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  1. Kitchen
  2. Layout: U-shape

Midcentury U-shaped Kitchen Ideas and Designs

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Portland West Hills Kitchen
Portland West Hills Kitchen
Sharon Hocking INTERIOR DESIGNSharon Hocking INTERIOR DESIGN
Mid century modern kitchen Vern Uyetake Photography
This is an example of a medium sized retro u-shaped kitchen/diner in Portland with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, engineered stone countertops, blue splashback, glass tiled splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood flooring, a breakfast bar and white worktops.
Groovy '60s Ranch
Groovy '60s Ranch
Howells Architecture + DesignHowells Architecture + Design
This midcentury-inspired kitchen, breakfast nook, dining + living room revamps a tired old '60s ranch for a family with three kids. A bright backsplash evokes Italian modernism and gives a playful vibe to a family-friendly space. Custom cherry cabinets match the living room built-ins and unify the spaces. An open, easy plan allows for free flow between rooms, and a view of the garden for the cook.
The Greenhills House
The Greenhills House
Turn DesignTurn Design
Kitchen Built Photo
Design ideas for a large retro u-shaped kitchen/diner in Portland with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz worktops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete flooring, an island and grey floors.
Retro Style Kitchen Remodel
Retro Style Kitchen Remodel
Saratoga Kitchens and BathsSaratoga Kitchens and Baths
This is an example of a small midcentury u-shaped enclosed kitchen in Boston with a double-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite worktops, white splashback, coloured appliances, medium hardwood flooring, no island, ceramic splashback and brown floors.
Vada Drive
Vada Drive
The Burke CompanyThe Burke Company
This is an example of a medium sized midcentury u-shaped enclosed kitchen in Dallas with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, stainless steel appliances, engineered stone countertops, window splashback, slate flooring and black floors.
Lost Creek
Lost Creek
Soledad Builders, LLCSoledad Builders, LLC
Atelier Wong Photography
Small midcentury u-shaped kitchen/diner in Austin with a belfast sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, engineered stone countertops, multi-coloured splashback, mosaic tiled splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood flooring and an island.
Somerset Renovation
Somerset Renovation
Balodemas ArchitectsBalodemas Architects
Anice Hoachlander, Hoachlander Davis Photography
This is an example of a large retro u-shaped open plan kitchen in DC Metro with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, engineered stone countertops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood flooring, an island and beige floors.
Morris House
Morris House
place architecture:designplace architecture:design
Tom Holdsworth Photography
Photo of a medium sized retro u-shaped kitchen/diner in Baltimore with recessed-panel cabinets, granite worktops, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood flooring, a single-bowl sink, grey cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, glass tiled splashback and a breakfast bar.
Mid Century Modern Kitchen - Floating Shelves, Venetian Plaster Wall
Mid Century Modern Kitchen - Floating Shelves, Venetian Plaster Wall
Hanomoco DesignHanomoco Design
Retro u-shaped kitchen/diner in San Francisco with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, composite countertops, grey splashback, mirror splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain flooring, an island, grey floors and beige worktops.
Seattle Kitchen, Bath and Great Room
Seattle Kitchen, Bath and Great Room
Community Builders, LLCCommunity Builders, LLC
Contemporary kitchen, IKEA cabinets, engineered flooring, quartz counter, tile back splash.
Photo of a medium sized midcentury u-shaped kitchen/diner in Seattle with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, engineered stone countertops, grey splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood flooring, a breakfast bar and brown floors.
Broadmoor Mid Century
Broadmoor Mid Century
Patricia Brennan ArchitectsPatricia Brennan Architects
This open kitchen is great for entertaining. The vaulted ceilings emphasize the generosity of the space while the natural materials add warmth to the space.
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.
Berkeley Hills Modern Kitchen & Bath Remodel
Berkeley Hills Modern Kitchen & Bath Remodel
Lauren's InteriorsLauren's Interiors
Inspiration for a retro u-shaped kitchen in San Francisco with flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood flooring, an island, brown floors and white worktops.
Lato Signature - Modin Rigid LVP Collection Customer Space - CA
Lato Signature - Modin Rigid LVP Collection Customer Space - CA
FlooretFlooret
Lato Signature from the Modin Rigid LVP Collection - Crisp tones of maple and birch. The enhanced bevels accentuate the long length of the planks.
Design ideas for a medium sized retro u-shaped kitchen in San Francisco with white splashback, stainless steel appliances, vinyl flooring, a breakfast bar, yellow floors and white worktops.
Mid-Century Modern Phased Remodel
Mid-Century Modern Phased Remodel
HKP architectsHKP architects
The owner's of this Mid-Century Modern home in north Seattle were interested in developing a master plan for remodeling the kitchen, family room, master closet, and deck as well as the downstairs basement for a library, den, and office space. Once they had a good idea of the overall plan, they set about to take on the priority project, the kitchen, family room and deck. Shown are the master plan images for the entire house and the finished photos of the work that was completed.
Woodside House 2
Woodside House 2
Dotter & Solfjeld Architecture + DesignDotter & Solfjeld Architecture + Design
Photo of a large midcentury u-shaped open plan kitchen in San Francisco with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz worktops, integrated appliances, cement flooring, an island, multi-coloured floors and white worktops.
Mount Vernon Interior
Mount Vernon Interior
Infinite HomeInfinite Home
Design ideas for a medium sized retro u-shaped kitchen pantry in Atlanta with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, engineered stone countertops, grey splashback, metro tiled splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood flooring, an island, brown floors and white worktops.
Midcentury Modern Blue Wave Tile Backsplash
Midcentury Modern Blue Wave Tile Backsplash
Fireclay TileFireclay Tile
Serving up underwater vibes, this blue wave tile backsplash playfully anchors this midcentury modern kitchen. Sample more blue tiles at fireclaytile.com/samples TILE SHOWN Wave Tile in Slate Blue DESIGN Diane Gordon Design PHOTOS Elisabeth Gordon
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.
Mid-Century Modern Kitchen Remodel - Sherman Oaks, CA
Mid-Century Modern Kitchen Remodel - Sherman Oaks, CA
South Land Remodeling Inc.South Land Remodeling Inc.
Mid-Century Modern Kitchen Remodel - Sherman Oaks, CA
Design ideas for a medium sized retro u-shaped open plan kitchen in Los Angeles with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz worktops, white splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood flooring, an island, brown floors and white worktops.

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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