How do you make honey oak cabinets more modern?

Author: Ms. Helga Ernser  |  Last update: Friday, May 9, 2025

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.

Will honey oak cabinets ever come back in style?

No, builders grade honey oak won't be coming back. Oak is also incredibly hard to paint, the grain never looks good.

How to compliment honey oak cabinets?

Here are 5 ways to make them look spectacular!
  1. Use black hardware on cabinetry. One of the most effective ways to enhance honey oak cabinets is by pairing them with black hardware. ...
  2. Avoid blue paint colours for walls. ...
  3. Use contrasting decor to balance golden oak hues. ...
  4. Consider oversized area rugs. ...
  5. Embrace the gold.

How to make honey oak cabinets look less orange?

What are some DIY methods to lighten orange oak cabinets? Use liming wax on the cabinets. Work in small sections. Once it sets, don't go over it or it'll be patchy. Use Cabinet Staining bundle. Clean and stain cabinets without sanding. Use #allinonestain color GRAY MIST. Gradually apply until desired lightening.

What hardware to update honey oak cabinets?

Look for warm metals like bronze, copper, gold, and brass. They'll look stunning against the warmth of your oak cabinets. Cold metals like chrome, stainless steel, and brushed nickel are fine, but they may fall a little flat. They often won't look as rich or polished against the cabinet's wood tones.

How I Updated My Oak Cabinets Without Paint by Using Briwax! Easy Budget Kitchen Makeover! Only $24

How do you modernize honey oak cabinets?

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 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.

How to make oak kitchen cabinets look modern without paint?

How to Modernize Oak Cabinetry
  1. Update Hardware. First up, the simplest of solutions: Remove dated hardware and replace it with more modern options. ...
  2. Go Dark With Your Backsplash. ...
  3. Add a White Backsplash. ...
  4. Use a Dark Stain. ...
  5. Try Vinyl Wrapping. ...
  6. Add Glass Fronts and Open Shelving. ...
  7. Mix Wood Tones.

How to stop oak from going orange?

Consider Applying a Treatex Finish

We recommend using their Hardwax oil to protect your flooring from stains and damage. They offer a wide variety of Colour Tones that can either darken the oak, keep it lighter shades, or white washed options.

Is oak trim outdated?

Here in the 21st century, golden oak is no longer in demand, and it can immediately make a home feel tired and dated. Thankfully, there are some simple steps you can take to refinish or replace your oak features. Try a few, and I guarantee it'll bring a giant breath of fresh, modern-day air to your space.

How do you downplay honey oak?

Paint the walls a deep color you love, put a very large rug down, you could even take the handles off and paint them black. That would be a cheap updating touch. A new light fixture would not be so expensive and would update the look quickly. I love the honey oak.

What countertop looks best with honey oak cabinets?

Honey oak cabinets and quartz countertops are a combination that rivals all others. The look of multicolored quartz binds with the natural glow of wood cabinets and gives a flattering and cohesive look.

What flooring looks best with honey oak cabinets?

Neutral-toned tile flooring is a safe option for kitchens with oak cabinets. Specifically, shades of brown — from a light creamy brown to a dark espresso shade — complement oak cabinetry.

What color cabinets are in style for 2024?

Most Popular Kitchen Cabinet Colors in 2024
  • Green and Blue Tranquility. ...
  • Blissful Blue. ...
  • Blending Light & Warmth. ...
  • Versatile Medium Tones. ...
  • Integrating Wood and Painted Cabinetry. ...
  • WHITE REMAINS KING. ...
  • GRAY'S NOT GONE YET. ...
  • EARTHY TONES TAKE OVER.

What backsplash goes with honey oak cabinets?

Honey oak cabinets create a warm atmosphere, their golden hue adds such a stylish look to the kitchens. It is better to use neutral and warm colors for backsplash with honey oak cabinets such as gray, white, beige, or black.

What color furniture goes with honey oak cabinets?

Cool neutrals paired with crisp whites and sharp blacks are the path of least resistance for *any* honey oak kitchen, no matter the undertone of your cabinet.

How do you tone down orange in 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 finish looks best on oak?

Best Oak Stain: Natural Oak Finish

Natural finish preserves and celebrates the natural look of the wood. So, if anyone ever asks, you'll know the answer. What is the best stain for oak? Natural finish is the best and most popular stain for oak wood.

How to make orange cabinets look modern?

Cool Down Oak Cabinets

Oak cabinetry often features an orange finish, making your kitchen appear outdated. To tone down the warmth and create a modern kitchen with oak cabinets, outfit the rest of the kitchen in cool, refreshing tones such as blues or greens.

What are the kitchen trends for 2025?

9 Top Kitchen Color Trends Experts Predict for 2025
  • Warm Earth Tones Are Trending. ...
  • Brown Will Be the "It" Neutral. ...
  • Statement Backsplashes and Metallic Accents Will Be In. ...
  • Shades of Blue Will Be Popular. ...
  • There Will Be a Shift Toward Natural Wood Cabinets and Work Surfaces. ...
  • Deep and Rich Paint Colors Will Be Making a Statement.

What hardware looks best on honey oak cabinets?

Settle down your Honey Oak with contrasting colours like black and charcoal colours with warm accents OR choose a white countertop with black or grey veins. To finish it off, add contrasting hardware like black to make it come together or a cool metal.

Are honey maple cabinets outdated?

Maple wood kitchen cabinets are incredibly versatile! And far from outdated. They're one of the most durable woods used in kitchen cabinets, and with the right finishes, they can fit in perfectly with any look, whether it's a traditional, modern, rustic, or contemporary kitchen.

What door handles go with oak doors?

Other hues that work well with light oak include:
  • Antique brass furniture.
  • Satin door handles and accessories.
  • Polished brass knobs & lever handles.
  • Brushed nickel door knobs & accessories.

What kind of countertops go with honey oak cabinets?

The golden hues in honey oak cabinets pair well with lighter-colored or white quartz countertops. This creates a kitchen with a light and airy aesthetic, making the oak's natural characteristics shine.

Are honey oak kitchen 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 ...

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