Lauren Colton
Inspiration for a small midcentury l-shaped open plan kitchen in Seattle with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, stone slab splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island and brown floor.

Arden Park Mid-Century Streng

Nar Design Group

This mid-century modern kitchen was developed with the original architectural elements of its mid-century shell at the heart of its design. Throughout the space, the kitchen’s repetition of alternating dark walnut and light wood uses in the cabinetry and framework reflect the contrast of the dark wooden beams running along the white ceiling. The playful use of two tones intentionally develops unified work zones using all modern day elements and conveniences. For instance, the 5’ galley workstation stands apart with grain-matched walnut cabinetry and stone wrap detail for a furniture-like feeling. The mid-century architecture continued to be an emphasis through design details such as a flush venting system within a drywall structure that conscientiously disappears into the ceiling affording the existing post-and-beams structures and clerestory windows to stand in the forefront. Along with celebrating the characteristic of the mid-century home the clients wanted to bring the outdoors in. We chose to emphasis the view even more by incorporating a large window centered over the galley kitchen sink. The final result produced a translucent wall that provokes a dialog between the outdoor elements and the natural color tones and materials used throughout the kitchen. While the natural light and views are visible because of the spacious windows, the contemporary kitchens clean geometric lines emphasize the newly introduced natural materials and further integrate the outdoors within the space. The clients desired to have a designated area for hot drinks such as coffee and tea. To create a station that could house all the small appliances & accessories and was easily accessible we incorporated two aluminum tambours together with integrated power lift doors. One tambour acting as the hot drink station and the other acting as an appliance garage. Overall, this minimalistic kitchen is nothing short of functionality and mid-century character. Photo Credit: Fred Donham of PhotographerLink

Bedford Place

Prideaux Design

Matt Vacca
Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury galley open plan kitchen in Phoenix with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, green splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island and grey floor.

Sliding glass doors and clerestory windows combine to bring the outside in

MI Windows and Doors

A mid-century modern open floor plan is accentuated by the natural light coming from MI Windows and Doors windows and sliding glass doors. Windows serve as the backsplash of this sleek kitchen.

Mid-century Modern Kitchen Remodel

Core Home Solutions, Inc.

Mid-century modern kitchen design featuring: - Kraftmaid Vantage cabinets (Barnet Golden Lager) with quartersawn maple slab fronts and tab cabinet pulls - Island Stone Wave glass backsplash tile - White quartz countertops - Thermador range and dishwasher - Cedar & Moss mid-century brass light fixtures - Concealed undercabinet plug mold receptacles - Undercabinet LED lighting - Faux-wood porcelain tile for island paneling

Mid Century Modern I Bellevue, Washington

Syltebo Wight Homes & Jon Syltebo Painting Company

Large midcentury kitchen in Seattle with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, quartz benchtops, black splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, medium wood cabinets and brown floor.

Contractor's Own House: Butler's House

On The Level Remodeling Company

Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury u-shaped open plan kitchen in Boise with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, granite benchtops, blue splashback, glass tile splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors and with island.

Queen Anne Mid Century Kitchen Design

Alinda Morris Interior Design LLC

Julie Mannell Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Seattle with quartz benchtops, white splashback, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, a double-bowl sink, dark wood cabinets, with island and flat-panel cabinets.

Skye in Palm Springs, California

Woodbridge Pacific Group

Residence Two Kitchen at Skye in Palm Springs, California
Design ideas for a midcentury open plan kitchen in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, metallic splashback, metal splashback, stainless steel appliances and with island.

Lake Sammamish Project

Tammara Stroud Design

photos: John Granen Photography
Inspiration for an expansive midcentury l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Seattle with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, marble benchtops, grey splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors and with island.

Glam/Mod Mid-Century Kitchen

Lucy Johnson Interior Design

Modern Mid-Century with waterfall counter. Dale Lang Photography GreenHome Solutions; Design, flooring & cabinets
Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Seattle with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and with island.

Eclectic Mid-Century - Rancho Mirage

Brittany Stiles Design

A modern kitchen with white slab front cabinets, chrome hardware and walnut flooring and accents. Industrial style globe pendant lights hang above the extra long island. Stainless steel and paneled appliances and open shelving to store dishes and other kitchenware. White subway tile and ceiling shiplap. Photography: Sam Frost

light house

Proform Builds

Mid-sized midcentury l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Seattle with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances and with island.

Sunnyvale Eichler Kitchen

European Cabinets & Design Studios

Renovations to Eichler kitchens require a strict attention to the integrity of the design. This Eichler in Sunnyvale uses cabinets from the Aran Cucine Penelope collection in Ash Larch, with white glossy cabinets from the Doga collection. The countertop is Silestone in White Storm, with a sink and faucet from Blanco. The refrigerator and freezer are from Liebherr, BlueStar range and FuturoFuturo hood, with a dishwasher, oven, and steam oven from Miele. In the bathrooms we used vanities from GB Group’s Sahara collection.

Modern Dark Grey Kitchen with Adriatic in Lead Walnut

UltraCraft Cabinetry

Door Style: Adriatic in Lead Walnut Vertical - Designer: PS Modern - Photographer: Ketchum Photography
Design ideas for a large midcentury single-wall open plan kitchen in Los Angeles with flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances and with island.

Brown Jackson House

Flavin Architects

Mid-Century Remodel on Tabor Hill This sensitively sited house was designed by Robert Coolidge, a renowned architect and grandson of President Calvin Coolidge. The house features a symmetrical gable roof and beautiful floor to ceiling glass facing due south, smartly oriented for passive solar heating. Situated on a steep lot, the house is primarily a single story that steps down to a family room. This lower level opens to a New England exterior. Our goals for this project were to maintain the integrity of the original design while creating more modern spaces. Our design team worked to envision what Coolidge himself might have designed if he'd had access to modern materials and fixtures. With the aim of creating a signature space that ties together the living, dining, and kitchen areas, we designed a variation on the 1950's "floating kitchen." In this inviting assembly, the kitchen is located away from exterior walls, which allows views from the floor-to-ceiling glass to remain uninterrupted by cabinetry. We updated rooms throughout the house; installing modern features that pay homage to the fine, sleek lines of the original design. Finally, we opened the family room to a terrace featuring a fire pit. Since a hallmark of our design is the diminishment of the hard line between interior and exterior, we were especially pleased for the opportunity to update this classic work.

Barnett Mid-Century

Blue Hot Design, LLC

Ken Dahlin / Genesis Architecture
This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury u-shaped kitchen in Milwaukee with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, black splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, vinyl floors and with island.

Barnett Mid-Century

Blue Hot Design, LLC

Ken Dahlin / Genesis Architecture
Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury u-shaped kitchen in Milwaukee with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, black splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, vinyl floors and with island.

Callada Place

Metson Urman Architecture

©Alexander Vertikoff
This is an example of a midcentury l-shaped kitchen in Los Angeles with flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, with island, a single-bowl sink, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances and medium hardwood floors.

Midcentury Kitchen

Photo of a mid-sized midcentury l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Milwaukee with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, green splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances and with island.

Midcentury Kitchen with with Island 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!