Mid-century modern kitchen designs are all the rage these days, and it’s not hard to see why. With their clean lines, functional layouts, and timeless appeal, these kitchens are perfect for anyone who wants a sleek and stylish space to cook and entertain in.
Whether you’re renovating your existing kitchen or starting from scratch, mid-century modern design can bring new life to your home and create a space that’s both beautiful and functional. In this article, we’ll explore some of the key features of mid-century modern kitchens and offer tips on how to incorporate this style into your own home.
Photo Credit: Artisans Group – A ranch home mid-century kitchen that showcases an open concept and lots of natural wood finishes.
Photo Credit: Kara Mann – Spacious modern white kitchen features white velvet and acrylic stools at kitchen island dining table, an island sink with copper faucets and white flat front cabinets.
Photo Credit: Amy Carman – Modern eat-in kitchen features white molded plastic chairs placed at a wood and metal industrial table lit by a Eugene pendant.
Photo Credit: Greg Natale – Modern kitchen features light blue cabinetry with brass trim, an island with a brown leather stool and an arched doorway.
Photo Credit: Toronto Interior Design Group – A black bench with gray cushions and black and white striped pillows sits against the back of a kitchen pass through boasting a sink white a white modern gooseneck faucet. Gold cabinets are mounted against a marble slab backsplash over an induction cooktop.
Photo Credit: Greg Natale – Kitchen features a modern light blue island under a brass bar shelf, brown leather swivel stools and light blue cabinetry with brass trim.
Photo Credit: Marea Clark Interiors – Modern black and white kitchen features a black island fitted with a white quartz waterfall edge countertop lit by a black dome lantern hung from a ceiling finished with wood beams. Sleek black flat front cabinets are adorned with oil rubbed bronze pulls.
Photo Credit: Sharon Tafitan – Kitchen features modern black stools at a tan center island topped with light gray honed marble with an island sink that boasts a black gooseneck faucet and tan cabinets with a light gray honed marble bookmatched kitchen backsplash.
Photo Credit: Rachel Sloane Interiors – Three gold Aerin Agnes Pendants hang over a marble-look countertop accenting a black center island in a well appointed black kitchen.
Photo Credits: Houzz – A clean mid-century kitchen with dark wood cabinets, black metal chairs, and an island with a sink.
Photo Credit: Minarik Architecture – large mid century modern kitchen with teak wood cabinetry with yellow backsplash.
Photo Credit: Izen Architecture – large mid century modern kitchen, featuring an open concept with an island and a wooden set of shelves.
Photo Credit: Tom Matthews – Large open mid century modern kitchen open to the outside
Photo Credit: Woods and Dangaran – A large open concept med-century kitchen that has a sleek island, modern wood stools, and lots of windows.
Photo Credit: Scott Edwards Architecture – A mid-century modern kitchen with white cabinets, built-in storage within the island, and dark wood accents.
Photo Credit: Behance – A mid-century kitchen that’s minimalistic, featuring wood beams on the ceiling and a uniquely-shaped mirror.
Photo Credit: nayt.art via Instagram – A large mid-century kitchen with an island and stools close to a round table with chairs.
Photo Credit – Kelly Martin Interiors – Charming brown, orange, and blue u-shaped kitchen boasts an orange stove placed between brown veneer cabinets donning satin nickel hardware. A picture window is framed by blue geometric wall tiles and located beneath a white plank ceiling and over a sink iwth a satin nickel gooseneck faucet.
Photo Credit: Tilton Fenwick – Three brown and blue stools sit on a blue plank floor at a white island finished with legs in a white kitchen with blue accents.
Photo Credit: LC Interiors – A brown veneer kitchen island is fitted with a wide stainless steel sink paired with two chrome gooseneck faucets
Photo Credit: Rose and Funk – Brown leather stools are placed at a two-tone white and quartz finished with a sink and an oil rubbed bronze faucet lit by Kelly Wearstler Cleo Pendants.
Photo Credit: Build with Ferguson – Dark cabinetry mid century modern kitchen with wood finishes, navy blue chairs, and navy blue accents.
Photo Credit: Venegas and Company – Wonderfully designed modern kitchen boasts wood and black woven leather stools placed at a wood top island finished with cookbook shelves.
Photo Credit: Reena Sotropa – A brown veneer island topped with a marble waterfall countertop is matched with modern brass backless stools and completed with a sink and oil rubbed bronze gooseneck faucet illuminated by a black and white linear chandelier.
Some of the characteristics of a mid-century modern kitchen include clean lines, minimal ornamentation, use of natural materials like wood and stone, and incorporation of bold colors or patterns. Additionally, mid-century modern kitchens often feature functional design elements such as ample storage, efficient layouts, and integrated appliances.
Photo Credit: Reena Sotropa – A brown veneer island topped with a marble waterfall countertop is matched with modern brass backless stools and completed with a sink and oil rubbed bronze gooseneck faucet illuminated by a black and white linear chandelier.
Photo Credit: Venegas and Company – Wonderfully designed modern kitchen boasts wood and black woven leather stools placed at a wood top island finished with cookbook shelves.
Key Elements
Photo Credit: Greg Natale – Kitchen features a modern light blue island under a brass bar shelf, brown leather swivel stools and light blue cabinetry with brass trim.
Mid-century modern kitchen designs are characterized by the following key elements:
Clean lines: This design style features clean, sleek lines with minimal ornamentation.
Use of natural materials: Mid-century modern kitchens often incorporate natural materials such as wood, stone, and brick.
Bold colors: Vibrant colors such as tangerine, avocado, and mustard were popular during this era and are often used in mid-century modern kitchens.
Photo Credit: Rachel Sloane Interiors – Three gold Aerin Agnes Pendants hang over a marble-look countertop accenting a black center island in a well appointed black kitchen.
Functionality: The design of mid-century modern kitchens places a strong emphasis on functionality, with a focus on efficient use of space and storage.
Minimalism: This design style is all about simplicity and minimalism, with a focus on functionality over decoration
Photo Credit: Build with Ferguson
Photo Credit: LC Interiors – A brown veneer kitchen island is fitted with a wide stainless steel sink paired with two chrome gooseneck faucets
Photo Credit: Tilton Fenwick – Three brown and blue stools sit on a blue plank floor at a white island finished with legs in a white kitchen with blue accents.
Design Tips
Achieving a mid-century modern kitchen design is all about incorporating key elements from the era into your space. Here are some tips to help you achieve this aesthetic:
Choose the right color palette: Mid-century modern kitchens typically feature bold, saturated colors like avocado green, mustard yellow, and burnt orange. Consider using these hues on your walls, cabinets, or appliances.
Photo Credit – Kelly Martin Interiors – Charming brown, orange, and blue u-shaped kitchen boasts an orange stove placed between brown veneer cabinets donning satin nickel hardware. A picture window is framed by blue geometric wall tiles and located beneath a white plank ceiling and over a sink iwth a satin nickel gooseneck faucet.
Focus on clean lines: Clean lines are a hallmark of mid-century modern design. Look for cabinets, countertops, and furniture with simple, geometric shapes.
Incorporate natural materials: Mid-century modern design often incorporates natural materials like wood, stone, and brick. Consider using these materials on your floors, walls, or countertops.
Use retro appliances: Retro appliances can add a fun touch to a mid-century modern kitchen. Look for vintage-style refrigerators, stoves, and ovens in bold colors.
Add pops of pattern: Mid-century modern design often features bold, graphic patterns. Consider incorporating these patterns in your backsplash, flooring, or window treatments.
Photo Credit: nayt.art via Instagram
Photo Credit: Behance
Photo Credit: Scott Edwards Architecture
Photo Credit: Woods and Dangaran
Photo Credit: Tom Matthews
Photo Credit: Izen Architecture
Photo Credit: Minarik Architecture
Photo Credit: Artisans Group
Photo Credit: Kara Mann – Spacious modern white kitchen features white velvet and acrylic stools at kitchen island dining table, an island sink with copper faucets and white flat front cabinets.
Photo Credit: Amy Carman – Modern eat-in kitchen features white molded plastic chairs placed at a wood and metal industrial table lit by a Eugene pendant.
Photo Credit: Greg Natale – Modern kitchen features light blue cabinetry with brass trim, an island with a brown leather stool and an arched doorway.
Photo Credit: Toronto Interior Design Group – A black bench with gray cushions and black and white striped pillows sits against the back of a kitchen pass through boasting a sink white a white modern gooseneck faucet. Gold cabinets are mounted against a marble slab backsplash over an induction cooktop.
Photo Credit: Marea Clark Interiors – Modern black and white kitchen features a black island fitted with a white quartz waterfall edge countertop lit by a black dome lantern hung from a ceiling finished with wood beams. Sleek black flat front cabinets are adorned with oil rubbed bronze pulls.
Photo Credit: Sharon Tafitan – Kitchen features modern black stools at a tan center island topped with light gray honed marble with an island sink that boasts a black gooseneck faucet and tan cabinets with a light gray honed marble bookmatched kitchen backsplash.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is mid-century modern design?
Mid-century modern design is a style that became popular in the mid-20th century, characterized by clean lines, organic shapes, and minimalist aesthetics.
What are some common features of mid-century modern kitchens?
Mid-century modern kitchens often feature flat-panel cabinetry, bold pops of color, natural materials like wood and stone, and sleek, minimalist hardware.
How can I incorporate mid-century modern design into my kitchen?
You can incorporate mid-century modern design into your kitchen by using materials like wood, stone, and metal, incorporating bold pops of color, and choosing furniture and accessories with clean lines and minimalist aesthetics.
What colors are commonly used in mid-century modern kitchens?
Mid-century modern kitchens often feature bold colors like orange, yellow, and turquoise, as well as more muted shades like beige, gray, and white.
Are mid-century modern kitchens expensive to design and decorate?
The cost of designing and decorating a mid-century modern kitchen can vary depending on factors like the quality of materials used and the complexity of the design. However, many mid-century modern design elements can be achieved on a budget by using affordable materials and DIY techniques.
