Warm Up Your Kitchen With Honey Colored Cabinets (5 Looks)
Any kitchen can be infused with a warm, golden hue with honey colored cabinets. But their orangey-brown tones can also sometimes come across as dated if your kitchen decor skews more modern and sleek.
If you have existing oak cabinets stained in a honey finish, or are considering installing new ones, you may worry they'll make your kitchen look stuck in the past. Fortunately, there are many creative ways to provide a fresh, contemporary twist on honey colored cabinets.
Updating the Hardware Adds a Modern Accent
One of the easiest ways to update the look of honey cabinets is by replacing the hardware. Dated brass knobs and pulls can make any kitchen look tired. Switch these out for sleek, matte black handles and your cabinets will instantly have a more modern, sophisticated style.
Nickel and chrome finishes can provide the same contemporary effect. Go for flat bar handles, angular pulls, or a minimalist look to complement the traditional warmth of the cabinet color. This small change makes a huge visual impact.
Painting Creates Contrast
Don't underestimate the transformative effect a fresh coat of paint can have on honey oak cabinets. Painting them a crisp white or even a trendy gray tone minimizes the orangey undertones and allows the cabinets to blend in with a more modern aesthetic.
Make sure to properly prepare cabinets prior to painting, and opt for a high-quality primer and cabinet paint for a smooth finish. Feel free to get creative with bold, colorful cabinet colors too, like deep teal or mustard yellow, for extra contrast.
Countertop Change Ups Function and Style
Nothing can make honey cabinets look more dated than pairing them with worn laminate countertops. Swapping out that outdated surface for a material like quartz, granite, or marble gives your kitchen a high-end look while adding functionality.
These natural stone countertop materials coordinate beautifully with the warm wood tones of oak. Their patterned visual texture also complements the flat cabinet fronts. This update makes the whole kitchen feel fresh and luxurious.
Backsplash Adds Pattern and Interest
An eye-catching backsplash is a great way to inject visual interest into your honey cabinet kitchen. Set against the rich cabinet color, options like white subway tile, handmade ceramic tile, or an artful glass mosaic make the space feel more modern and designer.
Consider implementing a fun pattern like herringbone or geometric shapes for extra flair. The colors and textures of an on-trend backsplash offset the traditional look of honey cabinets for a stylish, balanced aesthetic.
New Fixtures Brighten Things Up
Lighting can make all the difference in opening up a kitchen and giving it a fresh, contemporary vibe. Swapping out old overhead fixtures for new energy-efficient ones like LED cans or a sleek linear pendant immediately lifts the look of honey cabinets.
Position fixtures to provide optimal task lighting for food prep areas. You can also install accent lighting under upper cabinets to illuminate counters. The goal is to brighten up your kitchen so those honey cabinets gleam.
Open Shelving Lightens the Look
One way to break up the dominating presence of honey cabinets is by peppering in some open shelving. Glass-fronted shelving blended in with some of the existing cabinetry helps reduce visual bulk.
Open shelving also provides a place to stylishly display serveware, cookbooks, plants and other kitchen items. The transparency allows more light to permeate the space, further lifting the look of those honey oak cabinets.
Honey colored cabinets boast an inherent cozy and traditional appeal. But implementing even just a couple of these modern updates allows you to enjoy their warm tones while giving your kitchen space a fresh new take.
Rather than completely removing or hiding those oak cabinets, try embracing their rich golden colors. Then balance the traditional elements with a mix of contemporary accents. The end result is sure to leave you with a kitchen that looks up-to-date yet still warm and inviting.