How to Darken Maple Cabinets

Cabinets that are dark make a room look beautiful and will match almost any décor. You can add them to the kitchen or in the bathroom. If you want your maple cabinets darker, you can add more stain to create the desired effect.

Materials Needed

• Bucket


• Mild liquid dish soap


• Sponge


• Wood dye


• Stain


• Paint stirrer


• Paintbrush


• Sealant


• 320-grit sandpaper


• Wood toner


• Varnish

1. Add warm water to a bucket and pour in several drops of mild liquid dish soap. Fill another bucket with clean water. Wash the cabinets with the cleaning solution and sponge. Rinse the cabinets with the clean water and a sponge. Allow the cabinet to completely dry for several hours.


2. Cover the entire surface of the cabinets with a wood dye. You want to add the dye before staining the cabinets. Allow the cabinets to dry.


3. Open the can of stain and stir it with a paint stirrer. Apply the stain over the cabinet surface using a paintbrush. Allow the stain to dry.


4. Remove the lid from the sealant. Apply the sealant with a paintbrush that has soft bristles. Allow the sealant to completely dry for one complete day.


5. Sand over the cabinets using 320-grit sandpaper. Use a damp sponge to wipe away the sanding particles and allow the cabinets to dry.


6. Prepare the wood toner. Remove the lid and stir the toner with a paint stirrer. Apply the toner over the cabinets with a paintbrush and allow it to dry.


7. Cover the cabinets with a layer of varnish using a paintbrush. This will seal the cabinets to protect the color. Allow the finished product to dry for 48 hours.