How do you make oak cabinets look less dated?

Author: Ms. Lauretta Abbott  |  Last update: Thursday, September 14, 2023

Now, let's look at a few simple, yet effective, ways to add a modern touch to oak cabinets!
  1. Add A Stained Finish. ...
  2. Use Flat, Slab Door Styles. ...
  3. Consider Cabinet Hardware. ...
  4. Play With The Wood Grain. ...
  5. Use Surrounding Pieces to Accentuate the Oak.

What can I do with outdated oak cabinets?

12 DIY Ideas To Modernize Oak Cabinets
  1. Clean the cabinets. ...
  2. Add a modern backsplash and grout color. ...
  3. Remove some upper cabinets and replace them with open shelving. ...
  4. Change out the hardware. ...
  5. Change the faucet hardware. ...
  6. Replace the countertops. ...
  7. Paint a light color on your kitchen walls. ...
  8. Add a new kitchen island.

How can I update my oak cabinets without replacing them?

Try one of these six simple, yet impactful strategies.
  1. Reface your cabinets. Refacing your cabinets essentially gives them an entirely new look and feel without having to tear them out and replace them. ...
  2. Give them a new coat of paint. ...
  3. Restain them. ...
  4. Add new hardware. ...
  5. Revamp the interior. ...
  6. Swap them out for drawers.

How can I make my oak kitchen more modern?

Now that we've covered what a modern kitchen is and its features, let's get into some ideas to help modernize your kitchen.
  1. Refresh Oak Cabinetry With a Stained Finish. ...
  2. Go With Flat, Slab Door Styles for Modern Oak Cabinets. ...
  3. Replace Old for New Hardware. ...
  4. Switch Out the Appliances. ...
  5. Play Around With the Wood Grain.

Is oak coming back in style 2023?

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…

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

What is the most popular cabinet color in 2023?

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.

What is the most popular cabinet style in 2023?

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.

How do you modernize honey oak cabinets?

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.

Are honey oak cabinets coming back?

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.

How do you rejuvenate oak kitchen cabinets?

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.

What colors look best with oak cabinets?

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.

What color hardware looks best with 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.

What color flooring goes with oak cabinets?

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.

How do you downplay honey oak 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.

How do you update builder grade oak cabinets?

13 Ways to Upgrade Your Builder-Grade Cabinets Without Replacing Them
  1. Paint Your Builder Grade Cabinets. ...
  2. Add cabinets on top of the existing cabinets. ...
  3. Re-hang your cabinets higher and add shelving underneath. ...
  4. Install New Hardware. ...
  5. Add a backsplash. ...
  6. Paint your kitchen walls a dark neutral color.

Are oak cabinets timeless?

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.

How do you neutralize honey oak cabinets?

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.

What kitchen trends are going out of style?

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?

When did oak cabinets go out of style?

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.

How can I make my honey oak cabinets look better?

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.

Should you paint honey oak cabinets?

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!

Can you sand down honey oak cabinets?

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.

What is the most timeless cabinet style?

Shaker Doors

The most timeless kitchen cabinet door style is also a staple in transitional kitchen design: the shaker door.

What is a timeless kitchen cabinet color?

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.

What is the next furniture trend 2023?

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.

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