How to Darken Wood

Co-authored by Kyle Hall Reviewed by Barry Zakar

Last Updated: November 5, 2024

You don’t have to pay for new hardwood floors or replace your wooden dresser to get a darker-wood look. There are several simple, affordable ways to make wood darker that you can do right at home. By using a chemical wood stain, or trying a more natural stain like coffee or black tea, you can give the wood in your home the dark finish you’re looking for.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Wood Stain

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Lay down tarp or newspaper to catch wood dust and stain drippings. If you're working inside, open up any windows and use a box fan for air flow.
Sand in the direction of the grain to avoid leaving scratches on the wood’s surface. Stop once you've done a light sanding over the entire surface of the wood. ^{[1]
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Use the higher-grade sandpaper to help smooth out any roughness left from the first round of sanding. Make sure the wood feels completely smooth when you’re finished. ^{[2]
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You can find wood conditioner in a can at your local hardware store. You want to apply the wood stain within two hours of brushing on the conditioner. ^{[3]
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Scrape the bottom of the can with the stirrer so any stain color settled at the bottom gets mixed in. ^{[4]
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Paint or rub the stain on, going in the direction of the grain. Try to get an even coverage across the surface of the wood.
If you want the wood to be less dark, leave the stain on for a shorter amount of time. ^{[5]
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Wipe off the stain in the direction of the wood grain. ^{[6]
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Check the label to see how long you should wait before adding a finish to the wood. ^{[7]
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Wipe down the surface of the wood with a cloth first to remove any specks of dust. ^{[8]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Staining with Tea and Vinegar

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Keep the water boiling until you’re ready to transfer it. ^{[9]
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Use a container with a wide enough opening for a paintbrush. ^{[10]
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Leave the tea bags in the container for the entire 24 hours so the mixture fully darkens. ^{[11]
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Use a 0000-grade steel wool pad for the best results. Let the steel wool soak in the apple cider vinegar for 24 hours. ^{[12]
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Make sure you cover every part of the wood’s surface that you want to darken. ^{[13]
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You want the black tea to fully absorb into the wood before you apply the next coat of stain. ^{[14]
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Paint on the mixture in the direction of the wood grain. Make sure you cover the entire surface of the wood with the mixture to prevent patches and streaks. The mixture will cause the wood to oxidize, and you should start to notice the wood turning darker. ^{[15]
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If it’s not as dark as you wanted, or there are patches on the surface, go over the wood again with the black tea and the steel wool/vinegar mixture. ^{[16]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Darkening with Coffee

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1

Fill a bowl with one cup (237 milliliters) of dark coffee grounds. Make sure the bowl you use is heat resistant.
Pour the water slowly so it doesn't splash or cause the coffee grounds to pour over the side of the bowl.
Wait longer than 30 minutes if the mixture isn't completely cool by then.
Make sure the coffee filter is open and positioned in the center of the strainer.
Use a container with an opening big enough for a paintbrush to fit through. Set aside the container after you fill it.
Work outdoors if you can to avoid a mess. If you can’t work outside, lay down a tarp inside to set the wood on.
Find a sandpaper that is between 180-220 grit at your local hardware store. Gently sand the wood in the direction of the grain until it’s smooth.
Avoid applying too much of the mixture or it may pool on the wood’s surface. Once you’ve covered the entire surface of the wood with the mixture, let the wood dry.
Let the wood dry in between each coat. Apply a finish once the last coat dries if you want to seal the wood.