But honey oak is back and better than ever! When paired with white countertops, black or gold accents, and floating shelves oak cabinets look stunningly modern.
Yes, oak is coming back into style, but it is a paler, softer tone and, in cabinets, the details are much more modern than what we see in older honey oak cabinets: a straight shaker or slab doors, rather than a cathedral-top shape and a pale color instead of a more golden amber finish, which is often just the yellowing ...
Oak kitchen cabinets is one of the hottest kitchen design trends in 2024. Design experts confidently assert that oak kitchen cabinets have made a comeback in current kitchen trends. Pictured here are the Vicenza oak kitchen cabinets by Schröder Küchen, Germany.
Beige is emerging as the new go-to neutral, adding warm and inviting tones to interiors. In this article, we'll explore why beige is taking over and how to use it in your home. Beige is replacing gray as a popular interior color, offering warmth and versatility for various design styles.
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.
Honey oak cabinets and quartz countertops are a combination that rivals all others. The look of multicolored quartz binds with the natural glow of wood cabinets and gives a flattering and cohesive look.
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. Here in the 21st century, golden oak is no longer in demand, and it can immediately make a home feel tired and dated.
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.
Trend Overview: Warm wood tones, including walnut, oak, and cherry, continue to be popular in 2024. These finishes bring a natural, inviting feel to kitchens and pair well with various design elements.
Oak cabinets are a great option for your kitchen remodel because of their durability, timeless appeal, and versatility. They are elegant, and classic and range from soft hues such as white oak and honey oak to darker hues such as red oak and dark oak.
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.
Cool neutrals paired with crisp whites and sharp blacks are the path of least resistance for *any* honey oak kitchen, no matter the undertone of your cabinet.
Oak is a classic. But many people are scared of them because of the applications of oak cabinets in the 90s. These cabinets featured ornate door styles and were paired with honey oak floors, yellow walls, and dark countertops. But honey oak is back and better than ever!
It is better to use neutral and warm colors for backsplash with honey oak cabinets such as gray, white, beige, or black.
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.
"White oak and warm oak tones have made a significant comeback. There's been a noticeable shift from the all-white kitchen trend to warmer oak tones in cabinetry," she says. "We're also seeing a lot of natural oak in the architectural detail of homes, from built-ins to tongue-and-groove ceilings."
Comforting Neutrals
Neutrals in 2025 are evolving to include warmer, softer tones that feel cozy and inviting. Creams, warm neutrals, and light taupes are the perfect backdrop for personal touches, blending seamlessly with other design elements.
To make sure that your cabinets will age well, designers recommend avoiding yellowy whites, sage greens, bright colors, or even grays—all of which they say are either outdated or on their way out.
"A white kitchen is a forever trend that has stood the test of time," says Fujikawa. "It's fresh, clean, and updated, and it gives you the flexibility to change out your décor or furnishings to create a new look without having to renovate the bones of your kitchen."