breakfast bar separating kitchen from living room photographer: Canary Grey
Design ideas for a large midcentury u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors and no island.

South Yarra

Siobhan Donoghue Design

The kitchen redesign with a new eat-in kitchen nook with built-in banquettes upholstered in leather. To add an element of fun we played with the tufted button colours. Subtle details are something we love to add to projects to create layers of interest in each space. Its important to keep spaces fun. The natural light in this space is spectacular.

Rosenwald House

Flavin 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 painted wood 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

Brentwood - Sullivan Canyon

Susan Jay Design

Tom Bonner Photography
This is an example of a small midcentury single-wall separate kitchen in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, solid surface benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors and orange benchtop.

Mid-Century Modern Main Floor Renovation - Marietta

Innovative Design Build

Five stars isn’t enough! Our project was to reconfigure and update the main floor of a house we recently purchased that was built in 1961. We wanted to maintain some of the unique feeling it originally had but bring it up-to-date and eliminate the closed-in rooms and downright weird layout that was the result of multiple, partial remodeling projects. We began with a long wishlist of changes which also required replacement of very antiquated plumbing, electrical wiring and HVAC. We even found a fireplace that had been walled in and needed major re-construction. Many other aspects and details on this incredible list we made included an all new kitchen layout, converting a bedroom into a master closet, adding new half-bath, completely rebuilding the master bath, and adding stone, tile and custom built cabinetry. Our design plans included many fixtures and details that we specified and required professional installation and careful handling. Innovative helped us make reasonable decisions. Their skilled staff took us through a design process that made sense. There were many questions and all were answered with sincere conversation and positive – innovation – on how we could achieve our goals. Innovative provided us with professional consultants, who listened and were courteous and creative, with solid knowledge and informative judgement. When they didn’t have an answer, they did the research. They developed a comprehensive project plan that exceeded our expectations. Every item on our long list was checked-off. All agreed on work was fulfilled and they completed all this in just under four months. Innovative took care of putting together a team of skilled professional specialists who were all dedicated to make everything right. Engineering, construction, supervision, and I cannot even begin to describe how much thanks we have for the demolition crew! Our multiple, detailed project designs from Raul and professional design advice from Mindy and the connections she recommended are all of the best quality. Diego Jr., Trevor and his team kept everything on track and neat and tidy every single day and Diego Sr., Mark, Ismael, Albert, Santiago and team are true craftsmen who follow-up and make the most minuscule woodworking details perfect. The cabinets by Tim and electrical work and installation of fixtures by Kemchan Harrilal-BB and Navindra Doolratram, and Augustine and his crew on tile and stone work – all perfection. Aisling and the office crew were always responsive to our calls and requests. And of course Clark and Eric who oversaw everything and gave us the best of the best! Apologies if we didn’t get everyone on this list – you’re all great! Thank you for your hard work and dedication. We can’t thank you enough Innovative Construction – we kind of want to do it again! Dave Hallman & Matt DeGraffenreid

MidCentury Modern

Alpha Smart Builders, Inc.

This is an example of an expansive midcentury u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Boston with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island and brown floor.

Mid-Century Modern

Angela Rasmussen

This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury u-shaped open plan kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, white appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and quartzite benchtops.

California Kitchen Gets Mid-Century Remodel

Blinds.com

This navy and gold mid-century style kitchen was remodeled by Brittany of BrittanyMakes. She expanded her wall to make a more open space, and used Blinds.com's Signature Roman Shades in Camden Dark Storm to match the mid-century style for her windows. To learn more about her remodel, you may read her post here: http://www.brittanymakes.com/2015/06/15/navy-gold-white-kitchen-reveal/

Kitchen with Milk Globe Pendants

Marcelle Guilbeau, Interior Designer

Gieves Anderson Photography
Photo of a large midcentury kitchen in Nashville with white cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, brown floor, black benchtop, shaker cabinets and dark hardwood floors.

Evans Drive

UV Designs

Deb Cochrane Images
Photo of a large midcentury single-wall open plan kitchen in Denver with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, solid surface benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island and brown floor.

Kitchen Design Ideas

Allen Construction

Photo by: Jim Bartsch
Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury l-shaped kitchen in Santa Barbara with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, glass benchtops, stainless steel appliances, with island, grey splashback, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and blue benchtop.

Atlantic Beach - Mid Century Modern Remodel

Kitchen Envy, Inc.

Design ideas for a midcentury eat-in kitchen in Jacksonville with flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, marble benchtops, ceramic splashback, dark hardwood floors and white benchtop.

Mid-Century Modern Rehabilitation

Herron Horton Architects, Inc.

Kitchen with walnut cabinets and screen constructed by Woodunique.
Inspiration for a large midcentury galley eat-in kitchen in Little Rock with an undermount sink, dark wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, no island, white benchtop, exposed beam, vaulted, flat-panel cabinets and brown floor.

Belvidere place

Portland building and remodeling

Kitchen looking toward the open dining room, and entry onto a second deck area. Also, in the background is the entrance into the new addition that includes the main floor suite.

Earth Stone, Inc

Design ideas for a midcentury kitchen in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors and with island.

Mad Glam Kitchen and Dining Room in Piedmont, California

LMB Interiors

To match her lifestyle as a wife, mom, and devoted cocktail-party-thrower, we wanted to give our client a kitchen that would function as a family gathering spot and function well for larger and more elegant gatherings. Photo by Eric Rorer She really wanted it to be gorgeous. And welcoming. And comfortable. And glam. Because they’re an outgoing couple; young and hip. (Just because we become parents doesn’t mean we have to stop having fun!) Photo by Eric Rorer

A Kraus sink and a soapstone countertop

INSPIRED KITCHEN DESIGN

This photo really gives you a sense of how the new peninsula brings things into much closer reach for the cook. The sink is Kraus and the countertop is soapstone. If that faucet looks familiar, you’re not having déjà vu. It’s the same one from last week’s kitchen! Just like IKD customer Liz, Stacey raved about the champagne color and loves how much it complements the grey Shaker style doors.

Norcross Mid Century Kitchen Revival

Haggard Home Cabinetry & Design

White farmhouse sink compliments the custom green cabinets and black fixtures and pulls.
This is an example of a large midcentury l-shaped open plan kitchen in Atlanta with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Sylvan-Highlands, kitchen

Smithcraft Fine Construction

Mid-mod kitchen renovation featuring Clayhaus Ceramic's assorted circles.
Inspiration for an expansive midcentury l-shaped open plan kitchen in Portland with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors and with island.

Mid Century Modern

Kimithy Nagel, CKD, CBD/Neil Kelly Company

Mid-sized midcentury l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Seattle with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors and a peninsula.

Midcentury Kitchen with Dark Hardwood Floors 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!