What color goes well with oak kitchen cabinets?

Author: Immanuel Wisozk  |  Last update: Sunday, March 2, 2025

You can go one of two routes, either enhancing the warmth of the wood with warm neutrals and vibrant shades or downplaying the yellows and oranges in a honey oak cabinet stain by contrasting it with cooler neutrals and colors, like deep blues and earthy greens.

What is the best color to go with oak cabinets?

  • Whites: Opt for warm whites with undertones of cream or beige to complement the oak. Avoid stark, cool whites.
  • Greiges: A blend of gray and beige, greige offers a modern and versatile look. Choose a warm-toned greige to match the oak.
  • Soft Blues: A light, airy blue can create a calming atmosphere.

What colour compliments oak?

In truth, there aren't many colours that don't match well with oak. While oak pairs the best with natural tones; deeper blues, greens, reds and also neutrals, brighter colours aren't off the map. Cherries, lime greens and autumnal oranges do well to highlight the natural lustre of oak.

How do you modernize a kitchen with oak cabinets?

Paint: A fresh coat of paint can dramatically change the appearance of oak cabinets. Consider using neutral colors like white, gray, or navy for a contemporary feel. Stain: If you prefer to keep the natural wood look, opt for a darker stain to give the cabinets a richer, more modern finish.

How do I brighten my kitchen with oak cabinets?

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.

The Best Paint Colours to Update Oak (Wood) Cabinets, Floor or Trim

What color hardware looks best with oak cabinets?

With oak cabinets, black hardware provides a much-needed contrast that is sleek and modern. The dark colour draws attention away from what appears to be outdated cabinetry. Black door hardware is also a good choice for oak cabinets and appliances that have recently been updated.

How do you make oak cabinets less orange?

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.

Are oak cabinets coming back in 2024?

Today, many homeowners wonder if oak cabinetry will ever make a comeback. Design experts confidently say they are already back! In general, wood kitchen elements are trending, and oak is at the forefront, leading the way.

What color backsplash goes with oak cabinets?

Earthy Tones: Colors like beige, soft greens, or terracotta resonate with the natural undertones of oak, creating a warm and inviting kitchen environment. Neutral Shades: If you prefer a more contemporary look, consider neutral shades like white, gray, or black.

How to tone down oak cabinets?

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. Here, the backsplash is tiled with varying shades of teal to temper the rich wood tones in the cabinetry. Cool gray walls and blue accessories reinforce the effect.

What complements oak?

If you want your oak woodwork be part of your colour palette, then stick to earthy tones. Oak sits perfectly next to stone greys, terracotta, and creams. This can then be accented with golds or coppers. Then add some colour to the room with big green leafy plants like a Rubber tree or a Ficus.

Do grey and oak go together?

Grey and oak kitchen design is popular because it combines the timeless elegance of grey with the warm, natural appeal of oak wood. This combination creates a versatile and sophisticated look that suits a variety of design styles, from classic to modern.

What does oak match with?

Earthy, natural tones

Greens like sage or olive help to create a calm feel, perfect for a living room or study. Richer earthy tones like tan, rust, terracotta, or burnt orange create a warm feel, which can be great as an accent colour to match your oak dining table.

Does beige go with oak cabinets?

Beige is another neutral but it leans more on the warm side. Beige gives oak cabinets a uniform look and can easily be paired with them to create an inviting space for cooking and making memories. The options to decorate with the simple pairing are also plenty.

How outdated are oak cabinets?

And yes, they've been popular since long ago because they're a heavy-duty durable material and because of their 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.

Does gray go with oak cabinets?

The most versatile neutral of all, gray is a natural choice (literally) for all things cabinet-related. It looks amazing as a kitchen cabinet color choice, a wall color, exterior paint shade, and pairs perfectly with honey oak trim.

What color countertop looks best with oak cabinets?

Colours such as white, cream, grey, dark blue, and black are popular options, and can match with a wide variety of kitchen countertop shades.

Should backsplash be lighter or darker than cabinets?

So, if you have lighter cabinets and countertops, you should incorporate a darker backsplash to provide more visual interest and depth to your space. When you have darker cabinets and countertops, you should bring in a lighter backsplash to make your kitchen feel fresh and inviting.

What flooring goes best with oak cabinets?

For your best bets, check out light maple, light cherry, cypress, beech, or potentially even a whitewashed pine. These are all especially suitable when your cabinets are honey oak, which is quite popular among oak cabinet choices.

How to modernize oak kitchen cabinets?

How To Make Oak Kitchen Cabinets Look Modern?
  1. Update Hardware. Changing outdated hardware can make a significant impact. ...
  2. Incorporate Glass Doors. ...
  3. Add Open Shelving. ...
  4. Introduce Modern Backsplashes. ...
  5. Paint for a New Palette. ...
  6. Utilize Lighting. ...
  7. Consider New Countertops. ...
  8. Embrace Simplicity.

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.

Is honey oak outdated?

Honey oak kitchen cabinets have taken a back seat over the years. However recently we've not only seen people renovating and incorporating their existing oak cabinets into modern design, but we've seen warm toned woods making a comeback in fresh new ways!

How do you downplay honey oak cabinets?

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.

Why do my oak cabinets look orange?

Probably a water based top coat as oils based will add more orange/yellow tones over time. Once you have a plan, decide if it's worth sanding everything. It will be a large job. Also understand that removing the base stain might make the wood look worse.

What is the best stain for oak cabinets?

What is The Best Stain for Oak Cabinets? Golden Pecan is a popular choice for staining oak cabinets. Its warm, golden color adds richness without covering up the wood's natural grain. This stain gives cabinets a mature and stylish look that works well in any kitchen.

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