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  1. Kitchen
  2. Number of Islands: None

Midcentury Kitchen with No Island Ideas and Designs

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Interior Styling
Interior Styling
Danielle Lancaster InteriorsDanielle Lancaster Interiors
This is an example of a medium sized retro l-shaped kitchen in Manchester with a belfast sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, quartz worktops, light hardwood flooring, no island and white worktops.
Mid Century Modern Meets 2020
Mid Century Modern Meets 2020
Fox InteriorsFox Interiors
Inspiration for a medium sized retro l-shaped kitchen/diner in Minneapolis with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, engineered stone countertops, white splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, cement flooring, no island, grey floors, black worktops and dark wood cabinets.
Horton Road
Horton Road
Finch LondonFinch London
Compact U-shaped kitchen in Hackney Matt Lacquer doors in Ceramic Blue by Sanderson Bespoke Handles and Box Shelves in American Black Walnut 40mm thick American Black Walnut worktops Scallop tiles by Mosaic Del Sur Copper Pendant by Nordlux Photos by Polly Tootal
SKYCROFT KITCHEN
SKYCROFT KITCHEN
Kate Roos Design LLCKate Roos Design LLC
Transitioning to a range top created an opportunity to store pots and pans directly below.
Design ideas for a small midcentury u-shaped kitchen/diner in Minneapolis with a double-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, green cabinets, engineered stone countertops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood flooring, no island, brown floors and white worktops.
Streng Home
Streng Home
Design Shop InteriorsDesign Shop Interiors
black cabinets, wood range hood, open shelving, wood shelves, oranges, white backsplash, white tile, greenery, plants, shelf styling, vintage rug, white barn lights, barn lights, cutting boards
Weather House
Weather House
Mihaly SlocombeMihaly Slocombe
Weather House is a bespoke home for a young, nature-loving family on a quintessentially compact Northcote block. Our clients Claire and Brent cherished the character of their century-old worker's cottage but required more considered space and flexibility in their home. Claire and Brent are camping enthusiasts, and in response their house is a love letter to the outdoors: a rich, durable environment infused with the grounded ambience of being in nature. From the street, the dark cladding of the sensitive rear extension echoes the existing cottage!s roofline, becoming a subtle shadow of the original house in both form and tone. As you move through the home, the double-height extension invites the climate and native landscaping inside at every turn. The light-bathed lounge, dining room and kitchen are anchored around, and seamlessly connected to, a versatile outdoor living area. A double-sided fireplace embedded into the house’s rear wall brings warmth and ambience to the lounge, and inspires a campfire atmosphere in the back yard. Championing tactility and durability, the material palette features polished concrete floors, blackbutt timber joinery and concrete brick walls. Peach and sage tones are employed as accents throughout the lower level, and amplified upstairs where sage forms the tonal base for the moody main bedroom. An adjacent private deck creates an additional tether to the outdoors, and houses planters and trellises that will decorate the home’s exterior with greenery. From the tactile and textured finishes of the interior to the surrounding Australian native garden that you just want to touch, the house encapsulates the feeling of being part of the outdoors; like Claire and Brent are camping at home. It is a tribute to Mother Nature, Weather House’s muse.
Fullerton Whole Home Transformation
Fullerton Whole Home Transformation
WC Design CenterWC Design Center
Twist on a Mid-century Modern & a Classic galley style space. We decided to open up the kitchen by introducing a large 7 foot bay window to let in the light and make the space feel big and bright. We adjusted all the appliance locations for function and beauty and added a dramatic octagon style large format tile floor to again enhance the space. My FAVORITE detail is the brick full height backsplash running all the way up above cabinets, maximizing every square inch of space with detail. A custom hood, open shelving, and the sconce lights really set this kitchen apart with every detail.
Midcentury Caribbean Home
Midcentury Caribbean Home
Cathie Hong InteriorsCathie Hong Interiors
This artistic and design-forward family approached us at the beginning of the pandemic with a design prompt to blend their love of midcentury modern design with their Caribbean roots. With her parents originating from Trinidad & Tobago and his parents from Jamaica, they wanted their home to be an authentic representation of their heritage, with a midcentury modern twist. We found inspiration from a colorful Trinidad & Tobago tourism poster that they already owned and carried the tropical colors throughout the house — rich blues in the main bathroom, deep greens and oranges in the powder bathroom, mustard yellow in the dining room and guest bathroom, and sage green in the kitchen. This project was featured on Dwell in January 2022.
Mid-Century Kitchen | Tuscaloosa, AL
Mid-Century Kitchen | Tuscaloosa, AL
Toulmin Kitchen & BathToulmin Kitchen & Bath
Mid-Century modern style galley kitchen in Tuscaloosa, AL featuring frameless oak stained cabinetry, floating display shelves, and a breakfast seating area.
Mid-Century Modern Rehabilitation
Mid-Century Modern Rehabilitation
Herron Horton Architects, Inc.Herron Horton Architects, Inc.
Kitchen with walnut cabinets and screen constructed by Woodunique.
Large midcentury galley kitchen/diner in Little Rock with a submerged sink, dark wood cabinets, engineered stone countertops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood flooring, no island, white worktops, exposed beams, a vaulted ceiling, flat-panel cabinets and brown floors.
Walnut and Turquoise Allure
Walnut and Turquoise Allure
CraftedWild CabinetryCraftedWild Cabinetry
Staging: Jaqueline with Tweaked Style Photography: Tony Diaz General Contracting: Big Brothers Development
Inspiration for a medium sized midcentury l-shaped kitchen pantry in Chicago with flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, green splashback, integrated appliances, no island and white worktops.
Bloomington Flansburgh House
Bloomington Flansburgh House
Susan Yeley HomesSusan Yeley Homes
Nearly two decades ago now, Susan and her husband put a letter in the mailbox of this eastside home: "If you have any interest in selling, please reach out." But really, who would give up a Flansburgh House? Fast forward to 2020, when the house went on the market! By then it was clear that three children and a busy home design studio couldn't be crammed into this efficient footprint. But what's second best to moving into your dream home? Being asked to redesign the functional core for the family that was. In this classic Flansburgh layout, all the rooms align tidily in a square around a central hall and open air atrium. As such, all the spaces are both connected to one another and also private; and all allow for visual access to the outdoors in two directions—toward the atrium and toward the exterior. All except, in this case, the utilitarian galley kitchen. That space, oft-relegated to second class in midcentury architecture, got the shaft, with narrow doorways on two ends and no good visual access to the atrium or the outside. Who spends time in the kitchen anyway? As is often the case with even the very best midcentury architecture, the kitchen at the Flansburgh House needed to be modernized; appliances and cabinetry have come a long way since 1970, but our culture has evolved too, becoming more casual and open in ways we at SYH believe are here to stay. People (gasp!) do spend time—lots of time!—in their kitchens! Nonetheless, our goal was to make this kitchen look as if it had been designed this way by Earl Flansburgh himself. The house came to us full of bold, bright color. We edited out some of it (along with the walls it was on) but kept and built upon the stunning red, orange and yellow closet doors in the family room adjacent to the kitchen. That pop was balanced by a few colorful midcentury pieces that our clients already owned, and the stunning light and verdant green coming in from both the atrium and the perimeter of the house, not to mention the many skylights. Thus, the rest of the space just needed to quiet down and be a beautiful, if neutral, foil. White terrazzo tile grounds custom plywood and black cabinetry, offset by a half wall that offers both camouflage for the cooking mess and also storage below, hidden behind seamless oak tambour. Contractor: Rusty Peterson Cabinetry: Stoll's Woodworking Photographer: Sarah Shields
Zilker Park MCM
Zilker Park MCM
Ashby CollectiveAshby Collective
Photo of a medium sized midcentury u-shaped kitchen/diner in Austin with a built-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, green splashback, stainless steel appliances, terrazzo flooring, no island, white floors, black worktops and medium wood cabinets.
Midcentury Modern kitchen remodel
Midcentury Modern kitchen remodel
Studio 76 Kitchens and BathsStudio 76 Kitchens and Baths
Bright light from new windows help this galley kitchen feel open and large.
This is an example of a medium sized midcentury galley kitchen in Cleveland with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, engineered stone countertops, white splashback, metro tiled splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood flooring, no island, brown floors and white worktops.
Mid Century Modern Meets 2020
Mid Century Modern Meets 2020
Fox InteriorsFox Interiors
Photo of a medium sized retro enclosed kitchen in Minneapolis with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, engineered stone countertops, white splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, cement flooring, no island, grey floors and black worktops.
Altadena Mid-Century
Altadena Mid-Century
Susan Pickering Real Estate PhotographySusan Pickering Real Estate Photography
Inspiration for a midcentury u-shaped kitchen/diner in Los Angeles with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, tile countertops, blue splashback, mosaic tiled splashback, white appliances, no island, brown floors and blue worktops.
Lafayette Modern Remodel by Klopf Architecture
Lafayette Modern Remodel by Klopf Architecture
Klopf ArchitectureKlopf Architecture
Klopf Architecture’s client, a family of four with young children, wanted to update their recently purchased home to meet their growing needs across generations. It was essential to maintain the mid-century modern style throughout the project but most importantly, they wanted more natural light brought into the dark kitchen and cramped bathrooms while creating a smoother connection between the kitchen, dining and family room. The kitchen was expanded into the dining area, using part of the original kitchen area as a butler's pantry. With the main kitchen brought out into an open space with new larger windows and two skylights the space became light, open, and airy. Custom cabinetry from Henrybuilt throughout the kitchen and butler's pantry brought functionality to the space. Removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room, and widening the opening from the dining room to the living room created a more open and natural flow between the spaces. New redwood siding was installed in the entry foyer to match the original siding in the family room so it felt original to the house and consistent between the spaces. Oak flooring was installed throughout the house enhancing the movement between the new kitchen and adjacent areas. The two original bathrooms felt dark and cramped so they were expanded and also feature larger windows, modern fixtures and new Heath tile throughout. Custom vanities also from Henrybuilt bring a unified look and feel from the kitchen into the new bathrooms. Designs included plans for a future in-law unit to accommodate the needs of an older generation. The house is much brighter, feels more unified with wider open site lines that provide the family with a better transition and seamless connection between spaces. This mid-century modern remodel is a 2,743 sf, 4 bedroom/3 bath home located in Lafayette, CA. Klopf Architecture Project Team: John Klopf and Angela Todorova Contractor: Don Larwood Structural Engineer: Sezen & Moon Structural Engineering, Inc. Landscape Designer: n/a Photography ©2018 Scott Maddern Location: Lafayette, CA Year completed: 2018 Link to photos: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/aqxfwk7wdot9jja/AADWuIcsHHE-AGPfq13u5htda?dl=0
Haus of Clay
Haus of Clay
Fraley and CompanyFraley and Company
Clayhaus tile, marmoelum floors, panel ready dishwasher, *Big Chill Refrigerator*, and a fully embraced monochromatic color scheme. Schweitzer Creative
Waynesville Kitchen, Ceiling Bump-up, Bath Remodel
Waynesville Kitchen, Ceiling Bump-up, Bath Remodel
HomeSource BuildersHomeSource Builders
A 1961 home with an under-eight-foot living room ceiling needed some freshening. We slanted the ceiling to match the roof pitch, and added a wall of bookshelves in the dining room. We gutted the kitchen and started over—complete with heated porcelain tile floor. A tiny bathroom had previously included a shower, which we replaced with a full-size vanity that features a striking vessel sink. Relighting the living room required new wiring. Our project manager suggested carrying the existing theme of arched door openings into several of the remodeling details.
Mid-century Modern Kitchen
Mid-century Modern Kitchen
Dream Kitchens, Inc.Dream Kitchens, Inc.
Inspiration for a medium sized retro galley enclosed kitchen in Chicago with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, engineered stone countertops, beige splashback, metro tiled splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate flooring, no island and blue floors.

Midcentury Kitchen with No Island 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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