Are maple cabinets outdated? Since maple wood kitchen cabinets are incredibly versatile, they're far from outdated. They're highly durable and with the right finishes, they can fit in perfectly with any aesthetic whether it's a traditional or modern kitchen.
Another wood that is gaining popularity for 2022 is maple. This is a good alternative to the outdated honey oak that has been part of kitchen designs for many decades. It looks great when given little staining to leave it a natural, light color.
Honey Oak Cabinets
A staple in kitchens of the 1980s and '90s, these golden-toned wood cabinets have fallen out of favor as white and gray cabinets have risen in popularity. If you don't like your light-stained cabinets, but they're in good shape, consider refinishing or painting what's there.
However, oak cabinets are currently in the middle of making a comeback. There are several possible reasons for this. First, homeowners are looking for warmth and authenticity in their kitchens. Natural wood checks all the boxes.
Honey would be closest to the natural wood color. The Golden has a yellowish/orange tint but still close to the natural wood color and Red oak is much darker and a brownish red.
Detailed Patterns, Warped or Damaged Cabinets
If your cabinets have detailed patterns or they are warped, chipped, cracked or have other damage to them, then painting your kitchen cabinets is not the way to go – it most definitely won't solve your cabinet problem.
What is this? Wood cabinets are continuing to come back into style. No, not your honey oak cabinets from 1980's and 90's – they are most definitely not coming back.
Wooden finishes are also making a return for cabinets, but typically in lighter shades and not the traditional cherry wood of the early 2000s. Instead, oaks and walnuts are increasing in popularity. We're also seeing a shift towards unique storage inside cabinets, such as corner larders and even blending pantries.
Are maple cabinets outdated? Since maple wood kitchen cabinets are incredibly versatile, they're far from outdated. They're highly durable and with the right finishes, they can fit in perfectly with any aesthetic whether it's a traditional or modern kitchen.
Maple surfaces owe their light natural color to their clear oil finish, which breaks down over time to regain its original oily yellow color. When this chemical process occurs in a dry climate, the finish becomes brittle. Its new texture will stain the wooden surfaces of your cabinets with a dull yellow shade.
The 5 best and most popular woods for kitchen cabinets are pine, oak, hickory, cherry, and maple. Pine, oak, and hickory are cheaper and easier to get. Cherry and maple look luxurious and cost more than the others. All 5 work well in the kitchen's hot and humid environment.
Best Gray: Wrought Iron by Benjamin Moore
A dark moody gray like Wrought Iron by Benjamin Moore will make maple wood cabinetry stand out. It's a sophisticated kitchen wall color that looks good after dark.
Maple cabinets are versatile
Maple is a pretty wood, but it's a good choice for kitchens because it is also so versatile. Maple has a smooth, even grain that makes it suitable for stains and painting both, because you get consistent results.
Sherwin Williams's neutral paint colors work wonderfully with maple cabinets. Go with Dover White SW 6385, Alabaster SW 7008, Agreeable Grey SW 7029, Softer Tan SW 6141, Napery SW 6386, and Seawashed Glass SW 9034. These Sherwin Williams paint colors will be best for your kitchen with maple cabinets.
KITCHEN FLOOR TRENDS
Light (and medium) oak flooring will continue to be on-trend in 2022. Of course, you can create this look via solid wood floors or engineered wood flooring (or even LVP). This is most definitely a (classic) trend I would incorporate if building in 2022.
There's two main ways to transform your honey oak trim, doors, or cabinets simply by painting the walls: Using a harmonious color palette (similar colors or colors with a similar undertone) that will work alongside and help fade or camouflage the orange or yellow wood tones.
You can change the color of your stained oak cabinets, but it will require time and effort. Stain sinks into wood pores under a sealed topcoat of lacquer. The only way to properly lighten the wood is to remove the lacquer, sand off the dark stain and replace it with a lighter color of stain.
Well, it should be no surprise… the classic white cabinet will still be the #1 cabinet color for kitchens in 2022 and beyond. White is crisp and clean, will brighten any kitchen, and will most likely never go out of style.
Grey kitchens are not going out of fashion. They are a safe choice that will age well due to them being sleek, space-efficient, and easy on the eyes. You can pick and choose which grey to go with and still get the type of kitchen that is easy to fall in love with.
Even though there are some drawbacks to white kitchen cabinets, they will never “go out of style.” The shapes of the doors or the layout of the kitchen may go out of style, but white in a kitchen will always look good.
Cabinet refacing is the process of replacing cabinet skin panels to give your kitchen a dramatic new look. Your cabinets may be scratched or cracked, or you may simply desire a change — much like replacing a perfectly good smartphone with the latest model.
Durability. If you desire the most durable cabinet finish, then stain is the best option. Stained cabinets are easy to touch-up and don't show marks or scuffs as easily as painted cabinets. It's easy to find touch-up tools that closely match your cabinet stain.