How to Make Oak Kitchen Cabinets Look Modern

Oak cabinets were popular back in the ‘80s & ’90s for a few reasons. They were easy to maintain, economical & they were easy to tie into the trim & doors. They were especially popular in tract home developments.

Generally, the option was white melamine, laminate with oak trim or solid oak.

What would you have picked?

Although I can honestly say I never advised a client to do any one of these, I have had great success in making oak kitchen cabinets look modern and fresh.

They were much more pleasant in their early life prior to getting yellowed by time & sunlight. That’s what natural wood does.

I have to admit that solid oak is one of the most stable & forgiving woods that exist. They rarely show dings & dents like other woods.

So, if you have oak cabinets that are in good condition & you’re happy with your layout you’re in luck. There is a myriad of ways to update the look & create a kitchen you will love.

Here are 5 Ideas on how to make oak kitchen cabinets look modern.

Let’s explore the options together so you can make the best choice for your oak kitchen cabinets.

A few easy changes to this kitchen gives it a modern look but the biggest impact was painting the oak cabinets.

1. Paint Them White

You are probably already considering this option. It’s a simple solution & it offers an amazing transformation. It lightens & brightens the kitchen and makes colors pop.

I have advised my clients to do this many times with great success.

Here are some things to know for the best results.

1.) Select a soft white that’s not too stark. If you have a blue color palette you might want a little bit of a gray undertone. If you have a warm color palette lean towards a beige undertone. Here is a good list to check out from Benjamin Moore to help guide you.

2.) Be sure whoever is doing the painting sands down the cabinets first. Since oak has a heavy grain you will want to soften the look so less grain shows through. You’ll never completely eliminate the grain from showing through but sanding will help.

If there is more than one person doing the sanding be sure there is consistency with the amount of pressure being used. I have seen inconsistency in projects that have been done with multiple painters & some doors had to be redone. Take precautions to avoid this.

3) Use a Satin Finish instead of a semi-gloss. Less sheen will help play down the grain showing through. The Satin Finish is still an excellent finish for cleanability.

4) It’s ideal if the doors can be sprayed instead of brushed. The spraying eliminates brush strokes. The doors need to be removed regardless to do a professional job so take this extra step & find a good, dust-free place to spray them.

5) Two coats should be sufficient but a third coat might be necessary.

If you take the time to do it properly you will achieve the best results & be on your way to transforming your oak kitchen cabinets into a modern kitchen.

2. Use a Contrast Color

Contrast color can add a pop & give your oak kitchen cabinets a fresh new modern look. It can be as simple as black for a dramatic look or a fun playful color like this Caribbean Teal. For either option follow my guidelines shown in step 1.)

Whether this is a short-term solution until you can afford to renovate your kitchen or it’s your long-term plan it’s a great way to add your personality for making your oak cabinets look modern.

Use your imagination!

Some colors that I have used effectively are:

3. Replace the Cabinet Hardware

This is most effective when you have painted your oak kitchen cabinets. The holes can be plugged before painting so you you’re not limited to the same configuration you have now.

I’ve said this before & I’ll say it again…knobs on the doors & drawer pulls or bin pulls on the drawers. It’s worth repeating ;)

Oddly, one of the first things I see when I walk into my client’s kitchens is the cabinet hardware. Call me crazy…you know how some people are shoe people? They check out other people’s shoes when they first meet them. My husband falls into this category. But for me, it’s cabinet hardware. My eyes are drawn to it.

Cabinet hardware says a lot about who you are. Sometimes it says you’re cheap. (ouch) Sometimes it says you’re creative. (that’s a good thing) Sometimes it says you’re sophisticated. (another good thing) Sometimes it’s non-existent which prompts me to look at my client’s fingernails to see if they’re chipped from having to rely on them as tools.

It’s a silly, simple place to make a big impact. Don’t skip this step ;)

My two favorite online vendors for cabinet hardware are Signature Hardware & Rejuvenation. Honestly, though, I’ve had great luck with the big box stores too. If you have a large quantity to replace that might work better for your budget.

Look for a pull that doesn’t extend past the handle portion. This style catches the loops on your jeans or the ties on your apron. I advise against them.

For a modern look consider a polished nickel or chrome finish. Satin Brass can also be modern when paired with modern lighting & a kitchen faucet to match. Black is also a hot finish right now.

No matter what size your kitchen is, it will always look more modern with a fresh coat of white paint & new cabinet hardware. Without changing the counter, backsplash, or flooring the newly painted white cabinets cast light onto the darker surfaces.

4. Replace the Island

Paired up with some of the other options, replacing the kitchen island can take you to the next level of how to make oak kitchen cabinets look modern. Even if you choose not to paint ALL of the cabinets.

It doesn’t have to be a huge expense.

A simple sleek cabinet style can look exceptional when paired with a waterfall solid surface top. It’s also an opportunity to create a larger work surface & more seating.

This is a perfect opportunity to do a contrast color…refer back to the colors I suggested in 2.)

5. Change the Doors

If the door style of your current oak kitchen cabinets is not modern in style & your goal is to have a nice sleek look, consider changing out the doors. A flat slab style door is the most economical & sleekest style of door.

I recommend purchasing them prepainted like this. You might want to replace the hinges at the same time with a soft close style hinge.

Can you imagine…No more slamming doors?

select a couple of ideas or pair a few of them together…these ideas can truly transform your outdated kitchen cabinets and make your oak cabinets look modern & fresh.

If you’re going for an ULTRA MODERN look, then consider keeping your basic layout but replacing the doors & island.

I hope this helps you with transforming your dated oak kitchen cabinets into the modern kitchen of your dreams.

For more inspiration be sure to read my earlier blogposts How to Update Your Outdated Kitchen & Pulling Your Kitchen Altogether.

Paint, Contrast, New Cabinet hardware, consider a new island or new doors. That’s how you make oak cabinets look modern.

I would love to see your before & after photos. Do share ;)

I look forward to your questions & comments below & hope you “like” this blogpost.

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