By painting, updating hardware, and incorporating design elements like glass doors and open shelving, you can achieve a contemporary style while retaining oak's charm. Use these ideas to create a kitchen that is both practical and stylish, reflecting the latest in modern design trends.
To modernize the look, I suggest refinishing the oak with a less shiny sealant - a matte or satin sheen. This would not require a full sand and stain of the wood. Just a light hand sanding of the wood to dull it and then adding a layer of clear coat in your desired sheen.
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.
So, if you're thinking about a kitchen remodel, remember oak cabinets are far from being a thing of the past. With their timeless charm, myriad color options, and the ability to incorporate updates, these might just be the perfect choice for your dream space.
Instead, allow the beauty of the oak to shine by complimenting it with contrasting materials, like sleek stones and on-trend color choices. Oak kitchen cabinets are making a strong comeback – making them look modern is all about the materials and you pair them with and ensuring you introduce oak in a timeless style.
If you want a timeless look, I recommend sticking to woods with less grain pattern like a maple or a medium-grained wood like walnut or mahogany.
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.
Today, many homeowners wonder if oak cabinetry will ever make a comeback. Design experts confidently say they are already back!
In 2024, oak wood cabinets remain a popular choice for those seeking a combination of durability, versatility, and timeless beauty in their kitchen design. Their natural strength and enduring appeal make them a valuable addition to any home.
In 2024 the white kitchen trend is here to stay, and for good reason. Its timeless appeal, versatility, and ability to adapt to different styles make it a popular choice for homeowners looking to create a space that is both beautiful and functional.
Oak is a hardwood that can still be used in contemporary kitchens if properly cared for. Unfortunately, the typical orange oak cabinets of decades past can look dated in today's kitchens. It may not make sense to replace your wood cabinetry only for aesthetic reasons, especially if they're still in good condition.
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 ...
"White oak and warm oak tones have made a significant comeback. There's been a noticeable shift from the all-white kitchen trend to warmer oak tones in cabinetry," she says. "We're also seeing a lot of natural oak in the architectural detail of homes, from built-ins to tongue-and-groove ceilings."
Old filler is often a problem with oak, walnut, and mahogany. Bleaching can also be used to even the color of a piece of furniture made with two or more woods. It can lighten the darker wood to match the lighter one. Before you use bleach on any piece of furniture, make sure the wood is suitable for bleaching.
The trend predictions are in! Kitchen design experts are dishing on the coming year's top kitchen color trends. The consensus is that warm tones, rich shades, and natural materials will reign in 2025, replacing cool hues and muted color selections.
2024's cabinet style trends are defined by bold colors, earthy hues, frameless designs, and metallic hardware. Homeowners are embracing unique combinations and natural wood finishes, creating personalized, stylish kitchens that reflect their individual tastes.
Two-tone and contrasting cabinets are a timeless way to add visual interest to any kitchen. You can install wall cabinets in one color and an island in a contrasting hue or choose one color for the lower cabinets and another for the upper cabinets.
In the '80s and '90s, this honey-toned wood finish was all the rage, and people put it evvverywhere. Flooring, railings, doors, trim, baseboards, cabinets… you name it. Here in the 21st century, golden oak is no longer in demand, and it can immediately make a home feel tired and dated.
From glossy to matte, and simple to patterned, ceramic backsplashes can either subtly blend with oak cabinets or add a splash of contrast. Brick Tiles: For a touch of rustic charm, brick tiles are an excellent choice. They offer a textured, earthy look that complements the natural grain of oak.
Once the go-to for oak floors, Golden Oak is now considered a bit passé. It's not that it's bad, but it's very much tied to the design aesthetics of the past. Today, homeowners are opting for more contemporary tones.
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.