This is an example of a small midcentury u-shaped separate kitchen in Boston with a double-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, coloured appliances, medium hardwood floors, no island, ceramic splashback and brown floor.

Inspired Mid-Century Modern Home for Pardee Homes Las Vegas

Bobby Berk

Photo of a midcentury l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, green cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, coloured appliances and with island.

Santa Cruz Turquoise Appliances!

Real Estate Judge

Kelly Peak
Design ideas for a small midcentury u-shaped open plan kitchen in Phoenix with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, tile benchtops, orange splashback, porcelain splashback, coloured appliances and concrete floors.

A retro Inspired Big Chill featuring a Big Chill Fridge and Dishwasher!

Big Chill

This retro inspired kitchen features beautiful Big Chill appliances and a vintage plate wall that is both warm and welcoming! Anjanette Mazey
Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury eat-in kitchen in Denver with coloured appliances and no island.

Retro Kitchen Remodel

Lauten Construction

Dan Kozcera
Mid-sized midcentury l-shaped eat-in kitchen in DC Metro with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, green splashback, coloured appliances, linoleum floors and with island.

Mid-Century Modern Cabin

MYRA Studio

Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury l-shaped open plan kitchen with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, coloured appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, grey benchtop and wood.

Mid-Century Revival

Powell Construction

This 1960’s home underwent a striking transformation--remodeling the kitchen, hall bathroom and laundry room. These homeowners dreamed of an open floor plan that would unite the kitchen and adjacent living areas. To accomplish this, we removed an imposing chimney that separated the kitchen from the living room. Additionally, we eliminated a weight-bearing wall that was between the kitchen and dining room. What a change! The spaces that formerly felt dark and confined are now bright and connected, comfortably accommodating larger gatherings. When considering the specifics of design, we wanted to stay true to the home’s mid-century roots, while updating it with today’s style elements. Embracing the mid-century aspects, we played off some of the existing features of the home by mirroring them in the spaces we redesigned. To introduce today’s style, we thoughtfully incorporated the finishes and touches that would aptly reflect that component. The resulting design is beautifully juxtaposed by the homeowners’ treasured antique furniture pieces. In the kitchen, we enhanced the open and airy feel by choosing a light greige color for the inset cabinetry paired with a tonal light-colored, blue-veined quartz for the countertops. These tones are perfectly complemented by the gold finishes of the cabinet hardware, faucets, and mid-century modern pendants. To maximize the storage potential of this kitchen, we customized the cabinetry with a convenient utensil organizer and a blind corner “cloud” pullout. A full height zellige-style tile backsplash with custom floating shelves makes for an impressive statement wall. With family get togethers in mind, we added an additional bar/prep sink and a spacious breakfast nook with a good deal of bench storage. A vertically-slatted wood half-wall separates the kitchen and breakfast nook, replicating the original mid-century wall detail at the entry. Between the living room and kitchen, we designed a semi-open bar-height peninsula, accenting the bar front with a vertical shiplap kickplate in a bold blue. Carrying this color statement through the kitchen, the homeowner selected a “Navy Steel” Samsung Bespoke refrigerator and an AGA Mercury range, in “Blueberry.” These colors are also echoed in the multi-tonal quartz. In the hall bathroom, we were aiming for the bright ambiance we’d achieved in the living areas. The penny round tile flooring and full height zellige-look tile combine for a classy, elevated look. In keeping with the kitchen, we installed similar gold fixtures and inset cabinetry and the same beautiful quartz countertop. The vanity towers provide these happy homeowners with additional room to store all their necessities. Through the design process, we were able to gain square footage in the laundry room which allowed for the extra cabinet space the homeowners were looking for. Of course, a remodel is never complete without conveniences for the pets. The kitty’s litter box is neatly tucked in the cabinet behind a custom cat-cutout--a cute and tidy idea! Kitchen Selections: Cabinet color-Farrow & Ball Ammonite No. 274; Countertops-Silestone Pietra; Cabinet hardware-Top Knobs Barrington collection in Honey Bronze; Pendants-Rejuvenation Palo Alto; Faucets- Delta Trinsic in Champagne Bronze; Tile-Tilebar Portmore 4x4 in White; Island bar shiplap color-Farrow and Ball Wine Dark No. 308 Bathroom Selections: Floor tile-Cepac Classic Rounds in Cloud; Tile-Tilebar Portmore 4x4 in White; Cabinet color-Farrow & Ball Purbeck Stone No. 275; Countertop-Silestone Pietra; Faucet-Delta Trinsic in Champagne Bronze

Midcentury Atomic Ranch Kitchen Remodel

Custom Kitchens by John Wilkins, Inc.

This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury u-shaped separate kitchen in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, coloured appliances, porcelain floors and a peninsula.

Backsplash Gone Plaid

Fireclay Tile

Design: Camille Henderson Davis // Photos: Jenna Peffley
Photo of a large midcentury u-shaped kitchen in Los Angeles with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, ceramic splashback, coloured appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Sunset Aveune

RS | MANNINO Architecture + Construction

Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury l-shaped eat-in kitchen in New York with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, stone slab splashback, coloured appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Rumford Mid-Century Kitchen

Modern Yankee Builders

Design/Build: Modern Yankee Builders & Stephen Greenleaf, Architect; John Anderson, On The Spot Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury u-shaped kitchen in Providence with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, cement tile splashback, coloured appliances, medium hardwood floors and with island.

River Road

Cuppett Kilpatrick Architecture + Interior Design

kitchen detail. photo by Whit Preston
Photo of a midcentury kitchen in Austin with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, metallic splashback, coloured appliances and concrete floors.

Relaxed dining area with bespoke bench seating

No.54 Interiors

Original vintage drinks cabinet, customised with mirror and rattan shelf. Custom oak table made from recycled oak worktop and Cesca style cantilever chairs, with new upholstered seating. Original BTC pendant lights.

Retro Kitchen

Allegro Interiors

Photo of a small midcentury u-shaped separate kitchen in Toronto with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, yellow cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, coloured appliances and no island.

Modern Retro Kitchen

Ward 5 Design

Open renovation of a modern retro kitchen with cork floors, wood cabinets, and pops of color
This is an example of a small midcentury l-shaped eat-in kitchen in New York with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, coloured appliances, cork floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Mid Century Modern Kitchen Remodel

Glass Bros., Inc.

Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury u-shaped kitchen in Los Angeles with a peninsula, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, coloured appliances, an undermount sink and bamboo floors.

Removing the Wall for an Open Concept

Michael Norpell's Wall To Wall

By removing a wall, the kitchen was opened up to both the dining room and living room. A structural column for the building was in the middle of the space; by covering it in wood paneling, the column became a distinctive architecture feature helping to define the space. To add lighting to a concrete ceiling, a false ceiling clad in wood was designed to allow for LED lights can lights; the cove was curved to match the shape of the building. Hardware restored from Broyhill Brasilia furniture was used as cabinet pulls, and the unit’s original Lightolier light fixtures were rewired and replated.

Midcentury Atomic Ranch Kitchen Remodel

Custom Kitchens by John Wilkins, Inc.

Mid-sized midcentury u-shaped separate kitchen in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, coloured appliances, porcelain floors and a peninsula.

Bungalow Kitchen & Family

Melinamade - Residential Design + Interiors

Remodeled Kitchen and new Family room addition in this 1950s northern California Bungalow house. Kitchen opens up to existing Dining room and new Family room. Custom designed Hood to match LaCornue range. Built by Mediterraneo

Mendelsson Residence

Classic Architectural

Inspiration for a small midcentury l-shaped kitchen in Tampa with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, ceramic splashback, coloured appliances and linoleum floors.

Midcentury Kitchen with Coloured Appliances Design Ideas

There’s a lot to consider when it comes to planning your kitchen design. Where do you even start? Gathering some inspiration in a photo gallery is always a good starting point, as looking at different kitchen designs often brings up ideas you haven’t even thought of yet.

Browse Photos of Kitchen Designs for Inspiration and Collect Your Ideas

You can browse through photos of all kinds of kitchen styles, layouts and sizes on Houzz to get started before jumping into any design software or contacting a local professional for help. Here’s a few considerations to keep in mind when planning your kitchen.

1. What Makes a Good Midcentury Kitchen Design, and Why is it Important?

For starters, you want to find a balance between aesthetics and function. You may have heard of the ‘kitchen work triangle’, which refers to the space between your fridge, sink and stove. You want everything within easy reach when you’re working in the kitchen and look beautiful at the same time. It’s a good idea to take note of both when browsing our photo gallery.

2. Consider Your Space to Determine Your Kitchen Layout

Firstly, consider the space you have, and the limitations that come with it. Do you have a small kitchen and need to maximise your workspace and storage? Can you allow yourself some more space and a big island with seating? Are you designing your kitchen from scratch or renovating an existing design? Which appliances do you already own and what are their measurements? Are there windows you need to take into consideration when planning cabinets? How do kitchen, living and dining areas connect? Depending on your space and needs, you want to use a shape that suits you. U, G, or L-shaped kitchen, with or without island or peninsula? Know your dimensions, plan cabinetry carefully and consider the placement of your appliances. You don’t want to end up with a finished design, only for your significant other to question where the fridge is supposed to go. Consider from the start where your fridge, oven, microwave and sink goes to save yourself from starting again from scratch - remember the kitchen work triangle! You also want to plan the layout of your cabinets. Maybe you’re planning for a pantry and can do with less storage space in your kitchen, so that your design can be one without upper or lower cabinets for a different look. A corner cabinet can be a smart storage solution if you want to keep the look clean and simple.

3. Decide on a Kitchen Style, But Don’t Forget Practicality

You want the style of your kitchen to reflect your personality and taste. We have curated a large array of kitchen styles here at Houzz, from traditional to contemporary to transitional and everything in between. Consider what your cooking style is for a start - Italy is known for its cuisine, so italian kitchen designs are generally popular. Also consider ergonomics - depending on how much time you spend in your kitchen, the height of your counters can make a big difference to your overall health. You also want to consider colour and finishes of cabinets, countertops and splashbacks. Which colour do you want your cupboards to be? Simple, timeless white or rather making a statement in black? Maybe rather a rustic wood? Also consider the colour of your floor - if you have dark floors, you may want to keep cabinets lighter. You could also go for an all-white look and choose black appliances for contrast. Once you know which style you fancy, don’t forget how you will be using the space. You want to keep cooking in mind, as well as how easy to clean and maintain the space will be. How many cooks do you need to accommodate? Do you have kids around? How much storage do you need? Maybe you want to go for open shelves rather than cabinets and allow for easy reach of key items you use when cooking. Again - remember the triangle! Lastly, choose lighting that both enhances the look of your kitchen as well as your cooking performance, providing light in all the right places.

4. Be Conscious of Your Budget

No matter what you plan for your kitchen design, cost is always a big factor. Be sure to plan with your budget in mind. It may make more sense to go for a modular kitchen design rather than custom build. You can save a lot of money if you get at least 3 estimates from professionals before locking in the job. And don’t forget to allow a 20% buffer for emergencies. Once you are ready to hire a pro, our directory will help you find one, no matter where you are. So whether you're looking for an Interior Designer in Melbourne or an Architect in Sydney, you can be sure to find a qualified expert for the job!