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  2. Layout: U-shape

Midcentury U-shaped Kitchen Ideas and Designs

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Ferndale: Mid-century four bedroom single story home
Ferndale: Mid-century four bedroom single story home
Muchmore DesignMuchmore Design
The primary material used for the kitchen is iroko, combined with plywood lined interior cabinetry. A four metre long skylight installed above the island casts natural light across the beautiful oiled iroko wood. Reeded glass, popular in the 1960´s, was also fitted into the sliding pantry doors. The central island and units were installed on matte black plinths providing a floating appearance above the floor.
Nordic Kitchen
Nordic Kitchen
Irving sykes kitchens and fine furnitureIrving sykes kitchens and fine furniture
Inspiration for a midcentury u-shaped kitchen in Other with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, terrazzo worktops, stainless steel appliances, an island, grey floors and multicoloured worktops.
Mid Century Modern Kitchen that's Connected to Nature
Mid Century Modern Kitchen that's Connected to Nature
Normandy RemodelingNormandy Remodeling
This mid-century modern home celebrates the beauty of nature, and this newly restored kitchen embraces the home's roots with materials to match. Walnut cabinets with a slab front in a natural finish complement the rest of the home's paneling beautifully. A thick quartzite countertop on the island, and the same stone for the perimeter countertops and backsplash feature an elegant veining. The natural light and large windows above the sink further connect this kitchen to the outdoors, making it a true celebration of nature.\
Mid-Century Modern Deck House
Mid-Century Modern Deck House
The Design GalleryThe Design Gallery
Medium sized retro u-shaped kitchen in Other with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz worktops, green splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood flooring, an island, beige floors, white worktops and exposed beams.
kitchen 126
kitchen 126
Savvy KitchensSavvy Kitchens
Photo of a large retro u-shaped kitchen in Los Angeles with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue splashback, stainless steel appliances, an island, grey floors, medium wood cabinets, quartz worktops, glass tiled splashback and cement flooring.
Rosenwald House
Rosenwald House
Flavin ArchitectsFlavin Architects
This remodel of a mid century gem is located in the town of Lincoln, MA a hot bed of modernist homes inspired by Gropius’ own house built nearby in the 1940’s. By the time the house was built, modernism had evolved from the Gropius era, to incorporate the rural vibe of Lincoln with spectacular exposed wooden beams and deep overhangs. The design rejects the traditional New England house with its enclosing wall and inward posture. The low pitched roofs, open floor plan, and large windows openings connect the house to nature to make the most of its rural setting. Photo by: Nat Rae Photography
Rosewood Lane Whole House
Rosewood Lane Whole House
Schloegel Design RemodelSchloegel Design Remodel
Designer: Lindsay Brungardt Elegant mid-century modern kitchen with a bar, black lower cabinets, warm stained upper cabinets, black appliances, white porcelain tile backsplash, vaulted stained wood ceilings, and natural tone wood floors.
Los Feliz Residence
Los Feliz Residence
Dutton Architects Inc.Dutton Architects Inc.
A modern mid-century house in the Los Feliz neighborhood of the Hollywood Hills, this was an extensive renovation. The house was brought down to its studs, new foundations poured, and many walls and rooms relocated and resized. The aim was to improve the flow through the house, to make if feel more open and light, and connected to the outside, both literally through a new stair leading to exterior sliding doors, and through new windows along the back that open up to canyon views. photos by Undine Prohl
Hawthorne Hills Residence
Hawthorne Hills Residence
Tammara Stroud DesignTammara Stroud Design
In 1949, one of mid-century modern’s most famous NW architects, Paul Hayden Kirk, built this early “glass house” in Hawthorne Hills. Rather than flattening the rolling hills of the Northwest to accommodate his structures, Kirk sought to make the least impact possible on the building site by making use of it natural landscape. When we started this project, our goal was to pay attention to the original architecture--as well as designing the home around the client’s eclectic art collection and African artifacts. The home was completely gutted, since most of the home is glass, hardly any exterior walls remained. We kept the basic footprint of the home the same—opening the space between the kitchen and living room. The horizontal grain matched walnut cabinets creates a natural continuous movement. The sleek lines of the Fleetwood windows surrounding the home allow for the landscape and interior to seamlessly intertwine. In our effort to preserve as much of the design as possible, the original fireplace remains in the home and we made sure to work with the natural lines originally designed by Kirk.
My Houzz: Organic Minimalism in a Denver Redo
My Houzz: Organic Minimalism in a Denver Redo
Alexandra CraftonAlexandra Crafton
Wall paint: Simply White, Benjamin Moore; hardwood floor: Southern Pecan Natural, Home Depot; cabinets: Veddinge, Ikea; sink: Undermount Deep Single Bowl, Zuhne; faucet: Ringskär, Ikea; range hood: Luftig, Ikea; shelves: Reclaimed Wood Shelving + Brackets, West Elm; backsplash: Retro 2" x 2" Hex Porcelain Mosaic Tile in Glossy White, EliteTile; hardware: Edgecliff Pull - Natural Brass, Schoolhouse Electric; dinnerware: Coupe Line in Opaque White, Heath Ceramics; countertop: Carrara Marble, The Stone Collection; pendant lights: Luna Pendant, Schoolhouse Electric Photo: Allie Crafton © 2016 Houzz Design: Annabode + Co
Sunny Yellow Retro Kitchen
Sunny Yellow Retro Kitchen
Margie Grace - Grace Design AssociatesMargie Grace - Grace Design Associates
We decided on a retro look for our new kitchen with lots of display shelving, happy colors, laminate counters (no cracking!), a chubby old stove, period details and “linoleum” flooring.
Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon
Jubilee InteriorsJubilee Interiors
This full home mid-century remodel project is in an affluent community perched on the hills known for its spectacular views of Los Angeles. Our retired clients were returning to sunny Los Angeles from South Carolina. Amidst the pandemic, they embarked on a two-year-long remodel with us - a heartfelt journey to transform their residence into a personalized sanctuary. Opting for a crisp white interior, we provided the perfect canvas to showcase the couple's legacy art pieces throughout the home. Carefully curating furnishings that complemented rather than competed with their remarkable collection. It's minimalistic and inviting. We created a space where every element resonated with their story, infusing warmth and character into their newly revitalized soulful home.
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
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.
SKYCROFT KITCHEN
SKYCROFT KITCHEN
Kate Roos Design LLCKate Roos Design LLC
Cabinetry in a fresh, green color with accents of rift oak evoke a mid-century aesthetic that blends with the rest of the home.
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.
Boho Modern Kitchen
Boho Modern Kitchen
Zimmer Design LLCZimmer Design LLC
Photo of a medium sized retro u-shaped kitchen/diner in Minneapolis with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, engineered stone countertops, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood flooring, an island and white worktops.
A Splash of Yellow
A Splash of Yellow
Next Stage Design + BuildNext Stage Design + Build
Design ideas for a medium sized retro u-shaped kitchen/diner in San Francisco with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, engineered stone countertops, yellow splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood flooring, an island, brown floors, white worktops and a timber clad ceiling.
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.
West Seattle Mid-Century
West Seattle Mid-Century
Board & VellumBoard & Vellum
Photos by Tina Witherspoon.
Large midcentury u-shaped open plan kitchen in Seattle with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, engineered stone countertops, stainless steel appliances, an island, black worktops and a wood ceiling.
Mondrian Mid-Century
Mondrian Mid-Century
Moderne BuildersModerne Builders
This is an example of a retro u-shaped kitchen/diner in Other with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, engineered stone countertops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete flooring, a breakfast bar, beige floors, beige worktops, exposed beams and a timber clad ceiling.

Midcentury U-shaped 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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