How to Make Oak Kitchen Cabinets Look Modern (Without Covering Them Up)

We’ve all stepped foot inside an outdated kitchen before. Think back to the moment you took in space. What was the first thing you noticed? Often, the most glaring element in an outdated kitchen are the cabinets ? which can also be the most expensive to swap out during a home remodel. There’s something about oak cabinets paired with other dated elements that makes you feel like you’ve re-entered the early 2000s.

If your kitchen features oak kitchen cabinets that make your entire kitchen feel dated and drab, you may be wondering what budget-friendly, do-it-yourself options are out there to modernize your space. Instead of ripping out the cabinets or covering up the beautiful wood tones with paint, Kitchen Cabinet Kings has put together a list of ways to elevate the look and feel of your space without covering them up.

Paint Your Kitchen

Let’s start simple. What color are the walls of your kitchen? Back in the day, oak cabinets were often paired with shades of red, green, and yellow. However, modern kitchen aesthetics often lean more towards clean, neutral color palettes. Consider repainting your kitchen to a more neutral shade of white, gray, or black. These colors will help the oak cabinets be a focal point of the space, enhancing their natural beauty to create a striking contrast. You may even decide to paint other elements of the kitchen, including your kitchen island or range hood.

Install a New Backsplash

One of our favorite ways to spruce up a kitchen is to swap out an old backsplash for a new one ? this is an especially great choice if you are painting! With a variety of styles to choose from, it’s easy to find something that complements the cabinetry while still allowing your personality to shine through. We love the look of a geometric tile or classic subway tile. You can opt for grout in different color schemes along with the tiles to match your design preferences. Looking for some contrast to a white backsplash? Choose black grout. Installing a black hexagon backsplash? You may prefer contrasting white grout. Play around with the various options until you find the one that speaks to you.

Swap Your Hardware

In modern kitchens, you’ll often find slim but oversized hardware that creates sleek lines on the cabinetry. Upgrading these small details of the kitchen may not seem like they’ll make a big difference, but they can transform the look of the space. Instead of dated knobs, consider installing matte black, brushed nickel, or chrome pulls in a variety of modern styles. Adding a small touch of modern appeal to a slightly dated cabinet will give it a new life. Depending on the style of your current hardware, you may even be able to spray paint it ? saving you a bit of your budget instead of purchasing all new hardware (and reducing the installation time!).

Change Your Faucet Hardware

If you decide to change the hardware on your cabinets, we often recommend changing your faucet hardware to match. Having a matte black faucet pairs nicely with matching black cabinet pulls. There are a variety of faucet styles to choose from, including a pull-down faucet, double-handle faucet, bridge faucet, and wall-mounted faucet. Take a visit to your local hardware store to see which style and color you prefer.

Upgrade Your Lighting

Sometimes, the problem isn’t actually the cabinets themselves but the surrounding design elements in the kitchen. If other focal points of your kitchen appear outdated, it may automatically make your oak cabinets appear more dingy than they really are. Consider upgrading the various light fixtures around the space to fit your desired aesthetic. This can include a modern fixture with exposed light bulbs, or maybe you’re a fan of rattan pendant lights. Whatever you decide, make sure it provides enough illumination to brighten up the space and showcase the beautiful wood grain of your cabinets.

Switch to Open Shelving

Open shelving is a common design feature found in modern-style kitchens. While we don’t want you to remove all of your upper cabinets, consider removing a section of them and replacing them with oak wood open shelving. This helps create a contemporary or modern feel in an older space, allowing you to showcase the beauty of your favorite dinnerware and serving dishes.

Refinish Your Cabinets

We love natural wood cabinets and never want to see them go ? but there are ways you can make them feel new again, such as refinishing them. Although refinishing oak cabinets may feel like a daunting task, but it can help breathe new life and modernity into your kitchen. The refinishing process allows you to freshen up your kitchen’s color palette without removing the wood’s beautiful, natural grain.

Upgrade Your Appliances

Oftentimes, outdated kitchens boasting oak cabinets also have older appliances. While these appliances were once the talk of the town, they now stand out like a sore thumb with their black and white fronts. If your budget allows, consider upgrading your fridge, oven, stove, and microwave to stainless steel which will automatically make your kitchen feel new and fresh. If you’re going for a modern aesthetic with black hardware, you may even opt for black stainless steel appliances.

Replace the Countertops

While this may not be the most budget-friendly option on the list, replacing your kitchen countertops can help elevate the appearance of your kitchen. It becomes the focal point of the space, drawing negative attention away from dated cabinets and helping to make the entire space feel fresh and new. Depending on your existing countertops, you may even opt for budget-friendly options like covering up old laminate counters with contact paper, which can give off the look of marble, quartz, or another natural stone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I swap out my cabinet fronts?

If you have a kitchen with oak cabinets that appear a bit dated, you may be wondering if you can swap out the cabinet front. In most cases, you should be able to find a similar cabinet door color that matches your existing cabinet boxes but boasts a more modern appearance. We often see homeowners swapping to shaker-style fronts or doors with glass inserts.

What are the most budget-friendly ways to update oak cabinets?

If budget is a major concern, we recommend focusing on swapping out the cabinet hardware, painting the kitchen to create a beautiful contrast, and upgrading your kitchen backsplash. These three elements will make your kitchen feel brighter and more refreshed.

Where should the hardware be installed on the cabinets?

Considering installing modern hardware to your oak cabinets? The hardware should be installed on the front on the opposite side of the cabinet hinges. It is recommended that the knobs or pulls are installed about 2 1/2″ to 3″ from the corner of the cabinet door.

Will modernizing my oak kitchen cabinets improve my resale value?

Modernizing your oak cabinets can potentially increase your home’s resale value; however, many other elements play a factor. Modern kitchens are popular among homebuyers, but they aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, so updates may appeal to some home buyers but not all. We recommend making changes based on your personal preferences and not doing them for potential homebuyers.