How to Choose the Right Mid-Century Modern Kitchen Cabinets

If you’re revamping your kitchen, it’s crucial to focus on the main design elements, which are usually kitchen islands and cabinets. These elements can majorly impact your kitchen’s personality. 

If your home has a mid-century modern design, and you’re planning to install kitchen cabinets, give a thought to what style of cabinetry is the best fit for a mid-century modern kitchen. This post offers some useful insights on choosing the right mid-century modern kitchen cabinets.

Things to Consider When Choosing Mid-Century Modern Kitchen Cabinets

Homeowners opting for mid-century modern style have an affinity for the authentic feel of wooden accents. There are various factors you should consider when selecting cabinets. Here are some of the key factors to take into account:

#1. Real Hardwood

In mid-century modern kitchen design, emphasis is placed on beautiful wooden surfaces. The favorite options in this style are rosewood, oak, and teak. So, when going for a kitchen in this style, build your cabinetry largely of wood, and try incorporating other wood elements, making wood the star of your kitchen area.

#2. Dark Wood

For mid-century modern kitchen cabinets, dark wood is one of the most preferred options. Dark woods, such as walnuts, present a classic and rich appearance, which merges well with almost any kitchen design element and accent colors. For a genuine mid-century modern design, go for using metal hardware in copper or brass in your wooden cabinets for a warm accent.

#3. Light Wood

If you don’t have an affinity for dark wood, use light wood for your kitchen cabinets. Light oak goes well with white countertops and backsplashes and produces an airy, bright look in the kitchen. If your kitchen has a smaller space, incorporating light-hued materials is a great idea, as the lighter features would reflect natural light more, giving a bigger appearance to your space. 

#4. Sleek Surfaces

For a modern touch, go for beautiful finishes and smooth surfaces. Opt for gentle curves or straight lines in your furniture. Choosing to go rustic with accents is not preferable in this style, as it’s too rough. 

#5. Simplicity

Keeping things simple is best when it comes to mid-century modern kitchens. Avoid complex designs or intricate molding. Go for a minimalistic design, but with the warmth that can be presented only by wood. 

#6. Color

Contrasting to the contemporary trend of neutral grays, mid-century modern kitchen cabinets embrace rich colors of wood along with the positive ambiance created by them. 

#7. Functionality

The kitchen is an integral area of a home, and with mid-century modern design, it becomes a wonderful space. Make sure to install functional cabinetry offering ample storage space, and lay them out such that people can interact with family and friends while cooking. 

In a nutshell, your mid-century modern kitchen should have a warm and inviting look and feel. It should be a space where couples love to enjoy coffee together in the morning and children love to help prepare meals. 

Customization of Mid-Century Modern Kitchen Cabinets

You can customize your kitchen cabinetry according to your kitchen layout as well as your preferences on how exactly they should perform, look, and feel.

Here are some suggestions when customizing your mid-century modern kitchen cabinets:

Wood Species

Red oak and oak are the classic options for mid-century style. With ash, you get a lighter appearance with clear finishes. Rosewood and teak are also great options for this design, but many homeowners find it difficult to afford them as they are quite expensive. 

Cabinet Hardware

It’s good to keep your cabinetry hardware sleek and simple. You can incorporate a modern look with straight lines or add some flair of the 50s with some curves. 

Cabinet Door Design

For a mid-century modern style, it’s preferred to choose slab door panels having solid drawer fronts.

Shelves and Drawers

For optimum functionality, slide-outs, shelves, drawers, and other organization features should be chosen carefully. Consider your lifestyle and ensure that the cabinetry you choose delivers the storage you need.

Finish

If you want the hardwood of your mid-century modern kitchen cabinets to shine through, choose to go for a clear-coat finish. You can stain the cabinets or go without staining, according to your taste. 

Wrapping Up

Mid-century modern kitchen cabinets can significantly enhance the aesthetic appeal and functionality of your kitchen space. However, they should be installed after careful consideration of many factors to ensure they deliver you the return on your investment. The information in this post can help you incorporate the right kitchen cabinetry for your mid-century modern kitchen. 

While installing cabinets in your kitchen, remember that wood is the most important and must-have element in the mid-century modern design. So, make sure to use quality wood for your cabinetry. You can also go for custom mid-century modern kitchen cabinets, which can perfectly serve your unique needs and preferences. 

Give careful consideration to your and your family’s lifestyle, storage needs, and kitchen design, and guide your contractor accordingly, so that they can come up with the right cabinets. Furthermore, select a reputed contractor to build your cabinets who not only have plenty of experience in building kitchen cabinetry but also in designing cabinets that go with mid-century modern home design.