The key contributor to oak's reputation as an old-fashioned cabinet material is the door styles that were often associated with them. Bulky, arched doors with a great deal of ornamentation were often used with the oak cabinetry of decades past.
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.
Throughout the 1980s and '90s, oak was a popular choice for kitchen cabinetry in homes across America, and this cabinet material remains in many homes today. Oak is a hardwood and, if properly cared for, can still be used in contemporary kitchens.
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…
And yes, they've been popular since long ago because they're a heavy-duty durable material and because oftheir timeless appeal. But they're long from outdated. In more recent years, more modern and contemporary designs have popped up all over the world with new ways to use oak cabinets.
Honey-coloured, arched door styles, and a traditional design that doesn't mesh with today's modern kitchens. But these preconceived notions don't have to be true. Oak cabinets have much more to offer than that! In fact, if designed correctly, oak cabinets can look modern and up-to-date.
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.
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.
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?
Colours such as white, cream, grey, dark blue, and black are popular options, and can match with a wide variety of kitchen countertop shades. While homeowners look to save money when making a large purchase, investing in quality countertops from reputable manufacturers such as Caesarstone is always the best move.
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.
Muted Neutrals
Macuga says dusty, chalky colors, like gray, sage, and mauve, will always shine next to oak cabinetry.
One outdated trend that many of us are all too familiar with is golden oak. 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.
Maple: This wood species is a light, creamy color to contrast your dark oak cabinets. Birch: This softer hardwood comes in various tones, from light to medium, but the most popular is yellow birch. If you'd like to create a color contrast between your dark oak cabinets, you may want to get birch flooring.
If you're wondering if oak kitchen cabinets and stainless steel appliances go together, the answer is yes. Stainless steel appliances look fantastic with practically any cabinet color.
White. Few paint colors stand the test of time quite like white. "Honestly, the only color in my opinion that will never go out of style—in the sense that you can never really pinpoint when it was done—is white cabinets," says Shaolin Low, principal and founder of Studio Shaolin.
Here, designers, decorators, and color experts reveal why beige is replacing gray for 2023, and how to decorate with beige for a beautiful scheme every time.
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.
Shaker Doors
The most timeless kitchen cabinet door style is also a staple in transitional kitchen design: the shaker door.
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.
Are high waisted pants out of style 2023? High waist pants are out of fashion for summer 2023 – especially the carrot pants, paper bag pants and palazzo pants. And high waisted pants will be out of style for fall winter 2023/24, too. In fact, the high waist pants were not seen on the fall winter 2023/24 runways.
BLACK, WHITE, CREAM, BROWN & GRAY HOME DECOR
Neutrals and simple classic colours are a great way to update wood cabinets. Rather than contrasting the wood with a colour like blue or green, neutrals keep things simple and modern while still adding visual interest.
If you have oak cabinets with a shiny finish, they may look dated and dingy. If you're ready to take on the job of painting oak cabinets yourself, we can help. Even if parts of the cabinets are laminate, with the proper prep work, you should be able to paint your cabinets any color you want.
Warm backsplash colors like beige, cream, and brown make honey oak cabinets look cozy and modern. An earth-tone backsplash will create a harmonious atmosphere when paired with honey oak countertops. The pairing isn't as stark as choosing black backsplash, and it's not as simple as going with white tile.