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  2. Layout: U-shape

Midcentury U-shaped Kitchen Ideas and Designs

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Palka Signature | Modin Rigid LVP Collection Customer Space | TX
Palka Signature | Modin Rigid LVP Collection Customer Space | TX
FlooretFlooret
Warm, light, and inviting with characteristic knot vinyl floors that bring a touch of wabi-sabi to every room. This rustic maple style is ideal for Japanese and Scandinavian-inspired spaces. With the Modin Collection, we have raised the bar on luxury vinyl plank. The result is a new standard in resilient flooring. Modin offers true embossed in register texture, a low sheen level, a rigid SPC core, an industry-leading wear layer, and so much more.
151 Kitchen Remodel
151 Kitchen Remodel
D&G ConstructionD&G Construction
This is a fully custom kitchen featuring natural wood custom cabinets, quartz waterfall countertops, a custom built vent hood, brick backsplash, build-in fridge and open shelving. This beautiful space was created for a master chef with mid-century modern a touch of rustic aesthetic.
Hillsborough Vaastu Residence
Hillsborough Vaastu Residence
Marc Newman ArchitectMarc Newman Architect
Inspiration for a midcentury grey and brown u-shaped kitchen/diner in San Francisco with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, stainless steel worktops, blue splashback, glass sheet splashback, stainless steel appliances, an island, grey worktops, feature lighting, medium hardwood flooring and brown floors.
Classic Blue
Classic Blue
SH interiorsSH interiors
We were inspired by our clients collection of beautiful dinnerware and serve ware which were gorgeous shades of blues. We kept the finishes classic like the Shaker door style and the classic blue accent color but we added lovely details such as the rope crown molding and the textural tile back-splash.
Cambridge Renovation
Cambridge Renovation
studiohw | Heather Weissstudiohw | Heather Weiss
photos by Eric Roth
Photo of 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 and white worktops.
Mid-Century Raised Ranch Remodel
Mid-Century Raised Ranch Remodel
The Artisans Group, Inc.The Artisans Group, Inc.
Winner of the 2018 Tour of Homes Best Remodel, this whole house re-design of a 1963 Bennet & Johnson mid-century raised ranch home is a beautiful example of the magic we can weave through the application of more sustainable modern design principles to existing spaces. We worked closely with our client on extensive updates to create a modernized MCM gem. Extensive alterations include: - a completely redesigned floor plan to promote a more intuitive flow throughout - vaulted the ceilings over the great room to create an amazing entrance and feeling of inspired openness - redesigned entry and driveway to be more inviting and welcoming as well as to experientially set the mid-century modern stage - the removal of a visually disruptive load bearing central wall and chimney system that formerly partitioned the homes’ entry, dining, kitchen and living rooms from each other - added clerestory windows above the new kitchen to accentuate the new vaulted ceiling line and create a greater visual continuation of indoor to outdoor space - drastically increased the access to natural light by increasing window sizes and opening up the floor plan - placed natural wood elements throughout to provide a calming palette and cohesive Pacific Northwest feel - incorporated Universal Design principles to make the home Aging In Place ready with wide hallways and accessible spaces, including single-floor living if needed - moved and completely redesigned the stairway to work for the home’s occupants and be a part of the cohesive design aesthetic - mixed custom tile layouts with more traditional tiling to create fun and playful visual experiences - custom designed and sourced MCM specific elements such as the entry screen, cabinetry and lighting - development of the downstairs for potential future use by an assisted living caretaker - energy efficiency upgrades seamlessly woven in with much improved insulation, ductless mini splits and solar gain
Detroit Street Kitchen Renovation
Detroit Street Kitchen Renovation
TVL Creative Ltd.TVL Creative Ltd.
There’s nothing as wonderful as walking into a mid-century gem with clients who love the character of their new home. Our goal for this project was to incorporate the mid-century bones of this home into a new design that would better meet the contemporary needs of our clients. We started by taking down the walls that had separated this kitchen from the rest of the home and creating a welcoming space that blended seamlessly with the new open concept. The new kitchen design was a win for our clients with increased storage, more work surfaces, and a peninsula with plenty of seating. We utilized wood finishes through out this space with light wood flooring, medium-tones on the cabinetry, and darker wood accents throughout giving us a beautiful balance and a calm backdrop. This home had beautiful horizontal lines that we wanted to accentuate, so we selected a dark wood finish for the central beam and tied it in with the dark finish on the wood fireplace mantel and the stair handrail to emphasize the horizontal features. But we never miss an opportunity for a fun mid-century pop, and this home provided plenty of inspiration! The boomerang hardware on the cabinets and escher backsplash tiles give us great geometric elements to break up the clean lines of the rest of the space. One of our favorite features of this home was the original plaster ceilings with the custom hand troweled texture. We knew from the beginning that this was an element we wanted to maintain and accentuate, so when we opened up the kitchen and added recessed lighting we reached out to a local plaster artisan to carry the texture throughout the space, and we couldn’t be happier with the results. This design brings together the mid-century aesthetics of clean lines and fun patterns with the modern-day functionality our clients were looking for in their new kitchen.
Santa Monica MidCentury
Santa Monica MidCentury
UserUser
Madeline Tolle Design by Tandem Designs
Design ideas for a midcentury u-shaped kitchen in Los Angeles with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, white splashback, ceramic splashback, integrated appliances, an integrated sink, light hardwood flooring, a breakfast bar and beige floors.
kitchen 126
kitchen 126
Savvy KitchensSavvy Kitchens
Photo of a large retro u-shaped enclosed kitchen in Los Angeles with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz worktops, blue splashback, glass tiled splashback, stainless steel appliances, cement flooring, an island and grey floors.
Nordlund Kitchen--After
Nordlund Kitchen--After
Distinctive KitchensDistinctive Kitchens
One of our favorite details! A drawer-within-a-drawer. Especially handy when you've got little kids, this helps keep knives and other sharp kitchen utensils away (or at least harder to access). And it's also just really cool. Kitchen and dining room staging by Allison Scheff of Distinctive Kitchens. Photos by Wynne H Earle
Modern Walnut Kitchen
Modern Walnut Kitchen
TaylorPro Design and Remodeling, Inc.TaylorPro Design and Remodeling, Inc.
Inspiration for a large retro 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.
Midcentury Modern Kitchen
Midcentury Modern Kitchen
exactly.exactly.
CJ South
Design ideas for a small midcentury u-shaped kitchen/diner in Detroit with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, laminate countertops, grey splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances and no island.
Summit Kitchen Reno
Summit Kitchen Reno
Dusted BlvdDusted Blvd
Taryn Schumacher
Design ideas for a medium sized midcentury u-shaped kitchen/diner in Indianapolis with a belfast sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, laminate countertops, white splashback, metro tiled splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood flooring and a breakfast bar.
Better Built - Mid-Century Modern Kitchen
Better Built - Mid-Century Modern Kitchen
UserUser
PORTA S2 | High Gloss | Bianco Gloss • TERRA | Bark
Inspiration for a retro u-shaped kitchen in Seattle with flat-panel cabinets, stainless steel appliances and an island.
Mid-century Modern Kitchen
Mid-century Modern Kitchen
Christine Nelson DesignChristine Nelson Design
Ehlen Creative Communications
Design ideas for a small midcentury u-shaped kitchen/diner in Minneapolis with a belfast sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood worktops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, lino flooring, no island and stainless steel appliances.
Mid-Century Modern Kitchen
Mid-Century Modern Kitchen
FMA Interior Design, Inc.FMA Interior Design, Inc.
Mid-Century Modern Kitchen
Design ideas for a medium sized retro u-shaped kitchen/diner in Chicago with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, engineered stone countertops, beige splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain flooring and an island.
Schinik Residence
Schinik Residence
Dave's Remodeling Inc.Dave's Remodeling Inc.
Dave's Remodeling Inc / Media Carrot Photography
Small retro u-shaped kitchen/diner in Los Angeles with a submerged sink, raised-panel cabinets, green cabinets, quartz worktops, grey splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, no island and dark hardwood flooring.
Bright and Clean Mid Century Modern
Bright and Clean Mid Century Modern
SOLLiD CabinetrySOLLiD Cabinetry
Shane Baker
Medium sized midcentury u-shaped kitchen/diner in Phoenix with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, engineered stone countertops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood flooring, an island, brown floors and white worktops.
Mid Century Modern Kitchen that's Connected to Nature
Mid Century Modern Kitchen that's Connected to Nature
Normandy RemodelingNormandy Remodeling
This stunning walnut kitchen is now perfectly aligned with the aesthetic of its surroundings in a marvelous mid-century modern home. After previous renovations in the 90’s strayed from the home’s original intention, a new owner saw the potential and vowed to restore it to its glory. Walnut cabinets, quartzite countertops and travertine floors brought his vision for the kitchen to life. Newly vaulted ceilings, a bar area that replaced an outdated fireplace, and an indoor grill upgrade, are welcome enhancements; while repurposed vintage lion’s head hardware and natural materials root the kitchen into the home’s mid-century modern aesthetic.
South Land Park
South Land Park
WOOL Design StudioWOOL Design Studio
Walnut cabinets, soapstone countertops, built-in oven hood with floating shelves.
Photo of a retro u-shaped kitchen/diner in Sacramento with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, soapstone worktops, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood flooring and a breakfast bar.

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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