Create a Focal Point
Large stretches of oak cabinets tend to overpower kitchens. To minimize this, create a different focal point. Install a striking tile backsplash or opt for a statement range hood to shift the attention away from the cabinetry. For a more budget-friendly update, lay down a patterned area rug or runner to balance the visual weight throughout the room.
Cool Down Oak Cabinets
Oak cabinetry often features an orange finish, making your kitchen appear outdated. To tone down the warmth and create a modern kitchen with oak cabinets, outfit the rest of the kitchen in cool, refreshing tones such as blues or greens. Here, the backsplash is tiled with varying shades of teal to temper the rich wood tones in the cabinetry. Cool gray walls and blue accessories reinforce the effect.
Accessorize Oak Cabinets
Wood furniture or cabinets act as a neutral, allowing you to incorporate color into your kitchen. Accessorize around oak cabinetry with treasured objects such as ornamental plates or colored glass vases. Add decorative things to your kitchen that reflect your style or preferred color palette, such as ceramic planters, dish towels, or small appliances. Lighting contributes to the ambiance, so use fixtures that complement the existing architecture or the overall aesthetic.
Design Contemporary Oak Cabinets
Oak without lacquered shine and left in its natural state is a more modern look. Consider alternative ways to update a kitchen with oak cabinets. Use contemporary pulls, sleek countertops and fixtures, or a backsplash in geometric shapes. Minimize clutter and introduce artwork and home accessories in moderation to balance the weight of the heavier wood surfaces.
Mix Wood Tones
No design rule states wood tones need to match. In fact, mixing wood tones brings an updated feel to a kitchen. A rich walnut stain will add depth and richness to cabinets. Combine the dark cabinets with lighter ones in natural or rustic exposed wood to showcase the grain's natural beauty.
Pair Oak Cabinets with Light Tones
Detract from the heavy look of oak cabinets by opting for lighter tones in other areas of your kitchen. To brighten a space, use white or light-colored walls, flooring, and countertops. Shiny surfaces, including glass tile and stainless-steel appliances, can also reflect light and give the room a visual lift. Notice how the oak cabinets in this kitchen are balanced by white walls and sleek gray accents for a polished look.
Try Two-Tone Oak Cabinetry
Two-tone cabinets are a great look in kitchen design. Consider painting a block of cabinets, such as the base cabinets, in a contrasting accent color to add interest and variety to a kitchen that feels overwhelmed by wood surfaces. If you're nervous about going bold on such a big project, warm white is a classic choice that pairs well with most oak cabinets. Repeat the shade of the painted cabinets in accessories for a cohesive kitchen color scheme.
Paint Your Oak Cabinets
An alternative to preserving the look of oak is to take the plunge and paint your kitchen cabinets in an appealing shade. Neutral colors such as white, cream, black, taupe, or gray are timeless. Painting cabinets preserves their integrity and provides a fresh new look without the cost of replacement. Once you've painted oak cabinets, consider adding new hardware, a glass tile backsplash, and affordable laminate countertops in modern patterns replicating stone. These updates are budget-friendly ways to transform a kitchen.