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When my husband and I decided to buy our new home, we were faced with the daunting task of transforming a quintessential 2000s house that was brimming with honey oak trim and doors. To many, the honey oak aesthetic may be synonymous with dated and uninspiring design, but we decided to take a different approach. We resolved to keep the honey oak and make it work for us, rather than embark on an extensive and expensive remodeling journey. Little did we know that our decision to embrace the honey oak would lead us to discover a cozy and warm style that perfectly suited our tastes.
Honey Oak Trim Debate – To Keep or Not to Keep
One of the primary reasons behind our choice was the sheer work and financial commitment that would be required to replace all the trim and doors in our 3,000 square foot home. The thought of ripping out every bit of oak and replacing it with a different wood type, or worse, painting everything white, was a daunting prospect. The idea of cleaning all-white trim sounded like my worst nightmare. In my ideal world, I would have loved to have dark walnut doors and trim, but staining all of this again was a home improvement project that we were not willing to tackle at that time.
With these practical considerations in mind, we decided to take a step back and reconsider our approach. Instead of seeing the honey oak as a limitation, we began to appreciate the unique warmth and charm it added to our home. We started by reevaluating our interior design choices. Instead of trying to conceal or clash with the honey oak, we decided to work with it. We embraced a more rustic and cozy style that complemented the wood’s warm tones. We chose earthy accent colors, added more wood furniture, and neutral textiles that harmonized with the honey oak, creating a welcoming and inviting atmosphere in our home. It wasn’t long before we realized that the honey oak was the key to unlocking a style that felt uniquely “us.”
First Steps in Embracing Honey Oak
To further integrate the honey oak into our design, we incorporated it into our decor. We found that oak frames and furniture pieces blended seamlessly with our existing trim and doors. This integration made the honey oak look intentional, rather than an afterthought. We also brought in artwork and decorative items that featured honey oak accents to create a cohesive and unified look throughout the house.
As time passed, we discovered the benefits of our decision. The honey oak trim and doors not only provided a sense of warmth and coziness but also made our home unique and distinctive, compared to all white homes today. We realized that design doesn’t have to follow trends or conform to what’s considered “in style.” Instead, it should reflect your personality, taste, and lifestyle. In retrospect, we can confidently say that our decision to keep the honey oak in our 2000s home was the right one [for us]. It taught us the valuable lesson of embracing what we have and working with it to create a space that truly reflects our style. The honey oak has become an integral part of our home’s character, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
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It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but for us, honey oak has become synonymous with warmth, comfort, and a cozy haven that we’re proud to call our own. Check out how we made our guest bedroom a cozy desert oasis
