This kitchen had been very dark and dingy. Because it was a rental, we couldn't get too fancy. I spruced up the existing cabinets with some very yellow paint, used a lighter yellow on the walls, found some vintage tiles and curtains, and had the laminate countertop tiled over. Photo by Julia Gillard

A Splash of Yellow

Next Stage Design + Build

Photo of a mid-sized midcentury u-shaped eat-in kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, yellow splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and timber.

Mid Century Revival

Robin's Nest Interiors

Design ideas for a large midcentury l-shaped open plan kitchen in Nashville with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, yellow splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, grey floor and white benchtop.

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 EAST SIDE PRE WAR

Joshua David Home, LLC

A sleek galley kitchen with a custom brass light fixture, stainless steel appliances, and a built-in banquette upholstered in soil, mildew and stain resistant fabrics.

Mid-Century Modern Ranch

Susan Jay Design

Hickory wood cabinetry, reclaimed Walnut counter and light fixtures from Spain create an aspiring chef's dream kitchen. Tom Bonner Photography
Mid-sized midcentury l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Los Angeles with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, yellow splashback, stainless steel appliances, an undermount sink, solid surface benchtops, matchstick tile splashback, dark hardwood floors and with island.

Druid Hills Mid Century Modern

Alair Homes Decatur

Designed & Built by Renewal Design-Build. RenewalDesignBuild.com Photography by: Jeff Herr Photography
Photo of a midcentury l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Atlanta with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, yellow splashback, glass tile splashback and stainless steel appliances.

Mid Century Modern

Atelier Drome Architecture

The smooth, white countertops are elegant and plenty of spacious drawers make necessary kitchen utensils and tools easily accessible to prevent time in the kitchen from becoming chaotic.

Abacus Modern Kitchen

ABACUS CABINETRY INC

Integrated oil rubbed bronze pulls with divot detail accents horizontal grain sapelle mahogany
This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury u-shaped kitchen in Denver with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, yellow splashback, stainless steel appliances and light hardwood floors.

Trusty Lager

Mantelpeace Craft Brewed Cabinetry

This is an example of a midcentury l-shaped separate kitchen in Providence with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, yellow splashback and medium hardwood floors.

Palm Springs 1967 Mid-Century Modern

Killeen Associates

Photo of a midcentury galley eat-in kitchen in San Luis Obispo with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, yellow splashback, mosaic tile splashback and white appliances.

Applewood Atomic Kitchen

TVL Creative Ltd.

Live Oak #2

Brodie Builders

This is an example of a midcentury u-shaped kitchen in Austin with coloured appliances, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets and yellow splashback.

Mid-Century Modern Kitchen With a View

Forward Design Build Remodel

For this mid-century modern kitchen our team came up with a design plan that gave the space a completely new look. We went with grey and white tones to balance with the existing wood flooring and wood vaulted ceiling. Flush panel cabinets with linear hardware provided a clean look, while the handmade yellow subway tile backsplash brought warmth to the space without adding another wood feature. Replacing the swinging exterior door with a sliding door made for better circulation, perfect for when the client entertains. We replaced the skylight and the windows in the eat-in area and also repainted the windows and casing in the kitchen to match the new windows. The final look seamlessly blends with the mid-century modern style in the rest of the home, and and now these homeowners can really enjoy the view!

Daffodil Hexite Kitchen

Fireclay Tile

Handmade Hexite Tile in dazzling Daffodil pops with positivity! DESIGN Method Homes PHOTOS Alex Farrell TILE SHOWN HEXITE IN DAFFODIL
Photo of a midcentury kitchen in Seattle with yellow splashback and ceramic splashback.

Midcentury Family Home

Megan Warren Design

Kathryn MacDonald Photography
Photo of a midcentury kitchen in San Francisco with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, yellow splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances and grey benchtop.

50's Retro kitchen

San Luis Kitchen Co.

This was a fun re-model with a fun-loving homeowner. Know locally as 'the 50's guy' the homeowner wanted his kitchen to reflect his passion for that decade. Using Northstar appliances from Elmira Stove Works was just the beginning. We complemented the bright red of the appliances with white cabinets and black counters. The homeowner then added the yellow walls and detailed tile work to finish it off. San Luis Kitchen Co. photo: James DeBrauwere

Mid-Century Mountain Home

Bauer Clifton Interiors

BAUER/CLIFTON INTERIORS
Small midcentury galley open plan kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, yellow splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, bamboo floors and a peninsula.

The 1940's Period-Style House

Wren & Willow, Inc.

The refrigerator, from Big Chill, is a brand-new fridge designed to give the look of an original mid-century refrigerator. The Wedgewood oven, however, is a fully functional restored stove from the 1940's. Photos by Aleksandr Akinshev

Druid Hills Mid Century Modern

Alair Homes Decatur

Designed & Built by Renewal Design-Build. RenewalDesignBuild.com Photography by: Jeff Herr Photography
Inspiration for a midcentury l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Atlanta with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, yellow splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances and grey floor.

Midcentury Kitchen with Yellow Splashback 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!