Give Your Kitchen A Modern Upgrade With The 90s Wood Tone That's Making A Comeback

If you have recently decided to update your kitchen and are searching for inspiration pictures, what you see may be shocking: Some very unexpected '90s design trends are making a bold comeback in homes everywhere. From green walls to warm oak cabinets, the trending combination of features can make you feel like you accidentally picked up an old magazine instead of your phone or laptop. While it may seem strange for the 1990s to be back in style already, the resurgence of these once-dated style lines up with the idea that there is a 20 to 30-year trend cycle for interior design. All of this means that certain wood tones, in this case, honey oak, can actually make your kitchen feel modern rather than dated these days. Of course, especially if you remember actual kitchens from the '90s, it will be important to style the room correctly so it does not feel like a time capsule instead of the modern reimagining you want. 

Even if you manage to balance the warmth of your honey oak with a modern color palette, current appliances, and finishing touches, you might wonder if you should actually invest in honey oak, especially because it may seem like a step backward, style-wise. Obviously, you should only make the change if you like the trend, but in general, it is a solid choice. There are plenty of reasons why wooden furniture is the warm trend that will never go out of style. Wood cabinets, flooring, and trim are all durable and can be stained or even painted whenever. Plus, wood floors and cabinets have always been popular, demonstrating real timelessness.

If you are looking for ways to update honey-toned cabinets on a budget, there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure your look stays modern. You will want to consider the colors you pair with, the intricacy of your wooden items, and how the wood looks with other finishing decor touches. To make honey oak look contemporary, avoid leaning too heavily into classic '90s color schemes by overusing the tone throughout your kitchen. Honey oak paired with modern color palettes, such as gray and blue-gray or neutrals like black, white, and a cool tan, can let the tone shine. For the walls, shades of white and gray are ideal, while colors with too much blue can clash with the yellow tones of the wood. Follow some tips to combine warm furniture with cool-toned walls (and vice versa) to make sure your honey oak works well with the colors you like.

As for hardware, the best choice is likely to be black for an updated vibe. Black hardware tends to look modern and industrial, and especially if you embrace sharp, clean lines, this can provide the perfect contrast with the traditional style of honey oak. Black plumbing, lighting fixtures, and appliances work the same way. Plus, the contrast will make the warm tone a real focal point in the room.

While honey oak sounds like a single color, there are a variety of tones that fit the category, so take the time to find which is the best fit for your new kitchen's color palette. Some shades lean more orange, while others are more golden. Honey oak has also been rebranded somewhat as natural oak these days, so searching under that name can also help you find the right pieces. If you are getting new wood, then figuring out how to style it before you make the purchase can help you be satisfied with your eventual decision.

Cathedral-style cabinets were popular in the '90s, but the modern trend leans toward fluted or smooth cabinets with simpler, more minimalistic designs. Also, adding just one or two honey oak elements to limit the amount of the eye-catching wood in the room keeps the wood as a modern accent rather than an overwhelming blast to the past. Consider doing just the island, upper cabinets, or lower cabinets in honey oak, or mount some honey oak floating shelves. If you plan to have a honey oak wood tone floor, consider breaking it up using an area rug, a runner, or small rugs in useful places, such as under the sink. With these tips, you can make the honey oak trend work wonderfully in your kitchen.