How to Darken Existing Stained Wood Cabinets

Remove all of the cabinet doors and drawers from the wall units with a screwdriver, and then remove hinges and handles.

Place newspaper or plastic sheets on a hard, flat surface in an area with proper ventilation. Lay the cabinet doors and drawers down on the newspaper or sheeting and use a gentle degreasing product and sponge to remove any grease buildup or grime from the surface.

Sand the old stain off the wood by hand using fine grit sandpaper. Sanding by hand allows you to get in any nooks or crevices to remove the old stain thoroughly.

Remove the stain from the outside of the wall units in the kitchen. Wear protective gear, such as goggles and a face mask when sanding to prevent breathing in dust. Use plastic sheets to tape off the kitchen from the rest of the house to centralize dust.

Wipe down all of the doors and drawers with a clean cloth to remove dust residue.

Apply a darker stain to the wood cabinets with a sponge or natural China-bristle paintbrush. Move the brush across the wood in a single swiping motion, going along the direction of the grain. Apply the first coat, and then allow it to dry thoroughly. Applying coat by coat will prevent air bubbles or drip marks from appearing on the cabinets and drawers after it dries.

Apply two or three more coats to the drawers, doors and wall unit, as desired, to achieve the look that you want. Once the cabinets are as dark as desired, allow them to dry for at least 24 hours.

Cover the wood in a clear finish to protect and enhance the look of the stain. Allow the clear finish to dry for another 24 hours, and then reattach the cabinet doors to the wall units with a screwdriver. Replace the drawers back into the cabinets and reattach handles and hinges, or replace for a completely updated look.