5 Ideas: Update Kitchen Cabinets with Hardware, Backsplash, Glass Doors & More! 

You might be surprised to hear this, but I’m a huge fan of wood cabinets (especially oak). That’s right, a HUGE fan. Why? Well, unlike melamine, thermofoil and veneers, oak cabinets are almost always REAL solid wood. And with real wood comes real potential.

The above photo shows maple cabinets, not oak, but it’s a GREAT example of a well-updated space

Potential for what you may ask? Firstly, the potential for many many ‘hard wood’ jokes (always a personal fave), and secondly, the potential for updating them regardless of the century you’re in, for example…

• an updated look via paint (which you can learn about HERE)

• a fresh finish with stain

• a facelift with hardware, decor and paint colours that suit your wood stain – ideas that involve much less work, labour, money and wine-drinking compared to remodelling

And while I’m sure you’ve heard me talk about painting/staining oak cabinets to update and add value, today we’re going to talk about everything BUT that.

You ready Betty?

1. UPDATE HARDWARE & LIGHT FIXTURES

I talked about hardware in this blog post and today, I want to add to those ideas…

BLACK HARDWARE ON WOOD CABINETS

Black is HANDS-DOWN the top choice for updating wood cabinets. And I love the look of it as long as the hinges aren’t exposed as black hinges can look a bit harsh and show the age of the cabinets more than hidden hinges. Black hardware can look either modern OR farmhouse, depending on the style of your cabinets and surrounding decor/style.

For the scale of these cabinets doors (below), I would love to see handles with a bit more thickness to them and fewer curves…

In the above photo, notice how the new white subway tile backsplash and updated countertop give NEW life to the original oak cabinets – MAD LOVE!

While this next kitchen has all original features, the coordinated hardware and light fixtures help the space feel pulled together and purposefully designed (I just might paint that island though…just sayin’).

POLISHED NICKEL HARDWARE ON WOOD CABINETS

Nickel is in HOT second place toblack, especially if you want a slightly more modern approach and coordinates well with stainless appliances.

ANTIQUE BRASS HARDWARE ON WOOD CABINETS

If you’re looking for a low-contrast look, antique brass is a beautiful finish with oak cabinets, but definitely tougher to pull off unless you have mad style (think Studio McGee) and the right cabinets (ie: shaker style). The bonus is that most oak cabinets (if they have their original hardware) have hinges in this finish, so that’s one less thing to worry about.

OIL RUBBED BRONZE HARDWARE ON WOOD CABINETS

ORB is another beautiful finish with wood cabinets but is usually better with oak than cherry or maple (depending on the stain colour). However, of the four finishes, it’s the LEAST modern looking.

To UPDATE this next kitchen without painting the cabinets, I would change the light fixtures for sure, maybe even go down to two and cap off the middle one. I would also update the backsplash with a cream subway tile.

GOLD OR BRASS HARDWARE ON WOOD CABINETS

While this is a POPULAR finish these days, it isn’t always a hit with wood cabinets. Why? Well, gold/brass is usually a yellow-toned metal finish and some cabinets are too orange/red toned for this yellow-gold look. Doing an aged brass (ie: antique brass) is often a better fit, but both can be considerably more expensive than black or polished nickel.

To view/purchase the above hardware, please visit the links in this blog post here: The Best BUDGET FRIENDLY Hardware to Update Oak or Wood Cabinets

To view/purchase the above hardware, please visit the links in this blog post here: The Best BUDGET FRIENDLY Hardware to Update Oak or Wood Cabinets

In this next photo, the hardware is super low-key and I LIKE it. The cabinets become more of a simple backdrop to the gorgeously updated pendant lights, countertop and faucets.

The Best Hardware to Update Cabinets

2. ADD GLASS TO FEATURE CABINETS DOORS

Adding glass to a few key doors will relieve some of the visual weight of the wood and add reflective value to your kitchen (which is great if you have a dark kitchen and keep tidy cupboards). And of course, you could hire a cabinet company to do this for you, but with a bottle of wine and a saw you might be AMAZED at what you can accomplish (it’s how I trim my toenails).

Seriously though, want to know how? Confessions of a Serial DIY’er has a great ‘how-to’ as does my gal Tamara over at Provident Home Design.

3. ADD A NEW BACKSPLASH

Whether you have an outdated backsplash or none at all, adding a modern-looking backsplash will do WONDERS for your wood cabinets!

The most popular, timeless choice would be subway tile with either white or soft gray grout. This works well when partnered with a neutral white, gray or black countertop.

My client took this photo mid-project, so excuse a few funny spots

You could also consider travertine which is a beautiful natural stone that suits many oak, maple and cherry cabinet finishes, as shown in this next photo. I also love the polished nickel hardware – a simple complement to the warm wood tones, whereas black would’ve created more contrast.

The above photo shows how adding hardware, a modern countertop and new subway tile backsplash can lighten, brighten and update wood cabinets – making them look rich and stunning, rather than heavy and old.

To finish this up, I would replace the yellowed phone jack and put something pretty in the open cabinet

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4. USE THE RIGHT HOME DECOR

Using unified home decor with a consistent colour palette can really help update a kitchen or bathroom with oak cabinets. The more colours and metal finishes you add, the more cluttered it can make a room look.

BLACK, WHITE, CREAM, BROWN & GRAY HOME DECOR

Neutrals and simple classic colours are a great way to update wood cabinets. Rather than contrasting the wood with a colour like blue or green, neutrals keep things simple and modern while still adding visual interest.

COPPER COLOURED HOME DECOR IN KITCHENS

Copper is a beautiful complement to oak cabinets with its earthy rich metal finish. Whether it’s canisters or small decorative pieces, adding copper can help to simplify and unify your cabinets and decor as copper tends to have the same warm undertone as some oak finishes.

GREENERY IN KITCHENS

Generally speaking, too much colour isn’t great for wood cabinets, however, adding some greenery and keeping things simple is a GREAT way to add some energy to the room without overwhelming it.

While I might add a bit more decorative love to this next kitchen, the right bones are in place and the photo just shows how even a wink of green adds LIFE (this home was getting ready for staging, so it was kept simple)!

I also believe that CLEARING THE CLUTTER is a great way to update wood cabinets. Simplify your space and let the products do the visual work for you. Wood cabinets (especially oak) have a grain to them and this alone can add visual interest/clutter to space.

Let’s look at this next photo…

Although the simplicity is alright for home staging, I have a few suggestions that would respect the owners need for simplicity, while adding a decorative touch…

• put simple, repetitive decor pieces in those upper glass cabinets (ie: coordinating bowls/vases/stacks of plates)

• remove the knife holders as they’re hangry looking

• add a plant or two to complement the warm tones and add some energy! Even just one in the corner with the blender would make a BIG difference

• use a nicer utensil holder with some stainless utensils

• add a decorative soap dispenser

4 Tips for Picking the Best Subway Tile for Your Backsplash

In this next photo, while the diamond pattern of the backsplash isn’t terribly modern, the cabinets have great bones and a totally workable stain colour on them. If the countertops were cluttered, this space would have WAY less appeal. The use of greenery keeps the accessories in this room well-connected and complementary to the maple cabinets.

How to Update a 1990s Home

If the above owner wanted to take things a step further, they could consider the following:

• add a soft, warm creamy white subway tile. White would be too stark with the flooring and countertop. I would do a soft light beige-ish grout to define the tile layout

• replace the pendant lights with clear glass ones that are slightly larger and more updated. I’d probably take it down to three lights and cap one

• find upholstered stools to break up the wood a bit and add some softness and texture

Click HERE or on the above image to see available packages

5. PAINT…JUST A LITTLE

Okay, so I’m a big fat liar, I know – slap me with a wet noodle. However, this idea doesn’t involve painting ALL of your cabinets – just some of them, and it’s too good of an idea not to share!

By choosing a few key places to paint you can give your kitchen an updated look and give the oak something to play off of.

The 6 Best Paint Colours for Bathroom Vanities that are ALSO GREAT for Kitchen Islands! 

Again, I’m just DYING to clean up that open corner cabinet! 

Not sure if you should even CONSIDER painting your cabinets? Take my fun QUESTIONNAIRE to see what your kitchen says!

Of course, there are MANY different kitchen layouts, so it can be challenging to say ‘always paint these cabinets and leave these ones wood’, but here are some ideas to get you going…

• paint only the upper cabinets

• paint only the lower cabinets

• if you have a pantry style cabinet in the kitchen, paint it as well as the uppers OR lowers

• paint the island

• if you have a unique range hood or desk area, paint it

READ MORE

The 16 Best Paint Colours to Coordinate with Wood

Should I Paint My Cabinets or Leave Them Stained? A Questionnaire

4 Ideas to Update Oak Cabinets

The 12 Best WHOLE HOME Gray & Greige Paint Colours

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ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN 2018, FULLY UPDATED IN 2021