What is the best color to paint a kitchen with oak cabinets?

Author: Ms. Deja Bartoletti  |  Last update: Monday, December 15, 2025

Paint colors with a blue or slightly purple undertone are excellent matches with honey-toned oak cabinets. The colors diminish brassiness. A beautiful option is Sherwin Williams Comfort Gray (SW 6205). It is a light blue-green paint color with a gray undertone.

What color should I paint my kitchen with oak cabinets?

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 paint colors best compliment oak wood?

Orange, green, tan, gold, teal all go great with oak.

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.

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.

The Best Paint Colors with Golden Oak (Cabinets, Floors, Trims)

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 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 The dark colour draws attention away from what appears to be outdated cabinetry.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.

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 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.

What color countertops go with oak cabinets?

Here are our 10 color picks for kitchen countertop ideas for oak kitchen cabinets.
  • Plain White Countertops. Solid white countertops are a very easy and natural choice. ...
  • Marbled White Countertops. ...
  • Gray Countertops. ...
  • Beige Countertops. ...
  • Black Countertops. ...
  • Marbled Black Countertops. ...
  • Brown Countertops. ...
  • Ivory Countertops.

What color floor goes well with 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. Lean into the earthy brown tones by incorporating shades of green into your kitchen through plants, paint or decor.

What color combination goes with 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.

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 oak cabinets look good painted white?

Overall, painting your oak cabinets white is a fantastic, easy way to create a clean, sleek, modern look in your home. For those wanting to beautify the character and charm of natural wood, you can opt for glazing and distressing.

What is the best color match for a kitchen?

12 Unexpected Kitchen Color Ideas and Combos to Instantly Transform Your Space
  1. Olive Green, Black, and Rustic Wood. ...
  2. Blue and White. ...
  3. Blue, White, and Warm Wood. ...
  4. Black, White Oak, and White. ...
  5. Sage Green and Cream. ...
  6. Green and Pink. ...
  7. White and Cream. ...
  8. Rich Wood and Cream.

What color is Sherwin Williams Comfort gray?

SW 6205Comfort Gray

Blissfully light, this cool green-gray may inspire you to curl up with a book or soft blanket. Ideal for tranquil spaces like bedrooms or bathrooms. Actual color may vary from on-screen representation. To confirm your color choices prior to purchase, please view a physical color sample.

How to modernize an oak kitchen?

How to Make Oak Cabinets Look Modern
  1. What is Modern Kitchen Design?
  2. Add A Stained Finish.
  3. Use Flat, Slab Cabinet Door Styles.
  4. Modern Cabinet Hardware.
  5. Play With The Wood Grain.
  6. Use Surrounding Pieces to Accentuate the Oak.
  7. Design With Deslaurier Custom Cabinets.

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 color to paint a kitchen with oak cabinets?

The suggestions that follow are all fabulous paint colors that work well in a color scheme with oak.
  • Honey Oak Cabinets. Oak with an orange tint needs to be downplayed to create pleasing harmony. ...
  • Warm Beige. ...
  • White. ...
  • Earthy Green. ...
  • Blue. ...
  • Gray. ...
  • Dark Oak Cabinets. ...
  • Tomato Red.

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 color knobs for 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.

What color kitchen hardware is timeless?

However, if gold tones aren't to your taste, opting for typically cool-toned metals in a warmer finish is a lovely compromise, and still feels timeless and classic. 'We consider polished nickel to be the most timeless finish.

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 flooring goes 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.

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