Lighten Up Your Cherry Cabinets Without Remodeling Your Kitchen
Do you have a kitchen with rich, dark cherry cabinets that makes the space feel closed-off and dreary? You're not alone. Many homeowners find themselves with beautiful but heavy wooden cabinetry that absorbs light and casts a somber pall on the kitchen. The good news is that without undertaking a major renovation, there are several easy and affordable ways to lighten up those cherry cabinets and brighten your kitchen.
From a mini facelift with new hardware and glass doors to strategic lighting enhancements, you can lift the shadowy feeling and illuminate your kitchen without the hassle and expense of a full cabinet replacement.
Assess Your Existing Cherry Cabinets
Before making any changes, take a good look at the current state of your cherry cabinets. Check for any damage, wear and tear, or issues with the construction. If the boxes and doors are structurally sound and fully functional, then a lighting makeover could be a better investment than replacing the cabinetry. However, if the cabinets are severely damaged or poorly made, you may want to consider replacing them down the road for maximum impact.
Consider the Pros and Cons of Keeping vs. Replacing
Cherry wood cabinets are valued for their rich, warm hue and natural beauty. With the right lighting adjustments, you can keep those pros while minimizing the closed-in, dark feeling. Some homeowners prefer to keep the existing cabinets due to sentimental value or to avoid the cost and disruption of a full replacement. Evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of keeping or replacing the cabinets to decide which route is best for your needs and budget.
Simple Changes That Make a Big Visual Impact
Small tweaks like new hardware, glass doors, or replacement drawer fronts can make dark cherry cabinets feel completely fresh and light. Best of all, these DIY-friendly mini-makeovers can be done affordably without professional help.
Change the Hardware
Replacing dated brass or bronze cabinet hardware with brushed nickel, chrome, or stainless steel immediately modernizes the look. The cooler metal finishes pair nicely with the warm wood tone and help reflect more light. Upgrading your knobs, pulls, and handles takes just a screwdriver and a few hours. This easy switch makes cherry cabinets appear brighter and less heavy.
Add Glass Cabinet Doors
Installing glass doors on some of the upper cabinets is a clever way to break up a solid wall of heavy cherry. The transparent glass helps the cabinets recede so they don't dominate the kitchen. For a seamless look, have a glass specialist cut doors to exactly match the existing size and shape. Or, opt for glass inserts in certain doors for a unique design detail. The addition of glass lightens up the space visually without changing the cabinets themselves.
Strategically Add More Lighting
No kitchen lighting plan is complete without layering several types of light. Filling in shadows and illuminating surfaces and tasks is key to making a dark space bright.
Install Under Cabinet Lighting
Discreet LED strip lighting mounted beneath upper cabinets shines down to eliminate shadows on countertops. This makes prep and cooking areas feel open and airy even with rich cherry cabinetry overhead. Hardwired or plug-in options are available. DIY under cabinet installation is straightforward, but hiring an electrician ensures proper wiring and positioning.
Add Pendants and Overhead Fixtures
Draw the eye upward and allow more ambient light to fill the room by installing pendant lights over islands, sinks, and other surfaces. Mini-pendants and drum-shaped pendants offer focused task lighting. For overall illumination, opt for larger statement pendants or sleek linear fixtures. Position new overhead lighting to avoid shadows and maximize brightness.
Energy-efficient LED bulbs in overhead fixtures are an eco-friendly way to flood the kitchen with lumens. Recessed cans also effectively distribute anti-shadow light without the glare of older recessed lighting. Space cans evenly to uniformly lift the lighting levels of the entire kitchen.
Lighter Paint, Surfaces, and Finishes
Dark cherry cabinets tend to look best against lighter backgrounds. Painting the walls, changing the counters and backsplash, or installing lighter-hued flooring opens up the space.
Repaint Walls in Light, Bright Hues
A fresh coat of paint does wonders for lifting the ambiance. Neutral off-whites, soft grays, and subtle sage greens work well with cherry cabinets. Stick to light reflectance values above 50 for maximum brightening effects. Matte or eggshell sheens also help walls reflect light rather than absorb it. Proper prep and priming ensures the new color looks smooth and flawless.
Change Countertops to Light Materials
Dark granite or solid surface counters next to dark cabinets can feel oppressive. Switching to lighter-colored countertop materials like white quartz, concrete, or laminate makes the whole kitchen feel more spacious and airy. For a bold contrast, opt for light counters paired with a dark floor. Replacing countertops yourself or hiring a pro gets the job done quickly.
Consider a Lighter Backsplash
Like dark countertops, a dark backsplash can exacerbate the heavy feeling of cherry cabinets. For lots of brightness, install a white, pale gray, or blue subway tile backsplash. Glass, metal and stone backsplashes in lighter hues also reflect light beautifully. Use a contrasting grout color for added pop.
Complement With Additional Light Accessories
Finally, finish off your newly brightened cherry cabinet kitchen with light-colored accessories and metallic touches.
Lighter flooring materials like vinyl plank, light hardwood, or washed concrete floors make small kitchens appear more expansive. Linens and dishware in white, off-white, or very light shades enhance the airy vibe.
Strategically placed mirrors in a backsplash or on the island provide depth while amplifying light. Mix in other reflective metallic finishes like nickel hardware, stainless appliances, or a chrome sink faucet for even more shine and brightness.
With some clever lighting enhancements, material upgrades, and DIY-friendly tweaks, you can dramatically transform the look of your dark cherry cabinets. The results are a brighter, lighter kitchen perfect for entertaining and everyday life. Best of all, you don't have to undergo a stressful, expensive kitchen remodel to get a fresh new look.
Follow these tips to illuminate your kitchen in an approachable way that celebrates, rather than covers up, those beautiful cherry cabinets. The warmth and richness remain, while shadows, gloominess and closed-in feelings disappear thanks to the magic of lighting.