I know it’s easy to think that nobody has (or wants) oak cabinets anymore if you spend any time looking at kitchens on Pinterest or Instagram, but in the real world, that’s just not true. One of my most visited blog posts remains an old one I wrote about not painting oak cabinets so I know some you might still want a little extra (updated) help. Sometimes, it just takes a little vision and some new accessories to make your kitchen feel like new again. I’ve put together three idea boards that were built around the tone of the oak, using modern and fresh decor to give them new life.

What I envision: A pretty fabric on a window shade or curtains, pulling from the grays for the paint and upholstery. (Red or yellow walls will fight against the oak tones.) I’d go with a creamy or soft white on the walls and use a rich graphite color on an island or accent piece like a hutch. Matte black drawer pulls and a stunning pendant (or two) instantly update the overall look. I’d finish up with a deep red Persian style runner for a punch of color on the floor.

What I envision: A strong statement with dark green walls as the backdrop to the oak cabinetry. I’d use a patterned fabric with different shades of green for the windows and add a pop with a chartreuse striped runner. All of your finishes don’t have to match; I’d use antique bronze and glass pendants paired with bronze drawer pulls and add a touch of industrial metal with the bar stools.

What I envision: A fun, more modern take on oak cabinets, starting with an abstract pattern on the window treatment fabric. I’d pair this with bright white streamlined pendants and white on the walls. A true navy would be a strong accent on an island, china cabinet, etc. I’d use matte black on the hardware (and on a modern faucet!). To play off the white walls, I’d use a colorful runner and a set of green bar stools with sleek lines.