Oak cabinets are a timeless kitchen classic. They offer warmth, durability, and a distinctive wood grain. However, their prominent golden or orange tones can sometimes be tricky to pair with other design elements. If you’re looking to freshen up your kitchen, choosing the right paint color can revitalize your oak cabinets while complementing your overall style.
Understanding Oak’s Undertone
The key to finding the best color for oak cabinets is understanding their warmth. Oak has a natural yellow or orange undertone. Some varieties may even have hints of pink. It’s essential to choose a paint color that works with these undertones for a harmonious look.
Colors that Complement Oak Cabinets
- Warm Whites and Creams: These colors embrace the golden tones in oak. Creamy whites like Benjamin Moore’s Simply White or Sherwin Williams’ Alabaster provide a softer contrast. These versatile neutrals help your space feel bright and fresh without feeling stark.
- Earthy Greens: Rich, natural greens with yellow undertones, like sage or olive, create a calming and elegant pairing with oak. These colors are perfect for bringing a touch of the outdoors in while remaining sophisticated.
- Muted Blues: Think dusty, denim blue or a soft navy. These hues offer a beautiful contrast to oak’s warmth while maintaining a classic feel. They blend well in both modern and traditional kitchen settings.
- Grays with Warm Undertones (Greige): Greige (gray-beige) is an excellent neutral for oak cabinets. Look for a gray with a hint of warmth to avoid a jarring contrast. Greiges can be a chameleon, shifting from warm to cool depending on your lighting.
Embracing the Grain
If you love the natural beauty of oak, consider a clear stain or a stain with a subtle hint of color. This showcases the gorgeous wood grain while giving you the flexibility to experiment with bolder paint colors for your walls or even kitchen islands.
Colors to Avoid
While experimenting is encouraged, here are a few categories to be mindful of:
- Bright, Primary Colors: Colors like bright yellow, orange, or primary red can accentuate the warmth in oak too much, creating a dated look.
- Cool Whites: Stark whites with cool undertones can clash with oak’s warmth. It can make your cabinets appear more yellow and outdated.
- Harsh, Trendy Colors: While trendy pops of color can look great in your kitchen, avoid applying those super vibrant colors directly on your cabinets. If you love a bold color, incorporate it in appliances, backsplashes, or decor.
Additional Tips for Choosing the Ideal Color
- Consider Natural Light: Does your kitchen have lots of windows? Natural light can make colors appear lighter and brighter. If so, you might be able to embrace darker, bolder shades. Warmer, artificial lighting can make colors feel more yellow, so consider this while choosing a paint color.
- Test Samples! Always test paint swatches in your kitchen under different lighting conditions before committing to a color. You’d be surprised how a color can change throughout the day.
- Your Kitchen’s Style: Do you lean towards a modern farmhouse look, a traditional aesthetic, or something more eclectic? Let your kitchen’s overall vibe guide your color choice.
- Think Beyond Walls: If you’re open to more dramatic changes and your oak cabinets feel overwhelming, consider painting your kitchen island as a contrasting statement piece.
Don’t Be Afraid of Transformation
While choosing paint colors is important, sometimes oak cabinets call for a bolder transformation. Here are some additional options if a simple paint job doesn’t feel like enough:
- Update the Hardware: New handles and pulls can make a huge impact.
- Modify Cabinet Doors: Try removing some doors for open shelving or replacing solid doors with glass-front ones for a lighter look.
- Professional Refinishing: Consult a professional about different staining options if you wish to substantially change the base color of your oak cabinets.
Oak cabinets are timeless and versatile, and by choosing the right accompanying colors, they can look fresh and modern in any home.
