This 1950s home was sporting elements of the original kitchen and the dark space was not meeting our client’s needs. The original kitchen didn’t have much to offer in the way of functionality, so our first order of business was to create a design that would exponentially increase the usability of the kitchen. We brought in functional cabinetry, introduced uninterrupted work surfaces, and added plenty of lighting to brighten up their kitchen. They also wanted to open the new kitchen to the living room and create space for a larger dining table, so we started by removing the existing cabinetry that was visually cut the living space in two and minimized the power of the dramatic vaulted ceiling. We also extended the wood flooring into the kitchen as well to create seamless transitions between spaces. We fell in love with the idea of a two-toned cabinetry design for this kitchen and ultimately went head over heels for clean white painted base cabinets and a textured wood-look melamine on the uppers. This gave us a crisp backdrop that allowed us to bring is fun forms like the black light fixture over the table and the gorgeous silhouettes on the hardware. We played a lot with directionality in this space. The elongated open shelves and rectangular backsplash tiles give us wonderfully clean horizontal lines, but to balance those out we brought in a vertical grain pattern on the wall cabinets and added long black cabinetry pulls that emphasize the verticality of the space. The clients have a green thumb and wanted to make sure we created a home for their growing plant collection. The open shelving gives us plenty of opportunities for foliage and to showcase fun kitchen accessories. This design feels like home and brings together the clean lines and crisp finishes our clients were looking for.

Scandinavian Influence - Kitchen Remodel

Silver Leaf Interiors

This is an example of a small midcentury l-shaped separate kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, solid surface benchtops, green splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, no island, grey floor and grey benchtop.

Midcentury Modern Home Remodel

User

Photo of a mid-sized midcentury u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, stainless steel appliances, cork floors, a peninsula, multi-coloured floor and grey benchtop.

Short North Kitchen and Dining Room Remodel - Columbus, OH

Kitchen Kraft

Midcentury single-wall open plan kitchen in Columbus with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, blue splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, brown floor, grey benchtop and dark hardwood floors.

Heritage Range Inside Laurie March's Renovated 100 Year Old Los Angeles Home

Bertazzoni

Designer Laurie March transformed her 100 year old home's kitchen into a space that acknowledges the roots of its past while laying a stunning foundation to bring the outside, in. The Heritage Series' iconic lines bring an undeniably classic look to any kitchen. This range becomes the protagonist to the design, as it is adorned with real gold finials from Collezione Metalli. Explore the full kitchen.

Bristol House

Rowlands Architecture

This kitchen space was designed with carefully positioned roof lights and aligning windows to maximise light quality and coherence throughout the space. This open plan modern style oak kitchen features incoperated breakfast bar and integrated appliances.

White Mid-Century Modern Kitchen

Apuzzo Kitchens

Bright, white mid-century modern kitchen with shaker cabinets, quartzite countertop, and kitchen island overlooking the Hudson River.
This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury l-shaped eat-in kitchen in New York with shaker cabinets, quartzite benchtops, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

RENOVATION - Hosmer Blvd 2019, Tuxedo

Maric Homes & Renovations

This is an example of a large midcentury galley kitchen in Other with flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, quartz benchtops, black splashback, black appliances, porcelain floors, with island, grey floor and grey benchtop.

Kitchen with Island

Finch Design & Production inc

The kitchen includes a large island with seating and a prep-sink, paneled wood cabinets, and large windows open the kitchen to the view of the water and Mt Rainier.

South Harbor Drive

BMA Architects

Trevor Trondro
This is an example of a midcentury l-shaped kitchen in New York with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, grey floor and grey benchtop.

Eco Outdoor | Feature Project | Roscommon House

Eco Outdoor AUS

Architect: Neil Cownie Architect Landscape: PLAN E Photographer: Michael Nicholson, Rob Frith & Jack Lovel
This is an example of a midcentury kitchen in Perth with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, white splashback, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, grey benchtop and panelled appliances.

Mid Century Modern Normandy Park Remodel

Potter Construction Inc

Jeff Beck Photography
Large midcentury l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Seattle with a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Hilltop Road

Dichotomy Interiors

warm white oak and blackened oak custom crafted kitchen with zellige tile and quartz countertops.
Inspiration for a large midcentury open plan kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, beige splashback, ceramic splashback, black appliances, concrete floors, with island, grey floor and grey benchtop.

Sacramento Mid-century Ranch

User

Midcentury kitchen in Sacramento with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

'Brutalist' Inspired Mountain Condo

Newschool Builders LLC

Embracing the natural elements of this circa 1960’s Condo development in Stowe Vermont was a priority for our clients. We worked closely with a great design team and our clients to create this simple, but beautiful minimalist retreat. Our clients, both authors, wanted a place to withdraw from the endless distractions and fast pace rhythms of the city. Custom made cabinets, bookshelves and built ins helped off set the sandblasted CMU block walls and ground concrete floors. A beautiful handcrafted stairwell was a center piece connecting the three floors. A handcrafted integrated concrete sink in the master is was another testament to the mixed mediums used to create this space. We embraced exposed conduit and commercial grade light fixtures throughout which helped add to the overall minimalist feel of the space. There is a beautiful rawness to this project which everyone came to admire.

Textured Curves

Space Craft Joinery

Mid-sized midcentury l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Adelaide with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, solid surface benchtops, grey splashback, stone slab splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Sunset Hill

Heidi Caillier Design

Haris Kenjar
Photo of a midcentury l-shaped kitchen in Seattle with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, grey splashback, multi-coloured floor and grey benchtop.

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.

ENCINO RESIDENCE

CHRISTOPHER ALLEN LLC

photography: francis dreis
Photo of a midcentury kitchen in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, window splashback, with island, beige floor and grey benchtop.

2613 Barclays

Aerial Canvas

Photo of a midcentury u-shaped kitchen in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, glass-front cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula, grey floor and grey benchtop.

Midcentury Kitchen with Grey Benchtop 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!