Honey Oak Home Refresh

6 years ago

Hi All, my home was built in 2000 and has since been painted probably more than once. The floors, cabinets, stair rails and trim are all honey oak; bedrooms carpeted upstairs. Photos as purchased, but not that different other than removed wall decor in kitchen.

1. What can I do to refresh my kitchen without gutting it? I don't love the empty space above the cabinets but don't want dusty clutter either. Is it expensive/difficult to a) raise the cabinets or b) add a stacked cabinet/woodwork above? Or should I just repaint and consider a backsplash? Decor? I have nothing on top of the cabinets or walls.

2. The master bedroom has the oak trim and brown carpet, tray ceiling with white and beige-y color. I would LOVE an agreeable gray but need something that goes with the carpet! HELP. My bed does not have a headboard so there is no dark wood in the room. I hate the plain ceiling fan but don't want to add more oak lol

I don't want to change the wood/trim in one room and then have it look disconnected or updated with the rest of the home as is. Suggestions?

Thanks so much!

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Comments (5)

megs1030
6 years ago
It would help to see how your kitchen and bedroom look the way YOU have styled it. Also would help to know an overall budget.

As for the bedroom, it should be easy enough to either remove the crown moulding in the tray ceiling or paint it a glossier white. I'd vote to remove. I think a gray-blue paint on your walls would be fine, but it would help to see your bedding and your furniture.

For the kitchen, you can paint the cabinets, but it is timely if you are DIY and costly if done by a professional. I don't think it's too difficult to install a row of uppers above your current cabinets, but I'm not a pro. I would NOT raise your current cabinets as they will be too high and you will not be able to reach the shelves, unless you are tall.

I'd paint your closet doors and all trim in a shade of white. Leave your flooring.
Mallory L thanked megs1030
Mallory L
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you. There is not much change to the styling which is why I've used these photos. I have only added countertop "necessities" and appliances so there isn't much change from these samples. I am 6' and would still need to reach higher cabinets, but with a step stool it could be a better use of the space even for kitchen storage. I might look into that diy, thank you for the paint suggestion in the bedroom, I like the idea of a gray blue.
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eam44
6 years ago
- You already have a 4” backsplash made of your counter material. Don’t add tile unless you are planning to remove that. Speaking of your counters, you could re-laminate them.
- I was thinking you should add cabinets, real or just fronts, on top of your uppers. Good idea if you can match the wood. Do you know who the cabinet manufacturer is?
- There is absolutely no reason the trim finish in your bedroom has to match the trim finish in your kitchen. Paint it if you wish.
eld6161
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
I agree with eam. Unless we are talking opennfloor plan, each closed off room can function and be decorated independently.

I don’t mind the oak, but I am not a fan of oak trim all over a home.
Mallory L
Original Author
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
@eld6161 that seems to be a good solution without having to redo my floors. As @eam44 said, I would like to paint the trim in the bedroom (esp the ceiling tray) but feel like the oak baseboards flow into the hallway and just worry it will seem mismatched. Will have to do some exploring.