8 Color Palettes That Make Dated Honey Oak Cabinets Look Modern

Once a highly popular cabinet finish choice among builders, honey oak cabinets have somewhat expired as a trend. Home renovations and cabinet replacements are expensive, however, so many homes retain this outdated design. If you have this particular type of cabinet but find it uninspiring, it might be time to make some changes. Fortunately, there are a number of color palettes that you can put to work that will balance your honey oak cabinets, making them look more modern.

Not sure where to begin when it comes to updating your honey oak cabinets? You'll be happy to know that there are a number of approaches and options available to you. Paint your kitchen off-white, sage, or gray for an overall vibe shift. Or for smaller but still significant changes, you can update your cabinet hardware, opting for something modern such as brushed gold faucets or matte black drawer pulls. You can also make sizable upgrades to your space by swapping the countertops for a creamy granite, ideal for a classy aura. For a bolder update, try incorporating some deep and bold blues into your space, which offers a surprising balance to honey oak. Looking for more inspiration to work into your space? Here are 13 ways to update dated honey-toned cabinets on a budget.

White paint can be a simple and perhaps surprising way to make your honey oak cabinets look more modern. While a bright white can feel a bit stark, an off-white provides a complementary balance to the warm appearance of the honey oak cabinetry. One important tip is to avoid opting for a yellow-leaning white, which will only accentuate the honey hue of the cabinets. 

Black hardware is a good approach to take if you want to make your honey oak cabinets look more modern. Providing some significant contrast, the black hardware or finishes (think faucets, drawer pulls, etc) ensures that your honey oak cabinets are deliberate, rather than an unfortunate style you inherited. For the ultimate modern touch, opt for a matte black rather than satin black finish. If you're worried over whether matte black finishes are going out of style, don't be. They are here to stay, so you can update your kitchen's hardware as you see fit.

For another look, adding a splash of sage to the walls is a good choice. This earthy paint color makes honey oak cabinets look modern, and it's easy to incorporate into your space in a number of ways. You can simply paint the walls or tie in the sage green color through backsplash tiles or accent pieces such as a decorative plate or stoneware teapot.

Adding fixtures with gold finishes to your space can provide a surprising solution to refreshing those cabinets. Since gold is a finish that is being used in current home designs, it makes sense that it could also modernize your once-popular cabinets. One way to ensure you're successful in its integration, though, is to avoid pairing it with honey oak cabinets that are overly orange in their hue, or you may be left with an unbalanced look. Consider upgrades to your faucet, paper towel holder, drawer pulls, sink, or light fixtures.

If upgrading your kitchen or bathroom cabinetry is out of the question, perhaps changing out the countertops is a doable solution. The creamy, soft sophistication of granite is a great way to create a more modern look and feel alongside your honey oak cabinetry. Plus, you'll get a fresh vanity or work surface in your space. Remember to properly care for the countertops with these tips to make your granite countertops shine.

Making honey oak cabinets feel more modern in your space is all about creating visual balance. One viable way to do this is to create a dynamic and modern-looking kitchen by mixing some white cabinetry in with your honey oak cabinets. You can opt for white cabinetry in your kitchen island, as pictured, or paint upper cabinets white while leaving the lower ones their original honey oak finish.

If you want to update outdated oak cabinets with a splash of paint, gray can be an interesting choice. Incorporating gray paint is said to be an effective way to keep the honey hue of the oak from becoming too overpowering — it also has an undeniable chic and trendy quality to it. Be prepared for a visual contrast that will freshen up the area, whether you're working in a bathroom or kitchen space.

If you're struggling with the aforementioned options but still want a modern spin on your honey oak cabinets, a deeper blue could be the answer. Offering a good balance to the warmth of the honey-like shade of your cabinets, navy or a similar shade of blue can be a delightful and calming solution. When paired with a bright white for countertops or walls, this bold choice can have a nautical or beach-like effect — perfect for coastal homes.