Give dated wood cabinetry a fresh update with these design ideas.
Oak is a hardwood that can still be used in contemporary kitchens if properly cared for.
Unfortunately, the typical orange oak cabinets of decades past can look dated in today’s kitchens.
Credit: Kritsada Panichgul
The challenge then becomes how to create a modern kitchen with oak cabinets.
Use these ideas to make this material work if your kitchen needs updating.
Create a Focal Point
Large stretches ofoak cabinetstend to overpower kitchens.
Credit: Laurie Black
To minimize this, create a different focal point.
Installa striking tile backsplashor opt for astatement range hoodto shift the attention away from the cabinetry.
Cool Down Oak Cabinets
Oak cabinetry often features an orange finish, making your kitchen appear outdated.
Credit: John Gruen
Here, the backsplash is tiled with varying shades of teal totemper the rich wood tonesin the cabinetry.
Cool gray walls and blue accessories reinforce the effect.
Accessorize around oak cabinetry with treasured objects such as ornamental plates or colored glass vases.
Credit: Kim Cornelison
Lighting contributes to the ambiance, so use fixtures that complement the existing architecture or the overall aesthetic.
Consider alternative ways to update a kitchen with oak cabinets.
Use contemporary pulls, sleek countertops and fixtures, or a backsplash in geometric shapes.
Credit: John Granen
Minimize clutter andintroduce artworkand home accessories in moderation to balance the weight of the heavier wood surfaces.
Mix Wood Tones
No design rule stateswood tonesneed to match.
In fact, mixing wood tones brings an updated feelto a kitchen.
Credit: Laurie Black
A rich walnut stain will add depth and richness to cabinets.
To brighten a space, use white or light-colored walls, flooring, and countertops.
Notice how the oak cabinets in this kitchen arebalanced by white wallsand sleek gray accents for a polished look.
Credit: Kim Cornelison
Try Two-Tone Oak Cabinetry
Two-tone cabinetsare a great look in kitchen design.
Repeatthe shade of the painted cabinetsin accessories for a cohesive kitchen color scheme.
Painting cabinets preserves their integrity and provides a fresh new look without the cost of replacement.
Credit: Annie Schlecther
These updates are budget-friendly ways to transform a kitchen.
Also, with painted cabinets, youll need to exercise more caution to prevent staining or chipping the paint.
