Fresh Mid-Century Modern Kitchen Ideas to Add Retro Style to Your Home
The 70s are calling.
From sculptural lighting and bar stools to colorful cabinets and appliances, mid-century modern kitchens are a fun blend of retro style and clean modern shapes. Whether you’re looking for a full kitchen remodel or simply want to add some retro-inspired accents to your kitchen, we’ve got the inspiration you need to get started with these 12 mid-century modern kitchen ideas.
Tip!
Learn more about this iconic style with our helpful guides:
What Is Mid-Century Modern Style?
Mid-Century Modern Design
1. Style Your Counters With Vintage-Inspired Appliances
Make your small kitchen appliances work double duty by serving up style as well. Choose countertop essentials like toasters, coffee makers, and tea kettles in retro-style colors and shapes. This is an easy way to add vintage vibes to your kitchen without embarking on a full renovation.
If you’re starting from scratch or need new kitchen appliances, go with retro-style models in a bold color for a mid-century modern look. A refrigerator or range with nostalgic details can go a long way in adding to your mid-century aesthetic.
Replace your modern glassware with colorful vintage tumblers for another low-effort swap that adds big personality. This colorful glassware set, featuring geometric patterned detailing, adds to your retro aesthetic when displayed in glass cabinets or open shelves.
Mid-century modern wall art, featuring simple graphics and vibrant geometric shapes, will elevate your kitchen instantly. Simply hang a couple pieces of your favorite artwork, or create a gallery wall over your breakfast nook for a colorful display. You can also add a retro centerpiece to your kitchen table with mid-century modern decorative accents.
Natural wood finishes are a staple of mid-century modern design. Choose wood cabinets, kitchen islands, and bar stools for your kitchen. Stick to light to medium wood finishes to keep your space playful and bright. This neutral base makes it easy to play with pops of color — another key characteristic of this fun style.
Simple geometric patterns have a big impact on mid-century style spaces. Hang wallpaper on your kitchen walls in a retro-style geometric pattern to get this look. For a renter-friendly option, choose a peel-and-stick wallpaper that can be removed if you decide to move.
Another small upgrade that adds big mid-century modern style to your kitchen is your ceiling light fixtures. Center a sculptural pendant light or chandelier over your kitchen island or table. A retro light fixture with exposed bulbs or a classic sputnik chandelier will do the trick.
Mid-century modern style is known for its inclusion of bright primary and secondary colors. This not only adds a fun flare to your kitchen, but ties in colors that were prominent in interior design during the 1960s and 70s. These Kelly green cabinets and kitchen island pop against the stark white walls and backsplash. Small accents, like the red vase set on the kitchen table, bring a complementary feel that contrasts the cabinetry.
Install a geometric-patterned tile backsplash as a simple way to incorporate more of this mid-century modern feature. Backsplashes are ideal for kitchens as they protect the wall behind your cooktop and sink from liquids. You can even add one in rented spaces by choosing removable, peel-and-stick backsplash tiles.
Tip!
Learn more about creating a brilliant backsplash with our helpful guides:
Peel-and-Stick Backsplash Buying Guide
How to Install Peel-&-Stick Backsplash
Your Guide to Choosing the Best Backsplash Tile
How to Install Tile Backsplash: A Step-By-Step Guide
10. Choose Timeless Tile Shapes
Classic tile shapes are your best bet when aiming for a mid-century modern look. Hexagons and honeycomb shapes are the most iconic tile shape for this retro style. Keep its shapes simple with stacked subway tiles, and avoid offset patterns for a modern look. If you’re looking for floor tiles, large tiles with geometric patterns or terrazzo are great options.
You can’t go wrong with wood-paneled walls when going for a mid-century modern look, even in the kitchen. This simple vertical wood wall panel and marble countertop combo is the perfect blend of retro and modern aesthetics. Paired with sleek hourglass-shaped lighting and streamlined leather kitchen stools, this space is an elevated version of a classic mid-century modern kitchen.
A simple swap can add old-school flair to your modern kitchen. These sculptural wood kitchen stools do just that. The solid wood construction, slim legs, and triangle-shaped back of these stools add nostalgic style to this space. Keep things simple with just the stools or add more mid-century modern style accents, such as a geometric area rug or vintage countertop centerpiece.
