Asked on May 07, 2015

Are dark kitchen cabinets out of style?

We have dark kitchen cabinets - I would say maybe mahogany - which are in very good condition but make the kitchen darker as it is located in the back of the house and gets only very early morning sun. I have been toying with the idea of painting just the uppers a beach themed color but am afraid. Any tips out there? And are darker wood cabinets now out of style?
  10 answers
  • Julie Julie on May 07, 2015
    Any color goes these days. If you love them keep them. If you want more of an update change the hardware with some bling. That can give them a whole new look. I personally love dark wood. Very rich and classic. For extra light add reflective surfaces, light paint, counter tops, light colored floors. You can use strategically placed mirrors to reflect more light.
  • Hi Arlene, Julie is right. As a kitchen contractor, I am getting more requests for darker cabinets. Consider a new back splash and under cabinet lighting. I am also putting more skylights and bigger windows in lately.
  • Hailey Hailey on May 08, 2015
    I think most people who are painting cabinets are trying to get rid of the contractor orange oak look. Your cabinets sound like they are high quality and probably have a beautiful finish on them already. If you love them keep them. If you worry about light the suggestions above are great.
  • Daveicrave Daveicrave on May 08, 2015
    If you watch any flip or flop remodel shows, they are using all dark cabinets, and dark floors. I have the 70's oak cabinets and I am going to stain mine darker and actually paint my floor very dark also. Sounds like you have some nice cabinets. If you like them, stay with what you love. YOU live there. Make it a home, not a house.
  • Ann Thompson Ann Thompson on May 08, 2015
    Please do not allow yourself to be victim to someone else's choices. Have enough self confidence to use what you like! I have cherry cabinets, they look good, I like them, and will not allow someone else to dictate what I buy. I feel the same way about stainless appliances. They look institutional to me and I am not going to buy them. You are paying, please yourself.
  • Arlene Fitzpatrick Arlene Fitzpatrick on May 08, 2015
    Thanks to all who have responded.
  • Janet Pearson Janet Pearson on May 08, 2015
    In my last house that I lived in for 27 yrs. I re did my cabinets in all white and all I had was one small window in, it made the room look twice the size and made it so inviting. Then you can change your accent colors for the seasons. I loved it.
  • Jeani Miller Miner Jeani Miller Miner on May 08, 2015
    the answer is contrast - if your cabinets are dark your walls, backsplash and counters would look best in a light finish. add some new hardware in polished nickel and maybe to a display of white china. since your kitchen is so dark I'd work on getting good lighting in there. You might even want to consider changing out two of the cabinet doors to glass front (needn't be completely clear) and adding lights in the cabinets.
  • Susan Susan on May 08, 2015
    You might want to keep everything else lighter colors in the room. Also a lighter colored countertops and glass front cabinets on some of the wall cabinets--if you can add lighting to those that would light up your dark kitchen. I had outets added to the top of mine--no soffet--for my cottage collection but I could also use vines with lighting or any thing else. Good luck, you cabinets sound wonderful, I would keep them as they are!
  • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on May 09, 2015
    Agree with Susan about glass front cabinets (the kind you can't see through! LOL) and under the counter and task lighting. This will lighten and brighten the space.