Brown kitchen cabinets are found in many homes. However, they might come with a more outdated connotation to them these days, this is why we write this post: how to modernize brown cabinets.
From barn doors to handcrafted antique designs, there’s a multitude of brown cabinet styles to choose from that will add value and style to your kitchen. The look of brown cabinets can also be updated in a variety of ways, from appliances to hardware, by improving the design of your kitchen.
Read on to learn all the best ways to refresh brown cabinets without completing a full remodel.
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How to Modernize Brown Cabinets?
Here are some tips to modernize your brown cabinets.
1. Upgrade the Hardware
Try changing the cabinet hardware for a more affordable way to modernize an old-fashioned brown kitchen. Knobs and pulls have a surprising amount of influence on a brown kitchen’s overall appearance.
For a futuristic modern look, try chunky chrome bar pulls (like those pictured above). It’s a good idea to have a backup plan in case something goes wrong.
2. Upgrade to Stainless Steel Appliances
Among all appliance finishes, stainless steel is the one that complements brown kitchen cabinets the best. The dark color of the cabinets contrasted by the bright, reflective steel offers a contemporary style that other finishes just can’t beat.
Use matching cabinet pulls and knobs in chrome or silver to really make the appliances stand out. You can also mix and match with a few brass finishes if you want to get creative, like the kitchen above.
3. Paint the Walls White
One of the best kitchen paint colors for brown cabinets is white. White walls, countertops, and window frames are used in this modern Portland kitchen to reflect natural light and give the impression that the room is larger.
The dark brown shaker cabinets contrast beautifully with the white as well. If repainting your kitchen isn’t an option, get creative—add a white art piece to the wall, buy white ceramic dishes to display, or install a white peel-and-stick backsplash.
You’ll be surprised to learn how much good white can do in a kitchen with a lot of brown!
4. Get Creative With Custom Features
To keep your brown cabinets from feeling dull, add exciting custom features that will benefit the design both stylistically and functionally.
Instead of upper cabinets, the kitchen above uses unusual metal open shelving and a wine rack cabinet to keep things contemporary. The result is the perfect blend of traditional brown cabinetry and modernized storage solutions.
5. Don’t Forget About Antique
A question we receive frequently is whether antique brown kitchen cabinets are going out of style. The answer is certainly not! Antique cabinets still trail modern brown cabinets in popularity, despite the latter’s rise to the top of the kitchen design hierarchy.
There remains a stately charm in the vintage, old-age look of finely ornamented cabinets. There will always be a demand for antique brown cabinets with a distinctive handcrafted feel because modernism isn’t for everyone.
If the antique brown cabinets in your kitchen feel a little dated, think about updating the design with a tile backsplash, granite countertops, wood flooring, or a few new pendant lights.
6. Embrace Natural Wood
Natural wood works well with kitchens that have dark brown cabinets. Whether it’s hardwood flooring, wood beams, a wood island, or even vintage reclaimed wood furniture, adding wood to a brown kitchen enhances its rustic charm.
Glossy backsplash tiles and pendant lights in sculptural designs will keep the space contemporary. If you want to create a more natural design, you might also think about incorporating other organic materials like stone, tile, bamboo, or even concrete.
7. Try Two-Tone Brown and White Cabinets
When brown cabinets are installed on multiple walls in the kitchen, the darkness can occasionally feel a little overwhelming.
Think about changing some of the brown cabinets for white ones to make the room seem brighter. A section of white cabinets installed on the back wall in this large Seattle kitchen created by architect Eric Gedney makes all the difference.
The end result is a cool brown-and-white contrast that doesn’t look crowded. It might be a good idea to first think about changing just one section of your cabinets to a lighter color before committing to a full-scale remodel of your brown kitchen.
8. Opt for Modern Lighting
The mood in a kitchen can be drastically altered by lighting. There are many options available, including chandeliers, pendant lighting, and recessed lighting. Consider adding distinctive pendant lighting to a brown kitchen that already has traditional ceiling lights to update the look.
Great pendant lighting materials for modern kitchens include glass, metal brass, iron, and even rattan. There is a huge variety of sculptural shapes and styles to choose from. Brown kitchen cabinets can be greatly modernized by switching out dated lighting for sleek, contemporary fixtures.
9. Install a New Backsplash
Installing a new kitchen backsplash is another simple way to give brown cabinets new life. Try a herringbone pattern that incorporates brown and neutral tones for a contemporary appearance. Geometric tile is an additional excellent option.
Try a marble slab backsplash or traditional white subway tile for a more understated appearance. Not willing to commit to the expense and commitment of a brand-new backsplash? For a similar elegant touch, try a peel-and-stick variety.
10. Switch Up the Countertops
Contrasting Countertops for Brown Cabinets
With a white countertop in contrast, your dark kitchen cabinets will stand out. A dark wooden or painted brown cabinetry backdrop enhances the beauty of white marble, quartz, or laminate surfaces. Because white countertops are elegant and opulent, they are the ideal upgrade for a kitchen with brown cabinets. For a sleek and professional design, add a contemporary backsplash and light neutral wall paint to complete the look.
Complimentary Countertops for Brown Cabinets
The island in this modern kitchen is made of a dark granite slab that complements the surrounding oak cabinets’ deep chocolate color. The design doesn’t feel gloomy or dim thanks to the abundance of natural light and the bright white backsplash and counters that go with it; on the contrary.
Don’t be afraid to use deep brown or even black countertops if your cabinets are dark. Darker countertop colors frequently create a seductive drama that gives the room personality.
11. Match the Dining Table
Investing in a new dining table can do wonders for a dated kitchen layout. A more cohesive, well-thought-out look can be achieved by finding a table that is the same shade as your brown cabinets.
The dining table is made of wood to match the deep espresso shaker cabinets in this open kitchen layout. When compared to a lighter wood table, which might have detracted from the overall design, the cabinets’ matching espresso finish gives the space a clean, modern feel.
Final Words: How to Modernize Brown Cabinets
It might be a good idea to look into the various ways to improve your chocolate-colored kitchen cabinets before you start tearing them out and replacing them with something more contemporary. Yes, they might not be as dated as you think.
Whether you have brown cabinets in your existing kitchen or you’re planning on installing them in the future, they’re still an ideal choice.
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FAQs
What Color Knobs for Brown Cabinets?
Brown cabinets go well with chrome hardware, black hardware, and oil-rubbed bronze hardware.
Are Brown Kitchen Cabinets Still in Style?
Brown kitchen cabinets are timeless and will never go out of style.
