How to Update Wood Kitchen Cabinets Without Paint (PART 2)

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 potential for updating, regardless of the century your cabinets were installed in. These ideas include wall paint, hardware, and backsplash ideas (you’ll find links to these below).

Update with fresh content and ideas for 2026

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 reduce the visual weight of the wood and add reflective value to your kitchen (which is great if you have a dark kitchen and keep your cupboards tidy). 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. INSTALL A TIMELESS, 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Whether you have an outdated backsplash or none at all, adding a well-chosen tile will do WONDERS for your wood cabinets!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 choice would be a timeless 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’ve written a blog post about the best countertops with dark wood cabinets (it’s a good place to start; I’ll write one for more moderate woods soon). In the meantime, check out…

• The Best White & Off-White Quartz Countertops
• Laminate Countertops: The Affordable Alternatives 
• The Best Warm Quartz Countertops for a Warm, Beige Home

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 the next photo, you could also consider travertine. While travertine gets a bad rap, I’m a huge fan, and with the current warm paint color 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 mama jamma, I’d 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. UPDATE YOUR COUNTERTOP

While this comes with a higher price tag, updating your countertop is the second-best way to update a kitchen with outdated wood cabinets (backsplash tile is usually the first).

These 1970s/1980s pressboard cabinets were in good functional shape, and the homeowner wanted to keep them…

While the backsplash is still a work in progress, Taj Mahal quartzite was a beautiful choice for the wood’s tone.

These next maple cabinets are gorgeous. If the homeowner wanted to make some smart updates, they’d change the countertop to a warmer white quartz, update the backsplash tile, and paint the walls…

While my next Online Color Consulting client wants to paint her cabinets, it’s easy to see how the new, white quartz countertop and subway tile backsplash give this kitchen a fresh look…

Find the above tiles in this blog post

4. 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 it tends to have a warm undertone similar to 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 energize 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 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 steel utensils

• Add a decorative soap dispenser

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.

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.

• Update the dark wood cabinets with a coordinating countertop.

• 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?

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 your cabinets—just some, 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.

I’m in love with the cherry wood cabinets in this next kitchen. 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 a coordinating paint color

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

Ideas to Update Golden or Honey Oak Cabinets

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

For any lingering thoughts or concerns…

CAN WOOD CABINETS REALLY LOOK UPDATED WITHOUT PAINTING THEM?

It all comes down to the grain, stain, door profile, and hinge setup.

GRAIN: Many woods have a more manageable grain, including maple and alder (although the knots aren’t fun). However, oak cabinets with a strong, meaty grain can be tough to update. No matter the door profile or stain color, the grain can be so bossy. NOT ALL OAK, especially not rift cut, but otherwise, it can be a challenge.

STAIN: If your stain is natural-looking or a kind of brown, it can be easier to update than stronger red or orange tones. I’ve helped many clients update their moderate stain/grain wood cabinets.

DOOR PROFILE: Shaker-style doors are the easiest to make look modern and up to date. Arched or cathedral-style doors are the hardest, even with a modest stain and grain. Often, woods like mapole and cherry have a better chance than oak.

HINGES: If your cabinets have exposed hinges, they’ll never look 100% updated, as hinges aren’t part of a modern kitchen plan.

The above doesn’t mean your kitchen can’t look GREAT, it just might not like 100% updated – and that’s okay! 

WHAT’S THE BEST HARDWARE FINISH FOR WOOD CABINETS

Oh boy, that’s a big question, as it can depend on the countertop and other metal finishes, including appliances, faucets, and light fixtures.

Generally speaking, polished nickel is the most updated look for a kitchen with wood cabinets. While black can work, it’s fallen out of style considerably.

For the most muted, organic look (stain-dependent), some wood cabinets suit an antique brass finish…

SUMMARY

If you want to update your kitchen, these ideas have you covered. For more ideas, check out this blog post: 7 Ideas to Update Wood Cabinets

• Add glass to feature doors, so long as you keep what’s behind them tidy!
• Install a new subway tile backsplash, as it’s the most timeless, versatile choice (and doesn’t have to be white, in fact, sometimes it shouldn’t be!)
• Update your decor with simpler pieces and greenery
• Spend smart money by getting a new countertop to coordinate with your wood cabinets
• Paint…just a little.

READ MORE

Paint Colors to Go With Red Wood Finishes

The Best Paint Colors to Update Golden or Honey Oak Cabinets

The 16 Best Paint Colors to Coordinate with Wood

Get expert advice with Kylie M’s Online Color Consulting Packages 

 

Updated with new, relevant content for 2026