Design ideas for a small midcentury u-shaped open plan kitchen in Dallas with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, a peninsula and white benchtop.

Detroit Street Kitchen Renovation

TVL Creative Ltd.

There’s nothing as wonderful as walking into a mid-century gem with clients who love the character of their new home. Our goal for this project was to incorporate the mid-century bones of this home into a new design that would better meet the contemporary needs of our clients. We started by taking down the walls that had separated this kitchen from the rest of the home and creating a welcoming space that blended seamlessly with the new open concept. The new kitchen design was a win for our clients with increased storage, more work surfaces, and a peninsula with plenty of seating. We utilized wood finishes through out this space with light wood flooring, medium-tones on the cabinetry, and darker wood accents throughout giving us a beautiful balance and a calm backdrop. This home had beautiful horizontal lines that we wanted to accentuate, so we selected a dark wood finish for the central beam and tied it in with the dark finish on the wood fireplace mantel and the stair handrail to emphasize the horizontal features. But we never miss an opportunity for a fun mid-century pop, and this home provided plenty of inspiration! The boomerang hardware on the cabinets and escher backsplash tiles give us great geometric elements to break up the clean lines of the rest of the space. One of our favorite features of this home was the original plaster ceilings with the custom hand troweled texture. We knew from the beginning that this was an element we wanted to maintain and accentuate, so when we opened up the kitchen and added recessed lighting we reached out to a local plaster artisan to carry the texture throughout the space, and we couldn’t be happier with the results. This design brings together the mid-century aesthetics of clean lines and fun patterns with the modern-day functionality our clients were looking for in their new kitchen.

IKEA Cabinets

INSPIRED KITCHEN DESIGN

This stunning MidCentury Modern IKEA kitchen we designed, features VOXTORP cabinets in white and wallnut.
Mid-sized midcentury l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and grey floor.

Santa Monica MidCentury

User

Madeline Tolle Design by Tandem Designs
Design ideas for a midcentury u-shaped kitchen in Los Angeles with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, white splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, an integrated sink, light hardwood floors, a peninsula and beige floor.

Midcentury Kitchen

Midcentury galley kitchen in Los Angeles with flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, light hardwood floors, with island and brown floor.

Spitzer Residence

Linton Architects

Lissa Gotwals
Midcentury galley kitchen in Raleigh with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, black splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and white benchtop.

Kitchen Design Ideas

Allen Kitchen & Bath

Architect: Harrison Design | Photo by: Jim Bartsch | Built by Allen
Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury l-shaped open plan kitchen in Santa Barbara with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, glass benchtops, blue splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and grey floor.

Kitchen Island with Ceiling Mounted Island Canopy

MAK Design + Build Inc.

Dave Adams Photography
Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury open plan kitchen in Sacramento with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and a peninsula.

Bright and Clean Mid Century Modern

SOLLiD Cabinetry

Shane Baker
Mid-sized midcentury u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Phoenix with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Elegant Mid-Century Modern Kitchen

BuildAppeal Design & Remodel

This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury galley open plan kitchen in Orange County with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and beige floor.

Mount Vernon

Jubilee Interiors

This full home mid-century remodel project is in an affluent community perched on the hills known for its spectacular views of Los Angeles. Our retired clients were returning to sunny Los Angeles from South Carolina. Amidst the pandemic, they embarked on a two-year-long remodel with us - a heartfelt journey to transform their residence into a personalized sanctuary. Opting for a crisp white interior, we provided the perfect canvas to showcase the couple's legacy art pieces throughout the home. Carefully curating furnishings that complemented rather than competed with their remarkable collection. It's minimalistic and inviting. We created a space where every element resonated with their story, infusing warmth and character into their newly revitalized soulful home.

MID-CENTURY KITCHEN & EN SUITE ADDITION

LU Design Build

Designer: Rochelle McAvin Photographer: Karen Palmer Welcome to our stunning mid-century kitchen and bath makeover, designed with function and color. This home renovation seamlessly combines the timeless charm of mid-century modern aesthetics with the practicality and functionality required by a busy family. Step into a home where classic meets contemporary and every detail has been carefully curated to enhance both style and convenience. Kitchen Transformation: The heart of the home has been revitalized with a fresh, open-concept design. Sleek Cabinetry: Crisp, clean lines dominate the kitchen's custom-made cabinets, offering ample storage space while maintaining cozy vibes. Rich, warm wood tones complement the overall aesthetic. Quartz Countertops: Durable and visually stunning, the quartz countertops bring a touch of luxury to the space. They provide ample room for food preparation and family gatherings. Statement Lighting: 2 central pendant light fixtures, inspired by mid-century design, illuminates the kitchen with a warm, inviting glow. Bath Oasis: Our mid-century bath makeover offers a tranquil retreat for the primary suite. It combines retro-inspired design elements with contemporary comforts. Patterned Tiles: Vibrant, geometric floor tiles create a playful yet sophisticated atmosphere. The black and white motif exudes mid-century charm and timeless elegance. Floating Vanity: A sleek, vanity with clean lines maximizes floor space and provides ample storage for toiletries and linens. Frameless Glass Shower: The bath features a modern, frameless glass shower enclosure, offering a spa-like experience for relaxation and rejuvenation. Natural Light: Large windows in the bathroom allow natural light to flood the space, creating a bright and airy atmosphere. Storage Solutions: Thoughtful storage solutions, including built-in niches and shelving, keep the bathroom organized and clutter-free. This mid-century kitchen and bath makeover is the perfect blend of style and functionality, designed to accommodate the needs of a young family. It celebrates the iconic design of the mid-century era while embracing the modern conveniences that make daily life a breeze.

South Land Park

WOOL Design Studio

Walnut cabinets, soapstone countertops, built-in oven hood with floating shelves.
Photo of a midcentury u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Sacramento with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, soapstone benchtops, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and a peninsula.

Cheery Nod to Mod

Melanie Asnis Interior Design

Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury l-shaped kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, yellow splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and white benchtop.

Lillian Dr.

Schweitzer Design & Build, Inc.

Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, multi-coloured floor and white benchtop.

Midcentury Kitchen

Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury l-shaped open plan kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, laminate benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and black benchtop.

Hougang Street 51

Design Point Interiors Pte Ltd

Inspiration for a midcentury u-shaped kitchen in Singapore with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, terrazzo benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, light hardwood floors, a peninsula, beige floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Washington DC - Mid Century Modern with a Contemporary Flare - Kitchen

Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath

Washington DC - Mid Century Modern with a Contemporary Flare - Kitchen Design by #JenniferGilmer and #ScottStultz4JenniferGilmer in Washington, D.C Photography by Keith Miller Keiana Photography http://www.gilmerkitchens.com/portfolio-view/mid-century-kitchen-washington-dc/

Whitman Whole House

ReCraft

Inspiration for a midcentury galley kitchen in Portland with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, orange splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, a peninsula, beige floor and white benchtop.

Swannanoa Residence

Altura Architects

Photography by Keith Isaacs
Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury l-shaped kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, stainless steel appliances, with island, grey benchtop, white splashback, light hardwood floors and beige floor.

Midcentury Kitchen with Light 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!