How to Make Oak Kitchen Cabinets Look Modern?

When homeowners hear about oak kitchen cabinets, they often imagine outdated, cobwebbed spaces—arched door styles with honey-like shades that don’t blend with today’s modern kitchen designs. 

However, it doesn’t have to be that way. If you’re thinking of kitchen remodel ideas and have oak cabinets, there are many ways to turn them into modern and functional decor. And no, you don’t have to invest in a complete remodel or painted oak cabinets that involve multiple painting rounds and coating expenses. 

In this blog, we’ll explore tips on how to make oak kitchen cabinets look modern without paint and what to consider when you upgrade kitchen cabinets. 

Let’s begin!

How to Modernize Oak Cabinets?

If you’ve been wondering how to modernize cabinets, there are more ways than simply considering modern cabinet colors. You can play around with the decor, add new hardware, install a backsplash, put up glass doors, and consider numerous other options. 

Here are some of the best ways to update oak cabinets without painting them.

Replace Hardware

Changing the existing hardware does wonders for an oak cabinet transformation. You can opt for black hardware to complement cabinets with lighter shades and classic white knobs, which is a popular choice today. The white and black combination creates a beautiful contrast, perfect for creating modern oak cabinets that reflect luxury. To refinish oak cabinets, you can also install cabinet knobs and use finishes like chrome, black metal, antique bronze, and polished brass. These complement almost any kitchen style, from farmhouse and traditional to kitchens with modern wood cabinetry. 

Prefer Dark Stain

Most remodeling experts and interior designers suggest using dark stains for a seamless oak cabinet makeover, especially if you have a light-colored kitchen. Deep-colored stains in espresso, dark cherry, deep red, or greenish black are excellent for creating modern cabinet finishes, creating a stylish contrast. The key to having aesthetically pleasing dark-stained oak cabinets is playing around with existing colors and combining complementary shades. For example, if you have white oak cabinets, you can add a light brown, chestnut, or honey-colored stain to add depth while letting the oak’s grains shine through. 

Moreover, you can choose from various stain types to modernize wood cabinets to your desired look. Some popular stain options include water-based, gel, oil-based, varnish, and lacquer stains.

Add Spaciousness with Glass Facades and Open Shelves

Open-shelved cabinets are one of the most popular cabinet style trends today. These cabinets do not have doors or covers, creating an exposed appearance that aligns well with a minimalist aesthetic and lets natural light bounce around them. It’s a great way to create contemporary oak kitchens without remodeling or repainting cabinets.

You can also install glass facades or glass-fronted cabinets. These are great for creating spacious and stylish oak cabinets that allow you to display your glasses, bowls, and other tableware without opening them. 

Vinyl Wrapping

Although they came into prominence in the ‘60s, vinyl-wrapped cabinets remain a preferred choice over repainting for a DIY oak cabinet update. Vinyl wrap finishes are versatile, affordable, and can be designed to replicate premium finishes like laminate and timber. Therefore, you can modernize your oak kitchen cabinets without worrying about overspending. For contemporary-style kitchens, vinyls are ideal, as they can be purchased in customized designs. They also go beyond appearance, adding functionality through their moisture-resistant nature. 

Since vinyl wrapping involves applying thin vinyl layers through adhesion, it is a practical alternative for tenants who want stylish oak cabinets without worrying about long-term commitment. 

Add an Elegant Touch with a White Backsplash

If you don’t want to worry too much about trendy cabinet styles and simply want to give your kitchen a new look, consider adding a backsplash. A white backsplash is evergreen and luxurious and complements almost any kitchen style. 

White is a popular choice amongst homeowners and interior designers for creating a sophisticated kitchen background. Moreover, it’s one of the best oak cabinet hacks, as you can elevate the kitchen’s look without worrying about the cabinetry. The white backsplash also helps bring out the warmth of the grainy textures. 

Renew Lighting Equipment

Lighting is one of the most integral components of any modern kitchen. It adds to the space’s functionality and style. Therefore, elevating your kitchen lighting fixtures can also help you ensure a modern cabinet makeover. Instead of spending time and money replacing your cabinetry, you can replace the old lighting with newer, more modern appliances, such as sconces, under-cabinet lighting, pendant lights, ambient lighting, or table lamps. 

Although underrated, adding modern lighting is one of the most popular kitchen cabinet trends among homeowners who want to elevate the space without replacing the cabinetry they love. 

Prefer Glass Doors

Incorporating glass doors is another excellent hack for an oak cabinet refresh. This would involve replacing the existing wooden doors with glass ones, bringing some freshness into the space without worrying about how to repaint oak cabinets. Adding glass doors helps relieve the visual weight of the oak wood and adds reflective value to the space. It is great for dark kitchens where you typically maintain tidy cupboards. You can also add interior lighting inside the glass-door cabinets for extra depth. 

Create Elegant Contrast with a Dark-Colored Backsplash

Similar to white backsplashes, a dark-colored backsplash can be an excellent way to modernize oak kitchen cabinets without painting them. Moreover, a dark backsplash can help you achieve the mid-century oak look, especially if you have lighter-colored cabinets with classic knobs and fixtures. Consider options like dark stone slabs with ample veining or a simple patterned tile in black, cherry red, dark brown, and other similar shades to establish a focal point. 

New Countertops Compatible with Oak Cabinets

Another popular entrant among new kitchen cabinet trends is installing modern countertops that complement cabinets seamlessly. Countertops and cabinets are the most significant pairing in kitchens. If repainting cabinets isn’t for you, focus on the countertops. 

For oak cabinets, dark countertops with metallic accents, such as copper, brass, or steel handles and taps, work best. Pairing dark colors with modern cabinet colors like white oak helps make the space look neutral and open. Moreover, oak kitchen cabinets are versatile, meaning they’re ideal for various countertop colors and materials. So if you don’t want dark countertops, you can opt for opulent ones with bold veining, like Calacatta quartz or marble, or concrete countertops that complement the oak’s rich, rustic feel. 

Replace the Sink Tap

Updating your kitchen space for new look oak cabinets can also be achieved by simply replacing the traditional sink taps—a small change with a big impact. Kitchen faucets are far from utilitarian today; the right faucets add to the functionality and overall decor of contemporary kitchens. 

Consider modern options like pull-down or pull-out taps, single-handle or double-handle taps, or touchless faucets, preferably in stainless steel, brushed nickel, or chrome for an opulent aesthetic. Something as minor as replacing faucets can help you modernize your kitchen without actually having to upgrade kitchen cabinets by repainting or replacing them.

Color Harmony in Oak Cabinets

Painted oak cabinets are great, but if you don’t want to invest in painting them to upgrade your kitchen, don’t worry. The natural and organic texture of oak cabinets means you can explore various color palettes and create a desired kitchen aesthetic. 

Minimalists or farmhouse fans who like airy spaces can choose neutral, earthy colors that often work best with gray oak cabinets and similar variants. Soft tones like taupe or beige establish warmth and an inviting backdrop, while darker ones like forest green or navy blue add contrast for a more modern, dramatic look. 

Darker, more dramatic shades can completely transform the kitchen atmosphere if you’re more inclined towards the ongoing trend for moody tones. Colors like dark green with shiny brass hardware are a great example, complementing white oak cabinets in a stellar fashion.

Paint the Walls to Get Rid of Visual Monotony

If your kitchen walls are plain, painting them is also a great alternative if you don’t want to refinish oak cabinets. The only thing to remember for this is choosing shades that suit your modern oak cabinets. Earth tones for wood stains, cool-toned whites and grays for darker cabinets, and similar combinations are excellent options to modernize wood cabinets without altering them in any way.

Things to Consider When Making Oak Cabinets Look Modern

Once you’re ready to update oak cabinets, a few considerations are essential to create the best aesthetic you can. Given oak’s naturally warm tones, you can pair the cabinets with minimal, modern decor to build a luxurious kitchen that never goes out of style. Keep these tips in mind:

• Avoid mixing the wood types, as incorporating too many wood finishes can make the space feel busy. 
• Pair the oak’s natural beauty with sleek stones and trendy color choices to let it shine effortlessly. 
• Opt for floating shelves (open shelves) to add more natural wood texture to the overall appearance of your kitchen.
• Pair your oak kitchen cabinets with dark-themed stone or concrete countertops for a beautiful contrast in the space. 
• Consider slab doors for simplicity, synonymous with the minimalist aesthetics, as opposed to transitional or shaker-style cabinets that offer a more traditional look.

Conclusion

As you now know, updating kitchen cabinets doesn’t mean you’ll have to scour the internet for oak cabinet painting tips. You can create modern oak cabinets that exude elegance without investing in repairs. Instead, upgrade the appliances, install modern faucets and hardware, introduce new countertops and backsplashes, or repaint the kitchen walls. Just ensure that the direction you take complements your existing cabinets well, and you’ll have a brand-new kitchen space that will never fail to impress its occupants.

FAQs

Can oak kitchen cabinets be made to look modern without painting them?

Yes. You can modernize oak kitchen cabinets without painting them. Consider replacing the hardware with more modern options, installing minimalist and stylish appliances, installing glass facades or open shelves, or simply installing a dark-themed backsplash that suits your cabinet colors. 

What colors go best with oak cabinets for a modern look?

Neutral tones are a tried and tested winning combination for modern oak cabinets. Shades like gray, beige, white, taupe, and greige are great options. Contrasting shades like black, earthy or forest green, and navy blue also pair well to create the modern aesthetic. 

How do you modernize golden oak cabinets on a budget?

If you’re on a budget, you can still modernize your golden oak cabinets in various ways. Opt for open shelves, replace old hardware with contemporary ones, or repaint countertops in light colors. You can also replace faucets with complementary ones, such as stainless steel sink tops.

Is it better to paint or stain oak cabinets for a modern style?

Since painting is a more expensive option, consider staining oak cabinets to modernize them on a budget. You can choose from various wood stain finishes that complement the oak grains. 

What hardware updates make oak cabinets look more modern?

Updating sink tops, lighting fixtures, knobs, and handles can help you modernize your oak cabinets.