Forget Expensive Renovations: A Smart Way To Update Dated Honey Oak Cabinets On A Budget

There are a few interior design elements which, when used in excess, can cause a home to feel particularly dated or one-dimensional. A great example of this is honey oak cabinets. These were a popular kitchen design choice in the 1990s, meaning that this orangey wood was used for everything from cabinets to baseboards. If you live in a house that was built in the '90s or was most recently renovated in that decade, there's a high chance you may find yourself facing a wall-to-wall honey oak kitchen.

No need to despair — there's a clever way to make dated honey oak cabinets look modern that doesn't require you to rip them out and start all over. Instead, you can opt for a "tuxedo cabinet" style by painting the upper section of cabinets in a lighter shade — typically white or cream — and leaving the other half as-is. This can prevent the honey oak from feeling overwhelming while still celebrating the virtues of the wood itself. To do this, you will simply need to coat the upper layer of cabinets in a white paint. This white on top can help the kitchen feel brighter and more open, while the organic wood texture on the bottom half will still provide that grounded look. In addition, it helps to create a contrast between the two different colors and textures so that the honey oak that is still visible feels more like an intentional accent rather than an overwhelming design choice. Let's explore how you can do this simple kitchen revamp to update your honey oak cabinets in a budget-friendly way.

To start this DIY project, it is a good idea to lay some sheets or tarps over your lower cabinets, appliances, and floors to prevent you from dripping on them while painting the upper cabinets. Then, take the doors of the upper cabinets off their hinges and use some degreaser to clean both the doors and their cabinet frames. This gives you a squeaky clean surface to begin sanding. Using a piece of 120 grit sandpaper is great for getting a nice smooth surface. You can then also spread all-purpose joint compound over the doors and upper cabinet frames. This is a helpful step if you are looking for a really smooth finish on your upper cabinets to create a striking contrast between them and the honey oak units below. Finally, you can begin priming and painting to update your kitchen cabinets! By using two or three layers of primer and sanding in between each one, you can ensure that the wood will be smooth and the oak completely covered.

White is a common choice for tuxedo cabinets, though you could opt for light grey or cream if you want the contrast to be slightly less stark. If you are still worried that there will be a disconnect between the two levels of cabinets, try adding decorations made from organic materials to the countertops or on top of the upper cabinets if there is room. This will help infuse the organic texture of the lower cabinets throughout the space while still switching up your honey oak cabinets enough to look more stylish.