Can I stain my honey oak cabinets darker?

Author: Stan Lemke  |  Last update: Thursday, October 9, 2025

Try using a gel stain on those dated orange-yellow honey oak cabinets to give your kitchen a new look. There are a lot of good reasons to gel stain cabinets when you want to refresh the color of wood cabinetry. It's an easy way to give your kitchen or bathroom a new look without sanding or stripping.

Can you stain honey oak darker?

Staining your outdated honey oak trim is easier than you think. No sanding or stripping required. This easy method provides great result for a quick DIY update.

Can honey oak cabinets be restained?

Just clean & stain. Thats right! No sanding your kitchen cabinets down to bare wood to restain them. It goes right over.

Can you stain oak cabinets darker without sanding?

Yes, you can darken dark wood without sanding it by using wood stains or tinted finishes. Applying multiple coats of a darker stain or using a tinted wood conditioner can achieve the desired effect.

How to make golden oak cabinets darker?

  1. Step 1: Remove Cabinet Doors & Hardware. ...
  2. Step 2: Patch Any Hardware Holes. ...
  3. Step 3: Give Your Cabinets A Light Sand. ...
  4. Step 4: Apply Your First Coat of Stain. ...
  5. Step 5: Let Dry, Buff, & Recoat. ...
  6. Step 6: Let Second Coat Dry. ...
  7. Step 7: Reassemble Your Kitchen.

glazing,staining your old honey oak cabinets darker

How to make honey oak look modern?

Here are 5 design tips for modern kitchens:
  1. Pair Oak with Black Hardware and Fixtures. Black is modern and industrial, balancing the traditional vibe of golden oak cabinets. ...
  2. Stick to a feature island or accent cabinetry. ...
  3. Try Rift Cut Oak. ...
  4. Contrast Warm Oak with Green. ...
  5. Skip "Real" Oak for TFL or Wood Veneer Cabinets.

What color kitchen cabinets are in style in 2024?

The Newest 2024 Kitchen Cabinet Color Trends
  • Stained Cabinetry. “Stained cabinetry is definitely having a moment right now,” says Cheyenne Ely, owner and principal designer at Cheyenne Paige Interiors in The Woodlands, Texas. ...
  • Moody Green. ...
  • Warm Neutrals.

Are honey oak cabinets coming back in style?

Yes, oak is coming back into style, but it is a paler, softer tone and, in cabinets, the details are much more modern than what we see in older honey oak cabinets: a straight shaker or slab doors, rather than a cathedral-top shape and a pale color instead of a more golden amber finish, which is often just the yellowing ...

How do you downplay honey oak cabinets?

You could put glass fronts in several of the upper cabinets so it is not so much honey oak. paint and new hardware! I put glass fronts on some of my cabinets and also had the back of them tiled to match the backsplash. Painting them would also work, but I had the same cabinetry throughout the house.

Is it better to restain or paint oak cabinets?

Kitchen Cabinets

Stain will last at least twice as long as paint, preventing you from having to retouch more frequently.

Can you stain oak to make it darker?

Oak is a beautiful and versatile wood that can be stained to achieve a variety of looks. Whether you want to darken the natural colour of the wood or create a completely new look, there is an oak stain out there that is perfect for you.

What is the difference between honey oak and golden oak?

A: 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. Helpful? Thank you for your feedback!

How to make oak cabinets lighter?

Sanding is the step that makes the biggest difference in the color of the wood. I used a 60 grit sandpaper so I could get as much of the dark stain off of the wood cabinet as possible. I used one piece of sandpaper per two cabinets. The cabinet doors and drawers sanded differently.

Can you stain over honey oak cabinets?

Try using a gel stain on those dated orange-yellow honey oak cabinets to give your kitchen a new look. There are a lot of good reasons to gel stain cabinets when you want to refresh the color of wood cabinetry. It's an easy way to give your kitchen or bathroom a new look without sanding or stripping.

What color drawer pulls for honey oak cabinets?

Contrasting colors will make the new hardware stand out and give some visual breaks in the monotony of overwhelming golden oak (this is the magic power of distraction) - black, dark oil-rubbed bronze and bright chrome offer the best contrast.

What color flooring is best for honey oak cabinets?

Honey oak cabinets pair well with various floor colors. Consider cool gray tones for contrast, or warm beige and tan shades for a harmonious look. Dark brown or even black flooring can create a striking, modern contrast with honey oak.

How do you make honey oak cabinets more modern?

5 Design Ideas for a Honey Oak Modern Kitchen with Oak Cabinets
  1. Update Countertops and Backsplashes. ...
  2. Opt for Contemporary Color Schemes. ...
  3. Switch to Modern Hardware. ...
  4. Enhance Lighting Fixtures. ...
  5. Introduce Open Shelving and Glass.

Are oak cabinets coming back in 2024?

Today, many homeowners wonder if oak cabinetry will ever make a comeback. Design experts confidently say they are already back! In general, wood kitchen elements are trending, and oak is at the forefront, leading the way.

What is the most popular wood for kitchen cabinets in 2024?

Trend Overview: Warm wood tones, including walnut, oak, and cherry, continue to be popular in 2024. These finishes bring a natural, inviting feel to kitchens and pair well with various design elements.

What color is replacing gray in 2024?

Beige is emerging as the new go-to neutral, adding warm and inviting tones to interiors. In this article, we'll explore why beige is taking over and how to use it in your home. Beige is replacing gray as a popular interior color, offering warmth and versatility for various design styles.

What color kitchen cabinets never go out of style?

Blonde and mid-tone browns are classic choices that never go out of style. Bleached or super dark stains tend to wave with trends and can make a kitchen appear very dated when not in style. Avoid stains with a heavy undertone like red, orange, or grey as these will also wane with kitchen trends.

Will honey oak cabinets ever come back in style?

Oak is a classic. But many people are scared of them because of the applications of oak cabinets in the 90s. These cabinets featured ornate door styles and were paired with honey oak floors, yellow walls, and dark countertops. But honey oak is back and better than ever!

How to downplay honey oak cabinets?

Gel Stain for an Easy Cabinet Refresh

For a quick, budget-conscious update, gel stain is one of the easiest ways to tone down the orange hues of your oak cabinets. With just a little bit of work you can achieve a deeper, richer tone without needing new cabinets.

How to change the color of honey oak?

Gel staining, lacquering and painting are the options we offer. Painting will show the least amount of grain, gel staining highlights the grain. Lacquer is as durable as paint and happens to be my favorite option.

What color complements honey oak?

Color Palette to Try: Green, Rust & Gold

But the great part about this is green works with either yellow-toned honey oak or red/orange-toned honey oak.

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