Summary

• Pros love honey oak for its warm, nostalgic feel, made modern with matte finishes.
• Durable and timeless, it suits both modern and traditional spaces.
• For a similar warmth, try mushroom, creamy white, or earthy paint tones.

It’s safe to say that honey oak, which you might remember from the kitchen cabinets in your childhood home (and, as such, was once seen as majorly outdated) is having a moment back in the sun. “Designers and homeowners alike are embracing the cozy, nostalgic feeling that honey oak brings, but they’re giving it a modern update,” says Lisbeth Parada, a designer and Color Marketing Manager at Minwax. “Today’s honey oak feels more elevated—less glossy, more matte or satin.”

Find out why pros in particular are majorly drawn to honey oak cabinets and other accents for 2026 and get their best tips for how to best incorporate it into your home. And if honey oak just isn’t your thing right now, don’t worry—we’re also sharing a few trending cabinet colors that are worth exploring as alternatives.

Meet the Experts

• Lisbeth Parada is a designer and Color Marketing Manager at Minwax.
• Peggy Haddad is the founder of Peggy Haddad Interiors.
• Rebecca Mahoney is the principal designer at Robinwood Kitchens.

Why Designers Are Loving Honey Oak

For some designers, honey oak is a welcome alternative to the white tones that have characterized kitchens in recent years. “White oak has had its run,” says Peggy Haddad, the founder of Peggy Haddad Interiors. “We’re starting to see warmer oaks make a comeback, especially where the grain shows and the tone feels sun-warmed.” The designer is drawn to using honey oak in moderation and will opt for a matte finish. The tone, she says, “adds instant warmth and vintage charm to a space.”

Designers also appreciate honey oak because it’s built to last—quite literally. “Oak is a highly versatile wood species, offering designers a distinctive grain pattern and exceptional durability that withstands everyday wear,” says Rebecca Mahoney, the principal designer at Robinwood Kitchens. Not only is oak sturdy and long-lasting in its makeup, it also boasts a timeless quality, the designer says.

Where to Work Honey Oak Into Your Home

Mahoney finds honey oak to be timeless, melding modern and traditional spaces alike. And while honey oak cabinets of course shine in kitchens and bathrooms, you don’t have to limit its usage to just those spaces. “We’re seeing designers take it further: into living rooms, dining areas, and even bedrooms,” Parada says. “Built-in shelving, bar cabinetry, and media centers in warm oak tones add instant warmth.”

Keep in mind that if installing new cabinetry isn’t in the cards for you, you can welcome honey oak into your home in plenty of other ways. “For smaller updates, refinishing a vintage dresser, sideboard, or console in a honey tone is an easy way to bring that golden glow into your home,” Parada says. Another clever, less involved hack involves incorporating an accent wall featuring honey oak paneling into your space, which adds a welcome texture to any room, says Prada.

Or maybe you already have honey oak cabinets in your home that date back decades. Even though this wood style is back in vogue, you might be worried that your kitchen still feels outdated. In this instance, a few cosmetic tweaks will go a long way. “Updating hardware, lighting, and counters can make those cabinets feel intentional and current again,” Haddad says.

Other Trending Cabinet Colors

• Mushroom and creamy-off white. These colors are a great alternative for anyone who’s looking to embrace the honey oak trend without going all in with wood, Haddad says. The end result? “A softer, modern refresh that still nods to those warm undertones,” she says.
• Earthy tones and rich browns. Expect these shades to have an increased presence as go-to colors in kitchens. As Mahoney says, “Neutrals are shifting from stark white to softened, creamy, and muted shades.”