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  1. Kitchen
  2. Layout: U-shape

Midcentury U-shaped Kitchen Ideas and Designs

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5T - Restoration of a Mid-Century Landmark
5T - Restoration of a Mid-Century Landmark
Stephen Moser ArchitectStephen Moser Architect
Photography: Michael Biondo
This is an example of a medium sized retro u-shaped open plan kitchen in New York with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, orange cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood flooring, an island and engineered stone countertops.
Mid-Century Modern Update
Mid-Century Modern Update
McCabe By Design LLCMcCabe By Design LLC
Easy access was the mantra for this kitchen remodel project. Some of the features include the tandem pull-out trash and recycling bins and dual pull-out base pantries. Not photographed is the corner super susan, the pull-out shelves to the right of the prep sink, the tray dividers above the ovens and a custom pot lit holder above the refridgerator. Deep drawers to the right of the cooktop store pots, pans and lids while the shallower top drawer is perfect for cooking tools. A Kitchen That Works LLC
Valley Club Mid-Century
Valley Club Mid-Century
DD Ford ConstructionDD Ford Construction
Large midcentury u-shaped enclosed kitchen in Santa Barbara with a built-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood flooring and multiple islands.
Zema Redux
Zema Redux
SHED Architecture & DesignSHED Architecture & Design
Midcentury u-shaped kitchen/diner in Seattle with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood worktops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood flooring and an island.
Waterfront mid-century modern
Waterfront mid-century modern
SurefieldSurefield
Surefield
Midcentury u-shaped kitchen in Seattle with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, white splashback, glass sheet splashback and stainless steel appliances.
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 Rea Photography
Cheyenne Elegance
Cheyenne Elegance
Raw Urth DesignsRaw Urth Designs
Design: Montrose Range Hood Finish: Light Washed Steel Handcrafted by Raw Urth Designs Photographed by Chris Reilmann Photo
This is an example of a midcentury u-shaped kitchen/diner in Other with white splashback, an island and grey 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.
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.
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
Design ideas for 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.
American River Drive Residence
American River Drive Residence
Benning Construction IncBenning Construction Inc
Design ideas for a midcentury u-shaped kitchen in Sacramento with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, blue splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete flooring, an island, grey floors and white worktops.
Mid-Century Modern Deck House
Mid-Century Modern Deck House
The Design GalleryThe Design Gallery
This is an example of a medium sized midcentury 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.
Mid-Century Classic
Mid-Century Classic
Lucy Johnson Interior DesignLucy Johnson Interior Design
U-shaped kitchen with Super Susan corner cabinet. Flat door style in Rift-Cut White Oak. Satin Nickel cabinet pulls.
Photo of a medium sized midcentury u-shaped kitchen/diner in Seattle with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite worktops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain flooring, a breakfast bar, grey floors and multicoloured worktops.
Mid-century Preservation
Mid-century Preservation
Ashby CollectiveAshby Collective
Photo of a small midcentury u-shaped kitchen in Austin with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, cork flooring, brown floors, beige worktops and a breakfast bar.
Mid Century Modern Meets 2020
Mid Century Modern Meets 2020
Fox InteriorsFox Interiors
Inspiration for a medium sized midcentury 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.
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.
Skylight brightens the space with natural light
Skylight brightens the space with natural light
Denver Design GroupDenver Design Group
The installation of a skylight floods the space with natural light. photo by Myndi Pressly
Inspiration for a small retro u-shaped kitchen in Denver with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz worktops, blue splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic flooring, grey floors and white worktops.
Seattle Midcentury Addition and Remodel
Seattle Midcentury Addition and Remodel
H2D Architecture + DesignH2D Architecture + Design
Design by: H2D Architecture + Design www.h2darchitects.com Built by: Carlisle Classic Homes Photos: Christopher Nelson Photography
This is an example of a retro u-shaped kitchen/diner in Seattle with a belfast sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, engineered stone countertops, blue splashback, metro tiled splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood flooring, an island, white worktops, a vaulted ceiling and feature lighting.
Seattle Midcentury Addition and Remodel
Seattle Midcentury Addition and Remodel
H2D Architecture + DesignH2D Architecture + Design
The creative lighting in this kitchen illuminates both above and below the cabinets. This gives it a high-end look and provides flexible, layered lighting. Design by: H2D Architecture + Design www.h2darchitects.com Built by: Carlisle Classic Homes Photos: Christopher Nelson Photography

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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