13 Different Ways Getting Rid of Honey Oak Can Modernize Your Home

Gain inspiration with these painted and stained oak projects that will help love your home again

In this list, we will show you 13+ different projects we have done in our home to help get rid of that honey oak. Ultimately, this allowed us to cheaply modernize and update our home. From painting cabinets to railings you can really change the look while staying on budget. With my last oak painting project, I think it is safe to say that most of that grainy honey oak color is mostly gone from our home. We still have honey oak wood floors that eventually will be updated, but I actually don’t mind the look and color of them.

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Will oak trim come back in style?

I do not have a glass ball, but my guess is “No”. There are so many other great woods out there that the honey oak that is in all houses built in the past 30-year time span will need to upgrade or modernize in some way or another.

Have you seen any new construction with honey oak in it? I know that I have not. While I do feel that more light and natural woods will be making a comeback, I do not feel the construction grade honey oak that was all over my house will be making its way back in style.

Even, this Bob Vila article talks about how honey oak kitchen cabinet trends really make your house look dated. Other articles have mentioned oak as possibly coming back, but they are not referring to the good old honey oak that we have (or I think can I say had) throughout our house. I am sure these trends will continue into 2022 as well.

Pin for Later! Yea, we know it says 9 (really we have 13 DIY projects to show you). We just keep getting rid of honey oak!

Oak banister & 9 ways to get rid of oak in your home

How to get rid of the oak color (not replacing)?

There are times when you can completely update the look of oak in the home by changing the items around the oak. And other times, if you want to keep existing cabinets, molding, and trim, then updating with paint or stain is your best bet. We have never used actual stain, only gel stain to help update cabinets and old pieces of furniture.

Because let’s be honest, I am always looking for the cheapest and easiest way to modernize our home. Sanding old items and replacing oak banisters and cabinets isn’t easy or cheap!

How to get rid of oak grain before painting?

If you are painting cabinets not wanting the grain to show through as much you can apply a product called Aquacoat. We have never used this product because we don’t mind the texture the grain gives off after painting. You can see what our kitchen cabinets look like now. However, in our research, it is what all cabinet painters recommend.

How to paint oak cabinets, trim and doors

So here are the basic steps (if not using chalk paint) we have taken for the painting projects in this list.

1. Lightly sand the wood with extra-fine sandpaper. This is only to rough up the surface.

2. Use a deglosser to wipe down the oak.

3. Tape any areas out that you do not want to get primed and painted.

We always have used Sherwin Williams latex primer and have been very happy. Some people will say that you must use an oil-based primer to help stop the grain bleed. Most of the time, I can’t stomach the smell or have even been pregnant while painting so the latex primer is my best bet.

5. Use a latex enamel paint like Sherwin Williams ProClassic, SW Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel (our new favorite) or this Behr paint that we have used in our projects.

6. 2-3 coats may be needed to achieve the look you want.

7. Let the paint cure before adding hardware (like these awesome large handles used in our bathroom vanity), moving furniture, or letting kids bang it with their toys (obviously, we have had that happen before).

Do you need help deciding what color of paint to use?

We recently just tried Samplize and it totally beats having to buy individual paint samples. These 9″ x 14.75″ samples will get shipped directly to you and save the hassle of clean-up (we loved that). Check out the brands you can get here. You can also check out our post, see our review and hopefully get the answers to those frequently asked Samplize questions.

If you need help figure out what paint colors to use, check out how we easily chose paint for our island using large paint samples.

So let’s get to it and show you 13 DIY projects that can cheaply update your home!

How to Get Rid of Ugly Oak in Your Home

Here are 13+ amazing ways you can update your home cheaply by finally getting rid of that honey oak color in your molding, trim, cabinets, and more.

Repurpose an old piece of oak (or like oak) furniture

You won't believe what this finished wardrobe looked like after this furniture makeover. Not to mention, this piece of furniture was found at the end of someone's driveway for FREE!

How To Paint An Oak Railing & Banister To Modernize Your Stairway

Do you know how expensive new railings and banisters cost? If you are like us, you have an oak banister that does the trick of keeping everyone safe, but just needed to be updated. You don't want to miss this two-toned railing that is now clean and modern looking.

How to Paint Bathroom Vanity Cabinets (That Will Last)

Do you have oak cabinets that need a refresh or new look? Again a new bathroom vanity can be very expensive, but updating your old one doesn't have to be. See how this bathroom vanity looks completely brand new with a little paint and new hardware.

Small Bathroom Makeover Ideas with a DIY Herringbone Wall

Yes, we have painted these 1992 oak cabinets, but we have also experimented with other material. You don't always have to paint the honey oak to update the look of your cabinets. See how but gel stain was used for this cheap bathroom makeover.

DIY Budget Basement Makeover Ideas (Easy Weekend DIY Projects)

This budget basement makeover is perfect to see how you can still keep some of the oak while updating other trim and doors with white paint. Gain amazing DIY inspiration not only about modernizing the doors and columns but also great organizational tips.

DIY Midcentury Modern Dresser Makeover

This midcentury modern dresser was updated with gel stain and a DIY chalky paint recipe. This is such a fun & easy way to redo furniture.

DIY Chalked Paint Recipe

Need more furniture makeover inspiration. Add fun colors and accents by cheaply redoing furniture with our DIY chalky finish paint recipe and tips. P.S. We still love the fun hardware used on this upcycled furniture piece.

DIY Fireplace Makeover Ideas on a Budget That Anyone Can Do!

See how a bright white mantel can update your living room with this easy fireplace makeover. The good news is that you probably have the supplies on hand from your other oak painting projects.

DIY File Cabinet Makeover (You Won't Believe It Is Contact Paper)

This file cabinet wasn't even made out of real oak. However, the compressed wood was probably still called oak color. This DIY file cabinet makeover was such a fun way to repurpose and modernize. We used this fun geometric contact paper and white spray to complete the new look.

How to Cheaply Modernize & Update Your Old Bathroom

Did you know that you can even paint those old oak vanity lights. This is such a quick and easy way to update a vanity light fixture without having to purchase a completely brand new one.

How To Paint Kitchen Cabinets (Our Best Tips & Tricks)

Finally, paint those construction-grade oak cabinets. These white painted cabinets surely brightened the whole kitchen to create a modern look on a budget! Adding a new light fixture sure helped, too!

Repaint Painted Cabinets

Not only can you get rid of the honey oak cabinets, but if you can also "re-modernize" painted cabinets by repainting a new on-trend color. We absolutely love what our bottom kitchen cabinets look like now.

Painted Two-Toned Kitchen Cabinets

You can see how repainting already painted oak cabinets is another way to update your space several years later. We love how this DIY kitchen painting project turned out.

What is your favorite way to update a space? I guess I have to say mine probably involves painting (and I am happy that these painting projects really did upgrade the oak in our home).

If you are reading this post, then you are also probably just looking for other budget-friendly ways to update a dated home. We just finished painting our glass tile in our kitchen and you won’t believe the outcome.

We love that we were able to modernize our home by painting and staining the existing honey oak.

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Kate

Friday 11th of February 2022

I loathe honey oak. I have a very strong dislike for it. I’m currently renting and my kitchen floor and cabinets are honey oak and I swore up and down that the next house I buy will not have honey oak in it. Countless photos of friends and family have been ruined because the glowing gold color emanating from the kitchen casts a terrible yellow on everyone.

Well here I am, putting in an offer on a home built in ‘94 that is dripping in honey oak. Doors, cabinets, trim, stairs…you name it, it’s all honey oak. It’s a gorgeous home with a beautiful landscaped yard, it’s just the honey oak has spread like a virus through the house. I will do everything in my power to destroy that golden color. It’s either being ripped out or painted over, I haven’t decided.

Erin

Hi Kate. Congrats on your new house! It sounds like our house. While it would be nice to start completely fresh without any honey oak, it definitely was way cheaper to paint everything. Good luck with your DIY painting projects!

Alicia Hursley

Monday 30th of August 2021

We bought a house a few years ago that seemingly took out an entire forest of oak trees to complete the kitchen! I can't wait to get the door replaced, and get to work painting the rest. Thanks for sharing.

Hi Alicia. Yes, you can always replace the doors or paint that oak if they are in good enough shape.

Judy hardison

Tuesday 9th of March 2021

I personally don't find any well done stained wood ugly especially oak. I find painting oak a crime and will never paint it. Now pine yes I will paint that in a heartbeat.

Wednesday 10th of March 2021

Hi Judy. I am glad you love your oak. I won't have minded if it wasn't stained the honey oak color on construction-grade cabinets and more. We love how much we were able to update our home. I know not everyone would agree, but it is fun to have our own style. And yes, we always paint pine or get better wood if we are staining it.