view of the waterfall edge island
This is an example of a large midcentury galley open plan kitchen in Chicago with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, mosaic tile splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Modern Organic Kitchen

Inspired Spaces, Inc.

Inspiration for a midcentury kitchen in San Francisco with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, white benchtop, quartz benchtops, marble splashback and vaulted.

Atlantic Beach - Mid Century Modern Remodel

Kitchen Envy, Inc.

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 Meets 2020

Fox Interiors

Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury u-shaped separate kitchen in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, cement tiles, no island, grey floor and black benchtop.

Sleek and Stylish Remodel

Interiors by J. Curry

Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Kirkland Mid Century Modern

CTA Design Builders, Inc.

Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury l-shaped open plan kitchen in Seattle with flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Springvale at Throsby

McDonald Jones Homes

The stylish and generous Kitchen island bench is at the heart of the Springvale living space. The Gourmet Kitchen lives at the heart of the home, overlooking the Family/Living to one side, the Dining and Home Theatre to the other, and the Alfresco in front of the stylish island bench.

Applewood Atomic Kitchen

TVL Creative Ltd.

When a client tells us they’re a mid-century collector and long for a kitchen design unlike any other we are only too happy to oblige. This kitchen is saturated in mid-century charm and its custom features make it difficult to pin-point our favorite aspect! Cabinetry We had the pleasure of partnering with one of our favorite Denver cabinet shops to make our walnut dreams come true! We were able to include a multitude of custom features in this kitchen including frosted glass doors in the island, open cubbies, a hidden cutting board, and great interior cabinet storage. But what really catapults these kitchen cabinets to the next level is the eye-popping angled wall cabinets with sliding doors, a true throwback to the magic of the mid-century kitchen. Streamline brushed brass cabinetry pulls provided the perfect lux accent against the handsome walnut finish of the slab cabinetry doors. Tile Amidst all the warm clean lines of this mid-century kitchen we wanted to add a splash of color and pattern, and a funky backsplash tile did the trick! We utilized a handmade yellow picket tile with a high variation to give us a bit of depth; and incorporated randomly placed white accent tiles for added interest and to compliment the white sliding doors of the angled cabinets, helping to bring all the materials together. Counter We utilized a quartz along the counter tops that merged lighter tones with the warm tones of the cabinetry. The custom integrated drain board (in a starburst pattern of course) means they won’t have to clutter their island with a large drying rack. As an added bonus, the cooktop is recessed into the counter, to create an installation flush with the counter surface. Stair Rail Not wanting to miss an opportunity to add a touch of geometric fun to this home, we designed a custom steel handrail. The zig-zag design plays well with the angles of the picket tiles and the black finish ties in beautifully with the black metal accents in the kitchen. Lighting We removed the original florescent light box from this kitchen and replaced it with clean recessed lights with accents of recessed undercabinet lighting and a terrifically vintage fixture over the island that pulls together the black and brushed brass metal finishes throughout the space. This kitchen has transformed into a strikingly unique space creating the perfect home for our client’s mid-century treasures.

Uptown - Mid Century Mod

Design Studio on 2nd

Photo of a midcentury galley open plan kitchen in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

San Jose Eichler

BLAINE architects

Jean Bai, Konstrukt Photo
Photo of a midcentury kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, stainless steel appliances, vinyl floors, with island, white benchtop and white floor.

Sennett Residence

Living Stone Design + Build

Large midcentury u-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and beige benchtop.

Maple Creek Kitchen

Studio TJP

The kitchen has a u-shaped plan and a custom-made central bamboo and walnut table. Photo by Jim Houston
Inspiration for a midcentury u-shaped kitchen in Seattle with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, white splashback, glass sheet splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, grey floor and white benchtop.

Portland West Hills Kitchen

Sharon Hocking INTERIOR DESIGN

Mid century modern kitchen Vern Uyetake Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Portland with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, a peninsula and white benchtop.

Mid-Century Raised Ranch Remodel

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

Island Storage with Built-In Microwave

KraftMaster Renovations

The brass hardware on the walnut island really brings out the colors. A look at this perfect kitchen from the pantry. Photos by Chris Veith.
Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury l-shaped kitchen pantry in New York with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island, grey floor, white benchtop and quartzite benchtops.

Midcentury Kitchen

Mid-sized midcentury l-shaped open plan kitchen in Grand Rapids with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Moraga Retro Chefs Dream Kitchen and Home Remodel

Canyon Design Build

Treve Johnson
Photo of a midcentury single-wall kitchen pantry in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, orange splashback, subway tile splashback, medium hardwood floors and wood benchtops.

Westchester Residence

JWT Associates

The previous kitchen was the result of an 80's remodel, complete with dropped ceiling. We opened up the space and re-configured the entire kitchen to include a large island. The cabinetry is all custom. Double oven and range from Miele. SubZero fridge. The backsplash tile is from Heath Ceramics in LA. The Velux skylights are operable and have solar-powered shades.

Blackheath Kitchen

Uncommon Projects Ltd

Bespoke Uncommon Projects plywood kitchen with black laminate doors, maple veneered plywood carcasses and a solid surface worktop. Photos by Jocelyn Low

Pretty in Pink Mid Century Inspired Kitchen

Space Craft Joinery

Josie Withers
Small midcentury u-shaped open plan kitchen in Adelaide with flat-panel cabinets, laminate benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, white appliances and light hardwood floors.

Midcentury Kitchen with Flat-panel Cabinets 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!