4 Palettes to Update Older Oak Kitchen Cabinets

Modernize Your Oak Cabinets

While oak is the most timeless wood for flooring, oak cabinets can stretch the comfort zone of many kitchens. However, a well-chosen oak with the right stain and grain can look good through many trend cycles.

Today, we’re getting up close and personal with an oak kitchen sent to me by one of my Instagram followers. I asked for images of wood kitchens and gave some quick feedback on whether their cabinets were worth keeping stained or needed to be painted (or replaced). Of the DOZENS (and dozens) sent in, a few caught my eye, including this one…

That’s some big, bad, beautiful oak you’re looking at. But as I love to say in my work life and my love life…

Just because it’s wood doesn’t mean it’s good. 

As you might have learned in this previous blog post, many features can set a wood-clad kitchen back, including exposed hinges, cathedral-style doors, and so much more. We’re not getting into those details today; I mean, I love repeating myself and often do, but we need to get this party started.

When considering wood kitchen cabinets and whether they should be left stained, painted, or replaced…

It’s not always the wood stain or grain that dates these kitchens; it’s the surrounding finishes.

Often, the wood cabinets are salvageable, depending on the homeowner’s expectations. The thing to remember is that unless you’re in the .5%, your wood cabinets won’t ever look 100% updated. However…

These ideas offer the next best thing, short of replacing them. 

Besides, when working with whatcha got, the next best thing can be pretty awesome.

One of my favorite wood kitchens from my Online Color Consulting client.

I like to focus on one or two specific kitchens in blog posts like this. I do this for a few reasons…

• It helps you understand what I look at when considering my Online Color Consulting clients’ older wood kitchens and their potential and limitations.
• You can learn my thought process regarding oak (or other) wood cabinets and the modern countertops, backsplashes, and hardware that can update them.
• I love that it’s super exciting for my followers to see their VERY OWN KITCHEN on my blog, with tips and ideas to help them start that update project!

This might have you viewing your kitchen in a new way, too!

These examples represent the average home with wood cabinets. While they might not look like yours, I bet you’ll find a few ideas for your own space.

By the way, each blog post like this takes approximately 8 hours to write – I put a lot of heart and thought into it! 

OAK KITCHEN CABINET UPDATE IDEAS

This kitchen had me waffling, but not the kind you top with butter and syrup – the kind you might top with paint.

As far as older wood cabinets go, HOT DAMN THESE ARE PRETTY! I mean, seriously…

• perfectly updated shaker door profile – this is the most modern door style
• they’re oak (mad love)
• no exposed hinges
• moderate stain color
• the stain coordinates with the wood floor (less common than you’d think)
• I also see wood trim in the adjoining eating area and wood doors (come to Momma). Details like this help a wood kitchen make sense.

However, the grain is so FRIGGIN’ strong. Is it a dealbreaker?

For some people, yes. For this hardwood lover…no, and I’ll tell you why (I mean, who’s gonna stop me).

WHY GRAIN IS A PAIN IN THE ARSE

Whether cabinets are painted or stained, grain can be a huge PITA. While maple and cherry won’t give you a run for your money, oak will make you work for it.

WOOD GRAIN & PAINTED CABINETS

While some oak grains aren’t as noticeable once painted, this one is super textured. Sure, once painted, you wouldn’t see the tone-on-tone colors of the grain/wood, but it would create an awkward finish and a DIY-don’t.  To paint cabinets like this, you should sand and fill the grain.

And in this home, the grain didn’t stop on the cabinets; it kept going…

WOOD GRAIN & STAINED CABINETS

On the other hand, if you keep the cabinets stained, the grain is still pretty darn noticeable, but at least it’s natural to the finish you’re looking at; I mean, it IS solid wood. From there, it’s about carefully considering the surrounding finishes so you don’t overdo your room with too much texture and pattern.

So, it’s about choosing the lesser of the two based on which you find more liveable and how much of a DIYer you are.

If paint DID cover grain, would I paint them? Yup, that would be my ideal world (which we’ll touch on more after the palettes). 

But again, when ‘using what you have,’ the ideal world doesn’t always exist, so what’s the next best thing? Creating a beautiful palette around them.

PALETTES TO UPDATE AN OAK KITCHEN

Now, here’s where we start having fun…

OPTION 1: CLASSIC CONTRAST (BLACK & WHITE)

COUNTERTOPS: Black countertops are one of the best choices for a timeless kitchen. A beautiful black counter will help ground this space, given the amount of wood and grain it has. So many are averse to black countertops, having had them in the 1990s and 2000s, but this doesn’t make them a bad choice for a timeless space.

Gabbie 1-Light Pendant | Kar Washable Rug | Mushroom Knobs

The raised bar-style island countertop sends this space back to the 1990s. Someone who’s somewhat skilled with wood (ahem, one of the reasons Tim married me – wink wink) and the right tools could chop that down to standard countertop height. Sure, a molding or two might need to cover the cut area, but in the end, it would be a million times worth it.

Heck, give me a bottle of wine and a bread knife, and I’ll have it done in no time.

It also looks like the corners of the countertop on the lower part of the island are rounded quite a bit. I’d square those baddies off to a more modern, slightly softened corner.

BACKSPLASH: I’d opt for a 3×6 white subway tile | here, too (sample both and see if one shade of white is better/the same). Sure, there’s a price difference, but with the minimal sq. footage needed, it shouldn’t break any budget. 3×6, glossy, no beveled edge (the grain of the cabinets is busy enough).

HARDWARE & LIGHTING: It’s polished nickel for this palette. I like how it jacks up the energy level and plays with the black-and-white bones of this palette.

Then, once the island is lowered to regular height, I’d hijack two junctions and turn them into pendant lights with a conversion kit.

Ideas to Update a 1990s Kitchen: CASE STUDIES

WASHABLE AREA RUG: There’s a buttload of empty wood floor between the back of the island and the TV/fireplace area. I’d ground this with a good, washable area rug. Whether a runner or rug, I’ve yet to meet a kitchen that doesn’t love one. I’d toss one in the pantry, too.

Would I consider a white or off-white quartz countertop?

This countertop is Cambria Torquay  

You bet your cute little booty I would.

• The Best White & Off-White Quartz Countertops
• The Best Warm Quartz & Quartzite Counters

OPTION 2: SUBTLE WARMTH

COUNTERTOPS: Most oak kitchens can look beautiful with a white or off-white countertop, as well as warm quartz and quartzite counters. I’d want some veining and visual interest on the countertop, as long as it’s not WILD and crazy (considering the strong grain of the cabinets and oak floor). You could go anywhere from mild to moderate in the vein factory.

 Cholet Pendant Light (amazing price!) | Albar Moroccan Washable Area Rug |  Tiffany Gold Hardware (pricey but badass)

BACKSPLASH: With the classic profile of the cabinets and the timeless nature of oak, I might lean into a soft taupe-inspired subway tile. This is lower contrast than a white tile and adds some softness. The goal is to pick up on one of the main colors in your countertop’s veining.

Creative Subway Tile Ideas

LIGHTING & HARDWARE: With my lighting choice for each palette, notice how they all have little to no chain. This kitchen has enough visual interest with the grain, and we don’t need a cluttered-looking chain added to the palette. Also, notice how they all have white fixtures, not clear glass.

You get a much nicer quality of light from white shades vs clear shades.

As for the hardware finish, it’s go gold or go home. The gold picks up on the warmth of the wood and grabs the area rug, too, offering a warm, classic look.

OPTION 3: AFFORDABLE TRENDS

Let’s get some bang for buck, baby! In this palette, we’re looking at laminate countertops.

COUNTERTOP: Laminate counters used to be either super basic (1980/90s) or over the top (the ‘granite look’ of the 2000s). Today’s countertops (about 12) have much more going for them. I say this because of the dozen that are amazeballs; hundreds are straight-up butt ugly (also known as bugly).

Black Mushroom Knob | Waxman Vintage Washable Rug | Cholet Pendant Light

To check out some of my favorite laminate countertops, read The 8 Best, Most Beautiful Laminate Countertops. I’ve got another gooder here.

• When it comes to laminate, I almost always (with a few exceptions) choose one with some sheen vs a matte finish (the concrete ones can look pretty awesome in matte).
• Don’t install the 4 1/4″ backsplash that ‘comes for free.’ Run your countertop to the wall, and it should immediately meet drywall or backsplash tile.
• Many homeowners are installing a slab backsplash or countersplash, where the laminate countertop is also on the backsplash – it’s an awesome look.

Here’s an example of a slab backsplash. While I would’ve nixed the 4 1/4″ backsplash, the overall look is fantastic and budget-friendly…

OPTION 4: KYLIE’S FAVORITE

Now, not everything needs to be your cup of tea, glass of wine, or keg of beer (you do you). Some things are just for me.

I say this because, in a previous kitchen blog post, it seems fewer people love black countertops, opting for a whiter, brighter approach. And it’s each to their own, but I LOVE the timeless, classic look of a black countertop – especially with oak cabinets.

How to Update a Kitchen With Black Countertops

COUNTERTOPS: Whether you use black laminate, soapstone, or granite, black is a great way to ground a kitchen.

Gertie 1 Light Single Pendant | Aged Brass Knob

While this kitchen currently has black countertops, the black backsplash weighs the space down. With a brighter backsplash, the right decor, an area rug, and some fabric counter stools (link below), this space will be the best version of itself without having to replace the cabinets!

Soooo, can’t we keep this black countertop?

I suppose you could, but with the white flecks, it looks like the 1990s. I’d choose black granite or a marble/soapstone look.

COUNTER STOOLS: Kitchens have hard edges, and wood stools (and nook chairs) add to the scene.

Steelside Greely Stool

We need to add softness to a space like this, and one of the best places to do that is on your stools! Notice how the counter stools I chose are a cool green-gray, not a warm green (to coordinate with the rug).

Now, can we talk about that rug? 

WASHABLE AREA RUG: I know the rug won’t be for everyone, but with the oak cabinets and black countertop, something about it lights me up! In other words, it’s not about you…it’s about me (most of the time).

Mags Geometric Rug

KYLIE, WOULD YOU CONSIDER PAINTING JUST THE ISLAND?

I’ll give that a solid…maybe. Do I want to fill all of that grain? Hellllls no, but a) it’s on a smaller scale, so it’s not as drastic a project should I choose to do it, and b) there’s not as much direct light on these cabinets, so even if the grain stays, it’s less in your face.

But I wouldn’t stop there. I’d hit those pantry cabinets tucked in the back, too. No, not the ones on the right (below), but the ones in that back area.

Hmmm, you know what? I might even leave the island wood and just paint the back pantry cabinets. Then, I’d add the pantry cabinet color into my kitchen/eating nook accents (rug/cushions/etc).

The Best Paint Colors With Golden Oak

By the way, ideally, the fridge wouldn’t stick out like this (below). A counter-depth fridge is a consideration; however, having lived with one, you’ll never catch me buying another. Sometimes, it has to be function over fashion.

#realhomesrealbudgetsrealpeople

Long story short, when working with what you have, sometimes it is what it is!

Back to painting the island and/or pantry, painting these key areas gives the wood a little breathing space and adds some interest, especially considering the golden oak floors and trims.

The color I choose depends on the palette. Here are a few colors I’d be tossin’ around the ole Ginger noggin’.

• Sherwin Williams Cast Iron (amazeballs)
• Benjamin Moore Ashwood Moss
• Sherwin Williams Porpoise
• Sherwin Williams Urbane Bronze
• Benjamin Moore Kitty Gray
• Benjamin Moore Deep River

Green (or green undertones) are usually a more natural partner to golden oak cabinets than blue. 

Here’s your Peel & Stick sample of Deep River…

HOLD UP ONE HOT MINUTE…

Now it’s time to be honest (I’m not one to hold back #nofilteronthebestofdays). If you’re okay with grain or filling it, the MOST TRENDY look for this kitchen would be non-white painted main cabinets, leaving the island and pantry in their original wood finish.

Here’s an example of this look…

KYLIE JEAN, why didn’t you bring this up earlier?

A few reasons…

1. Many people with golden oak cabinets love them as they are – they don’t want to paint them (I’m 50/50 with the kitchens that show up in my inbox). Instead, they want to update their kitchen by changing the surrounding finishes.

2. The purpose of this blog post is to keep the wood stain rather than paint or replace it.

Ultimately, it’s your home – you have to do what suits your budget, your tastes, and your resale potential (if it’s a consideration).

PHEW, we did it!

If you’re unsure whether to paint your cabinets or keep them stained, purchase the CABINET PACKAGE, and in the questionnaire, let me know where you’re at with things – I can help you decide!

Painted Cabinets vs. Stained Cabinets: A Questionnaire

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