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  1. Kitchen
  2. Layout: U-shape

Midcentury U-shaped Kitchen Ideas and Designs

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Zilker Park MCM
Zilker Park MCM
Ashby CollectiveAshby Collective
Design ideas for a medium sized midcentury u-shaped kitchen/diner in Austin with a built-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, green splashback, stainless steel appliances, terrazzo flooring, no island, white floors and black worktops.
Mid Century Modern Remodel
Mid Century Modern Remodel
Kelly Martin InteriorsKelly Martin Interiors
This remodel was located in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles.
This is an example of a medium sized midcentury u-shaped kitchen/diner in San Francisco with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, engineered stone countertops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, coloured appliances, dark hardwood flooring, a breakfast bar, brown floors and white worktops.
Mid Century Modern Meets 2020
Mid Century Modern Meets 2020
Fox InteriorsFox Interiors
Medium sized retro u-shaped 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.
Chamblee Mid Century Modern
Chamblee Mid Century Modern
Susie Mae DesignSusie Mae Design
Inspiration for a retro u-shaped kitchen in Atlanta with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, blue splashback, white appliances, medium hardwood flooring, no island and white worktops.
Cambridge Renovation
Cambridge Renovation
studiohw | Heather Weissstudiohw | Heather Weiss
photos by Eric Roth
Design ideas for a retro u-shaped kitchen in New York with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, engineered stone countertops, white splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain flooring, grey floors, white worktops and no island.
Midcentury Kitchen
Midcentury Kitchen
Design ideas for a large midcentury u-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with light wood cabinets, an island, a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood flooring, brown floors and beige worktops.
Sunset Kitchen
Sunset Kitchen
Form + FieldForm + Field
This is an example of a medium sized retro u-shaped enclosed kitchen in San Francisco with a belfast sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, blue splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic flooring, no island, beige floors and white worktops.
Pretty in Pink Mid Century Inspired Kitchen
Pretty in Pink Mid Century Inspired Kitchen
Space Craft JoinerySpace Craft Joinery
Josie Withers
This is an example of a small midcentury u-shaped open plan kitchen in Adelaide with flat-panel cabinets, laminate countertops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, white appliances and light hardwood flooring.
Upper West Side Residence
Upper West Side Residence
Ann Baumgartner DesignAnn Baumgartner Design
Marco Ricca
This is an example of a medium sized retro u-shaped enclosed kitchen in Denver with a submerged sink, beaded cabinets, white cabinets, engineered stone countertops, brown splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, cement flooring, a breakfast bar and brown floors.
Mid Century Modern I Bellevue, Washington
Mid Century Modern I Bellevue, Washington
Syltebo Wight Homes & Jon Syltebo Painting CompanySyltebo Wight Homes & Jon Syltebo Painting Company
Design ideas for a large retro u-shaped open plan kitchen in Seattle with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, engineered stone countertops, black splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood flooring and an island.
College West
College West
Borrelli Design+CabinetryBorrelli Design+Cabinetry
Our recent job in the College area features a mid-century up-date. The Cabinetry is quarter sawn ebony and gloss white acrylic. A Miele appliance package consisting of a refrigerator, speed-oven, coffeemaker, wine storage, 36″ range and concealed hood was chosen to add sophisticated functionality to this kitchen. The other noticeable finishes are the quartz counter-top and Dawn Kitchen & Bath Products, Inc. 16 gallon stainless steel sink. All products and finishes were chosen from our show room. One stop kitchen remodel source.
Modern Walnut Kitchen
Modern Walnut Kitchen
TaylorPro Design and Remodeling, Inc.TaylorPro Design and Remodeling, Inc.
Inspiration for a large midcentury u-shaped open plan kitchen in Tampa with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, blue splashback, glass sheet splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain flooring and multiple islands.
Mid Century Meets Modern
Mid Century Meets Modern
Hermitage Kitchen Gallery LLCHermitage Kitchen Gallery LLC
Designer: Terri Sears Photography: Melissa M. Mills
Design ideas for a medium sized retro u-shaped kitchen/diner in Nashville with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, engineered stone countertops, beige splashback, mosaic tiled splashback, stainless steel appliances, a breakfast bar, light hardwood flooring, brown floors and beige worktops.
Mid Century Meets Modern
Mid Century Meets Modern
Hermitage Kitchen Gallery LLCHermitage Kitchen Gallery LLC
Designer: Terri Sears Photography: Melissa M. Mills
Medium sized retro u-shaped kitchen/diner in Nashville with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, engineered stone countertops, beige splashback, mosaic tiled splashback, stainless steel appliances, a breakfast bar, light hardwood flooring, brown floors and beige worktops.
Mid-Century Modern with a Punch
Mid-Century Modern with a Punch
Julie Meivogel / Williams StudioJulie Meivogel / Williams Studio
Scott Meivogel
Photo of a small retro u-shaped kitchen/diner in Grand Rapids with a belfast sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, engineered stone countertops, white splashback, metro tiled splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood flooring and a breakfast bar.
Mid Century Modern Sea Pearl House
Mid Century Modern Sea Pearl House
Aria Stone GalleryAria Stone Gallery
Needless to say, this kitchen is a cook’s dream. With an oversized peninsula, there is plenty of space to create tasteful confections. They added another element of interest to their design by mitering the edges of their countertop, creating the look of a thicker slab and adding a nice focal point to the space. Pulling the whole look together, they complemented the sea pearl quartzite countertop beautifully with the use of grey subway tile.
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
Pacific NW Mid-Century Kitchen Remodel
Pacific NW Mid-Century Kitchen Remodel
Crescent BuildsCrescent Builds
Ross Anania
Design ideas for a retro u-shaped enclosed kitchen in Seattle with recessed-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, wood worktops, mosaic tiled splashback, stainless steel appliances and multi-coloured splashback.
kitchen overall
kitchen overall
Klopf ArchitectureKlopf Architecture
Photo ©2012 Mariko Reed
Inspiration for a midcentury grey and white u-shaped kitchen in San Francisco with stainless steel appliances, engineered stone countertops and grey floors.
Mid-Century Modern Home
Mid-Century Modern Home
Craftsman Design and RenovationCraftsman Design and Renovation
Photos: Eckert & Eckert Photography
Design ideas for a medium sized retro u-shaped enclosed kitchen in Portland with mosaic tiled splashback, a built-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, laminate countertops, multi-coloured splashback, stainless steel appliances, carpet and no island.

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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