What is Cape Cod Style Kitchen?
Classic and modern at the same time, Cape Cod style kitchens are usually vacation or coastal inspired. They can usually be found in all traditional towns on Cape Cod. These Kitchens have light and bright painted wood cabinetry. You can also have beadboard on walls, butcher section on countertops, airy layouts, marine themes, overall comfort, and a guest-friendly feel are all guarantees of Cape Cod kitchens. Prominent features of Cape Cod Kitchen Designs are:
• Well-balanced Storage Solutions: Mix of closed cabinets and open shelving for a casual, airy feel and accessible display of kitchenware.
• Light and Airy Color Schemes: Whites, beiges, soft yellows, blues, and greens dominate; often contrasted with darker woods or stone countertops.
• Traditional Beadboard Walls: White beadboard paneling adds a traditional Cape Cod cottage touch.
• Premium Quality Furniture: Made of natural or painted wood, often accented with nautical-themed fabrics and patterns.
• Nautical Touch: Tile backsplashes and wallpaper often feature ocean-inspired designs.
An Ultimate 1950 Cape Cod Kitchen Remodel
The first one is the most popular ‘1950s Cape Cod kitchen Remodel‘. The 1950 Cape Cod kitchens are known for their elegant and vintage look that still catches homeowners’ attention in 2025, inspiring them to blend this timeless style with modern designs. In order to understand it better, let’s start with
What is the 1950 Cape Cod Kitchen Style?
The 1950 Cape Cod kitchens are known for their elegant and vintage look that still catches homeowners’ attention in 2025, inspiring them to blend this timeless style with modern designs. The typical features of 1950 Cape Cod kitchens are:
• Compact but bright spaces
• Wooden or Steel cabinets
• Laminate and Ceramic Countertops and Backsplashes
• Checkerboard pattern floor
• Contrasted Kitchen Appliances
• Airy layouts
Here are some of the things to consider as you work for a modern kitchen by following the heritage of the 1950s Cape Cod kitchen remodel.
1. An Open or Nearly-Open Floor Plan
An open or nearly open floor plan is the base for that airy and spacious environment we mentioned above. A vacation on the Cape is about the entertainment of people and families. So, having a kitchen that opens up adjacent to the living spaces will help you build your connection with all who gather around for snack time or family-style meals. U-Shaped and L-Shaped kitchens are also an option, with plenty of countertop space to help you make your favorite meals for weeknights, holiday family gatherings, or friend sleepovers.
2. Add Windows or Skylights
Secondly, if your kitchen didn’t get a reasonable amount of natural light, you can get these in terms of windows and skylights. Getting professional window installation services can fix that and can help you make more open spaces for that added light; that will do a world of good for your kitchen space. The simple act of rearranging storage cabinets can do this for you. Just remove some upper cabinet boxes to add more space for the installation of windows. Natural light is the best source for making a bright kitchen.
You can also imagine this scene as you sit in your regular breakfast nook, sipping your morning coffee. On that note, there’s nothing like looking outside your window.
Want to dive deeper? Read our latest blog on kitchen remodel ideas exclusively for 2025.
3. Bright White Kitchen
Okay, so you’re not forced or restricted to design a white kitchen, but that’s the tradition of the Cape Cod Style Kitchen. Moreover, white kitchens remain in trend year after year, so they also make a good future selling point as well. You can also get assistance from seaside color palettes; sandy browns, a range of blues and grays, and pastel colors. All of these shades will complement the white cabinetry and general design style for your Cape Cod kitchen remodel. Don’t feel frightened to use natural color wood elements either. You can use solid color wood on the kitchen island or the lower and upper part of the cabinet set.
A white kitchen looks fantastic with every setting, but it’s especially popular on Cape Cod. Massachusetts is home to more historic homes than you can imagine, and white, painted wood looks modern and traditional at the same time. It’s a beachy, country look that is extremely easy to reproduce anywhere. For a more modern take on the all-white kitchen, consider pairing white upper cabinets with lower cabinets of a contrasting color.
4. Beadboard Panel
Adding texture is another vital idea to consider when it comes to creating a beachy look in your kitchen. The old-ancient cottages usually had rustic, unfinished walls that showed the layers between planks of whitewashed wood. The coolest way to go back in the tradition to attain that look in the present is to use beadboard paneling. The Use of these for the lower portion of walls below a chair rail will not only add the traditional texture but also provide you with a charming and modern look.
Cape Cod beadboard plank paneling as a backsplash instead of tile, or as the backing inside your upper cabinets. This is the simplest way to give your kitchen a stylish finish. The style is classic, yet modern.
5. Maximum Open Storage
Spending summer vacation on the Cape is a mostly casual affair, and cooking there means probably not using the essentials. To keep things simple and accessible, storage is often open so that it’s easy to find the perfect plate or pot. You can easily create this feel; choose open shelves instead of wall cabinets, or hang a pot rack over your island. If you are fond of an airier look, you can remove the doors of the cabinet.
If you are planning to do so. Just make sure to use the above-mentioned beadboard on the back of cabinets; paint them with a contrasting color.
6. A Beachy Color Palette
Although white cabinets are a common tradition, there are many other ways to add color to a Cape Cod-inspired kitchen. The choice is yours, either by painting the walls, floors, or relying on your linens and dishes. This will add a pop-up effect to your kitchen, making sure they set the right tone. Sea glass colors, pale green, aqua, and blue, are brilliant choices for a beach-inspired kitchen. However, you can also make things natural with a sandy palette with natural wood tones. If you wish for something brighter, get sailed in red and navy blue. You can transform your Cape experience into a masterpiece by giving a full Cape Cod kitchen remodel.
7. Cabinetry and Countertop Choices
Cape Cod style kitchens run from ultra-traditional to the very modern, so any cabinet door style you like will work just fine. Our experts will advise you to add a few glass panel cabinet doors with some beautiful open shelving that matches your kitchen doors. Both of these will enhance the look of your kitchen’s design and provide you with a spacious feel. You can also explore door replacement ideas by coordinating your cabinet doors with your kitchen door or even other interior doors in your home. This thoughtful touch can create a cohesive, stylish look throughout your living space.
In the same way, countertop choices are open, so take your pick of Corian, quartz, or granite. A butcher-block style counter on the aisle or in a unit of perimeter countertop wouldn’t be inappropriate either, since you have so much liberty with the type of cabinets you select, based on whether you prefer a modern or traditional design. You have equal freedom in the selection of your hardware.
👉 Read our blog to explore trendy & functional kitchen cabinet ideas 2025 to elevate your space.
The Best 1950s Cape Cod Kitchen Remodel Designs
Would you like professional assistance with kitchen remodeling services in Cape Cod? Whether you want a traditional Cape Cod style kitchen for your home, remodeling a 1950s Cape Cod style kitchen, house additions, basement remodeling, or any other home improvement service, contact Cape Cod’s leading general contractors at 774-208-3589 or book a FREE consultation. Get the dream home remodeling you deserve!
