After a couple of years, the color of your kitchen cabinet could begin to fade. Additionally, it could start to appear older and less appealing.
In addition, the expense of replacing the cabinet with a fresh one can be pretty costly. Therefore, you need to be creative and intelligent when managing this dilemma.
Another reason you’re looking to change the kitchen furniture’s design is that you are unhappy with the design.
It is why updating it could be the best option to purchase new furniture that isn’t getting rid of your old furniture. This means you will save money to get the look you desire.
There is no need to remodel your kitchen. With a few magical touches, you can transform the look of your kitchen’s old oak to brand new. Don’t even think about tossing the cabinets out now if you have the cabinets.
Examine the state of your oak cabinet.
Before you can determine the best option for your oak cabinet, You must first check the state of your cabinets.
If the damage is just the soft texture, color, and dull appearance, you can repair it quickly.
But if the problem is wood that has decayed and has an old-fashioned shape, it may be necessary to replace the cabinet.
In general, when your kitchen cabinet is constructed of oak wood, you will likely not require a lot of repairs. This is because oak wood is considered highly durable compared to other kinds of wood.
The oak furniture remains in excellent condition even after over a decade. You may need to do a slight touch-up to create a modern appearance.
If you want to change the look that your kitchen cabinet is made of oak, you may require a fresh style of hardware, paint, and décor.
If you have the right plan, you can do it quickly and efficiently, making the old-fashioned look contemporary. But you may be able to accomplish it on your own without the help of an expert.
6 Ideas About How to Make OAK Kitchen Cabinets Look Modern?
Let’s Start 👍🏻
1. Repaint the oak cabinets in the kitchen
The quickest and thought to be cheapest method to update your oak cabinets is to paint the cabinets.
The paint does not affect the durability of the cabinets, yet it gives them a great fresh appearance.
It is possible to choose neutral colors like white, cream taupe, black, or gray as they tend to stay fresher and less obsolete.
But this method comes with a few drawbacks. The painting might appear appealing from a distance, but it’s not the same when you view it in person.
You only see lines drawn by the paintbrush and lines that originate from the wood underneath if an experienced professional does not complete it.
Furthermore, the paint might not withstand the pressure, especially in the handle area.
Additionally, to compensate for the easily chipped paint, you must spend a lot of time preparing, including clearing the cupboards, polishing them and filling in the wood grain, and removing the doors and hardware.
When you’ve finished painting your cabinets with oak, look into installing new hardware, ceramic backsplash, and affordable laminate countertops with modern designs that resemble stones to make your kitchen look better without spending a fortune.
2. Refinish the oak cabinets in the kitchen
If you don’t wish to spend much time painting your kitchen cabinets made of oak with no sound, repainting them might be a better option.
Depending on the amount of time and effort you wish to put into it, you could create a modern, dark hue and neutralize wood using an edgier, natural stain.
Make sure you keep the red/yellow/orange tones out. Also, it would be best if you considered the cabinet’s style.
Shaker design can be changed to a modern look without difficulty, but it is not an arched or cathedral style.
3. Construct a two-toned oak cabinet
If you opt for this option, you only need to paint the components of your cabinets rather than the entire cabinet’s sides and parts.
Furthermore, painting your cabinets with an accent color can give a different look and add interest to your kitchen.
White is the best choice if you’re not sure where to begin. In particular, the combination of oak and white will create a rustic or rustic ambiance based on the accessories you pick.
This combo will make the kitchen appear more contemporary if you have a flat panel or shaker-style door.
4. Repaint the walls of the kitchen
If you’re not keen to paint your wood painting walls, redecorating them is an alternative. 👌
Be cautious when picking the color. Warm hues such as pink and yellow… could make your kitchen appear 20 years older or more.
Contrasting hues like green or blue could make the oak cabinets appear too prominent and not in a pleasant way.
It is best to choose a color that will reduce the orange hue of the oak wood. This includes neutral, calm, and simple shades, specifically those that belong to those belonging to the gray category.
5. Replacing Cabinet Hardware
Modifying the hardware could bring significant changes to your cabinet’s appearance. Here are some ideas to consider:
Black hardware
Black is the most preferred color of many, making the wood look more contemporary.
It also makes it the mainstay of cabinets since the eyes will be focused on the knobs or pull when you look at them. 👌
But the black hinges that come in can cause problems as they appear shabby and show the age of cabinets.
This is why you must replace hinges if they are visible when you close your cabinet door.
Hardware in polished nickel
If your kitchen is equipped with stainless appliances and polished nickel is the choice, it will be the second-best option instead of black.
It will modernize your cabinets and can also complement the appliances.
Hardware comprises gold/brass.
The colors are becoming trendy in recent times. But they’re not the best choice for cabinet hardware.
Since brass and gold are typically yellow-toned, they don’t match your cabinets’ red/orange tones.
Brass is a good choice if you’re still looking to keep the older shaker-style cabinets.
Hardware in oil-rubbed bronze
Oil-rubbed bronze is a popular type of bronze used in wooden cabinets.
However, it’s more likely to be suited to oak, not other woods like cherry or maple, and cherry. It is essential to think about this before choosing this shade.
Of all the four options, this one is not the most modern-looking.
6. Install a New Backsplash
It is possible to upgrade the cabinets in your kitchen made of oak by changing the backsplash.
You can choose an earthy brown backsplash with the form of a tiny mosaic that is a good match for oak wood but doesn’t update your kitchen since the small pattern of a rectangular mosaic is old-fashioned.
Furthermore, the mix of orange/red and brown tones can only accentuate the appeal of your kitchen.
An alternative is subway tiles that have special grout. This is a great option, particularly when paired with a neutral countertop.
A fresh subway tile backsplash, dark-colored hardware, and a contemporary countertop are the perfect way to brighten, lighten and refresh your kitchen’s oak cabinets.
Related Questions❓
How can you bring oak cabinets up to date?
To summarize, There are five options to modernize your oak kitchen, and they don’t require painting or replacing cabinets:
1. Paint the Walls.
2. Change the Cabinet Hardware.
3. Replace the Backsplash.
4. Stain the Cabinets.
5. Add White Cabinets.
How do you make honey oak cabinets look less prominent?
Pick a Contrasting Color! If neutrals aren’t your style, and you’d prefer to lessen some of the orange-yellow tones in the maple or honey oak woodwork, selecting an opposite color side of the wheel can help reduce the orange flooring styles, cabinets or trim.
Are wood cabinets out of style?
Most of the old cabinets made of golden oak are fitted with gold or white hardware, which makes the cabinets look old. The switch to dark hardware could create an entirely new look and make the colors on your backsplash stand out.
I don’t want to paint my oak cabinets, so how can I make them look new?
How to Modernize Oak or Wood Cabinets WITHOUT a Fall of Color
Read More: How to Clean Kitchen Sink Drain?
Five Ideas to Update Kitchen Cabinets by Adding Hardware, Backsplash, Glass Doors, And More!
- UPDATE HARDWARE & LIGHT FIXTURES.
- ADD GLASS TO FEATURE CABINETS DOORS.
- ADD A NEW BACKSPLASH.
- USE THE RIGHT HOME DECOR.
- PAINT… JUST A LITTLE.