Inviting and warm, this mid-century modern kitchen is the perfect spot for family and friends to gather! Gardner/Fox expanded this room from the original 120 sq. ft. footprint to a spacious 370 sq. ft., not including the additional new mud room. Gray wood-look tile floors, polished quartz countertops, and white porcelain subway tile all work together to complement the cherry cabinetry.

Bold Colors

R Jones Designs, Inc.

Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury single-wall separate kitchen in Atlanta with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, quartzite benchtops, metallic splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, multi-coloured benchtop and exposed beam.

Modern Cabin Retreat in Walnut

Allen's Fine Woodworking, Inc.

This is an example of a small midcentury l-shaped open plan kitchen in Portland with flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, a peninsula, multi-coloured benchtop and an undermount sink.

All Electric Home - Kitchen

Tali Hardonag Architect

Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury l-shaped kitchen pantry in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, panelled appliances, vinyl floors, with island, multi-coloured benchtop and exposed beam.

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.

Upper Ranch Interior Renovation

Eden Builders

Photo of a large midcentury l-shaped open plan kitchen in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Eichler Remodel - wide shot of entire kitchen

Pacific Coast Builders, Inc.

Mid-Century Modern kitchen with custom cabinetry, quartzite countertops, Fleetwood doors and windows, slate flooring, Thermador and Miele appliances.
This is an example of a large midcentury l-shaped open plan kitchen in Orange County with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, white appliances, slate floors, with island, grey floor, multi-coloured benchtop and timber.

Skycrest 2

Asher Homes Inc.

Inspiration for a large midcentury l-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, grey splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, multi-coloured benchtop and vaulted.

Pied à terre de 36m²

Emilie Melin architecte DPLG

Small midcentury single-wall open plan kitchen in Paris with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, terrazzo benchtops, black splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, cement tiles, no island, white floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

MCM Pink Kitchen Reno

Jake Potts

Before/After. A 1958 MCM in Saint Louis receives a pink kitchen makeover with vintage 50's Geneva metal cabinets, modern appliances and a walnut butcher block island.

Applewood Atomic Kitchen

TVL Creative Ltd.

Baldwin Hills Estates

Tamara Marie Designs

Mid-Century vibes!! Brass finishes, quartz counter tops, porcelain floor tile. Warmed it up with wood tone cabinets. Had to add a place for the client's cookbooks! Great galley kitchen with plenty of storage and hidden options out of sight.

Retro Reno

G&M Craftsman Cabinets

We love to be challenged so when we were approached by these clients about a design "from the era" we couldn't resist! There is nothing worse than removing character and charm from a home. The clients wanted their retro beach shack to have the modern comforts of today's lastest technologies hidden behind design features of the original design of the home. Beautiful terrazzo bench tops, laminated plywood, matt surfaces and soft-close hardware make this space warm and welcoming. Giving a home new life through clever design to achieve the result as if it was meant to be all along is one of the most rewarding projects you can do and we LOVED IT!

Major Renovation with Universal Design Elements

Irons Brothers Construction Inc

We remodeled this unassuming mid-century home from top to bottom. An entire third floor and two outdoor decks were added. As a bonus, we made the whole thing accessible with an elevator linking all three floors. The 3rd floor was designed to be built entirely above the existing roof level to preserve the vaulted ceilings in the main level living areas. Floor joists spanned the full width of the house to transfer new loads onto the existing foundation as much as possible. This minimized structural work required inside the existing footprint of the home. A portion of the new roof extends over the custom outdoor kitchen and deck on the north end, allowing year-round use of this space. Exterior finishes feature a combination of smooth painted horizontal panels, and pre-finished fiber-cement siding, that replicate a natural stained wood. Exposed beams and cedar soffits provide wooden accents around the exterior. Horizontal cable railings were used around the rooftop decks. Natural stone installed around the front entry enhances the porch. Metal roofing in natural forest green, tie the whole project together. On the main floor, the kitchen remodel included minimal footprint changes, but overhauling of the cabinets and function. A larger window brings in natural light, capturing views of the garden and new porch. The sleek kitchen now shines with two-toned cabinetry in stained maple and high-gloss white, white quartz countertops with hints of gold and purple, and a raised bubble-glass chiseled edge cocktail bar. The kitchen’s eye-catching mixed-metal backsplash is a fun update on a traditional penny tile. The dining room was revamped with new built-in lighted cabinetry, luxury vinyl flooring, and a contemporary-style chandelier. Throughout the main floor, the original hardwood flooring was refinished with dark stain, and the fireplace revamped in gray and with a copper-tile hearth and new insert. During demolition our team uncovered a hidden ceiling beam. The clients loved the look, so to meet the planned budget, the beam was turned into an architectural feature, wrapping it in wood paneling matching the entry hall. The entire day-light basement was also remodeled, and now includes a bright & colorful exercise studio and a larger laundry room. The redesign of the washroom includes a larger showering area built specifically for washing their large dog, as well as added storage and countertop space. This is a project our team is very honored to have been involved with, build our client’s dream home.

Mid-Century Classic

Lucy Johnson Interior Design

U-shaped kitchen with Super Susan corner cabinet. Flat door style in Rift-Cut White Oak. Satin Nickel cabinet pulls.
Photo of a mid-sized midcentury u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Seattle with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, a peninsula, grey floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Highlands Kitchen Remodel

Samari Design Studio | Interiors by Sara Blette

Mid-sized midcentury l-shaped open plan kitchen in Denver with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and multi-coloured benchtop.

Pied à terre de 36m²

Emilie Melin architecte DPLG

This is an example of a small midcentury single-wall open plan kitchen in Paris with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, terrazzo benchtops, black splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, cement tiles, no island, white floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Bright and Functional Galley Kitchen

Tory Bond Designs

A full wall where the island now stands enclosed the original kitchen and cut it off from the rest of the house. Removing the wall, and adding a new island instantly opened the kitchen to the living area, and flooded the space with light. The original acoustical ceiling panels were replaced with drywall to highlight the structural beams. New skylights and overhead lights were installed to add light where there was none. The original white metal cabinetry, pink countertops and original appliances from 1963 reflected the worst of the mid-century era. The space was completely redesigned, starting with an expansive island. Custom book-matched walnut cabinets, natural blue tortuga quartzite counter-tops, and professional-grade stainless steel appliances result in a marriage of beauty and function. Recycled concrete tiles from Revolv adorn the back-splash and compliment the counter tops. The art wall on the north side of the kitchen adds interest while offering additional storage hidden behind the custom sliding pantry doors.

Atlanta Peachtree Park Renovation

T.A. Mathieu Construction

Inspiration for a small midcentury u-shaped open plan kitchen in Atlanta with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, granite benchtops, grey splashback, brick splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, a peninsula, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Gorgeous St. Pete Stunner

McCabinet

RUSS-D Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury open plan kitchen in Tampa with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Midcentury Kitchen with Multi-Coloured 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!