Help! Oak Kitchen Update While Keeping Existing Cabinets
2 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (14)
Related 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 on a kitchen update with oak cabinets...
Comments (32)If you and your hubby aren't DIYers and you have a large, busy family life, gel-staining your cabs may be more of a challenge than you anticipate. Sweat equity is a great way to improve one's home with little money but even a project billed as easy may not be easy for people who don't DIY. Hubby and I are DIYers but even so, every project takes us longer than we think it will. If you decide to take this on, get sample doors and test your technique first before tackling your kitchen. Love nosoccermom's idea of replacing a few door panels with glass. Have you considered quartz counters? I think Ceasarstone Pebble (medium gray) or Raven (charcoal) would look good (I see gray in your tiles but it could be how it looks on my monitor and not the case IRL). Caesarstone Raven up close [Contemporary Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2103) by San Francisco General Contractors Mascheroni Construction Caesarstone Raven with oak cabinets [Eclectic Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/eclectic-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2104) by West Linn Interior Designers & Decorators Julia Williams, ASID Caesarstone Pebble up close [Traditional Bathroom[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2107) Caesarstone Concrete (very similar to Pebble) on IKEA Adel Medium Brown, which has has reddish/orange undertones. [Modern Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/modern-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2105) by Rockwall Design-Build Firms Modern Craft Construction, LLC It sounds as though the floor's maintenance is primarily focused on trying to keep the polished look. Instead of polishing the floors, can they remove the sheen - hone them - and seal them? Wear and tear should be less noticeable on a non-shiny surface. Honed surfaces are generally more prone to staining than polished but since the tiles aren't uniform in nature, stains will probably blend in. Good luck!...See MoreUpdate - honey oak kitchen cabinets are painted!
Comments (55)Thanks so much, catmom, arcy, purrus, nini, and lisa! They did the real estate photos yesterday and after some light staging I think the house looked amazing. We just edited out a few more things from the counter and added some decor items. We brought in a bistro table and stools to take the place of the sideboard that was moved to the great room. I also used the floating shelf I just had made for over the tub and used it for the blank space over the sofa instead. I convinced DH to hang it as part of a compromise in which he did not have to move and rehang the heavy wall clock :) These are just a few cell phone pics but I can't wait to see the professional photos!...See MoreKitchen dilemma! How to change design while keeping cabinets??
Comments (18)I think your cabinets are gorgeous and I disagree regarding there being too much wood if you use wood floors. It depends on the color. I have a LOT of wood in my condo - cabinets - cabinets in the dining area and large wall unit. I also have a wood table in the dining area. My wood (except for the table) is quarter sawn white oak in a medium honey tone. My wood floors are in the kitchen and I think they work beautiful with the wood. I deliberately chose a natural stain oak floor in a fairly innocuous narrow width plank so the floor didn't make a "statement" as I just wanted it for a background. These aren't the greatest photos as they were just quick snapshots but the wood floor is basically a warm blonde color - i.e. natural. This is a pretty good representation of the floor color and I actually used this chair to show the cabinet maker what color stain I wanted on my cabinets - he took the chair to duplicate the stain in his workshop. My table - just to illustrate there is a LOT of wood in my open plan home. This is not taken in my home FWIW. This is a pretty good representation of my cabinets - floor is probably over-exposed so it's lighter than in real life but I think it shows that wood cabinets play well with wood floors provided there is sufficient contrast - and my floors are fairly light and contrast with the cabinets in real life as well. Last picture is a bit darker (both floors and cabinets) that in real life but I added just to show how much wood I have in a fairly small space in terms of cabinetry. The tall cabinet in the first picture is a more accurate representation of the color of my cabinets which is warmer than they appear in the second picture....See MoreRelated Professionals
Aspen Hill Interior Designers & Decorators · Saint Andrews Architects & Building Designers · Agoura Hills Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Arcadia Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Four Corners Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Saratoga Springs Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Norwalk Furniture & Accessories · Asheboro General Contractors · Los Alamitos General Contractors · Rolling Hills Estates General Contractors · Summit General Contractors · Waldorf General Contractors · Plymouth Cabinets & Cabinetry · Whitney Cabinets & Cabinetry · Short Hills Cabinets & Cabinetry- 2 years ago
- 2 years ago
- 2 years agolast modified: 2 years ago
- 2 years ago
- 2 years ago
- 2 years ago
- 2 years ago
- 2 years ago
- 2 years ago
Related Stories

KITCHEN DESIGNBleached White Oak Cabinets Star in This Two-Tone Kitchen
The cabinets and a new layout transform a once-dark New Jersey kitchen into a light and bright space
Full Story
KITCHEN CABINETSHow to Update Your Kitchen Cabinets With Paint
A pro gives advice on when and how to paint your cabinets. Get the step-by-step
Full Story
BEFORE AND AFTERSGray Cabinets Update a Texas Kitchen
Julie Shannon spent 3 years planning her kitchen update, choosing a gray palette and finding the materials for a transitional style
Full Story
ROOM OF THE DAYRoom of the Day: Soothing Gray Cabinets Update a Modern Kitchen
Custom storage, light woods and a cool palette create an easygoing space for a California family
Full Story
FARMHOUSESKitchen of the Week: Modern Update for a Historic Farmhouse Kitchen
A renovation honors a 19th-century home’s history while giving farmhouse style a fresh twist
Full Story
KITCHEN CABINETS6 Kitchen Makeovers That Benefited From Refaced Cabinets
These kitchens show how updating rather than replacing cabinets can keep costs down while adding style
Full Story
KITCHEN DESIGNEcofriendly Kitchen: Healthier Kitchen Cabinets
Earth-friendly kitchen cabinet materials and finishes offer a host of health benefits for you and the planet. Here's a rundown
Full Story
INSIDE HOUZZTop Kitchen and Cabinet Styles in Kitchen Remodels
Transitional is the No. 1 kitchen style and Shaker leads for cabinets, the 2019 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study finds
Full Story
KITCHEN LAYOUTSKeep Your Kitchen’s ‘Backside’ in Good Shape
Within open floor plans, the view to the kitchen can be tricky. Make it work hard for you
Full Story
KITCHEN MAKEOVERSBefore and After: Glass-Front Cabinets Set This Kitchen’s Style
Beautiful cabinetry, mullioned windows and richly refinished floors refresh the kitchen in an 1879 Pennsylvania home
Full Story
Beth H. :