Would you be surprised to learn that Americans spend about 400 hours in their kitchen every year?
That’s a lot of time to spend in a room you don’t love. Creating a space that you want to be in can be challenging. However, you don’t have to have a degree in design to bring a mid-century modern kitchen to life.
Many homeowners feel overwhelmed by the idea of incorporating clean lines and minimal design in the kitchen and homes, but we’re going to tell you how you can do it.
This guide is packed full of tips that’ll help you create your dream kitchen in your home. We’ll discuss mid-century modern kitchen cabinets, decor, lighting fixtures, and more! Read on so you don’t miss out!
Embrace Warm Minimalism
Simplicity and functionality are the primary focuses of mid-century modern design. You’ll want to focus on creating a minimalist vibe.
This means reducing clutter and hiding your appliances. Utilize hidden storage solutions to keep kitchen essentials out of sight. Pull-out pantry shelves, drawer dividers, and deep drawers for pots and pans help maintain a clutter-free countertop.
You should work with a professional to create an open but functional layout. You’ll want to focus on maximizing your efficiency. We’ll talk more about choosing decor later, but a mid-century modern kitchen won’t have a lot of added decorations either.
Remember, when you’re creating a minimal design in your kitchen, that less is more.
Choose a Mid-Century Modern Color Palette
The right colors are everything. Many think a minimalist mid-century design can’t have much color, but that’s not true.
While neutrals help bring a minimal look to a room, you can use light pink, yellow, or even red to achieve the same mid-century feel. When someone adds or tries to incorporate too many colors, an issue arises.
The mid-century style spanned many years, and the color palette didn’t always stay the same. If you don’t have a large kitchen and want to make it feel bigger, you’ll want to opt for neutral colors such as light grays and whites.
Incorporate a Lot of Natural Materials
There are so many materials to choose from, but when creating a mid-century modern kitchen, you’ll want to stick with natural materials.
You’ll want to opt for wood cabinets and flooring. You may even want to consider a wooden countertop. Teak, walnut, and oak are popular choices for achieving that warm and organic feel.
If you’ve found countertops or flooring that aren’t natural materials, you can add exposed wooden beams to the ceiling. Another idea is to purchase a wooden dining table with tapered legs.
It all comes down to creativity and choosing materials, colors, and features you like.
Add Retro Lighting Fixtures
Lighting can make or break a space. Your kitchen needs to have great lighting not only for the design but for functionality. You need to be able to see when you’re cooking and eating.
Functional lighting doesn’t have to be boring. Using retro-inspired pendant lights or chandeliers with geometric shapes and a metallic finish can add to the space. This is especially true if you’ve chosen a lot of minimalist decor, cabinets, and other features.
Use Vintage Appliances
If you want to bring out the mid-century look, investing in vintage-inspired appliances is a great way to do that.
You don’t have to worry about missing out on modern technology, either. Brands like Smeg and Big Chill offer modern appliances with a vintage aesthetic and incorporate modern functions.
The refrigerator, stove, and dishwasher could be the focal point of your kitchen, and you’ll still be able to use them as normal.
Find the Right Cabinets
Your kitchen cabinets can make a big difference when it comes to the overall look of your space. As mentioned before, a modern design focuses on clean lines and no clutter. The cabinets will help remove items from your countertops, which is a step in the right direction for a mid-century modern kitchen.
When you’re choosing your cabinets, wood is an excellent material. It can help create the mid-century feel that you’re aiming for.
The cabinets should be sleek with clean lines, which will pull in the modern aspect. You may want to opt for cabinets that have simple hardware or even handleless cabinets and drawers.
Many mid-century kitchens will have cabinets located below the countertop and open shelving on the top, so keep that in mind as well.
Consider Art and Decor
Finding the right artwork for your modern kitchen design can take some time, so don’t rush it. Consider hanging framed vintage posters, abstract art, or even a sunburst mirror, which was a popular design element during the mid-century modern era.
Select a few high-quality pieces instead of collecting a lot of decor. You should also consider using plants to bring some life and decoration to your kitchen.
Hanging plants or even potted plants can add some warmth back into the kitchen without taking away from the minimal design. However, adding too many will have the opposite effect.
Incorporate Geometric Patterns and Textures
Adding patterns and textures is the fun part. You can add some personality to your kitchen and get creative. Adding a patterned backsplash is a great way to add some depth and charm to your mid-century kitchen.
You can also use patterned wallpaper or upholstery on your dining chairs to achieve this look. It’s essential to keep in mind that adding too many funky shapes and patterns can take away from the modern or minimalist design.
Want More Mid-Century Modern Kitchen Tips?
All the tips above will help you design your mid-century modern kitchen. However, it’s vital that you have fun with the project and keep your preferences in mind.
Take your time finding wood cabinets that you like and work with a professional. They’ll be able to relieve some of the stress that comes with a kitchen remodel or renovation.
Here at Minneapolis Kitchen Remodeling, we only employ the best. Our team is available to answer any questions you may have. Contact us today to get started.