How can I lighten a dark kitchen?

10 Brilliant Ways to Improve Your Way-Too-Dark Kitchen
  1. Add a mirror. ...
  2. Hang a clamp lamp. ...
  3. Use brighter bulbs. ...
  4. Turn recessed lights into pendant lights. ...
  5. Stick up some under-cabinet lights. ...
  6. Add pops of color. ...
  7. Create contrast with an accent detail. ...
  8. Add something metallic that will reflect light.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on thekitchn.com


How do you modernize a dark kitchen?

With dark brown kitchen cabinets, you can't go wrong with natural wood. 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. Keep it modern with a glossy tile backsplash and sculptural pendant lighting.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on lilyanncabinets.com


What is the best Colour to paint a dark kitchen?

Look for neutrals with a warm, yellow or orange base for the most impact in a dark kitchen. Soft brown is relaxed and welcoming. Or go even lighter with straw, palest terra cotta or a warm, creamy shade of white on the walls. Choose cabinets in medium tones of natural wood or painted a darker hue of your walls.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on homeguides.sfgate.com


Can you make dark cabinets lighter?

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 Doors that are stained a dark, outdated shade can be lightened up by stripping off the old finish and applying the new, light-hued stain.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on hunker.com


How do you soften a black kitchen?

Light cream and grey walls contrast against black cabinetry, while a tactile rattan pendant light and soft grey faux throw function to add texture and soften any harshness in this space.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on realhomes.com


How to brighten a dark-colored kitchen



How can I add warmth to my black kitchen?

How do you add warmth to a black and white kitchen? The very best way to add warmth to black and white kitchen ideas is through wood – those with a strong grain add both texture and warmth really effectively. You can use wood on both floors, countertops, in shelving, in the room's architecture and in accessories.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on homesandgardens.com


How do you soften a black and white kitchen?

Use wood to soften black and white

An all-black-and-white kitchen can look cold and sharp. Soften things up with warm wooden furniture. You can use an island counter and a glass cabinet built into the wall, to balance the dark cabinets, as well as the black-and-white floors.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on impressiveinteriordesign.com


How do you lighten dark stained kitchen 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.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on graceinmyspace.com


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.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on pinterest.com


How can I update my kitchen cabinets without painting them?

How to Update Oak or Wood Cabinets WITHOUT a Drop of Paint
  1. 5 Ideas: Update Kitchen Cabinets with Hardware, Backsplash, Glass Doors & More!
  2. UPDATE HARDWARE & LIGHT FIXTURES.
  3. ADD GLASS TO FEATURE CABINETS DOORS.
  4. ADD A NEW BACKSPLASH.
  5. USE THE RIGHT HOME DECOR.
  6. PAINT… JUST A LITTLE.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on kylieminteriors.ca


What colors make a kitchen brighter?

Make your room a little more spacious with a lighter paint color, like off-white, cream, light gray, or light yellow. White can be a simple but powerful way to brighten up your kitchen and make it feel a lot bigger. Try adding white to the walls, cabinets, counters, and ceiling to really open up your space.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on wikihow.com


What colors are in for kitchens 2021?

Top 10 kitchen colours increasing in popularity this year
  • Terrazzo tiles. The terrazzo trend is still going strong. ...
  • Green kitchen. From soft sage to dark mossy hues, green kitchens are the best way to bring the outside in. ...
  • Touches of pink. ...
  • Splashes of teal. ...
  • Black and white. ...
  • Go red. ...
  • Orange kitchen. ...
  • Light grey.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on housebeautiful.com


Is it OK to have a dark kitchen?

Dark cabinets can be great for warming up your space — especially in contrast with lighter walls and flooring. They show food and scratches less easily. If you have an active lifestyle with kids or pets, darker cabinets may be a good choice as they tend to stand up better to wear and tear than lighter cabinets.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on wolfhomeproducts.com


Are dark cabinets out of style 2021?

We are leaving bright and white kitchen cabinets back in 2020 and replacing them with dark and moody cabinets for 2021. This trend was destined to happen at some point, and here it is in 2021. Finally, dark and moody kitchens are now a must-have, and we can see why.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on lilyanncabinets.com


How can I make my dark cabinets look good?

Install Stainless Steel Appliances

With the many different appliance finishes out there, stainless steel is one of the most appealing options to have with brown cabinets. The darkness from the cabinets is contrasted by the reflective steel, which gives off a more contemporary style that most other finishes don't have.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on cut2size.ca


How do you make a dated kitchen look modern?

How to Modernize Your Outdated Kitchen
  1. Upgrade your metals. ...
  2. Swap out your flooring. ...
  3. Consider removing your upper cabinetry. ...
  4. Modernize your countertops. ...
  5. Give people a place to sit. ...
  6. Get energy efficient with your appliances. ...
  7. Paint your existing cabinetry. ...
  8. Install new lighting options.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on mymove.com


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.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nytimes.com


Can you make dark 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.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on woodworkingclarity.com


How can I lighten wood without sanding?

If you're using 2-part bleach, then pour equal amounts of both parts of the bleach in a small bowl and stir them together.
  1. Oxalic acid lightens the stain slightly and works best on naturally light woods.
  2. A 2-part bleach solution removes most of the color, and it also can lighten the natural color of dark wood.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on wikihow.com


Can dark stain be lightened?

Dark wood can be lightened with stain for an interesting light-dark effect. Lightening is not recommended for fine woods because it covers the natural color and grain of the wood; as a last resort, though, it can be effective.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on home.howstuffworks.com


What can you do if you stained wood too dark?

These are the steps to lighten the wood stain that turned too dark:
  1. Step 1: Apply paint stripper. As we mentioned, you ought to remove the darker stain first before you can apply a lighter stain. ...
  2. Step 2: Scrape off the wood finish. ...
  3. Step 3: Apply the bleach. ...
  4. Step 4: Apply top coat.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on woodiswood.com


Can you whitewash over stain?

The answer is no, you cannot whitewash over a pre-existing finish as the original stain or finish will create a barrier, and the whitewash will not be able to penetrate to the wood. You can, however, use solid stain over old panelling and it looks terrific.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on sarahrichardsondesign.com


Are white kitchens out in 2021?

While the all-white kitchen will probably never go out of style, there are lots of new design trends for 2021 that will make you equally happy. Think: natural elements with some pops of color as well as a visit to the dark side with colors you might never expect.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on countryliving.com


How can I soften my kitchen?

How to Add Character & Warmth to a White Kitchen
  1. Add Wood Accents. One of my favorite, quick ways to add warmth to any room in our home is to use natural wood accents. ...
  2. Wicker and other Natural Textures. ...
  3. Add Greenery. ...
  4. Bring in Fresh Flowers. ...
  5. Natural and Accent Lighting. ...
  6. A Seating Area.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on ninahendrick.com


How do I make my kitchen COSY?

Consider these tips to turn your regular cooking space into a cozy kitchen you'll want to spend time in.
  1. Focus on Seating. Your kitchen won't be truly cozy unless it has comfortable seating. ...
  2. Bring in Some Colour. ...
  3. Consider Lighting. ...
  4. Find Ways to Reduce Clutter. ...
  5. Go Natural. ...
  6. Keep Things Clean. ...
  7. Bring in Something New.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on blog.kitchenandbathclassics.com
Previous question
Should I glue crown molding?