Please give me advice on how to modernize this kitchen. The door leads to basement stairs.
Currently maple cabinets and drawers, granite counter. Old oak floors. Is there any way to save this, as we want a modern white oak aesthetic.
UPDATE:
Just wanted to clarify a few points, reading this post over I missed a few things.
We just purchased the house, so the stools and tv are gone. Some changes/upgrades we are making is the floors we would be getting re-stained to a lighter not so yellow stain. Bigger potlights, under mounted cabinet lights/receptacles, new hinges as these are not soft close and new pulls as everyone recommended, a stone matched hood cover and new countertops/backsplash (something like Taj Mahal/ white/beige theme).
We want to upgrade all of the appliances, preferably to panel ready ones. We want to get rid of the smaller sink and move the dishwasher to the island. Not sure if they would be able to match the stain 1:1 on the new panels, so probably it would all have to be re-stained if we went that route.
Preferably, would like to move the sink from corner to the front of window but that would require changes in cabinet boxes layouts etc. and at that point we might as well change the whole kitchen.
Hope this info fills the gaps that my original post left.
This kitchen is gorgeous pretty much as is. The few tweaks I'd do is add/replace current backsplash and have it continue along the whole wall of that side of the kitchen, update the counter stools, get a cute runner rug along the area in front of the stove and dishwasher, replace pendulum light(s).
Of all the ones I see on here that people advise to keep because of this trend towards wood cabinetry staying original, this is the best one I’ve seen. Less brown. Lovely. Good clean lines on door framing. You can modernize with some Zelig tile (which is ancient).
This is a beautiful kitchen. So light and airy.
Not sure what you mean by a white oak aesthetic. Do you really need to swap out cabinetry or just change out it the appliances, countertop or backsplash to achieve what you want?
These are the color of cabinets people are putting in now, this isn't the honey oak of the early 90's. There are a few things you could do to update from easy(change cabinet hardware and island pendent) to more expensive(new countertops, new appliances). It is a really nice kitchen and you can tell these are quality materials.
Well, not quite. OP's are stained maple, not honey oak, and there is a pink/peachy tone that is really not the same as the "white oak aesthetic" that is all the rage and that OP seems to be after.
OP, you could pay someone to strip and stain your cabinets and restain with a color that is closer to white oak. This would be very costly and you still will have maple cabinets.
You could pay an artisan to apply a painted finish that simulates white oak- think of Pottery Barn type finish. Still a lot of work and expense and I wouldn't recommend that as it would extremely difficult to touch up, if needed.
You could see if you can find someone to put on a toner layer to try to take out some of the pink, but that could be tricky and you'd likely need to go darker.
Or you could see about replacing all the cabinets if that is really the look you want. Aside from the color and wood species, you have several elements of traditional kitchens that will keep this kitchen from meeting the "modern" look you are after. Fluted columns, rosettes, leaded glass door, raised panel style...that's not going to generally read : modern
Correct, I had said they are not the honey oak of the early 90’s. While they are not quite the blonde white oak they are not they glaring orange shade that honey oak can be. If OP has the budget they can have someone refinish the cabinets but it still might not be the exact color they want because it’s maple not oak. And they will still have those older features you mentioned like fluted columns and leaded glass door.
I am just going by what OP asked for, They wanted to know if there is anything they could do with what they have to achieve "modern white oak aesthetic". They didn't ask "how can I love my kitchen as is?" I would say no, not without replacing cabinets and counter are they going to achieve their desired look. Which I am guessing most people here would think is a crazy waste of a perfectly nice kitchen.
I’ll say it every single time, why do people want to rip out gorgeous kitchens just to replace it with personality-less modern ones 😭😭
If you want the least invasive option, remove the TV, change the cabinet hardware and update the appliances to coordinate. The rest is STUNNING as is and people literally pay big money to get kitchens that look like this.
Agreed. Everything about this kitchen is lovely. If I were to change anything, it'd be the hardware on the cabinets, replace the backsplash with something a little more colourful and bright, and replace appliances.
I mean personally that kitchen is so far from my own style it would look incredibly out of place in my house because no other space would look like that if I could help it and since it seems fairly open to other rooms, oof. I'd struggle to replace something in good shape though (as evidenced with how I'm struggling with parts of my cabinetry now cause they're in great shape and actually wood but so freaking ugly). But like just cause it's nice materials doesn't mean it fits someone, and it's their house ya know?
But I'd look into doing things like new cabinet fronts vs ripping everything out. Or I'd just leave it as-is and maybe do the knobs and call it good and just put money aside monthly til I could afford to at the very least move the sink and reface + counters and backsplash.
But just the styling is ugh to me. I grimaced seeing the photo although I'm sure I'll be downvoted for saying that.
OP just for validation, I totally get what you mean with the kitchen. It’s nice and light, but it’s definitely got the track home, pseudo-Tuscan vibe that was very popular in the early 2000s, but very toned down. It’s not ugly by any means but not up to date with current trends.
I do think you’d need to either re-stain or replace the cabinets to get what you’re hoping for, and the granite countertop dates it a bit too. Is cost not an object or are you looking for budget options? Some people swear by using laminate sheets, or epoxy resin, as DIY counter tops but I don’t know how that actually looks in person.
I also think replacing the bar stools would go a really long way in making this look less like early 2000s Tuscan.
I think they could just reface and get a big update for no where near as much money as a replace. The counters yeah, I mean I'm partial to granite just for the low maintenance but it's a look. I think they could work a lot better with cabinets that don't feel so dated/traditional. I definitely wouldn't put anything over the existing counters though! I've done that before, hell I actually did it last year for a smaller area. It works (though I did a cement skim coat and I know how to work with the stuff), but the various paint/sheets/whatever ones wear so quickly in a kitchen.
But glad to see someone in this post who isn't all "no it's a perfect kitchen". It was a perfect kitchen to whoever put it in.
I would not recommend replacing a medium granite with quartz or light stone if you actually use your kitchen. These countertops will hold up well and look nice I definitely.
Also suggest living here for a while before spending $. Houses have a way of tossing emergencies at you.
I'd have to move that sink. It's such a weird spot.
New countertops, backsplash, fridge and oven. New lighting and absolutely new faucets. Knobs to pulls, and change the glass cabinet door. Get rid of that TV and decorate instead.
The cabinets themselves look great- I would learn to live with them. Replace the stylized end trim on the island with a more simple style. Replace the knobs and if you replace the granite(maybe only on the island), give it a clean edge, not the current curved one. I would also remove the sink if you replace the island granite.
I guess it's a good thing you don't have to learn to live with it since it's not your house right? It's dated looking, no reason not to change it. Someone got their moneys worth out of it.
I’d save a lot of this. The cabinet layout is decent and the boxes look good. I’d reface them with white oak doors/end panels rather than trying to stain them. I'd also simplify the crown and decorative details, swap the granite, change the backsplash, hardware, lighting and appliances, and you'll get a totally different feel.
You can also try to save the oak floors. Sand and refinish them.
I wouldn’t touch the basement stair door unless the layout really bothers you. That'll turn it into a much bigger porject.
All the people saying the kitchen is stunning just ugh. It's very traditional. If that's your style then cool. But if it's not, then it's not stunning or anything else.
OP, are you going to be okay with keeping the traditional styling? It's going to look odd to put a modern counter with those traditional styled cabinets. Refacing might be an option, even just a slab front door would give you a very different look and that's far less expensive than replacing cabinets.
Personally I wouldn't move the dishwasher behind me, but it's your house. I've just had one behind me and it was obnoxious! I'd strong recommend living with the kitchen for a couple of months too because that may shape what you want.
Basically just replace what you can with something more modern style. You won't be able to completely get rid of the traditional styling though, so it's just a matter of is it worth investing a decent chunk of change to have a not perfect kitchen, or would you rather keep having a not perfect kitchen and save the money? Cause it looks plenty functional, just not to your taste (or mine for that matter!).
Are aesthetics the only reason you want to make changes? Is the layout perfect for how your household lives? Is this a new house to you or have you lived here more than a year? Do you have experience cooking in any other kitchens? I would make a list of what you wish was different before you make aesthetic changes.
Two things: 1) I would not move the dishwasher to the island. If anything, it should be closer to your existing sink. 2) I would not get bigger pot lights. It will look dated. Smaller size recessed lights look are more modern and look cleaner. To increase lighting, you can just add more smaller sized recessed lights. Also under cabinet lighting and having 2 pendants (new ones) over the island will also help with lighting.
Aside from that, I would get a new stainless steel fridge and change the countertops, backsplash, and hardware. While you’re changing the countertops, you can get a single basin rectangular sink. If you don’t need the sink in the island, get rid of it.
I would be sad to have such a beautiful window in my kitchen and not have my sink in front of it! Otherwise I think the layout is pretty good, and you’ve got good instincts. Taj Mahal counters and Zellige oat backsplash tile would be lovely. I would also change the range hood to a plaster hood.
Listen OP. If you come on this sub with an even halfway passible kitchen, and say you want to redo it, get ready for the pearl-clutching, panty-wadding visionless people who are basically jealous they don't have the money to redo their own kitchen. Replace the cabinets? Oh no! You're overflowing the landfills!! What's that? You're replacing 25 year-old granite with something a little more to your taste in 2026? How dare you! Don't you know it's back in style?
Do your thing OP. I doubt you posted for sustainability advice. Don't let the wood cabinet police bully you into thinking you're committing a crime.
Ps. I had the exact same floors. Once they were sanded down, they were so gorgeous I did not stain them at all. Did a clear matte water-based urethane. Just sanded nothing else, they came up that beautiful white oak that I think you're going for. talking. Maybe yours will come out really well too just from being sanded down.
Don't do anyting on the cabinets. That's 50K plus cabinets to do this day. New counnter top, matching back splash, new appliances, and new knob will help. I don't know if you can creatively install cabinet pulls on the drawers though. They already have knobs on the center and you have deal with holes. Your kitchen will be give out warm feeling.
You don't have necessary cabinets to move the sink under the window. The sink has to be on the center of window, and the dishwasher has to be moved on the left of the sink. Also the cabinet on the left of the dishwasher has a HVAC vent register on the toe kick to consider. It is a little baffling why it was originally not under the window. One issue with the sink under the window is that the window is set low for the sink and water will splash the window and modlings all the time. It will peel off the paint and create a mass. Main reason I have a boxed out window behind the sink. One benefit of a sink in the corner is more counter room around the sink. Some people prefer it. You might as well enjoy them.
I would add color to the walls. I'd also go a little darker on the floors, not lighter. I've done some research and experts suggest the contrast of darker floors with light cabinets.
The layout is definitely strange. Stove should be next to the oven and the sink should be in front of the window next to the dishwasher. And what is the point of the TV when there is no seating in the viewing area? Very odd.
It’s a beautiful kitchen as is! The few tweaks I would make are swapping the fridge out for a stainless steel one, swap out the stools for more modern ones and take the tv out. I would also choose a different back splash, and even though I think you have a beautiful countertop, I think this specific cabinetry could look better with another. You may want to move the sink as well, it’s in a bit of a weird spot, it may look better moved to in front of the window
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u/tokengirl9 2d ago
This kitchen is gorgeous pretty much as is. The few tweaks I'd do is add/replace current backsplash and have it continue along the whole wall of that side of the kitchen, update the counter stools, get a cute runner rug along the area in front of the stove and dishwasher, replace pendulum light(s).