Take Your Kitchen Back to the Future
Natural wood, earthy hues and iconic designs will help give the hub of your home mid-century style
The period of home design from the mid 1940s to the mid 1960s produced some enduring and iconic pieces that are highly covetable today. So if you favour a simple, crisp, uncluttered kitchen that still feels fresh and funky, mid-century modern is the way to go.
Whether you want to add some retro touches to an existing modern kitchen or commit to a full-on mid-century makeover, these stylish schemes are sure to inspire.
Whether you want to add some retro touches to an existing modern kitchen or commit to a full-on mid-century makeover, these stylish schemes are sure to inspire.
Choose classic bar stools
Channel some sophisticated Mad Men style with classic vintage bar stools. 1960s Danish designs with dark wood legs and curved black tops are a good place to start.
Arne Jacobson’s iconic Series 7 stool from 1955 or Harry Bertoia’s classic wire mesh stools for Knoll have inspired many copycat designs, as they still feel so fresh and modern today.
What to look for when buying kitchen stools
Channel some sophisticated Mad Men style with classic vintage bar stools. 1960s Danish designs with dark wood legs and curved black tops are a good place to start.
Arne Jacobson’s iconic Series 7 stool from 1955 or Harry Bertoia’s classic wire mesh stools for Knoll have inspired many copycat designs, as they still feel so fresh and modern today.
What to look for when buying kitchen stools
Add retro tiles
Graphic designs were often used as accents in the mid-century period, so if you want to flirt with this look without committing to a full-on retro room, just add a small splashback of patterned tiles in blue, brown or orange, and keep the units and worktops ultra-simple.
Graphic designs were often used as accents in the mid-century period, so if you want to flirt with this look without committing to a full-on retro room, just add a small splashback of patterned tiles in blue, brown or orange, and keep the units and worktops ultra-simple.
Pick your colour palette
Consider incorporating the earthy hues of the 1960s into an existing kitchen with a quick paint job, or simply revamp your splashback with tiles in chocolate brown, harvest yellow or olive green.
If you’re planning a new kitchen from scratch, think about a mid-tone brown wood for the base units, and pair with Formica or painted wall units in a more vibrant shade.
Consider incorporating the earthy hues of the 1960s into an existing kitchen with a quick paint job, or simply revamp your splashback with tiles in chocolate brown, harvest yellow or olive green.
If you’re planning a new kitchen from scratch, think about a mid-tone brown wood for the base units, and pair with Formica or painted wall units in a more vibrant shade.
Create an architectural feature
Glass blocks or bricks can make a stunning architectural feature as a partition wall. 1960s glass bricks are often bevelled or lined in a grid formation, so they let in light while maintaining privacy.
This means you can steal light from a neighbouring reception space or hallway if your kitchen is stuck in the middle of the house or short on light. You could even insert random coloured glass bricks to make it even more of a feature.
Glass blocks or bricks can make a stunning architectural feature as a partition wall. 1960s glass bricks are often bevelled or lined in a grid formation, so they let in light while maintaining privacy.
This means you can steal light from a neighbouring reception space or hallway if your kitchen is stuck in the middle of the house or short on light. You could even insert random coloured glass bricks to make it even more of a feature.
Be inspired by 1950s diners
If you want a sociable area for gatherings but space is tight, booth-style seating inspired by the classic American diner is the way to go. Get a carpenter to create built-in curved seating and upholster it with padded leather or a manmade alternative.
Choose white or a neutral for a nod to the look, or go all out with a bubblegum shade that will instantly transport you back to 1950s America.
If you want a sociable area for gatherings but space is tight, booth-style seating inspired by the classic American diner is the way to go. Get a carpenter to create built-in curved seating and upholster it with padded leather or a manmade alternative.
Choose white or a neutral for a nod to the look, or go all out with a bubblegum shade that will instantly transport you back to 1950s America.
Add some fantastic plastic
It’s easy to see why reproductions of these classic moulded plastic chairs by Charles and Ray Eames are so ubiquitous at the moment. With plenty of fruity shades to choose from, and the option of metal or wooden legs, they add an instant shot of mid-century style to a kitchen-diner. Drape sheepskins across them if you want to soften the look.
It’s easy to see why reproductions of these classic moulded plastic chairs by Charles and Ray Eames are so ubiquitous at the moment. With plenty of fruity shades to choose from, and the option of metal or wooden legs, they add an instant shot of mid-century style to a kitchen-diner. Drape sheepskins across them if you want to soften the look.
Mix vintage and modern
A sleek white kitchen contrasts wonderfully with a vintage teak sideboard. Look out for secondhand designs from G-Plan, Ercol, AH McIntosh, Meredew and John and Sylvia Reid for Stag, which can be dressed up with retro bubble lamps and vintage bottles and vases.
A sleek white kitchen contrasts wonderfully with a vintage teak sideboard. Look out for secondhand designs from G-Plan, Ercol, AH McIntosh, Meredew and John and Sylvia Reid for Stag, which can be dressed up with retro bubble lamps and vintage bottles and vases.
Reveal natural materials
Exposing the fabric of the building was a key component of mid-century design. So sand floorboards or lay parquet and consider an exposed brick wall.
Exposing the fabric of the building was a key component of mid-century design. So sand floorboards or lay parquet and consider an exposed brick wall.
Bag an iconic clock
American designer and architect George Nelson was one of the founding fathers of mid-century modernism and his designs for Howard Miller, such as the classic 1950s Ball clock and Sunburst clock, have enduring appeal.
Also look out for covetable designs by Nelson’s imitators, such as Seth Thomas, Lux, Elgin and Westclox, to give your kitchen a recognisable timepiece that will instantly add mid-century character.
Learn more about mid-century modern style
TELL US
Have you brought a touch of mid-century style to your kitchen? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments.
MORE
Mid-Century Modern Kitchens: 12 Key Design Elements
Inspiring Mid-Century Australian Homes: 6 of the Best
Houzz Tour: Mid-Century Marvel for a Modern Family
American designer and architect George Nelson was one of the founding fathers of mid-century modernism and his designs for Howard Miller, such as the classic 1950s Ball clock and Sunburst clock, have enduring appeal.
Also look out for covetable designs by Nelson’s imitators, such as Seth Thomas, Lux, Elgin and Westclox, to give your kitchen a recognisable timepiece that will instantly add mid-century character.
Learn more about mid-century modern style
TELL US
Have you brought a touch of mid-century style to your kitchen? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments.
MORE
Mid-Century Modern Kitchens: 12 Key Design Elements
Inspiring Mid-Century Australian Homes: 6 of the Best
Houzz Tour: Mid-Century Marvel for a Modern Family
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Featuring multiple concentric shades to minimise glare, the PH5 pendant light pictured here was designed in 1958 by Danish designer Poul Henningsen and represents the best of mid-century Scandi style. He also created the Artichoke light for Louis Poulsen, which continues to spawn many copies today.
Other classic designs to look out for include the Sputnik chandelier inspired by the Soviet Union’s first satellite launch in 1957, and George Nelson’s Bubble light shades.