Goodbye Honey Oak: Paint Your Dated Wood Cabinets This Bold Color For A Stunning New Look

If you look around your kitchen and wish it didn't feel dated, you may be interested in trying new cabinet design trends that are taking over kitchens. One design feature that can make your kitchen feel dated is having honey oak stain on the cabinets, which some people believe is visually unappealing in a modern kitchen. This stain color was commonly used in the 1990s and early 2000s, appearing in many different kinds of homes and becoming strongly associated with the era, making the color feel overused.

A smart way to update honey oak cabinets when you're on a budget is to paint them. You might be able to DIY the paint job for less than $200, depending on the size of your kitchen and the supplies you already have. If you're looking to add a modern color that gives your kitchen a fresh new look, consider blue. This is a notable color choice, as it adds character to the kitchen, with darker shades creating a sense of moodiness. Some designers almost consider blue as a neutral or base color because it reminds people of denim blue jeans, which deliver a comfortable feel that is always stylish.

A fresh pop of color can also cover some of the discoloration that may occur as older honey oak cabinets age. As the finish on these cabinets ages and is exposed to sunlight, the wood and finish may develop a more pronounced yellow or orange tone. The cabinets may even develop uneven coloring because of differences in sun exposure, making them good candidates for a fresh paint job featuring a striking blue color.

You can enhance the beauty of blue kitchen cabinets by using certain colors in the room's accessories. You may even be able to keep some of the accents that worked when the cabinets had a honey oak stain. Elements like marble or high-gloss white countertops will stand out against the rich blue color, regardless of whether you go with a dark or light blue. Some people even appreciate the pairing of blue painted cabinets with a black granite countertop. If you have warm-toned hardwood floors in the kitchen, they can also provide contrast against cooler shades of blue. 

When choosing hardware, darker blue paint can pair well with brass, brushed nickel, or matte black cabinet and drawer hardware. Lighter shades of paint work nicely with satin nickel or polished chrome hardware.

Before worrying about cabinet hardware, though, you'll want to prepare the cabinets for paint. The smartest option is sanding the honey oak cabinets and doors to return to bare wood. You may also need to apply a chemical to strip away all the coatings. You want to fully remove the stains and varnishes that have been in place for a few decades and that may be causing the undesirable orange tone. You should then apply a stain-blocking primer that can help prevent wood tannins or discoloration from bleeding through the new paint. After the primer dries, you can add your blue paint. With the right preparation and complementary finishes, those dated honey oak cabinets can become a completely different focal point without requiring a full kitchen renovation.