tiled splashback and stainless steel appliances.
Modern Cabin Interior
Modern Cabin Interior
Andre Rothblatt ArchitectureAndre Rothblatt Architecture
Photo of a retro open plan kitchen in San Francisco with flat-panel cabinets and light wood cabinets.
Winding Way
Winding Way
Design Shop InteriorsDesign Shop Interiors
Inspiration for a retro l-shaped kitchen in Sacramento with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood flooring, no island, brown floors and white worktops.
The 21st Century Ranch
The 21st Century Ranch
RD Architecture, LLCRD Architecture, LLC
Design ideas for a retro l-shaped kitchen in Houston with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, black splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood flooring, an island and beige floors.

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:

Lauren Brandwein
Lauren Brandwein
Rock House DesignRock House Design
Jessamyn Harris Photography Master Touch Construction
This is an example of a medium sized midcentury u-shaped kitchen in San Francisco with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, quartz worktops, beige splashback, glass tiled splashback, light hardwood flooring, an island, beige floors and white worktops.
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