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It's a great example of how easy it is to transform the overall feel of a kitchen (or any space, for that matter) without needing to take out a wall or whip out the paint. Simplicity is a core tenet of most midcentury modern rooms, and this kitchen is no exception. Its serene beige shade and clean cupboards and countertops are balanced by the pop of black from the range hood and the orb lighting. With Art Deco influence and an overall midcentury modern vibe, this kitchen is perfect for renters and owners that love sleek and chic spaces. Add in jewel tones, like deep blue or dark turquoise, for a space that will never feel out of date.
Key Mid-Century Modern Kitchen Elements and Ideas

Here, the white chandelier ties in with the cabinets and balances the bright kitchen color scheme. Joseph Eichler was known for his contributions to midcentury modern design, and this fresh spin on his style gets everything right. We think so, especially if the style is era-appropriate for the architecture of the home. A midcentury-modern kitchen will feel like it belongs in an abode built in the ’50s and ’60s, but for a home of another time period, a midcentury-modern kitchen could still work. As long as the colors and materials don’t contrast with the rest of the dwelling too drastically, mixing eras is encouraged as a way to add depth.
Play With Shapes
Combining the best of midcentury design with all the conveniences of a modern cooking space. This home bar features a thrifted credenza showcased against terracotta-colored walls. A gold starburst sconce ties in with Art Deco hardware and metallic bar accessories. The biggest difference between mid-century kitchens and contemporary kitchens is that the open “American style” kitchen trend is much more recent. Back in the mid-century, kitchens were often closed off from the rest of the home.
Add Some Height
The additional row of windows follows the roofline and fills the space with natural light. Oversized sliding doors open to the expansive deck, while skylights fill the space with natural light—a necessity with Seattle's gray winter skies. As the heart of the home, the 1950s kitchen was brimming with appliances to make living fun and convenient. Hand-held mixers and stand mixers allowed mums to whip up delightful desserts; milkshake makers made it easy to add more options to the after-dinner menu. Fascinating reproductions of vintage appliances are available these days – perfect for spicing up a mid century modern kitchen.
Mid-Century Eichler Gets Respectfully Updated for 21st Century - Design Milk
Mid-Century Eichler Gets Respectfully Updated for 21st Century.
Posted: Wed, 24 May 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Vary Wood Tones
Helen has been creative director at the company since 2011, passionate about the signature understated approach deVOL takes to designing kitchens. These era-specific designs have timeless appeal without feeling too theme-y. Curvy chairs and flat-faced cabinets in this kitchen make for a nice blend of styles—Scandi-meets-midcentury, to be exact. The room's quieter colors, mixed with the more severe black island, give it a calming energy that still has an edge to it. Mid-century modern design has had a lasting impact on our homes and furniture pieces today. It brought a much more minimal and practical approach to furniture than what was used prior.
This kitchen, designed by the duo behind Studio Shamshiri, relied on California walnut counters (inspired by the surrounding Los Angeles hillside) and concrete countertops for a simple-yet-stunning look. A pair of vintage Hans-Agne Jakobsson pendants above the island add the perfect nod to MCM history. Opt for natural wood finishes or painted panels in muted tones to create a harmonious look that complements your existing decor. There's no reason to get extra fancy with details or carvings, just simple lines can add a lot to a room. Avoid overwhelming the space with excessive paneling; instead, strategically place panels on key focal points, such as island fronts or accent walls, to achieve a chic and timeless appeal. Vertical lines can make a room feel taller, but horizontal lines are a great choice only if there's already plenty of light and space in your kitchen.
Mid-century modern kitchens are a visual feast - with sleek cabinetry, minimal-to-no hardware, and an injection of bold geometric prints. The timeless appeal of these kitchens lies in their ability to be uber-adaptable, in a way that always creates a space that hits top marks for both effortless style and a feeling of nostalgic comfort. In mid-century modern kitchen design, the kitchen table is not just a piece of furniture; it’s a focal point. These tables typically embody the era’s design ethos — functional, simple, and often featuring organic shapes like round or oval tops. Materials like wood, glass, and Formica were popular, often paired with metal legs for a sleek, industrial look. Designers such as Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, and George Nelson became household names, each contributing to the distinctive aesthetic of the era.
Make Windows a Focal Point
Geometric shapes bring a sense of order and sophistication to interior design, particularly in the context of a Midcentury modern kitchen. By adding these shapes to your decor, you can evoke a timeless aesthetic that is both stylish and interesting. Large pieces of art featuring geometric patterns serve as focal points, drawing the eye and adding visual interest to the space. Or you can opt for bold, graphic prints that complement the clean lines of Midcentury modern design. Minimalism is a key element in midcentury modern style, with the phrase "less is more" central to designs.
Streamlined appliances and a mixture of recessed and pendant lighting create the light, bright ambience that makes mid century modern kitchens such cheerful places to be. This case involved a traditional kitchen in a mid-century modern house being updated to reflect the home’s architectural style. The challenge was to blend contemporary functionality with mid-century aesthetics. The solution was a mix of natural wood and white cabinets, with the wood bringing warmth and the white offering a modern, clean look. The original hardwood floors were restored to maintain the house’s character. For the countertops, quartz was used to provide a contemporary edge, complemented by a minimalist backsplash with subtle texture.
Hearkening back to the 1950s and 60s, mid-century modern kitchen designs incorporate crisp, contemporary features that come together to create a clean, uncluttered space with a welcoming feel. Pale colour palettes bring a fresh, open feel to even the smallest kitchens, while wood tones offer a natural touch and fascinating light fixtures create unique focal points. Take a short trip back in time – and then forward again – as we explore mid century modern kitchen ideas and trends. Mid-Century kitchen design ideas are all about clean lines, organic shapes, natural materials, bold colors, and iconic furniture.
The kitchen’s position in the home moved from the back of the house to the front, and open floor plans allowed the entire family to mingle. Kitchens built during the mid century movement tended to offer far greater convenience than their predecessors. Refrigerators were getting larger, and cooktops and ovens were easier to operate than older models.
Maintaining its connection to the living and dining areas, the room is anchored by an island with leather pulls. Its pared-down look, in harmony with the other spaces, is defined by minimal open shelving, built-in storage, and refined matte finishes. If you believe this kitchen’s layout is particularly private, start by looking above! This kitchen design by Destination Eichler, LLC is very crisp and contemporary. This is a terrific kitchen layout with a lovely skylight and eye-catching artwork. You’ll notice how charming this Midcentury Kitchen kitchen design is—a beautiful kitchen with gorgeous countertops.

Choose lighting fixtures with clean lines and iconic designs to enhance the Mid-Century Modern aesthetic. Consider pendant lights with geometric shapes or a Sputnik chandelier to create a striking focal point in your kitchen. The right lighting can truly elevate the ambiance and bring out the best of your mid-century modern kitchen remodel ideas. Lighting is a crucial element in mid-century modern interior design kitchens. Look for statement lighting fixtures that feature sleek lines and unique shapes.
Give signature midcentury shades of brown a pop of earthy color by adding touches of orange. This retro hue found on seat cushions, groovy wallpaper, and natural materials like the stone fireplace gives life to this open-concept kitchen. Finished with eccentric lighting, this kitchen embodies midcentury modern interior design. This design element adds a nature-inspired feel to any room in the house. Install wood paneling across appliances and cabinets for a streamlined midcentury modern kitchen design.
The backsplash pairs with organic materials, like stone countertops and wood cabinetry, to nod to nature. A vaulted ceiling and large windows above the range let in plenty of light. Geometric patterns are everywhere in this midcentury modern kitchen, from the repeating subway tiles to the fun area rug and even eye-catching lines in the built-in kitchen island shelving. Timeless globe lighting, along with plastic Eames chairs, contribute classic midcentury silhouettes. From the colorful details to the twist on the Sputnik chandelier, there is so much to appreciate about this midcentury modern kitchen. Named after the first satellite sent into space in the 1950s, the Sputnik chandelier comes in all different sizes, finishes, and styles, usually with many arms extending from the center.
Avoid cluttering your kitchen with unnecessary gadgets or decorations — instead, focus on essential items that serve both a functional and aesthetic purpose. Open shelving can also be a great way to display your favorite dishes or cookware, while maintaining a sense of openness in the room. This kitchen's tile backsplash leads the eye up the streamlined range hood and to a paneled ceiling with exposed beams. The wooden cabinetry and open shelving warm up the midcentury modern kitchen and add a natural element that complements the green backsplash tile. Often, midcentury modern kitchens would go light on upper cabinets—or forgo them altogether—in favor of a more visually streamlined look.