SAN FRANCISCO Wood Kitchen Cabinet Refinishing Company -Schedule On-Site Estimate Call: 510-880-1048 ask for Alex
- Bay Area Kitchen Cabinets BLOGGER
- Jul 4
- 6 min read
Updated: Aug 24
Transforming Outdated Wood Cabinets into a Modern Look
OAK KITCHEN CABINETS — people either love them or can’t stand them. In my experience, I’ve noticed a pattern over the years, especially when I’m helping clients update homes with a lot of wood finishes.
Oak cabinets, in particular, tend to be the ones that spark the most debate — sometimes even turning into full-on deal breakers.
But many oak cabinets from the ’80s and ’90s are a total gems. Oak Cabinets are built like tanks. The ones with clean door profiles and hidden hinges have a timeless quality that still holds up. Honestly, after 30 or 40 years, all they usually need is a little love.
I’ve seen brand-new kitchens that start falling apart after five.
Kitchen Cabinet Door Profiles
Knowing what type of door profile you’re working with can really help guide your next steps.
TOP LEFT: shaker style with raised panel
TOP RIGHT: shaker style with flat panel
BOTTOM LEFT: double cathedral
BOTTOM RIGHT: single arch
Do your kitchen cabinets have a cathedral, arched, or shaker-style door?
If they’re shaker-style doors, you’re in luck—this style transitions beautifully into more modern looks with just a few updates. But if you’ve got cathedral or arched doors, it gets trickier.
Even with a gorgeous new stain or finish, they can still feel outdated, because the real issue isn’t the color—it’s the style itself.
RESURRECT: keep the old golden oak and refresh it with a fresh coat of golden oak stain and lacquer
UPDATE: add value to your home with cabinets that are modern and updated
If you’re looking to update your home, you’ve got a couple of solid options: you can go darker with a richer, more modern stain, or take things all the way down and choose a lighter, more natural wood tone (just steer clear of those strong orange, yellow, or red undertones).
If resale is on your radar, most buyers these days tend to lean toward that softer, more neutral wood look. That said—let’s be real—a lot of today’s buyers are actually hoping for painted cabinets, usually in white.
Things To Consider Before Wood Cabinets get Re-stained
Are you thinking about going lighter with the stain than what you have now?
Or maybe you're leaning toward a darker stain? That route’s definitely easier than trying to go lighter.
Those strong yellow, orange, and red hues? They’re tough to modernize and can leave your space feeling dated—like a throwback to 1990.
Go with a stain tone that fits your space and makes sense for your market, especially if you're thinking about selling down the road.
Consider a stain color and depth that complements your countertop, depending on whether you want a high-contrast or low-contrast look.
If you’re not sure what to do, schedule an on-site estimate with Bay Area - San Francisco Wood Kitchen Cabinet Refinisher - Alex Rodriguez at 510-880-1048
Tips to Increase the Height Perception of your Kitchen.
Add Crown Molding & A Valance To Your Kitchen Cabinets
Crown molding isn’t just for ceilings
Crown molding is that finishing touch that sits right on top of your cabinets—not to be confused with the crown molding that runs along the ceiling. Then there's the valance—that small strip of wood (usually around two to three inches) attached to the bottom of your upper cabinets. It helps add a more custom look, visually extends the cabinet height, and is great for hiding under-cabinet lighting.
These two features take your cabinets from looking like builder basic – to custom-made.
Adding crown molding and a valance isn’t exactly a walk in the park—especially when you’re working with older wood stains.
Add Open Shelving By Removing a Kitchen Cabinet or Two
Open shelving isn’t the right fit for every kitchen—sometimes it just doesn’t work functionally or visually. But if your layout allows for it, it can be a great way to lighten things up and give your space a more modern feel.
Some kitchens just don’t have a natural spot for open shelves, and that’s okay. But in layouts where there’s cabinetry between the sink and an open dining area? That’s often a perfect place to make it happen.
This white kitchen is a perfect example of how open shelving can work beautifully when it’s in the right spot and styled just right.
Now, if you’re working with wood cabinets (not white ones), you’ll want to match your open shelving to the same wood species and use the same stain color and sheen. That way, everything feels cohesive and flows nicely together.
Painted in Sherwin Williams Alabaster, these wood cabinets feel fresh and updated—with open wood shelving replacing some of the uppers for a more open, modern look.
BEFORE - Wooden Original Kitchen Cabinets
AFTER - Original Wooden Kitchen Cabinets Repainted. 2 Different Colors were used for Top Cabinets and Lower Cabinets and drawers.
To give this kitchen a fresh update, we went with a soft, warm white on the uppers, a beautiful medium-tone green on the lowers, and finished it off with Benjamin Moore Maritime White on the walls for a cozy, balanced look.
At The Kitchen Cabinet Refinish Masters, we offer WOOD KITCHEN CABINET REFINISHING and WOOD KITCHEN CABINET PAINTING Services for Bay Area, Northern California Homes and Businesses - Call 510-880-1048 to Schedule an Estimate!
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The Kitchen Cabinet Refinish Masters - Kitchen Cabinet Refinishing and Repainting Company
The Kitchen Cabinet Refinish Masters is a Kitchen Cabinet Refinishing Company offering Wood Kitchen Cabinet Refinishing Services for homes and businesses in San Francisco 94101, 94102, 94103, 94104, 94105, 94107, 94108, 94109, 94110, 94111, 94112, 94114, 94115, 94116, 94117, 94118, 94119, 94120, 94121, 94122, 94123, 94124, 94125, 94126, 94127, 94129, 94130, 94131, 94132, 94133, 94134, 94140, 94141, 94142, 94146, 94147, 94157, 94159, 94164, 94165, 94166, 94167, 94168, 94169, 94170, 94172, 94188. If you are planning to update the look on your wood kitchen cabinets, contact Alex Rodriguez at 510-880-1048 to schedule an appointment with our Kitchen Cabinet Refinisher.
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The Kitchen Cabinet Refinish Masters - Kitchen Cabinet Refinishing and Repainting Company
As a Kitchen Cabinet Refinishing Company in Alameda 94501, 94502, Alex Rodriguez of The Kitchen Cabinet Refinish Masters ensures each client in the Bay Area that our Kitchen Cabinet Refinishing Services applies to all surfaces including wood kitchen cabinets. We have been in the industry for several years and we are Northern California's most trusted kitchen cabinet refinishing, repainting, and restaining company. Call 510-880-1048 and speak with our Kitchen Cabinet Refinisher to schedule an estimate today.
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By selecting the experts at The Kitchen Cabinet Refinishing Company, our clients in Sausalito 94965, 94966 can receive top-notch, long-lasting, and visually appealing kitchen cabinet refinishing on your wood kitchen cabinets, which saves both time and money compared to a complete replacement. Contact our professional cabinet refinisher, Alex Rodriguez at 510-880-1048 to arrange a FREE ON-SITE ESTIMATE.
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THE KITCHEN CABINET REFINISH MASTERS
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Bay Area's Premier Kitchen Cabinets Refinishing and Painting Company
From interior to exterior kitchen cabinetry we offer the finest quality paint and refinishing for both Residential and Commercial Projects in and around San Francisco, Alameda, Danville, Blackhawk, and other surrounding nearby cities in Northern California.
Reach out to The Kitchen Cabinet Refinish Masters - Bay Area's premier Kitchen Cabinets Refinishing and Painting Company offering affordable services using the finest quality of paint and refinishing materials. We serve Homeowners, General Contractors, Property Managers, Interior Designers, Realtors, Hotels, and other clients in Northern California.
THE KITCHEN CABINET REFINISH MASTERS
Bay Area's Premier Cabinet Refinishing and Painting Company
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WE ARE OPEN SIX DAYS A WEEK TO HELP BRING BACK LIFE TO YOUR KITCHEN CABINETS!
We Service Residential and Commercial Properties in and around Bay Area, San Francisco, Alameda, Blackhawk, Danville, San Leandro, Alamo, Berkeley, Lafayette, San Ramon, Oakland, Orinda, Walnut Creek, and other surrounding nearby neighborhood.
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