Design Ideas For Small Mid Century Modern Kitchens

When you look for ideas for your small mid-century modern kitchen, you may find that the design you're looking at doesn't offer much in the way of structural innovations. Instead, you'll probably be looking for ways to update your countertops and appliances. You may even choose to remove some of the old in order to accommodate the sleek lines and contemporary design of your new kitchen. While this can be a good solution, it also makes the room seem smaller. By changing the way you decorate your small kitchen, you can achieve a rich-stained and modern mid-century modern kitchen with a bold, open feel.

Ways to Update a Mid-Century Modern Kitchen

One way to update your small mid-century modern kitchen is to add a contemporary and stylish pedestal base to your kitchen. A pedestal base is rectangular steel or wood frame that sits on the floor. Often, a pedestal base is accompanied by a small round table beneath it. A popular type of pedestal base is made of cast iron or brushed nickel. It may be painted a color that complements the rest of your kitchen but it doesn't have to be.

Another way to update your small mid-century modern kitchen is to replace your large kitchen island with an oval or circular countertop that sits on top of your large kitchen island. Modern kitchens today often feature a large island with built-in oven, sink and built-in cabinets. However, the island is usually tucked out of the way behind large cabinets or a large countertop. If you want your small kitchen to appear larger, then you can replace the island with a beautiful mosaic tile backsplash. A mosaic tile backsplash complements a stainless steel or black cabinet with a white countertop, providing a two-tone look.

Create a Colorful Mid-Century Modern Kitchen

Another way to create a rich-stained mid-century modern kitchen is to install pendant lamps over your large kitchen island. A pendant lamp is a small, tapered glass lamp that hangs from a metal or wood stand. It can add a charming touch of class over your small dining room table. A popular pendant lamp style is a Tiffany style, which features a large faceted Tiffany looking glass shade, and a metal ring shaped base with a Tiffany pattern grille. Pendant lamps can be a little tricky to install because they must be hung directly over the light source; you can purchase ceiling hooks or other means to hang them.

If you have a nice-sized wall, then use it to make a large imprint in your mid-century modern kitchen. An easy way to do this is to hang a bold photograph or graphic over the wall. You could also substitute an oversized photo, like a calendar page, or a pop-up banner. These larger photos can be displayed on an oversized piece of art or even over your large countertops.

Use White Countertops

Use white countertops to bring together the bright colors of the walls and cabinets. Install big wooden kitchen islands in the middle of the room. The island will be a central focus, drawing your eyes toward it. Large, dark wooden cabinets on the other walls of the kitchen can be highlighted by hanging small paintings or prints over the tops of the cabinets. Another idea is to add a long row of white cabinets along one wall, to bring together the bright colors of the countertops and the dark wood cabinets.

Bright wall colors paired with neutral cabinet finishes such as black, tan, or beige will make your small kitchen look very spacious. Choose light tile and carpet for flooring. Decorative pillows of stripes or polka dots can be used on the chairs that match the walls. In mid-century modern kitchens, you may prefer bold geometric designs on the walls and bold stripes, checkers or circles on the wallpaper. You can also add a small cabinet or island behind the cooktop, to hold utensils or small appliances.

Lighting should be minimal. Spot lights are often used for accent lighting, while smaller lamps with sconces or low wattage bulbs are used for task lighting. Floor lamps or low table lamps provide more than enough light for most activities. An electrical circuit will be installed between the kitchen island and the wall switches. Wallpaper borders can hide wiring, and under-counter or ceiling lights can help illuminate the area. A well-planned mid-century modern kitchen will make your home feel comfortable and inviting.