Honey oak cabinets have historically been viewed as a dated 1990s trend, but interior designers are currently embracing them as a nostalgic, comforting, and sustainable design choice. By pairing them with modern matte hardware and warm, earthy materials, they are making a major comeback.
Yes, honey oak cabinets are officially making a major comeback. However, the modern iteration is a dramatic shift from the glossy, orange-toned, cathedral-arch styles of the 1990s. Today's designers are reimagining the trend to feel fresh, natural, and elevated.
The all-white, cookie-cutter kitchen is officially out. For 2026, the biggest trend is "warm minimalism," focusing on natural wood grains and soft, earthy hues to create a lived-in, cozy feel.
Kitchen cabinet colors that feel dated include stark, clinical all-white, cool minimalist grays, and red-toned woods like cherry or honey-oak. Flat, one-dimensional brown-on-brown color schemes and overly bright primary colors have also fallen out of style.
Traditional golden and honey oak kitchen cabinets have a bad rap of being the 'wood choices of the 90s', so they look dated by default.
Kitchen designs in 2026 embrace warm minimalism, trading cold, all-white aesthetics for inviting, personality-driven spaces. The top trends this year focus on natural materials, seamless smart technology, and highly customized layouts.
You can modernize honey oak cabinets without expensive replacements by swapping hardware for matte black or brushed brass, installing light warm-white quartz countertops, and applying complementary paint (like soft blue-grays or sages) to walls and backsplashes to neutralize the orange tones.
Avoid high-maintenance stark whites, trend-heavy brights like candy apple red or lime green, and oppressive jet blacks which highlight every fingerprint. Instead of fleeting fads or clinical shades, opt for muted, versatile tones that bring warmth and longevity to your space.
Cool gray is being replaced by "mushroom" neutrals (warm taupes and greys with subtle green or violet undertones), warm earthy khakis, and soft, natural sages.
Joanna Gaines' go-to paint colors for kitchen cabinets emphasize natural, earthy tones. She frequently uses warm, creamy whites on upper cabinets for an airy feel, and balances them with bold, deep greens, blues, or grays on lower cabinets for depth.
White remains the most popular kitchen cabinet color, but design trends are favoring warmer, earthier variations. Top choices include:
Beige, taupe, and "mushroom" neutrals are officially replacing the cool, sterile grays of the last decade. Designers are leaning into warm khakis, sandy beiges, creamy whites, and earthy tones that add a cozy, comforting energy to spaces.
The Return of Natural Wood
Wood cabinets are experiencing a major resurgence, celebrated for their warmth, texture, and organic beauty. Lighter woods like white oak, ash, and maple are particularly popular, lending a clean, Scandinavian-inspired feel to the kitchen.
Cabinet color trends are leaning into "warm minimalism," moving away from sterile whites and stark grays. The most sought-after palettes highlight warmth, organic materials, and moody elegance.
One of the most effective ways to enhance honey oak cabinets is by pairing them with black hardware. This combination is a game-changer. The stark contrast of black against the warm tones of honey oak creates a visually striking balance.
A home typically looks outdated when it features overdone, time-stamped trends from specific past decades, such as honey oak cabinetry, popcorn ceilings, or generic word art. Outdated homes also often suffer from poor lighting, worn-out flooring, and heavy window treatments that block natural light.
To make a home look expensive, rely on sophisticated neutrals, earthy greens, or muted blues rather than stark whites or highly saturated brights. High-end spaces feel cohesive and intentional, using layered tones, natural materials, and high-quality finishes to create a calm, custom feel.
For interior design, the overarching color trend is defined by warm, earthy neutrals and soft, airy whites. Instead of cold grays or stark whites, the most popular palettes center on grounding, nature-inspired tones.
Top 10 Timeless Paint Colors for Your Home
Kitchen cabinet colors that feel dated include stark, clinical all-white, cool minimalist grays, and red-toned woods like cherry or honey-oak. Flat, one-dimensional brown-on-brown color schemes and overly bright primary colors have also fallen out of style.
What are the most popular kitchen paint colors? Off-whites, neutrals, blues, grays and greens are all timeless kitchen paint colors. The color palette below brings together 12 of the best kitchen paint colors—all tried-and-tested hues that homeowners love.
White kitchens are not out of style, but the stark, "all-white" monochromatic look is. Designers are shifting toward softer, warmer whites, paired with organic wood tones, natural stone, and contrasting elements to add depth and personality.
To tone down honey oak cabinets, you can work with the existing wood or change its appearance. Try neutralizing the orange undertones by pairing them with warm wall paints (like sage green or cream) and matte black hardware. Alternatively, apply a tinted gel stain or paint wash directly over the cabinets to mute the yellow-orange hue without heavy sanding.
Natural Oak and Real Wood Lead Bespoke Kitchen Trends
The return to real wood kitchens is one of the most defining bespoke kitchen trends for 2026. Homeowners now favour natural finishes, washed oak and layered wood stains over classic painted cabinetry.
Pairing colors with honey oak requires balancing its warm, orange-gold undertones. The best approach is to contrast the wood with creamy warm whites, muted sage greens, or grounding deep blues and grays. Avoid stark, cool grays, which can clash with the yellow tones in the wood.