Mid Century Modern Kitchen that's Connected to Nature

Natural walnut cabinetry, quartzite stone countertops and backsplash and a large picture window all make this mid-century modern kitchen a celebration of nature.

Fremont

Heidi Caillier Design

Open concept kitchen - mid-sized farmhouse u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen idea in Seattle with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula and quartzite countertops

1902 Historic Kitchen & Pantry Alamo Heights Remodel

Haven Design and Construction

This 1902 San Antonio home was beautiful both inside and out, except for the kitchen, which was dark and dated. The original kitchen layout consisted of a breakfast room and a small kitchen separated by a wall. There was also a very small screened in porch off of the kitchen. The homeowners dreamed of a light and bright new kitchen and that would accommodate a 48" gas range, built in refrigerator, an island and a walk in pantry. At first, it seemed almost impossible, but with a little imagination, we were able to give them every item on their wish list. We took down the wall separating the breakfast and kitchen areas, recessed the new Subzero refrigerator under the stairs, and turned the tiny screened porch into a walk in pantry with a gorgeous blue and white tile floor. The french doors in the breakfast area were replaced with a single transom door to mirror the door to the pantry. The new transoms make quite a statement on either side of the 48" Wolf range set against a marble tile wall. A lovely banquette area was created where the old breakfast table once was and is now graced by a lovely beaded chandelier. Pillows in shades of blue and white and a custom walnut table complete the cozy nook. The soapstone island with a walnut butcher block seating area adds warmth and character to the space. The navy barstools with chrome nailhead trim echo the design of the transoms and repeat the navy and chrome detailing on the custom range hood. A 42" Shaws farmhouse sink completes the kitchen work triangle. Off of the kitchen, the small hallway to the dining room got a facelift, as well. We added a decorative china cabinet and mirrored doors to the homeowner's storage closet to provide light and character to the passageway. After the project was completed, the homeowners told us that "this kitchen was the one that our historic house was always meant to have." There is no greater reward for what we do than that.

New Construction Kitchen

User

Stefanie Rawlinson Photography
Inspiration for a large transitional u-shaped light wood floor open concept kitchen remodel with shaker cabinets, green cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Hickory Floors - South End Boston Apartment

Hull Forest Products - Wide Plank Floors

Locally grown American Hickory floors with natural color and grain variation sawn in the USA and available mill-direct from Hull Forest Products. Nationwide shipping 1-800-928-9602. https://www.hullforest.com. Photo by Matt Delphenich.

Parkview

Warmington & North

Custom cabinetry by Warmington & North Architect: Hoedemaker Pfeiffer Photography: Haris Kenjar
Inspiration for a timeless u-shaped kitchen pantry remodel in Seattle with open cabinets, white cabinets, wood countertops and white backsplash

Hermitage

User

Vibra Stainless Steel Countertop and Backsplash with Integral Stainless Steel Sink by FourSeasons MetalWorks. Kitchen Design and Cabinets by Hermitage Kitchen Design Gallery in Nashville, TN

New York Residence

User

Sheila Bridges Design, Inc
Enclosed kitchen - small transitional u-shaped enclosed kitchen idea in New York with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, marble countertops, stainless steel appliances, no island and turquoise cabinets

Kitchen Design - Piedmont, CA

Story & Space Interior Design

Example of a mid-sized transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor enclosed kitchen design in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, marble backsplash, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula and white countertops

Kitchen Remodel (Soltis)

Mariano & Co., LLC

Open concept kitchen - large transitional u-shaped open concept kitchen idea in Phoenix with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Whiteside Farm, SL-1979

Wilson Design & Construction, Inc.

Wilson Design & Construction, Laurey Glenn
Inspiration for a cottage u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen remodel in Atlanta with shaker cabinets, blue backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white cabinets

Stunner in Roseville

User

Kitchen - large transitional u-shaped gray floor kitchen idea in Sacramento with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

Green Country Kitchen Farmhouse kitchen with Passthrough

Donald Lococo Architects

The owner said "any color but white" for her farmhouse kitchen country kitchen. Earthy and elemental materials are selected for the home that reference the barn without directly mimicking it. Wooden members found inside the barn and from other barns bridge ceilings and are used in floors along with rustic slate adding to a sense of simplicity to the farmhouse design.

Modern French Guest House

Bravo Living

Kitchen - small traditional u-shaped dark wood floor kitchen idea in Austin with an undermount sink, white cabinets, multicolored backsplash, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula and recessed-panel cabinets

Professional Chef's Kitchen

Dalia Kitchen Design

Boston Home Magazine
Inspiration for a large timeless u-shaped dark wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Boston with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Mountain Valley Residence

Damian Farrell Design Group

The bold and rustic kitchen is large enough to cook and entertain for many guests. The edges of the soapstone counter tops were left unfinished to add to the home's rustic charm. Interior Design: Megan at M Design and Interiors

H-Shaped White Kitchen Tiles

Fireclay Tile

This kitchen's backsplash puts the H in Home Design using our H shaped tile, Chaine Homme, in a glossy white glaze. DESIGN Mokume Design Studio PHOTOS Christopher Stark Tile Shown: Chainie Homme in Tusk

Butternut Traditional Painted Island Kitchen Remodel

Thyme & Place Design LLC

The existing 1970’s kitchen contained once DIY painted cabinets with drop ceilings, poor lighting, inaccessible storage, failing appliances and an outdated floor plan. The client desired a new and improved kitchen designed for a cook which was not only functional but would beautifully integrate into the design style of the home. State of the art appliances, customized storage for all things cooking and entertaining, subtle latte colored cabinets with a contrasting island, and much improved lighting and ventilation came together to create the clients dream kitchen. Designing an Island layout was the key in the transformation from an outdated room to an outstanding reimagined kitchen.

Gorgeous Open Kitchen in Glenview, IL.

Barts Remodeling & Construction, Inc.

Kamil Scislowicz
Mid-sized minimalist u-shaped light wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen photo in Chicago with a drop-in sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, multicolored backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Garden Song Drive Kitchen, Hooksett

Granite State Cabinetry

Example of a transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen design in Boston with recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

U-Shaped Kitchen Ideas

U-shaped kitchens are ideal for large homes or simply for home cooks who like lots of counter space. This type of kitchen layout consists of three adjacent segments that form a wrap-around shape, but can vary widely in shape and size. While you browse our extensive collection of photos below, consider the following U-shaped kitchen ideas and how you might incorporate them into your home.

U-Shaped Kitchen Layout Ideas

There are a number of ways you can approach a U-shaped kitchen layout, and the best solution will depend on the size of your home and how you’ll use the space. Typically, a U-shaped kitchen will have some sort of work triangle, in which your oven and stovetop are on one side, your sink and dishwasher on another side and your refrigerator on yet another side. If you’re taking on a remodel, think about the layout that will make the most sense while cooking. For example, you don’t want to have to walk a long ways from a prep zone to the stove.

In terms of dimensions, there are countless possible variations on the U-shape. You can have short tails and a long mid-section, and the tails needn’t be the same size. Especially if you’re looking for U-shaped kitchen ideas for a small space, you could install a short peninsula in an L-shaped kitchen for just a bit of extra counter space. If you have a galley kitchen that connects to a wall, you can turn it into a U-shape by installing an appliance or countertop on one side. Putting your oven or refrigerator between the two counters is a smart choice to optimize your prep space.

On the other hand, if you’ve got a large U-shaped kitchen, make use of the extra space by putting an island in the center of it. You may even be able to add bar stool seating around the island for casual eating and entertaining. If you’d like to keep the kitchen as a cooking-only zone, you can also add seating to a peninsula countertop that doesn’t back up to a wall.

U-Shaped Kitchen Design Ideas

In a U-shaped kitchen, lighting is important to keep the space feeling open and inviting. If you’re remodeling and you have the option, try to position a large window on the middle wall of the kitchen to let the light in. You can also install a bold pendant light in the middle of the space for a striking focal point. In general, U-shaped kitchens are prone to feeling cramped or overbearing, so you’ll want to find ways to lead the eye through the space. Open-shelving can actually work very well in a U-shaped kitchen to make the space feel lighter.

With all of the counter space in a U-shaped kitchen, you might also consider segmenting different sections for particular tasks. You could install butcher block on one side of the kitchen for a prep station, cool marble for a baking zone and granite or tile elsewhere. And you might even have room to install a wine fridge or a second oven within your wrap-around cabinet space.

Whether you want inspiration for planning an u-shaped kitchen renovation or are building a designer kitchen from scratch, Houzz has 294,782 images from the best designers, decorators, and architects in the country, including Warmington & North and User. Look through kitchen pictures in different colors and styles and when you find an u-shaped kitchen design that inspires you, save it to an Ideabook or contact the Pro who made it happen to see what kind of design ideas they have for your home. Explore the beautiful u-shaped kitchen photo gallery and find out exactly why Houzz is the best experience for home renovation and design.