Update Oak (Wood) Kitchen Cabinets Without a Drop of Paint (PART 2)
How to Make Wood Cabinets Look More Modern
Can you update wood kitchen cabinets without replacing them? HECK YES, YOU CAN! In fact, I’m a huge fan of remodeling kitchens with wood cabinets (even older oak ones). Unlike melamine, thermofoil, and veneers, wood cabinets are almost always solid. And with real solid wood comes real potential.
Potential for what, you might ask?
Firstly, the potential for ‘hard wood‘ jokes (always a personal fave). Secondly, there’s a lot of updating potential, regardless of the century your cabinets were installed in. For example…
- an updated look via paint (which you can learn about HERE)
- a fresh finish with a more modern stain
- a facelift with new hardware, decor, and wall paint colors that suit your wood stain
And while I’m sure you’ve heard me talk about painting/staining oak cabinets to update and add value, today we’ll talk about everything BUT that.
Are you ready, Betty?
1. ADD GLASS TO FEATURE CABINET 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). 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, do you 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.
2. ADD A NEW, UPDATED BACKSPLASH
Whether you have an outdated backsplash or none at all, adding a well-chosen tile will do WONDERS for your wood cabinets!
The most popular, timeless choice would be subway tile with either white grout or grout that coordinates with your wall color/countertop. This works well when partnered with a neutral counter. If you’re also updating your countertop, I’ll be writing a blog post about the best countertops with wood cabinets. In the meantime, check out…
The Best White & Off-White Quartz Countertops
Affordable alternatives in modern laminate countertops
Now, back to backsplashes. This next kitchen looks on-trend with its cream subway tile backsplash and warm white walls…
A few budget-friendly update ideas would be…
- paint the pantry door a darker accent color
- add a bit of interesting decor, like branches/leaves in the large vase
- consider pendant lights with a fabric or solid white shade, as they offer a softer light
- find some upholstered stools in a darker fabric (dark green-gray would be pretty, as it would contrast the warm woods)
This next kitchen shows oak cabinets with exposed hinges…
My client took this photo mid-project, so excuse a few funny spots.
My client added a new countertop and white subway tile with contrasting grout to subtly jazz things up.
As shown in this next photo, you could also consider travertine. While travertine gets a bad rap, I’m a huge fan, and with the coming warm trends, you might see it coming back! THIS BEING SAID, travertine isn’t currently a hot finish for backsplashes (but you do you, boo). I also love the polished nickel hardware – a simple complement to the warm wood tones, whereas black would’ve created more contrast and been a bit harsh with the organic look of the travertine.
This next photo shows how adding hardware, a modern countertop, and a new subway tile backsplash can lighten, brighten, and update wood cabinets. I know a lot of you would paint these bad boys, but other than the exposed hinges, look at the bone structure of these cabinets—gorgeous!
To finish this up, I would replace the yellowed phone jack and put something pretty in the open cabinet.
Subway Tile, Zellige, Counterspashes – Which Backsplash Tiles Are Trendy?
This next kitchen is a great example of a well-planned remodel using the existing oak cabinets…
- White quartz countertops.
- Modern marble tile backsplash.
- New black hardware.
And all of this was done without changing the cabinets or the original tile floor! However, if I were to suggest one BIG thing, it would be to remove the wood valance over the sink. Valances like this cut back on the quality of light and date a space to the 80s (learn about updating 80s kitchens here).
Ideas to Update Golden or Honey Oak Cabinets
3. USE THE RIGHT HOME DECOR
Unified home decor with a consistent color palette can help update a kitchen or bathroom with oak cabinets. The more colors and metal finishes you add, the more cluttered a room can look.
BLACK, WHITE, CREAM, BROWN, & GRAY HOME DECOR
Neutrals and simple, classic colors are a great way to update wood cabinets. Rather than contrasting the wood with a color like blue or green, neutrals keep things simple and modern while still adding visual interest.
This next kitchen isn’t wood (but it was in a previous life!); it’s just a great example of a great accessory color palette (and hardware)…
See the BEFORE & AFTER’S HERE
COPPER-COLOURED HOME DECOR IN KITCHENS
Copper’s earthy, rich metal finish is a beautiful complement to oak cabinets. Whether it’s canisters or small decorative pieces, adding copper can help simplify and unify your cabinets and decor, as copper tends to have the same warm undertone as some oak finishes.
How to Update Your 1980s Kitchen
GREENERY IN KITCHENS
Generally speaking, too much color isn’t great for wood cabinets. However, adding some greenery and keeping things simple is a GREAT way to add energy to the room without overwhelming it.
How to Update Golden or Honey Oak Cabinets
While I might add a bit more decorative love to this next kitchen, the right bones are in place, and the photo shows how even a wink of green adds LIFE (this home was getting ready for staging, so it was kept simple)!
Get the ONLINE PAINT COLOR & UPDATE EXPERT that DESIGNERS hire!
UPDATED FURNISHINGS
This next kitchen shows how the right furnishings finish a space. Wood stools would be overwhelming, considering all the wood already in this space.
If I were to suggest a change, I might choose stools that are just a bit less fancy—still upholstered, but with more simple lines and no nailhead details (and seriously, I’m just being picky for the sake of showing you ideas/options). This space is beautiful. And the artwork? PERFECT!
DECLUTTER
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 that can add visual interest/clutter to a space.
Let’s look at this next photo…
The Best Neutral Paint Colors With RED Wood Finishes
Although the simplicity is alright for home staging, I have a few suggestions that would respect the owner’s need for simplicity while adding a decorative touch…
- add simple, repetitive decor pieces in those upper glass cabinets (i.e., 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 nice 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 backsplash diamond pattern isn’t terribly modern, the cabinets have great bones and a workable stain. 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.
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.
- I’d replace the pendant lights with clear glass ones that are slightly larger and more updated. I’d probably reduce it to three lights and cap one.
- Find upholstered stools to break up the wood and add softness and texture.
Are Older Wood Cabinets Trendy Again?
4. 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 not to share!
By choosing a few key places to paint, you can update your kitchen and give the oak something to play off.
The 6 Best Paint Colours for Bathroom Vanities Are ALSO GREAT for Kitchen Islands!
I’m in love with this next kitchen’s cherry wood cabinets. While this approach isn’t for the faint of heart, remember, sometimes wood needs something to play with to come into its full glory!
The Best ACCENT COLORS for Red Wood Trims, Cabinets, & Floors
Are you 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
Ideas to Update Golden or Honey Oak Cabinets
LASTLY…
SURROUND YOUR WOOD OR OAK CABINETS WITH UPDATED FINISHES
Modern finishes are one of the best ways to update your wood cabinets. You’ll find some ideas in this blog post, and I’ve also created CURATED KITCHEN PALETTES to get you started!
READ MORE
6 Ideas to Update Oak Cabinets – (PART 1 in series)
The Best Hardware to Update Wood Cabinets (PART 3)
The 16 Best Paint Colors to Update Oak or Wood Cabinets or Trim (PART 4)
Paint Colors to Go With Red Wood Finishes
The Best Paint Colors to Update Golden or Honey Oak Cabinets
How to Update Your 1990s Kitchen
The 16 Best Paint Colors to Coordinate with Wood
Should I Paint My Cabinets or Leave Them Stained? A Questionnaire
The 12 Best WHOLE HOME Gray & Greige Paint Colors
Need HELP?
Check out my E-Design and Online Color Consulting Packages
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN 2018, FULLY UPDATED IN 2023
Thank you so much for these fantastic ideas! My family and I are house hunting right now and practically every house we look at has my least favorite kitchen design – oak cabinets with tile countertops! Ugh! I didn’t know what to do until I came across your site. Thank you again for giving me hope!
I have replaced my upper cabinets with oak cottage white-the oak grain can be seen. I want to match my island which is oak/grain with antique white. But I want the grain of the oak to show through like my other cabinets. How do I do that?
Well, I’m thinking that if you just use a quality primer and paint that should do the trick! It actually takes some work to fill in the grain on oak (which is why most people don’t do it). You’ll also want to make sure that you use the same sheen level as you have on your other cabinets as the sheen can affect how the grain looks as well. Take one of the doors that is a bit more hidden and do a trial run (or go to a building recycling store and get a few doors to play with). This way you can get a feel for how things will look when they’re all done without getting too far ahead of yourself!
~Kylie
would love to see a picture
Thank you! I thought I was doomed to wake up each morning and walk into my new home’s oak cabinet kitchen which I dislike to depression. You have given me so many useful ideas. I’m having fun incorporating most of your recommendations.
Wahoo, that’s what I like to hear Kathy – thank you!
Can I start by saying that I’m a fan of my oak cabinets. They are made of solid wood and plywood…no particle board, no thin and cheap veneer! After thirty years they look as good as new, and stainless steel appliances and an off-white quartz countertop have brought them into the new century nicely. I love the mix of old and new! And I love the warm tone of the wood, I just can’t imagine painting it! Here’s the thing, if you chase kitchen trends, you will always be unhappy because, like clothing trends, they always change. Remember when everyone had to have cherry cabinets with darke granite counters? Exactly!
I agree totally I have the same cabinet you talk about and we paid a pretty penny for them, I think I may and try to incorporate a few glass doors on the top cabinets. Doors with a semi-frost design and then update my hardware.
Give me solid honey oak cabinets over fake wood, particle board or plastic thermofoil any day. You can stain them. Paint them, put in glass doors or leave them as they are now. A solid real wood cabinet stands the test of time…u like most others. Look for quality even if you just admire it as a base to work from.
Thank you for sharing!
*Love * The glass idea–thx for external links! Totally going to do this!
Kelly, thank you for letting me know that my advice is working 🙂 I love to hear feedback like that!
Hi thank you for the ideas. I too have solid oak cathedral cabinets that we remodeled and installed in 1993 . There is a beautiful stain I saw that is light grayish color that allows the grain to show by Minwax. I think I’m going to sand down the sheen on my cabinets and stain them. It will be pretty I think, and add the knobs and pulls. Modern update without painting them a solid color. I love solid wood!
Kylie, love this website! I have a love/hate relationship with all the oak in my home and especially the kitchen. I’m happy to know there is an expert who supports painting the island. I have been color paralyzed for 2 years for this makeover. What color suggestions do you have for painting it?
Hi Janet! When it comes to the island, it’s more about what’s on your floor, backsplash, countertop – those are what will call the shots! If you’d like me to take a look, I do have an E-design package specifically for cabinets! Otherwise, I’m 100% guessing and wouldn’t even know where to start for you! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/product-category/interior-paint-palettes/
~Kylie
We have allot of counter space and could not afford to replace it so we chose to do a counter paint kit and absolutely love it. It was very easy. There are a few downsides though, the first being that it’s inconvenient not to be able to use your counter space for several days. You do have to be very careful not to set anything hot on it because it will take the finish off (we found that out the hard way). We do have a few nicks here and there after only a year but they are very easy to touch up.
Sweet, I love notes like this – thank you Kristin, I’m glad it turned out and I bet it was a FRACTION of the cost!
Thank you for some ideas. My cabinets are exactly like Julia Blanner’s. What are your thoughts of adding cabinet black crown mounding with an oak inset, cabinet light rail in black and then black hardware? Counter tops would also have some black to tie all together. Your thoughts. Thanks.
Hi Carol! I definitely wouldn’t, it will definitely date it – I would stick to ALLLL wood with black hardware 🙂
What is the wall color in the picture with the bench?
Thanks!
Hi Jen, I believe that was BM Powell Buff :).
Your kitchen is beautiful! Love your sink and cabinets.
Thank you so much Lynn!
I have a fairly large kitchen with lots of solid honey oak Shaker-style cabinets. The island is 12 feet long and has honey oak cabinets on both sides (the gas cooktop is in the island). There are 7 doors and 3 windows in the room that are all dark wood with dark wood trim. Additionally, the crown molding is dark wood. I don’t want to paint the cabinets but want to update the room. I’m thinking I can get a lighter and updated feel by lightening up the walls, doors, and trim. Do you think this is an acceptable first step? Any advice is most welcomed!
Thanks!!
Kylie, Love your website! Very helpful in many ways.
I have medium oak kitchen cabinets (early american stain color) and colonial maple stained trim throughout the house. What are your thoughts on adding crown modeling to a kitchen for an updated look versus chair rail?
I see many wood look floors in kitchens with oak cabinets. I have a dark kitchen, thinking all that brown wouldn’t help. Do you have any ideas for a lighter type flooring that would bring an updated look? Thanks for any thoughts you may have. 🙂
Hi Jill! Well, no matter what you do, I’d stay away from the chair rail (I mean, I haven’t seen your home, so this is just my general advice) as they can really date a space. White chair rails are 90s and wood ones harken a bit to the 80s. As for the crown, it can depend on how high your cabinets are, but I worry about it putting a bit of a cap on the room or weighing it down. As for the flooring, try one or two tones lighter, but make SURE you pick up the same brown tones – don’t add yellow/gray/orange/red to the mix!
Thank you so much Kylie! I will rethink this. I hear wallpaper is coming back. Would something like that textured that goes with colonial maple stain or maybe just a painted focal wall?
Kylie, love reading about stained real wood cabinets. I have shaker style birch cabinets stained in what I would call a fruitwood. They are from 2008 and in very good shape. But hating the dark granite and beige diamond backsplash. What color quartz would give a warm blend with cabinets? I love white quartz or white with gray, but is that too cold or stark for the stained cabinets?
Hi Peggy, I just LOVE the look of wood cabinets with white countertops. Warm gray makes me NERVOUS, it would depend on the one. As for white, if you do one with details/veining, find a bit of a warm veining. If you have access to Omnia quartz, check out Monterey :).
I really appreciated this post! We retired and downsized to a smaller home. The kitchen was from the late 80’s or early 90’s. The cabinets are honey oak in the cathedral style, the countertops were tourquoise laminate, and the appliances were very old and black. I used so many of your ideas to give my kitchen a refresh, as the cabinets were in excellent condition. We put in a warm, white quartz countertop, marble subway tiles, new stainless appliances, oil rubbed bronze hardware, a patterned kitchen runner and updated lighting in a beautiful seaglass to reflect the feel of this coastal home. It now has a welcoming coastal, farmhouse feel! I love my kitchen now! Thanks for the advice!
Wow, Anne, this is JUST the type of email I love to get – and you know, I would SO love to see some photos (if you’re so inclined, if not, i TOTALLY understand). kylie@kylieminteriors.ca I don’t have NEARLY enough photos of beautiful wood kitchens with updates to show my readers :).
Hi! My husband inherited his parents log cabin and so persuaded me to move from my beautifully sleek minimalist home in the UK to this wooden woody yellowy pine place that makes me feel like I’m stepping inside a Swedish sauna everytime I come home. The kitchen cabinets are (of course) wood. The walls are logs, the ceiling is wood panel and anything that’s not wood is still somehow, well…wooden. My husband thinks it’s amazing, all it really needs is a a deer head.
But I don’t even know where to start. I hate it. We can’t afford to replace the kitchen cabinets. They’re solid but UGLY. I’d never seen hinges on the outside of a kitchen cabinet before I moved to the USA. I didn’t even realize that cabinets had hinges to be honest…
I wondered what you would do with an 80’s log cabin and an ugly ass kitchen (with hinges) that wouldn’t involve painting all the logs white ( I can dream…) or moving house? Save me!
Took your advice and painted some of our cabs, not all. Uppers white, lowers remaining knotty alder. Added hardware in champagne finish , diff faucet and replaced corian counters with quartz. We gave our mullet island a trim, and painted her a deep rich navy (SW naval). The dated arch in the uppers almost disappears with paint (SW alabaster). Thanks for all of the inspo!
I LOVE to hear this, Lory, and would sooooo love to see it all done – if you’re so inclined ;). My email is kylie@kylieminteriors.ca If not, I TOTALLy get it though and I’m just so happy for you 🙂