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Tips on Designing a Mid-Century Modern Kitchen

A mid-century modern kitchen design is a beautiful mix of the nostalgic retro look and the sensitivities and style of modern kitchens. This flexible design is greatly coveted because it can match classic, traditional and modern interior aesthetics. 

To achieve a mid-century modern look,  kitchen renovation contractors consider the following details when planning a kitchen remodel.

Color Combination

Mid-century kitchen designs effectively combine neutral colors and bright, warm shades. In most designs, countertops and cabinets possess subtle shades, allowing bright and prominent backsplashes and island stool colors to pop. You can also have colored cabinets and use white, vanilla or cream on other spaces to achieve a mid-century modern look that’s easy on the eyes.

Natural Lighting

Electric lighting wasn’t available for most mid-century kitchens, encouraging builders to install windows and position them where the sun hits the most. Following this concept, a mid-century modern kitchen should ideally have sunny windows or a skylight. Natural lighting will also make your kitchen look airy, bright and more spacious than it actually is. To complement the sunlight in your kitchen space, you should consider adding under-cabinet LED lights and soft-tone lighting, especially in the kitchen’s dark corners.

Textured Backsplashes

A classic black-and-white checkered backsplash won’t go out of style, so it’s a safe choice. But if you want something more fun or eye-catching, you might want to consider colorful Terrazzo tiles or other retro patterns. These can also add some personality to the space. Bold-colored backsplashes can act as centerpieces too. For a more modern touch, use black tile borders around retro-patterned tiles for more sharpness and definition. If you’re unsure about your backsplash design, you can always ask kitchen remodeling companies for recommendations.

Defined Geometric Shapes

Mid-century kitchens used chairs and tables with thin hairpin legs. The furniture pieces were selected based on practicality and minimalism.

Wood Paneling

Cabinets are a hallmark of mid-century modern designs. Wood cabinets with a grainy texture introduce simple, clean lines with zero decals and distracting details. Sleek wood cabinets with non-gloss finishes can work with satin nickel hardware. Walnut is virtually the signature color of mid-century modern design, but you can use other colors as long as it introduces a sleek and solid look.

More Kitchen Remodeling Posts

Wheaton, IL Cabinet Refacing 2020

Wheaton IL, cabinet refacing project completed in 2020. This kitchen was in really great shape, but the homeowner wanted a change! The cabinets were sturdy and in great shape, however she didn’t like how dark they were. Additionally, the countertop and backsplash were recently replaced. We don’t recommend trying to reuse a countertop that has already been adhered, so refacing is a good option if you want to keep your countertop.

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