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  1. Kitchen
  2. Type: Open Plan

Midcentury Open Plan Kitchen Ideas and Designs

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Cornwall Holiday Home
Cornwall Holiday Home
Lomax & ChiLomax & Chi
Stunning Pluck Kitchen in soft green with marble worktops and feature lighting.
Inspiration for a large midcentury l-shaped open plan kitchen in London with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, green cabinets, marble worktops, green splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood flooring, an island, green worktops, exposed beams and feature lighting.
Newport Beach MidCentury Modern Home
Newport Beach MidCentury Modern Home
Anthology InteriorsAnthology Interiors
Beautiful, expansive Midcentury Modern family home located in Dover Shores, Newport Beach, California. This home was gutted to the studs, opened up to take advantage of its gorgeous views and designed for a family with young children. Every effort was taken to preserve the home's integral Midcentury Modern bones while adding the most functional and elegant modern amenities. Photos: David Cairns, The OC Image
San Mateo Modern
San Mateo Modern
Peninsula ModernPeninsula Modern
Margot Hartford
Midcentury open plan kitchen in San Francisco with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, white splashback, metro tiled splashback, stainless steel appliances, an island, grey floors and slate flooring.
50's ITALIAN LAKE HOUSE
50's ITALIAN LAKE HOUSE
Tommaso Giunchi ArchitettiTommaso Giunchi Architetti
Cucina di Cesar Cucine; basi in laccato effetto oro, piano e paraspruzzi zona lavabo in pietra breccia imperiale; penili e colonne in fenix grigio; paraspruzzi in vetro retro-verniciato grigio. Pavimento in resina rosso bordeaux. Piano cottura induzione Bora con cappa integrata. Gli angoli delle basi sono stati personalizzati con 3arrotondamenti. Zoccolino ribassato a 6 cm.
Hilltop Road
Hilltop Road
Dichotomy InteriorsDichotomy Interiors
warm white oak and blackened oak custom crafted kitchen with zellige tile and quartz countertops.
This is an example of a large retro open plan kitchen in New York with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, engineered stone countertops, beige splashback, ceramic splashback, black appliances, concrete flooring, an island, grey floors and grey worktops.
Woodstock Mid-century Remodel
Woodstock Mid-century Remodel
ContextContext
Photo of a small retro l-shaped open plan kitchen in New York with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, engineered stone countertops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood flooring, an island, brown floors and white worktops.
San Elijo - Project
San Elijo - Project
ProPacific Builders, Inc.ProPacific Builders, Inc.
Medium sized retro u-shaped open plan kitchen in San Diego with a belfast sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, marble worktops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, laminate floors, an island, beige floors and white worktops.
Kenilworth Project - Mid Century Modern Whole House Remodel
Kenilworth Project - Mid Century Modern Whole House Remodel
Haven Design and ConstructionHaven Design and Construction
The kitchen in this Mid Century Modern home is a true showstopper. The designer expanded the original kitchen footprint and doubled the kitchen in size. The walnut dividing wall and walnut cabinets are hallmarks of the original mid century design, while a mix of deep blue cabinets provide a more modern punch. The triangle shape is repeated throughout the kitchen in the backs of the counter stools, the ends of the waterfall island, the light fixtures, the clerestory windows, and the walnut dividing wall.
Mid-Century Makeover
Mid-Century Makeover
Wiedemann Architects LLCWiedemann Architects LLC
Photography: Anice Hoachlander, Hoachlander Davis Photography.
Design ideas for a medium sized retro u-shaped open plan kitchen in DC Metro with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble worktops, marble splashback, light hardwood flooring, an island, a double-bowl sink, white splashback, stainless steel appliances and brown 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
Eclectic Mid-Century - Rancho Mirage
Eclectic Mid-Century - Rancho Mirage
Brittany Stiles DesignBrittany Stiles Design
A modern kitchen with white slab front cabinets, chrome hardware and walnut flooring and accents. Industrial style globe pendant lights hang above the extra long island. Stainless steel and paneled appliances and open shelving to store dishes and other kitchenware. White subway tile and ceiling shiplap.
3 Palms - Kitchen Featuring Heath Tile
3 Palms - Kitchen Featuring Heath Tile
Real Estate JudgeReal Estate Judge
Midcentury Modern Kitchen Featuring Heath Tile
This is an example of a medium sized retro l-shaped open plan kitchen in Phoenix with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, engineered stone countertops, yellow splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete flooring and a breakfast bar.
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.
West Seattle Mid-Century
West Seattle Mid-Century
Board & VellumBoard & Vellum
Photos by Tina Witherspoon.
Large retro u-shaped open plan kitchen in Seattle with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, engineered stone countertops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood flooring, an island, white worktops and a wood ceiling.
Glen Ellen Residence
Glen Ellen Residence
Knock Architecture and DesignKnock Architecture and Design
Inspiration for a medium sized midcentury l-shaped open plan kitchen in San Francisco with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, wood worktops, white splashback, metro tiled splashback, black appliances, concrete flooring, an island, grey floors, brown worktops and a wood ceiling.
Pomona Lake Kitchen + Living
Pomona Lake Kitchen + Living
TVL Creative Ltd.TVL Creative Ltd.
Design ideas for a medium sized midcentury l-shaped open plan kitchen in Denver with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, engineered stone countertops, multi-coloured splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood flooring, an island, brown floors, white worktops and a drop ceiling.
Forever Ranch
Forever Ranch
Kipnis Architecture + PlanningKipnis Architecture + Planning
The kitchen design that opens to the great room. The door to the mudroom is to the right.
Medium sized midcentury l-shaped open plan kitchen in Chicago with a submerged sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, engineered stone countertops, white splashback, glass tiled splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood flooring, an island, brown floors, white worktops and exposed beams.
Midcentury Interior Remodel
Midcentury Interior Remodel
BYoung DesignBYoung Design
Design ideas for a retro l-shaped open plan kitchen in San Diego with a built-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, engineered stone countertops, white splashback, metro tiled splashback, integrated appliances, light hardwood flooring, an island, white worktops and exposed beams.
Kitchen
Kitchen
Forte Building Group, LLCForte Building Group, LLC
This is an example of a large retro l-shaped open plan kitchen in Nashville with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble worktops, white splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood flooring, an island, brown floors, white worktops and a vaulted ceiling.
Westlake Hideaway
Westlake Hideaway
Ashby CollectiveAshby Collective
Design ideas for an expansive retro l-shaped open plan kitchen in Austin with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood flooring, an island, brown floors and grey worktops.

Midcentury Open Plan 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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