Homeowners can opt to bleach or stain their dark wood kitchen cabinets in order to lighten them up. Using either bleach or a wood stain lightens up the color of the cabinets while preserving their natural look. Just remember to use the right type of bleach or wood stain to get the results you want.
Full Answer
Can you paint kitchen cabinets to lighten them?
You can certainly paint your kitchen cabinets to lighten their appearance, but that often means sacrificing their natural look. Many homeowners want to avoid losing the natural appearance of the wood so they avoid using paint as much as possible. Gary Evans is passionate about home improvement.
How can I lighten up my oak cabinets?
The above photo shows how adding dark hardware, a modern countertop and new subway tile backsplash can lighten, brighten and update oak cabinets – making them look rich and stunning, rather than heavy and old. To finish this up, I would replace the yellowed phone jack and put something pretty in the open cabinet 4. Use the Right Home Decor
How to clean kitchen cabinets without bleach?
To finish up, clear the kitchen cabinet by wiping it down with water. After that, you should sand it down to smooth out its appearance. You can also seal the kitchen cabinets to preserve their look better. Staining your kitchen cabinets is going to take more work than bleaching.
How can I brighten up my kitchen without remodeling?
This might be a bright vase, a curtain, lights, a backsplash, or a piece of art. This visual distraction will brighten up your space. 7. Create contrast with an accent detail. Choose one place in your kitchen that you want to make the focal point. This can be, say, your island, a block of cabinets, your backsplash (again), or even your sink.
How can I make my cabinets lighter?
You can change the color of your stained oak cabinets, but it will require time and effort. Stain sinks into wood pores under a sealed topcoat of lacquer. The only way to properly lighten the wood is to remove the lacquer, sand off the dark stain and replace it with a lighter color of stain.
How can I update my kitchen cabinets without painting them?
How to Update Oak or Wood Cabinets WITHOUT a Drop of Paint5 Ideas: Update Kitchen Cabinets with Hardware, Backsplash, Glass Doors & More!UPDATE HARDWARE & LIGHT FIXTURES.ADD GLASS TO FEATURE CABINETS DOORS.ADD A NEW BACKSPLASH.USE THE RIGHT HOME DECOR.PAINT… JUST A LITTLE.
How do you lighten wood cabinets?
White washing is simply mixing white paint and water to lighten wood. The more paint you add to your mixture, the less opaque the finished look will be. So, if you're looking to just lighten your wood without covering the wood grain, then use mostly water with a few drops of paint.
Can you lighten up dark cabinets?
It is possible to restain your kitchen cabinets from a dark stain to a lighter color. A dingy kitchen can be quickly brightened and overhauled by simply changing up the cabinets. Doors that are stained a dark, outdated shade can be lightened up by stripping off the old finish and applying the new, light-hued stain.
How do you make old cabinets look modern?
25 Easy Ways to Upgrade Basic Kitchen CabinetsTry Removable Wallpaper. ... Swap Out Boring Hardware. ... Install Sliding Shelves. ... Get Organized With Drawer Dividers. ... Hang Storage Bars Inside Doors. ... Add Interest With Furniture Legs & Feet. ... Try Open Shelving. ... Add Toe Kick Drawers.More items...•
How do you bleach kitchen cabinets?
BleachingMake a bleaching mixture of one part chlorine bleach to 10 parts warm water in a clean bucket. ... Dip a clean sponge into the mixture and wring half of the mixture out. ... Rinse down the cabinet with clean water and a damp rag to neutralize the bleach.More items...
Will vinegar lighten wood?
If you see the wood getting lighter than you want it to be, stop the action at that point by wiping with vinegar. When finished with either one of these bleaches, it is best to neutralize the chemical action by washing the wood down with white vinegar.
How do you make wood lighter?
To make dark wood lighter, wipe away any dust on the wood. Spread a thin coat of 2-part wood bleach solution across the wood surface and let it sit for 30 mins. After that, use a white vinegar solution to neutralize the wood bleach before wiping it clean with a wet cloth.
How do you change dark wood to light?
If you try to apply a light color of stain over the top of an existing dark finish, you won't notice much difference. To completely alter the color of the finish, strip down the existing stain using a petroleum-based solvent. Once you've lightened the wood, you may add a lighter color of stain.
How do you bring natural light to a dark kitchen?
10 Brilliant Ways to Improve Your Way-Too-Dark KitchenAdd a mirror. ... Hang a clamp lamp. ... Use brighter bulbs. ... Turn recessed lights into pendant lights. ... Stick up some under-cabinet lights. ... Add pops of color. ... Create contrast with an accent detail. ... Add something metallic that will reflect light.More items...•
Can you lighten cabinets with gel stain?
Lightening dark paneling can be done with gel stain. Gel stain is thick enough to stay on vertical surfaces without dripping or running. It contains opaque pigment that dries to form a layer of color. It will reduce the visibility of the grain on the wood.
How do you update dark wood in a kitchen?
Another easy way to bring new life to brown cabinets is to install a new kitchen backsplash. For a modern look, try a herringbone pattern that incorporates brown and neutral tones. Another great choice is geometric tile. For a more subdued look, try classic white subway tile or a marble slab backsplash.
How to add light to a dark kitchen?
The best way to add "light" to this space would be to change out the dark counters and backsplash.
Can you use clear glass pendant lights with Edison bulbs?
yep. pendants with white frosted glass shades will scatter the light around more. avoid clear glass with edison bulbs, you won't be able to turn them to full brightness w/o blinding everybody.
Can you replace black countertops with white?
if you had it in your budget, consider replacing the black countertops with something much lighter. swapping any horizontal surface from black to white will bounce light and massively improve the brightness. (edit: just realized you don't want to change counters, so ignore that!)
Can you chalk paint a table?
A lighter, warm white on the walls, and you can chalk paint your chairs and stools in a lighter color if you don't want to replace them. I think your table is fine.
What is the best finish for wood cabinets?
Oil Rubbed Bronze. ORB is another beautiful finish with wood cabinets but is usually better with oak than cherry or maple (depending on the stain colour ). However, of the four finishes, it’s the LEAST modern looking.
What color hinges should I use for wood cabinets?
Black is HANDS-DOWN the top choice for updating wood cabinets. And I love the look of it as long as the hinges aren’t exposed as black hinges can look a bit harsh and show the age of the cabinets more than hidden hinges. Black hardware can look either modern OR farmhouse, depending on the style of your cabinets and surrounding decor/style.
How to update a kitchen with oak cabinets?
Using unified decor with a consistent colour palette can really help update a kitchen or bathroom with oak cabinets. The more colours and metal finishes you add, the more cluttered it can make the room look.
What color subway tile should I use for a kitchen?
Add a soft, warm creamy white subway tile. White would be too stark with the flooring and countertop. I would do a soft light beige-ish grout to define the tile layout
Why add glass to kitchen doors?
Adding glass to a few key doors will relieve some of the visual weight of the wood and add reflective value to your kitchen (which is great if you have a dark kitchen and keep tidy cupboards). And of course, you could hire a cabinet company to do this for you, but with a bottle of wine and a saw you might be AMAZED at what you can accomplish (it’s how I trim my toenails).
Can you update wood cabinets?
I also believe that CLEARING THE CLUTTER is a great way to update wood cabinets. Simplify your space and let the products do the visual work for you. Wood cabinets (especially oak) have a grain to them and this alone can add visual interest/clutter to space.
Can you use too much color on wood cabinets?
Generally speaking, too much colour isn’t great for wood cabinets, however, adding some greenery and keeping things simple is a GREAT way to add some energy to the room without overwhelming it.
Can I paint my own cabinets?
There’s no need to hire out the task of painting your cabinets! I know without a doubt that you CAN paint your own cabinets and furniture. It’s easier than you probably think. And, I’ll show you exactly how to do it, step by step, in my DIY Cabinet Painting 101 class.
Is glazed kitchen cabinets too dark?
These glazed cabinets really elevate the entire kitchen’s design – especially when paired with a beautiful creamy tile backsplash. The color isn’t too light, but not too dark either. It’s a perfect balance of color and cream!
Why do people paint white cabinets?
Why? It’s a way to literally bring light into your kitchen by brightening up the space.
What to do when your kitchen is too dark?
If you feel as if your too-dark kitchen is past the point of no return, channel your inner Bob Ross and add a few happy splotches of color. This might be a bright vase, a curtain, lights, a backsplash, or a piece of art. This visual distraction will brighten up your space.
What is the best light for a dark kitchen?
Under-the-cabinet lighting is the best fix for a dark and cramped kitchen. Choose from puck lights, fluorescent light bars, or LED light bars to brighten up your space.
