Help! Oak Kitchen Update While Keeping Existing Cabinets
We are in the process of updating the majority of our house and due to other priorities, don't have the budget for a full kitchen remodel. Our living room was previously a 2000s golden Tuscan paint color and is now SW Modern Gray (which transitions nicely between gray and beige, depending on the light) and will be accented with blue (rug, art, pillows). The house is generally open concept so the living room transitions into our kitchen and now I'm worried the kitchen looks completely out of place. We are trying to still keep the living room warm, but it won't be as warm as the kitchen currently is.
Any ideas or recommendations on how to help modernize a kitchen with oak cabinets (and TBH, I'm not positive they are oak?)? We don't really want to touch the cabinets or the floor, but would update the countertops, backsplash and paint. (We'd also switch to all stainless steel appliances.) I was thinking SW Accessible Beige for the paint color. (Current kitchen paint color is SW Utaupeia.) Best countertop and backsplash inspirations would be greatly appreciated!
Photos of the existing kitchen (and cabinets/floor) for reference.
I kind of like this look - think this would work with our existing cabinets and flow with the living room?
Photos of the living room next to the kitchen for reference. This photo looks a little more gray, but it can err on the beige side in the natural light.
TIA!
Comments (14)
G
2 years agoWe did a similar update. I used Cambria Colton and matte white 3x12 subways. Our walls are Kilim beige. I think our cabinets are more orangey than yours.
C Ratliff thanked GRelated Discussions
keeping original oak cabinets and mixing granite/other surfaces
Comments (14)I don't have any good up to date photos of my kitchen which is (shudder) STILL a work in progress, but to summarize- I did keep my oak cabinets (I loved them when I picked them out in 1990 and I still love them.)... removed soffits, added crown molding, changed hardware, changed countertops to dark granite, added pendant lighting, and did a tile backsplsh(porcelain tile but it looks like travertine). I am waiting on undercab lighting and the BIG wait is figuring out wall color. I will try to find a pic or two but they really dont do it justice, it looks much better in person. honestly.Oh and I think we may have the same range and microwave. I am a big believer in updating and not ripping out if it will work. I think this will be more common thanks to the economy and I think it is wonderful... Didnt want this thread to fall off. If I can locate even a lousy pic I will post it later....See MoreNeed Help Updating 80's Oak Kitchen
Comments (19)My kitchen has similar colors only my countertops are BRIGHT blue! I am going with Uba Tuba granite for countertops, while keeping my oak cabinets. I know they aren't stylish any more, but I still like them & like yours they are solid & custom made. The uba tuba is a lower priced granite & looks stunning with oak! I am adding dentil & crown moulding to the tops of the cabninets for a more finished look which is quite reasonably priced. I will have stainless appliances so the polished brass pulls are going in favor of brushed nickel. I see that you have exposed hinges as well, but cannot tell the color. Mine are exposed too, but didn't hold the polish as the pulls did, so the brushed nickel looks fine with them. It seems to have a bit of a gold sheen to it. If new countertops are not in your budget right now a friend of mine found a paint by Rustoleum that you can use to paint countertops. She had to tell me she painted her countertops - I would have never guessed! So that may be an option to look into. Lastly, your cabinets over your penninsula - I don't have those now, but did in my old house. I really didn't care for them, but they were necessary for storage. So, I think if you could give them up that might be something to consider. If not, I have seen glass doors put in on both sides which lets the light shine through to the kitchen and also updates the look. Best of luck! I've been working on my remodel ideas for months. New appliances arrive next week & the whole process begins. I think I may take sledge hammer to the bright blue laminate as soon as I hear the granite is on its way!...See Moreredoing kitchen keeping honey oak cabinets
Comments (7)It might be better to add this to the "design dilemma" section rather than the "before and after." You might find you get more feedback that way, since the "before and after" is generally used for completed projects. Good luck with your kitchen!...See MoreUpdate my kitchen without painting oak cabinets
Comments (18)grapefruit1_ar The countertop actually has specks of color in it but the color is sandstone. The tile floor is what I do not think will go with gray. I have been looking at BM Accessible Beige but do not want to much beige in the kitchen. I did look at some sage greens but just not sure. Thank you for your suggestion...See More
Suzi Marman Hanks
2 years ago
PROJAN MOYER
2 years agoC Ratliff
last yearlast modified: last yearSharing some follow-up pictures of our almost finished project for others that may be looking for inspiration in the future. Thank you Beth H as we used a number of your suggestions.
New counters, new backsplash, updated hardware, pendant lighting, some new appliances and a lighter paint color - all while keeping our counters. And changed lighting from warm light to day light - such a difference. We are very happy with the finished project considering we kept the cabinets. Now just need to add some runners and artwork throughout the kitchen.
PROBeth H. :
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PRODiana Bier Interiors, LLC
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RedRyder
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Beth H. :