Mid-Century Modern Kitchen Remodel in Tacoma: Dark Cabinets, No Uppers, and Acrylic Countertops

This Tacoma, Washington kitchen caught our eye because its mid-century modern home and thoughtful remodel bring a Pacific Northwest sensibility that’s rare in our area. Ruthy and her husband Andy transformed an open-plan layout into a stylish, functional space. Their bold choices — dark, flat-front cabinetry, a dramatic backsplash, and no upper cabinets — make this kitchen a standout example of contemporary mid-century kitchen design.

Hi John and Sherry! I wanted to send over some info about our newly remodeled kitchen. We absolutely loved the open floor plan of this mid-century modern home…

… but we didn’t love the original cabinets and counters.

To say I love being in the kitchen now is an understatement. I actually enjoy cleaning it.

They selected IKEA cabinets for their sleek, flat-front look rather than a shaker profile. The flat fronts reinforce the mid-century modern aesthetic while keeping costs low — the cabinet run came in at about $2,500. Choosing drawers instead of upper cabinets was a deliberate move to emphasize clean lines and openness. Drawers improve accessibility and organization, and in this kitchen they allow the backsplash and range hood to become prominent visual elements without interruption.

Ruthy originally wanted quartz countertops, but the scale of the counters made quartz prohibitively expensive. After researching alternatives, they chose acrylic countertops available through a national home improvement retailer at about $33 per square foot. Acrylic offered the look and maintenance profile they wanted while keeping the remodel within budget. They were reassured in their decision by reading other homeowners’ experiences with similar solid-surface materials.

The sink debate was one of the few design tensions: Ruthy preferred stainless steel, Andy preferred an integrated sink. Integrated sinks can divide opinion, but they chose the integrated option and have had no issues so far. Routine care — a magic eraser occasionally and a weekly spray of bleach — has kept the integrated surface bright and clean. This practical approach to upkeep shows how material choices influence daily life in a remodeled kitchen.

Your posts helped so much in choosing our appliances and countertops! Thank you! -Ruthy

This remodel highlights several design lessons that are useful for anyone planning a mid-century modern kitchen remodel or an open-plan kitchen update:

• Embrace the architecture: Let the home’s mid-century lines guide cabinet style and finishes.
• Consider functionality: Drawers can replace upper cabinets for better organization and a cleaner visual impact.
• Balance budget and aesthetics: Solid-surface acrylic countertops can mimic higher-end materials at a fraction of the cost when long runs of counter space make premium options expensive.
• Test maintenance habits: Choose surfaces and sink styles that fit your cleaning routine to keep the kitchen looking fresh with minimal effort.

Personally, the big, continuous backsplash and the exposed range hood are favorite features — they create a bold focal point without cluttering the sightlines. The integrated sink, planked wall detail, and streamlined hardware all reinforce the mid-century modern feel while keeping the space functional for everyday life.

Ruthy has more photos and a detailed review of the IKEA cabinets on her blog if you want a deeper look at choices, costs, and installation notes. Thanks to Ruthy and Andy for sharing their Tacoma kitchen remodel — it’s a great example of thoughtful design, smart budgeting, and mid-century modern character done right.