Wood cabinets are back in a big way in 2023, continuing the trend we've been seeing over the past couple of years. These aren't your honey oak cabinets from the 1980's…
White is still the most popular kitchen cabinet color in 2023 and beyond. However, we are seeing a shift towards warmer and more natural tones. We cover the best colors for cabinets from Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams like Simply White, Dove White, and Chantilly Lace.
A well-loved, class option, Shaker-style cabinets will remain a top kitchen design trend in 2023. Shaker-style cabinet doors are known for their recessed center panel and clean lines. These doors are so versatile they work with various design styles, from traditional to modern.
A simple way to escape the stigma of traditional-looking oak cabinets is to break away from the honey colouring. The easiest way to do that is to give your oak cabinets a stained finish. Adding a stain adds a beautiful quality to your cabinets while still allowing the allure of natural wood grain to pop.
Nowadays oak cabinets are making a comeback in the kitchen. In some cases, homeowners are refacing their old honey oak cabinets to give them fresh new life. They're replacing dated cabinet doors with new Shaker style cabinet doors.
After cleaning, you may notice that your oak cabinets have lost some of their original color or finish. To restore the natural beauty of your oak cabinets, you can re-oil or re-stain them. If you choose to re-oil, use a natural oil such as tung oil or linseed oil.
So yellow toned beiges, orange toned beiges and grays with a warm, creamy beige undertone will work well. Avoid the green toned beiges as they start to look flat against the warmth of the cabinets. If you surround the warm oak with another warm color, it's going to blend in and look purposeful.
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.
You can create a bright and airy space by choosing light colors for your floors. Light wood colors or tones of white, cream, or light gray are particularly well-suited for kitchens with medium to darker oak cabinets; these muted tones serve as a perfect backdrop for the richer wood tones of your cabinets.
If you want to downplay the honey oak, stay away from colors on the opposite side of the color wheel - blues & greens (and grey too). They will make the honey oak "pop". As Debbi said, stick to warm tones of cream. I would paint the walls, replace the flooring, and update the pulls and ceiling fixture.
The clean and sharp lines of white oak kitchen cabinets pair spectacularly with modern living spaces. Simplicity of design allows the natural beauty of the wood to shine through, creating a stunning and timeless look that will last for years to come.
Homburg Gray by Sherwin Williams is one of the best paint colors to go with honey oak. The reason is, that it balances the orange tones so well. Homburg Gray is gray but it has green/green/blue tones to it giving it a little extra spice. It's a great color option if you like neutral but want something with more depth.
All-White Kitchens
For the past decade, we've been seeing white walls, white tile, and Carrera marble. People are tired of these muted palettes, and designers are bringing in color— which we love.” Most designers also agree that white-on-white kitchens will look dated in 2023. So what color will be the new white?
There was a point in the early 00's where oak cabinets were entirely supplanted by other cabinet styles. Seen as a relic of the early 90's, the oak cabinets of yesteryear had a major issue: they didn't look all that great paired together with the then-prevalent styles of granite countertops.
Look to contrasting colors that are a bit cooler in tone. Shades of blue, green, grey, white, and greige (grey beige), are all options. By making the oak stand out in an intentional way, it feels fresh. Neutral colors are always a good choice when working with oak cabinets and trim.
Wood cabinets need surrounding finishes that visually support them. Wood cabinets can also look dated based on the finishes that directly connect to them, such as the backsplash in this next kitchen… There's not a SINGLE THING WRONG with these beautiful oak cabinets – I wouldn't touch them with a lick of paint!
Lightly sand the wood with extra-fine sandpaper. This is only to rough up the surface. 2. Use a deglosser to wipe down the oak.
Shaker Doors
The most timeless kitchen cabinet door style is also a staple in transitional kitchen design: the shaker door.
Arguably, the most timeless kitchen cabinet color is white. Bright white cabinets suit a variety of beautiful kitchens, including modern, contemporary, and farmhouse styles. Brilliant whites work to give kitchens a light and airy feel, and off-white options, like the White Dove shade, provides warmth.
Curved Sofas, Chairs, and Tables
When asked about the future of furniture in 2023, every interior design expert we spoke to agreed that curved pieces are dominating.