How to Glaze or Stain Maple Cabinets Darker

Darkening cabinets can bring a whole new look to your room.

Cabinets are expensive additions to a kitchen or living room. When your cabinets start to look a bit beaten up, or they clash with a new paint job, it isn't always possible to change out the cabinets themselves. Sometimes, staining or glazing a cabinet darker will bring the cabinet new life. Stain and glaze is cheap and can create a drastic change in a cabinet's appearance. Give yourself a day or two to complete the project.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver
• Stain
• Rag
• Glaze
• Paint

Instructions

Staining

1. Remove the cabinet doors by unscrewing the hinges.

2. Remove the screws from all the cabinet handles.

3. Pull out the cabinet drawers.

4. Stir your can of stain to thoroughly mix the color.

5. Apply the stain, going with the grain, with a soft rag. Leave the color to sit for a few minutes, then wipe off the excess. Continue applying layers of stain until you achieve the correct shade.

6. Reattach the hardware.

Glaze

1. Remove all the cabinet hardware.

2. Mix together stain and the desired paint. Choose paint that matches another color somewhere in the room, or select gray, brown or black paint. Use one part paint to three parts glaze for a light glaze. Increasing the amount of paint while decreasing the amount of glaze makes the glaze darker.

3. Rub the glaze onto the cabinet in a circular motion. Allow it to sit for a moment, then wipe the excess glaze from the cabinet. Apply several layers until you achieve the correct darkness.

4. Reattach the hardware.

References

• Kitchen Cabinets and Hardware: Staining Kitchen Cabinets - A How To
• Ask the Decorator; Give Cabinets Character with a Coat of Glaze; Meghan Carter