Transform Your Kitchen With Striking Mid Century Style Walnut Cabinets
With its clean lines, vintage charm, and focus on minimalist design, mid century modern style is having a major moment in home decor. And what better way to bring this trendy retro look into the heart of your home than with a brand new set of mid century-inspired kitchen cabinets? Opting for rich, warm walnut cabinetry adds the perfect dose of texture and natural elegance to complement any mid century kitchen remodel.
We'll share expert tips on designing and remodeling a kitchen with walnut cabinets to achieve that coveted mid century look. From selecting the perfect streamlined shapes to choosing complementary counters and fixtures, we'll cover all the essentials for executing this popular kitchen makeover idea.
Mid Century Modern Design and Walnut Cabinetry
To understand the synergy between walnut cabinets and mid century kitchens, let's first take a closer look at what defines mid century style.
What is Mid Century Modern Style?
Mid century modern style originated in the decades following World War II, from roughly the late 1940s to the 1960s. It emerged as a sleek, forward-thinking design movement that embodied both a fascination with modernist principles and the atomic era along with a nostalgia for simpler times. Mid century style combines vintage elements like gentle curves with very clean, crisp lines and a utilitarian aesthetic. The use of natural wood finishes, neutral palettes, and organic shapes reflects Japanese and Scandinavian influences.
Over time, mid century design has come to represent retro minimalism at its finest. The focus is on open, multifunctional spaces that seamlessly integrate indoors and outdoors. Furnishings favor functionality and simplicity in their shapes and silhouettes. This creates a casual yet sophisticated look that feels both nostalgic and current.
Why Choose Walnut Wood for Cabinets?
When it comes to achieving an authentic mid century vibe, walnut is a perfect pick for kitchen cabinetry. The rich brown coloring features attractive dark swirls and banding that add visual interest and depth. Compared to lighter maple or oak, walnut has a cozier, warmer ambiance. Yet it still boasts clean lines and a smooth, straight grain that suit the retro-modern style.
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, walnut is simply a smart choice for durable and long-lasting cabinets. It's a robust hardwood that stains easily to enhance its inherent beauty. The wood offers both strength and versatility. Walnut cabinetry creates a timeless, luxurious look that suits family homes and modern downtown lofts alike.
Combining Walnut Cabinets and Mid Century Style
When paired together, walnut cabinetry and mid century elements simply complement one another beautifully. The neutral wood backdrop provides the perfect foundation for adding in punches of bright, cheerful accent colors via appliances, lighting fixtures, bar stools or tile backsplashes. The handsome grain and smooth finish of walnut cabinets aligns flawlessly with the sleek, refined lines of mid century furnishings and decor.
In short, walnut cabinetry emanates the kind of easy, understated elegance that lets mid century details shine. Keep reading for more on how to thoughtfully design your own kitchen to take full advantage of this winning combination.
Designing a Mid Century Modern Walnut Kitchen
Crafting a kitchen that artfully blends mid century style with rich walnut cabinetry requires careful planning and design. Follow these tips for nailing the details from layout to backsplash.
Layout and Floor Plan
Striving for an open, airy floor plan is a hallmark of mid century kitchen design. Consider removing walls entirely to create a seamless flow between kitchen, dining and living areas. Built-in storage nooks and cabinetry maintain a streamlined look. Focus on creating clear sightlines throughout the space.
In terms of work zones, mid century kitchens often feature an expansive island or peninsula as a central focal point. Opt for ample countertop workspace to accommodate cooking and casual dining. Think minimalist yet highly functional.
Selecting Wall and Base Cabinets
When selecting cabinetry, simplicity is key for achieving that mid century vibe. Look for recessed slab cabinet doors with either completely flat fronts or subtle sloped edges. Stay away from ornate carved details or insets. The most iconic mid century kitchens have a mixture of open shelving and closed storage cabinets in an alternating pattern.
For hardware, pick streamlined modern pulls if any at all. Many designers opt for handle-less cabinets to keep the silhouette as clean lined as possible. Aim for a cohesive look by choosing the same style doors and hardware for both wall and base units.
Countertops and Backsplashes
Quartz or laminate countertops in solid neutral hues keep the focus on the gorgeous walnut cabinets. Mid century kitchens shy away from flashy stone patterns in favor of matte finishes. Backsplashes also stay simple – think brick, ceramic tile or colored glass tile laid in basic grids.
Butcher block counter inserts are another fitting choice to warm up the look. Just avoid intricate stone mosaic backsplashes that feel too ornate and distracting.
Fixtures and Appliances
Sleek stainless steel appliances feel fresh and contemporary while vintage style SMEG fridges in cherry red or electric blue add retro flair. Opt for pendant lights that feel functional and industrial inspired. When selecting faucets and hardware, continue clean sightlines by choosing options with straight lines and simple geometry.
Remodeling Your Kitchen with Mid Century Walnut Cabinets
Ready to tackle a kitchen refresh and install some stunning new mid century style walnut cabinets? Here are some tips for the remodeling process from start to finish.
Planning Your Remodel
Any kitchen remodel starts with careful planning. Nail down the layout including cabinetry placement and sizes along with your appliance and finish selections. Decide the scope – are you doing a full demolition and rebuild or simply swapping out old cabinets for new mid century style options? Line up contractors and interior designers early if you plan to use them.
Preparing for Installation
For full kitchen overhauls, the first steps are removing existing cabinets, flooring, countertops and anything else that needs replacing. Address any plumbing, electrical or structural issues early before installing new components like cabinets. Measure your space carefully and mark stud locations if needed. Have your new custom mid century cabinets built based on the finalized layout.
Installing and Finishing Touches
Once prep work is done, the fun part comes – installing your dream kitchen! Have new flooring placed first, followed by painting walls and installing lighting. Then bring in your gorgeous new walnut mid century cabinets along with countertops, backsplash tile and any accent shelving or built-ins. Wrap up withceiling treatment, fixtures like pendant lights, plumbing details and accessories.
With strategic planning, design and material selections, you can have the mid century modern kitchen of your dreams complete with stunning walnut cabinets. Remember to focus on creating an open, streamlined space. Allow details like an eye-catching backsplash and accessories to layer in pops of color and personality. Soon you'll have a kitchen space that artfully blends mid century style with contemporary function.