How to Darken Wood Furniture

Furniture not only serves a functional purpose but a decorative one as well. No matter how useful or comfortable a piece of furniture is, it is likely to be replaced if it clashes badly with everything else in the room. Fortunately, furniture is adaptable and you can change it as needed to fit your decorative needs. Darkening wooden furniture is one option when changing a furniture piece's appearance, and it is possible with some basic supplies.

Dish soap
Sponge
Towel
220-grit sandpaper
Darkened varnish
Paintbrush

Instructions

- 1
  Wash the wood with warm water and a few drops of dish soap to remove any dirt or debris that interferes with the darkening process. Use minimal water to avoid damaging the wood's surface. Wipe away any dirt with a damp sponge and then dry the piece with a towel.
- 2
  Sand the wood with 220-grit sandpaper. This helps the new finish bond with the old one. Wipe away any loose sand with a towel once you're finished.
- 3
  Apply a tinted varnish to the wood with a paintbrush to darken it. Apply additional coats once the first coat dries as needed since each application darkens the wood a little more.

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