Are you putting in new flooring? not sure you’re limited to honey oak, you could do painted cabinets that complement that wood tone

Thanks.changing the floor too

Consider extending the hardwood(?) floors from the living area into the kitchen.

With all of the other honey oak in the living areas (paneling, etc.), painted cabinets in the kitchen could be an interesting design change. You could work in honey oak accents (for example, stove hood trim, cutting board/bowl/case on the counter, wood accent on lighting, etc.)

I could not find a photo with honey oak, but here’s an example:

^ agree with extendjng the wood floor into the kitchen - will make the whole area seem so much bigger

To offer a different option based on what would be chosen if this were built today.

Honey oak would not be the number one choice. Or on the list. To move forward you can paint the doors and trim and remove paneling. Replace the wood flooring with wide plank engineered European Oak in a pale brown tone without any yellow running also into the kitchen. Every flooring source has this product. IKEA Vedhamn cabinets are e. oak. Made in Hungary. No US cabinet companies use this wood yet

This is a more expensive investment update option.

I too would extend the wood floors into the kitchen. I see no reason why you need to do honey oak in the kitchen. You are probably so used to it you cannot imagine it otherwise. But, I don't think I'd love it with Taj countertops. It's time for a new look! Use your leak to your advantage as motivation to change things up.

When we remodeled our kitchen (including unstained oak flooring), we went with a cabinet stain that offered a contrast to the rest of the woodwork in the house, which is mostly golden oak. We also used Taj Mahal for the counters and backsplash.

Thank you all for your amazing suggestions . I like them all . Will decide soon . Is ik ok to have 2 different color wood in the kitchen ? My door and window trims aregoden oak color