Modernise A Dark Wood Kitchen Without Painting The Cabinets
If you're tired of your dark wood kitchen cabinets, here are a fews to modernise and update the kitchen without painting the cabinets.
02/10/2024
carlaaston.com
A kitchen that is fitted with dark or deep brown painted or wood cabinets, dark tile or laminate floors, and dark countertops can feel like a depressing kitchen that lacks life and love.
We all know that investing in a solid wood kitchen is a wise choice for a long-lasting design but this type of kitchen, particularly with darker wood species, has a tendency to overpower the space and make it feel darker and more depressing than it should be. If the last thing you want to do is paint the cabinets, what other options are available to update and brighten this type of kitchen?
Solid wood kitchens have a unique charm and beauty of their own. They might not be ultra-modern or uber-chic, but they are a long-lasting investment that will look good for many, many years. However, over time, dark-stained kitchen cupboards and cabinets can become dull and lifeless but there are ways to give the kitchen an update to bring it into the 21st century.
1. Add new hardware
There is no easier way to update any piece of furniture than by replacing the hardware and it also doesn't need to be expensive. Where design used to limit the blending and interaction of different style periods, now you can mix it up as much as you like. Add modern handles to traditional kitchen cupboards for an instant update or replace small knobs with larger handles for added impact.
Chrome and stainless steel handles complement a modern kitchen with light woods while brass or pewter hardware add elegances to warmer wood hues.
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2. Install new countertops
It is not only dark wood cabinetry that can bring a kitchen down. Cabinet countertops also play a large role in how a kitchen looks and feels. Dark cabinets with darker countertops can have the effect of making a kitchen feel heavy and overpowering, whereas adding light-coloured countertops has the opposite effect and will lift a kitchen. And you don't even need to break the budget to replace the existing countertops. If you cannot afford the expense of stone or composite tops, there is always the option to select Formica Lifeseal countertops, and these are available in a wide selection of colours and designs.
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3. Replace appliances
Not only will replacing old appliances have your kitchen more energy-efficient but it will also give you the opportunity to update the kitchen with modern appeal. Appliances with a stainless steel finish contrast perfectly against dark cabinetry but also reflect light around the space. If you can, coordinate new cabinet hardware to match your new appliances for a cohesive look.
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4. Say no to dark walls
Nothing makes a kitchen feel more depressing than dark kitchen cupboards than dark walls, whether tiled or painted unless you are specifically going for this look. Lighter colours work to make the space feel open and airy and provide a beautiful contrast against dark cabinetry. You don't have to settle for white but can take a look at whisper or off-whites or even softer tones of grey.
If walls are tiled with dark tiles and you do not want to go to the expense and fuss or re-tiling, consider using epoxy paint specifically for tiles to brighten the kitchen.
5. Lighting makes a big difference
If you do nothing else in the kitchen, consider updating the lighting. LED lighting is far more energy-efficient and superior to incandescent globes and installing LED light fittings on the ceiling or undercounter or under cabinets will dramatically improve the lighting in any kitchen. Additionally, because LED uses far less energy than other light sources, you can even look at installing additional fittings for decoration.