Help! Oak Kitchen Update While Keeping Existing Cabinets

4 years ago

We are in the process of updating the majority of our house and due to other priorities, don't have the budget for a full kitchen remodel. Our living room was previously a 2000s golden Tuscan paint color and is now SW Modern Gray (which transitions nicely between gray and beige, depending on the light) and will be accented with blue (rug, art, pillows). The house is generally open concept so the living room transitions into our kitchen and now I'm worried the kitchen looks completely out of place. We are trying to still keep the living room warm, but it won't be as warm as the kitchen currently is.

Any ideas or recommendations on how to help modernize a kitchen with oak cabinets (and TBH, I'm not positive they are oak?)? We don't really want to touch the cabinets or the floor, but would update the countertops, backsplash and paint. (We'd also switch to all stainless steel appliances.) I was thinking SW Accessible Beige for the paint color. (Current kitchen paint color is SW Utaupeia.) Best countertop and backsplash inspirations would be greatly appreciated!

Photos of the existing kitchen (and cabinets/floor) for reference.

I kind of like this look - think this would work with our existing cabinets and flow with the living room?

Rustic Reclaimed Chestnut · More Info

Photos of the living room next to the kitchen for reference. This photo looks a little more gray, but it can err on the beige side in the natural light.

TIA!

Featured Answer

Beth H. :

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

I don't mind the oak cabs. they're nice quality.

Absolutely freshen up the countertop/backsplash. get some 4000K bulbs in those cans too. Your current ones just add to the overall yellow hue. try the 4000K LEDs

So I like the natural oak w/the black. you could do this, keep the black appliances.

she changed the countertop to a granite, cleaned the wood cabs, added matte black handles (no knobs please) and cup pulls, a white subway tile (I'd choose a longer tile) and a nice runner.

I think your island could benefit from some pendants. If you go w/black, you could do either of these choices. runners too. bring in some color. you don't need to go w/gray walls!

this is nice w/oak.

have you considered painting the island? These two wood kitchens are some of my favorite redos, leaving the wood cabs. I love both of these soft gray blue island colors w/the whit quartz

this is similar to your inspo pic. notice the pendants and brighter can lights.

I don't care for this hardware, but the countertop is a leathered Steel Gray granite.

some colors to go w/the current granite.

what yours could look like if you just painted the island a softer white, added some pendants.

I don't care for this style kitchen, but it's a cheaper option.

personally I think you should switch out the counter, tile splash and paint the island and add pendants. and a runner.

That's what I'd do.

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Comments (14)

G
4 years ago
We did a similar update. I used Cambria Colton and matte white 3x12 subways. Our walls are Kilim beige. I think our cabinets are more orangey than yours.
C Ratliff thanked G
Sammie J
4 years ago
Your current countertops work well with the floor, so I wouldn't change those. I can't imagine that white/grey would look good with the flooring. Add a new backsplash - a subway tile in the lightest color in your granite would look great. Change out your cabinet hardware with an iron that matches your staircase. And, update light fixtures. Is it possible to change out your ovens for stainless?
C Ratliff thanked Sammie J
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jkst
4 years ago
I agree with Sammie J...save the $ for bigger changes down the road.
C Ratliff thanked jkst
emilyam819
4 years ago
I’d change the counter to white/off white.
C Ratliff thanked emilyam819
Suzi Marman Hanks
4 years ago
Love the first two pics Beth H.
Paint the whole oven cabinet black like the hood in those pics.
New counter/tile/knobs…
And you can paint that old tile floor if you are not ready to change it. It can be done to lol like concrete tile, a pattern, stone. Whatever you want. Get a professional faux painter.
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JAN MOYER
4 years ago
I'd do nothing until I addressed the floor. which is what in the rest of the house? Then? I'd paint the cabinets, change counters and splash........and add hardware.

Floor elsewhere is ............what?
C Ratliff
Original Author
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Sharing some follow-up pictures of our almost finished project for others that may be looking for inspiration in the future. Thank you Beth H as we used a number of your suggestions.

New counters, new backsplash, updated hardware, pendant lighting, some new appliances and a lighter paint color - all while keeping our counters. And changed lighting from warm light to day light - such a difference. We are very happy with the finished project considering we kept the cabinets. Now just need to add some runners and artwork throughout the kitchen.
Beth H. :
4 years ago
wow. that came out really nice!
PRO
Diana Bier Interiors, LLC
4 years ago
The inspiration photo you posted is one of my all-time favorite kitchens, and yours has a very similar look! Great job!
zapp5457
4 years ago
I like the counter top. what didi you use? G, I liked your countertop also. what did you use?
G
4 years ago
Thank you, I used cambria Colton.
RedRyder
4 years ago
Wow. That kitchen is absolutely updated - just,like you wanted! Keep with the black theme for the runner - maybe black and white? You did a GREAT job!
C Ratliff
Original Author
4 years ago
Zapp5457 - the countertop is Calcatta Venato quartz. Thank you!