Are you still rocking that 90s look in your home with oak wood cabinets but want a new modern look? Changing your flooring is a great option. Oak brings a warmth and authenticity to a home that my clients are still craving. If your oak cabinets are in good condition, why not keep them? You can achieve an updated fresh look by choosing a new color flooring that compliments any shade of oak.
So, let’s dive into my favorite updated flooring ideas for kitchens and bathrooms with oak cabinets!
Traditional style cabinets (think raised panel or cathedral arched panel), work well with flooring that has a more classic look. More modern style oak cabinets, (shaker or flat paneled doors), coordinate best with a cleaner, sleeker looking floor.
Designer-curated paint palettes for honey oak (golden oak), maple, cherry, and brown oak cabinets. Instantly modernize your space with perfectly coordinated wall, trim, and accent colors—plus a bonus guide to help you choose with confidence.
Second thing to consider is the color and tone of your cabinets. Oak is a naturally warm wood and can have with variations of brown, yellow, or orange tones.
Often, the countertop is the signature piece of the kitchen and establishes the color palette from which to choose your flooring and other elements. If you have a busy or colorful countertop or backsplash, you’ll want to keep the flooring a bit “quieter.” You’ll also want to consider the color(s) in the countertop as a main source of inspiration to tie your oak cabinets together with the new floor.
The fourth thing to keep in mind is the finish of your cabinets. High gloss cabinet finishes work well with cleaner looks. Stay away from floors with a lot of texture as it will make the space feel too busy. Cabinets with a more flat or matte finish have more flooring options to coordinate.
We’ve gone over the basics, now let’s take a look at some great flooring options!
One of the most popular flooring choices in homes of the 90s was ceramic tile. Tile is always a good choice, not only because of its durability, but also ease of maintenance. Ceramic tile or porcelain tile comes in a variety of colors and sizes which makes it easy to find a style that fits your desired aesthetic.
A lovely contrast can occur when your floor is two to three shades darker or a lighter color than your cabinets. You can create a bright and airy space by choosing light colors for your floors. Light wood colors or tones of white, cream, or light gray are particularly well-suited for kitchens with medium to darker oak cabinets; these muted tones serve as a perfect backdrop for the richer wood tones of your cabinets.
At the same time, these light colors also help to create an overall sense of balance and harmony among all the different elements of your kitchen.
The warm golden tones of lighter oak cabinets provide a beautiful backdrop for highlighting other elements in the room. And one of the best ways to take advantage of that lightness is to pair it with a darker floor. Choosing a dark grey or charcoal tile or wood can create an eye-catching contrast that really makes your cabinets pop. Not only does this give your space a bold and sophisticated overall aesthetic, but it also gives your kitchen a dramatic edge! Consider pairing those oak cabinets with a darker floor. You’ll love the results!
Adding color to your space is as simple as using accents like brightly colored kitchenware, art, and accessories. This will add an extra dimension of interest and personality.
Go for a dark tile floor to contrast with light or honey oak cabinets. This sleek option is favorite and really updates the space. Colors like dark grey, charcoal, and black are great choices to keep the room neutral.
I love the look of a large format porcelain tile or ceramic tile in a dark charcoal color and contrasting lighter grout to tie in with some of the popular and busy 90s granite colors. The tile will provide contrast and add interest without overwhelming the space. If you choose medium to dark gray floors, you’ll want to use wall colors in the lighter shades.
Adding some visual interest to the floor can help to break up the expanse of oak cabinets. Choose a patterned or textured tile like a hexagon tile, herringbone tile, or chevron tile.
Charcoal Grey Hexagon Tile with Light or White Oak Cabinets | Source
For a fresh look, choose a floor with varying wood tones that will pull out the color tones of your oak cabinets or contrast them completely.
Light-colored hardwoods can help to create a feeling of openness and airiness. In addition, they pair well with most medium to dark cabinets.
To update any style space, I love the look of a wide plank wood floor. The wood floor often used in the 90s was a narrow plank, wider plank flooring will give your kitchen a fresh new look.
Dark colors will give your kitchen a luxurious feeling. In addition, they also pair well with most lighter cabinet colors including honey oak cabinets or golden oak cabinets.
Engineered wood flooring is typically a more budget-friendly option over solid hardwood, however still giving you the look without the expense.
Engineered wood is easier to install over solid hardwood floors and comes in a whole range of species, grades and finishes. Lastly, it’s important to note that most wider plank wood flooring options will be engineered wood floor vs. solid hardwood floor.
One of my favorite ways to update a kitchen floor with oak cabinets is to choose a white oak with an updated finish that brings in some of the warm tones of the cabinets.
If you’re looking to add a touch of rustic charm or modern farmhouse style to your oak kitchen, consider using a distressed engineered wood or wood-look flooring.
This style flooring comes in both vinyl planks and styles in engineered wood, making it easy to achieve the wide plank look that is so on-trend right now. Not only is this a popular look, but also the rustic nature hides dings and scratches better than a smooth or glossy floor.
I would not pair a wood look porcelain tile plank floor with oak cabinets. In my opinion, I don’t think they look realistic enough (with having grout lines), to be paired with a natural wood cabinet.
RELATED: How to Work with Your Honey Oak Kitchen and Trim
Luxury vinyl plank flooring with oak cabinets is an ideal choice as well. It has the appearance of real hardwood and offers an authentic, warm feel that many of my clients go for.
Luxury vinyl plank is easy to maintain and an excellent choice for busy families or homes with pets. It is a long-lasting floor that will stand the test of time. Laminate flooring offers similar looks with varying degrees of durability and moisture protection.
Light Grey Luxury Vinyl Tile with a natural stone patterned (LVT) and Honey Oak Kitchen Cabinets | Source
If you have oak cabinets in your bathroom, consider using LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile) or LVP (Luxury Vinyl Plank). Vinyl tile and plank flooring is a great waterproof option for bathrooms and comes in a wide variety of colors and styles. Don’t make the mistake of using laminate flooring thinking it is the same as vinyl tile or vinyl plank! They are two different products, and not all laminate flooring types are water-resistant.
Just like with natural wood flooring, you’ll want to pick a Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) that does one of two things:
Instead of the neutral colors I’ve shown throughout this post, perhaps you’d prefer a floor with a bit more going on. The best way to achieve a harmonious color palette with your oak is with complementary colors.
A complementary color scheme draws from two colors on the opposite side of the color wheel. The result is a high-contrast color combo that pops.
RELATED: Modern Countertop Colors for Honey Oak Kitchens
Were you a victim of this 80s and 90s flooring trend for your bathroom?
Carpet in the bathroom (or kitchen) is just gross. Who wants to walk around on carpet that’s been exposed to all the things that happen in a bathroom? And what has soaked into this carpet pad? Replace it with luxury vinyl tile or a fun patterned encaustic tile.
The Honey Oak Collection features 15 designer-approved paint and color palettes to complement Honey Oak or Golden Oak cabinets, trim or floors.
Finding the right flooring to pair with oak cabinets comes down to balance—honoring the warmth of the wood while creating a cohesive look that reflects your personal style. Whether you choose classic oak flooring, a contrasting hardwood flooring tone, or a tile that complements your white walls, the goal is to create harmony from your kitchen flooring to your dining room. With so many popular options available today, it’s easier than ever to find that perfect match—one that brings out the beauty of your cabinets and pulls your entire space together with a great color and finish that feels just right.
There is a wide range of flooring options available to complement your oak cabinets in the kitchen or bathroom. What are you waiting for? Give your home a facelift with new floors! Share your 90s home update journey questions and comments below!
Hi, I’m Carla
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