The popularity of oak cabinets rose in the 1980s and ’90s. Today, many homeowners still love the medium-to-dark look of oak wood, and you can’t beat the durability of this material for use in the kitchen. While oak cabinets are still in style, you might also feel too much wood creates a sense of heaviness. When you aren’t ready to replace your kitchen cabinets, you have several options to give your cooking space an update that makes your home feel fresh and modern.
Consider Painting & Staining
Refinishing oak cabinets is an option that can lighten or darken the overall look. This option might be ideal if the cabinets show signs of wear such as chips or scratches in the current finish. Keep in mind painting cabinets can be harder than it seems. Trying to paint all of the nooks and crannies that exist between the different spaces and doors is challenging. Hiring a professional home remodeling contractor can help you update the finish on the cabinets quickly and flawlessly.
Update the Hardware
If you don’t want to change the color of the cabinets, doing a quick hardware update can modernize them. Switching from black to silver hardware might also add a sense of cohesiveness to a newly remodeled kitchen with a new appliance color scheme. You can even find drawer pulls and door knobs that have whimsical shapes and styles to fit into a niche kitchen theme.
Create Visual Interest with a Contrasting Backsplash
The color of oak serves as a neutral background that allows you to have some fun with the other features of your kitchen. For instance, you might choose a brightly colored backsplash for your cooking area that makes the medium-brown oak color more muted. Or you could use black or white backsplash tiles to enhance the coloring of the cabinets. Stone backsplashes could further provide your kitchen with a cozy, natural look that goes great in cabins and beachside cottages.
Try Cabinet Refacing
You can use cabinet refacing to keep the majority of your storage space in place. Refacing involves swapping out features such as the doors and hardware while leaving the main boxes in place. When you talk to a Carlsbad kitchen remodeling contractor about refacing, you can discuss options that change the look of the cabinets without sacrificing the oak wood overall. For instance, you could add matching doors that include glass inserts to lighten up the overall look. Creating open shelving is another way to keep oak cabinets from feeling too heavy while tapping into modern home trends.
Pair with Lighter Kitchen Features
With oak cabinets taking center stage, it might feel better to use lighter colors for the other parts of your kitchen. For instance, a light countertop can keep your kitchen feeling bright while still allowing the oak wood to shine. Alternatively, you could choose lighter flooring during kitchen remodeling that keeps the overall effect light and cheerful.
The Forever Builders team will assist you through every step of your kitchen remodel. Carlsbad homeowners trust us to provide the most affordable kitchen remodeling services and ensure their visions become reality. From design to completion, we’ll help you create the kitchen you’ve always wanted, meeting all your expectations while keeping your costs within budget. To find out more about our exceptional remodeling services, give one of our friendly team members a call today.