Reimagine Your Oak Cabinets With Modern Finishes
Oak cabinets bring a classic, warm look to any kitchen. But over time, those once-trendy golden oak cabinets can start to seem outdated and darken the space. Fortunately, without a full remodel, you can give those oak cabinets new life with some simple modern makeovers.
From sanding and restaining to adding glass doors and contemporary hardware, these upgrades can help make your oak cabinets feel fresh and modern again.
Sand and Re-Stain for a Like-New Finish
Refinishing your existing oak cabinets is one of the most effective ways to revive their look. Over years of use, oak cabinets accumulate dirt, oil, and grime that dulls the original vibrant stain.
By lightly sanding the wood and applying a fresh coat of stain, you can restore your oak cabinets' natural beauty. And choosing a more modern, neutral stain color avoids the strong yellow, orange, and red undertones that can make golden oak seem dated.
Choosing a Color for Modern Oak Cabinets
When selecting a stain for oak cabinets, it's best to avoid warm tones and instead opt for muted, cooler shades. Here are some of our top stain color recommendations to give your oak a modern makeover:
- Gray wash
- Weathered oak
- Espresso
- Whitewash
- Ebony
These stains pair beautifully with oak while taking on a more modern, transitional look. If you want darker cabinets, espresso and ebony stains are excellent choices. For a Scandinavian style, try an airy gray wash or whitewash.
Process for Staining Oak Cabinets
Once you've selected the perfect stain color, you're ready to start refinishing.
Be sure to use a high-quality interior wood stain and prepare your cabinets properly. This will help the stain adhere well and evenly. With some mild sanding and one to two fresh coats of stain, you can make those oak cabinets look brand new!
Painting For a Dramatic, Modern Update
For an even more dramatic transformation, consider painting your oak cabinets. The dark oak wood grain has a very distinctive look that paint can help camouflage.
Opt for a light, neutral color like white, light gray, or very soft blue or green. Painting oak cabinets white is excellent for brightening and visually expanding smaller kitchens. While light gray has a more sophisticated, elegant effect.
Preparing Cabinets & Recommended Paints
Painting cabinets is relatively easy, but does require some prep:
- Clean cabinets thoroughly then sand lightly
- Apply oil-based primer and allow to fully dry
- Use a high-quality oil-based enamel cabinet paint for durability
- Consider keeping interior cabinet wood natural by adding glass doors
High-gloss and semi-gloss sheens give a smooth, sleek look. And be sure to apply multiple thin, even coats allowing ample drying time between each.
Add Glass Doors for Extra Dimension
One way to have the best of both worlds is to paint just the cabinet frames while retaining the natural oak wood doors. Inserting frosted or smoked glass into the door fronts keeps some of that warm, organic texture while the white or gray painted boxes around them look refreshed.
This can help strike an ideal balance between covering up the most notoriously dated oak elements while still incorporating wood's natural beauty. The glass also allows light to pass through the previously opaque doors for a lighter, more spacious look.
Hardware Makes All the Difference
Changing out the hardware is one of the easiest ways to update oak cabinets' style. Those brass knobs and pulls that were likely original to your golden oak cabinets can instantly make them look old-fashioned.
Instead, replace with contemporary hardware in matte black, brass, nickel, or even leather. Bar pulls and cup pulls have a streamlined look, while handle-free cabinets communicate modern, minimalist design.
And you don't necessarily have to replace all your hardware for a complete overhaul. Sometimes replacing just the most visible handles and adding darker finishes near the floor can give the refreshing update your oak cabinets need.
Measure Carefully Before Buying
When purchasing new hardware, carefully measure your existing holes and screw placements first. You want to choose new hardware that aligns precisely with them. This ensures a quick, easy swap without dealing with filling old holes and drilling new ones.
There are also adaptive solutions for adapting new hardware to old placement holes, allowing you to pick the style you want independent of precise handle measurements.
Complementary Design Elements For a Modern Kitchen
Implementing contemporary accents throughout your kitchen alongside the refreshed oak cabinets can reinforce the modernized look:
- Fresh wall paint color like light green or blue-gray
- Quartz or concrete countertops
- Stainless steel appliances
- LED strip lighting for drama
- Sleek kitchen island seating
But if a larger kitchen renovation isn't in your budget, don't worry. Just a couple simple oak cabinet updates like painting, staining, hardware replacement, or adding glass doors can still leave your kitchen looking entirely fresh and current.
After putting in all that effort to improve your oak cabinets' appearance, follow these tips to keep them looking their best:
- Clean cabinets with mild dish soap and water; avoid harsh cleaners
- Use microfiber cloths to avoid scratching delicate surfaces
- Apply paste wax yearly to protect and enhance stain/paint finish
- Use cutting boards and tray dividers to prevent damage over time
- Replace hardware as finishes start to tarnish
Implementing an ongoing cabinet care and maintenance routine will help preserve your cabinets' refreshed modern look year after year. With a little strategic TLC, your updated oak cabinets will long outlast temporary design trends.