Updating Dated Wood Cabinets with a New Palette

Whether you have truly old cabinets or newer ones, when finished in wood tones, the outcome can often feel dated and can make your kitchen seem more like a cave. Not exactly the main goal for most homeowners! This kitchen is a great example of this. The medium wood cabinets and dark espresso bar area were weighing the space down. The goal for this renovation was to create a bright, airy environment that felt intentional. Since the adjoining dining and living rooms featured beautiful blue tones, we knew we wanted to bring that same energy into the heart of the home. By moving away from dark wood and toward a sophisticated “new neutral,” we set the stage for a total transformation that feels both fresh and timeless.

Here is a picture of what the kitchen looked like BEFORE.

How to Add Shaker Trim to Kitchen Cabinets for a Custom Look

While the original cabinets were in great shape and featured lovely detail on the doors, the end panels and the island felt like an afterthought. They remained totally flat, which left the cabinetry looking a bit incomplete from the side profile. To bridge that gap, we added custom Shaker trim to the exposed ends and the island base. This small but mighty architectural update aligned the panels with the style of the doors, instantly elevating the “builder-grade” surfaces to a high-end, custom-built aesthetic. It’s a crucial step in this Feather Down kitchen remodel that ensured the finished cabinetry looked polished and professional from every single angle.

Painting Cabinets in Benjamin Moore Feather Down and Stratton Blue

With updated details on the cabinets, we were able to really hone in on the color palette, which is actually the genius behind this beautiful makeover! For the perimeter cabinets, we chose Benjamin Moore Feather Down. It is the perfect light beige, warm enough to feel cozy but light enough to keep the kitchen feeling expansive. For a bold focal point, we painted the island in Benjamin Moore Stratton Blue. This soft, coastal blue-green provides the perfect amount of contrast against the beige cabinetry, making the island feel like a piece of custom furniture rather than just a workspace.

Here’s a picture of these two colors working side by side.

Feather Down by Benjamin Moore

Stratton Blue by Benjamin Moore

It’s a little hard to tell but this is a close up of the kitchen island, painted in the cool blue/green hue, Stratton Blue. Against the dark handles the blue really pops.

Design Pro Tip: To create a more elevated and seamless look, select hardware that mimics the profile of your cabinetry. For example, pairing a linear handle that has a squared off base with raised panel-style door reinforces the lines of the kitchen, making the entire design feel intentional and custom-built.

The Newburg Green Bar Stools: A Moody Blue Accent

To round out the seating area, we refreshed the bar stools with Benjamin Moore Newburg Green. Don’t let the name fool you, however. This color reads as a stunning, deep teal-blue in most lights. By using this moodier shade on the stools, we added depth to the room without clashing with the softer Stratton Blue on the island. It’s a great example of how using different tones of the same color family can make a room feel curated rather than “matchy-matchy.”

Built-in Bar Makeover: Quartz Counters and Decorative Wallpaper

The bar area underwent the most dramatic change of all. Originally a dark espresso, we painted these cabinets in Feather Down to match the kitchen and ensure a cohesive look. We swapped the dated, dark countertops for a crisp, light quartz that reflects the light beautifully. To add a punch of personality, we installed a decorative blue wallpaper between the upper and lower cabinets. This serves as a stunning backsplash that ties the kitchen’s blue accents directly into the bar’s design.

Creating a Cohesive Color Flow in Open Concept Spaces

The secret to a successful home makeover is flow. By strategically using shades of blue throughout the kitchen – on the island, to the stools, on the wallpaper at the bar, and in the small details around the space, we created a visual bridge to the client’s existing living and dining decor. The transition from the Feather Down cabinets to the adjoining rooms now feels seamless and intentional. This project proves that you don’t need a full demolition to get a “new construction” feel; sometimes, all you need is the right palette and a few custom details.

Here’s one more look at the after for this kitchen. What a transformation!

For additional kitchen inspiration, check out these transformations from FunCycled.

Blue & Gold Kitchen with Open Shelves

Clean and Bright Kitchen Reveal

Classic & Farmhouse Feel Kitchen Makeover

Kitchen Makeover Ideas: Warm Taupe Cabinets with Black Island for a Timeless Look

Final Thoughts

I hope you have gleaned some inspiration and perhaps discovered some key takeaways for your kitchen! To see more kitchen inspiration, check out all of our KITCHEN MAKEOVERS.

Are you considering getting your kitchen cabinets painted (OR MORE!), follow these three easy steps to getting your FREE QUOTE today! If you are even remotely considering a kitchen refresh, I encourage you to CONTACT US today!

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Happy FunCycling Friends,
Sarah ; )

Exquisite Spaces. Sustainable Designs. Brighter Futures.

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