
How to Change an Oak Furniture Finish to an Espresso Color
- 1. Remove the piece of furniture you wish to refinish and place it in your garage or outside. ...
- 2. Scrape wood filler into any cracks on the furniture, using a putty knife. ...
- 3. Sand off the existing finish using an orbital sander and a 220-grit sanding disk. ...
- 4. Wipe away any sanding dust using a tack cloth and mineral spirits.
Full Answer
How to stain dark wood espresso?
Let’s go through these steps one by one to stain dark wood espresso: Step 1: Since the wood is dark and the color you’re staining is also dark, the process is quite simple, but you have to make the wood ready first. Step 2: Clean the wood with a damp cloth to ensure there’s no dirt or any other material stuck on it.
What are the best types of cabinet wood for espresso stain?
We are going to focus on three that are popular choices for darker wood stains among our clients: cherry, hard maple, and red oak. Based on the factors we explained above, let's see how these three popular cabinet wood candidates look with a deep, dark stain like espresso.
Can You stain honey oak cabinets into espresso cabinets?
Happy staining! Transforming builder grade honey oak cabinets into sultry, dark espresso cabinets is easy. It’s messy though. I’m going to walk you through it step by step as much as I can in this tutorial. Alright, let’s do this. You need some supplies first. They’re not pricey, but you do need all of them.
Can any wood be stained for kitchen cabinets?
Any wood can be stained, but that doesn't mean that any wood will take a stain well. So, if you find a stain you like for your kitchen cabinets, the next step is to find the wood species that will do the best job at showing that stain off to its fullest glory.

Can you stain oak espresso?
As indicated by it's name, red oak will result in brown espresso with red overtones. The main downside to oak in this respect is, even though it's generally a good candidate for stain, it doesn't take the stain in as well as the option we'll cover next.
How do you stain wood with espresso?
It's easy to apply this wood stain – just use a clean cloth, wood stain brush or foam applicator and apply in the direction of the grain. Wait 5-15 minutes and wipe away in the direction of the grain. The longer you wait, the darker/richer the color.
What color is espresso cabinets?
dark brownSecond only to white in terms of popularity, espresso kitchen cabinets are a beautiful, elegant deep dark brown that pairs well with classic whites and creams, cool blues and greens, and bold contemporary reds, silvers and blacks.
Can you stain oak cabinets dark?
Oak cabinets are durable and can be stained to match a variety of interiors. Over time, your oak cabinets may get scratched or become discolored, or you may decide you want a slightly darker look. The solution to these problems is to restain your oak cabinets.
What wood tones go with espresso?
Hard Maple – This type of maple is the top choice for boosting the appearance of an espresso stain. Hard maple has the perfect color and textural aspects that can absorb an espresso stain at the right level, which results in a rich and deep brown appearance.
What wood color is closest to espresso?
What Is It Comparable To? Espresso wood is darker than dark walnut which is more of a rustic dark brown. Its real color toes the line of black and dark brown, which is why it gets its name from coffee.
Are espresso cabinets outdated?
With the huge surge of Earth-inspired design elements in the coming months, Espresso shaker cabinets will be a lucrative cabinet trend for 2020. The sleek, understated doors and rich chocolatey hue are the ideal complement to natural kitchen design.
What does espresso brown look like?
Espresso is a very dark brown that appears to be black. It has chocolate tones and, in some cases, espresso can have hints of reddish hues in good direct lighting. It gets its name from the coffee. It really does look similar to a cup of dark coffee with light creamer.
What color is espresso oak?
brownDescription. Bold, dark and warm, Espresso Oak cabinet finish is as brown as a fresh coffee bean.
What is the best stain for oak cabinets?
The best stain colors for oakEarly American by Varathane.Dark Walnut by Minwax.Briarsmoke by Varathane.Puritan Pine by Minwax.Classic Gray by Minwax.White Wash by Varathane.Walrus Oil cutting board oil.Weathered Oak by Minwax.More items...•
How do you make oak look less orange?
0:000:43Bye Orange Wood! Fixing Yellow or Orange Wood. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFirst you sand. Down then you apply your liming wax. I used a paper towel you can use a rag or old tMoreFirst you sand. Down then you apply your liming wax. I used a paper towel you can use a rag or old t-shirt. And just wipe it on that's how easy it is i then wipe it back a little to make it more hazy.
How can I stain my oak cabinets darker without sanding?
4:4710:27Gel Stain Kitchen Cabinets Without Sanding *FAST EASY DIY* - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipRoller.MoreRoller.
What color stain is espresso?
Espresso is a color that stands between black and brown. It's really a dark brown that is usually mistaken to be a true black. Many times, a piece of furniture will be listed as "black" when it is, in reality, espresso.
Does espresso stain have red in it?
Espresso (Left) will be a slightly darker stain - warmer brown hues with a very slight red tone.
What color is early American stain?
dark brownEarly American is a premium wood stain by Varathane (a sub-brand of Rust oleum). It is an oil based stain. It is dark brown in color with warm undertones.
How do you stain pine black?
2:164:18How to stain wood black + 3 black stains tested on 7 species of wood!YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSit for some wood stains you can let them sit as long as five minutes i have found after fiveMoreSit for some wood stains you can let them sit as long as five minutes i have found after five minutes. It is about as absorbed as it's going to get.
How Do You Stain Dark Wood Espresso?
Staining the wood with dark wood espresso isn’t different from staining any other color. The process is simple and easy; even beginners can end up perfectly staining the furniture with dark wood stain.
What Wood is Best for an Espresso Stain?
Hard maple is the best choice for espresso stains as its light wood, and darker stain like espresso would fit perfectly well. The espresso stain can boost the appearance of maple wood while giving the perfect color and textural aspects.
How Do You Apply Black Stain to Wood?
Application of dark color stains to wood is quite easy. However, you have to be extra careful about blotchy areas. Otherwise, the rest process is the same.
Why is espresso wood stain called espresso?
Furthermore, its name is derived from espresso coffee because of its dark brown color. Its colors range between brown and black, mostly they are dark, either fully black or any shade of brown. The shades depend on the lightning used to either make them lighter or darker. Since dark color furniture is the choice of many wood enthusiasts, espresso wood stain is their first choice.
How to darken a stain?
Another way to darken the stain is to increase the ratio of pigments. It can be done by adding more pigments.
Why is espresso wood dark brown?
In reality, the very dark brown color on the wood is due to the espresso wood stain. When it comes to the usage of espresso wood stain, it’s used for a variety of items in the furniture. For instance, the most common uses include cabinets, sofas, chairs, tables, shelves, and more wooden items.
What color is espresso wood?
You can see tons of tables, cabinets, chairs, and doors that look chic, modern, and bold are finished with espresso wood stain. It’s a very dark brown color that gives dark finishes to furniture, including cabinets, chairs, and many more.
How to stain espresso furniture?
Coat the furniture with a clear, protective finish, such as polyurethane, eight hours after staining your piece for the final time . Apply with a bristle brush. Stir the stain carefully before use, and test it on a hidden section of furniture to be sure that your piece will take the espresso stain.
How to get a stain out of wood?
Apply the stain using a bristle brush or soft, cotton cloth. Brush or wipe with the grain, allowing the stain to work its way deep into the wood for 10 minutes before wiping it away. Move with the grain of the wood when wiping away excess stain.
How to sand off a finish?
Sand off the existing finish using an orbital sander and a 220-grit sanding disk. Place the sanding disk onto the sander's foam rubber pad, and then attach it using the sander 's hook and loop clasps. With the sander on the furniture, move it with the grain of the wood, without allowing it to sit on one area too long.
How to clean sanding dust off a wood table?
Wipe away any sanding dust using a tack cloth and mineral spirits.
How long does it take for a stain to dry?
Allow the stain to dry for 4 to 6 hours before applying a second coat, if necessary.
What color stain is best for furniture?
Dark colors, such as espresso, also enhance your furniture's wood grain. Deep chocolate stains add longevity, as dark colors absorb light, making them nearly impervious to sun bleaching, unlike their light-colored counterparts. By following some basic steps, you can give your furniture a fresh, deep finish.
Can you leave a stain on furniture?
Don't allow stain that has yet to dry to sit on the surface of your furniture, as doing so will prevent any top coat from adhering.
Why does a kitchen cabinet look good after a test run?
The cabinet itself looks great after its test run, and applied much more easily on the first try because it’s so sharp-edged and not beveled . This photo was it after one coat.
Is staining inconsistent?
The staining could be inconsistent. I’ve been perfecting my staining technique over the last year, but I’m still no pro. No way, no how.
Is sanding an oak cabinet quick?
As expected, sanding it in entirety wasn’t quick , but I started to see progress pretty quickly. Moving with the grain and applying even pressure, the true oak exposed itself. This next picture really demonstrates how nicely the edges of the multi-tool fit along the inside bevel in the cabinet.
Can you paint oak cabinets with espresso?
Espresso-finish cabinets complement a variety of bathroom design schemes in which light-colored oak would simply appear too vanilla. While you could simply paint the oak a dark coffee color, stain allows the natural grain to remain visible. You aren't likely to create the rich, dark espresso tone for your bathroom cabinets with a single coating, but you can combine a mix of stains and sealants to achieve a lasting and beautiful finish.
Can you use a paint stripper to remove varnish from a bathroom cabinet?
For best results, remove any old coats of varnish before applying your stain. Because the bathroom is a confined space, you should avoid working with a fast-acting aromatic paint-stripping chemical. Paste-based paint removers are low-odor, and they can be applied to the cabinet with a brush or putty knife. Allow the paste to work overnight and then remove the softened varnish and paste from the cabinets using a plastic putty knife. Chemical paste strippers are much less labor-intensive than sanding, and they will not damage the oak surface.
Can you use gel stain on oak cabinets?
Traditional penetrating wood stains can darken oak cabinets, but even after several applications, the wood may not be as dark as you'd like. By contrast, gel stains offer a much simpler option. The gel forms a smooth, semi-transparent film over the oak that darkens and colors the wood uniformly. You can apply two or more thin coats without fear of blotchy or uneven coloration. Unlike water-based gel stains, an oil-based gel stain does not raise the wood grain and requires little or no sanding between coats.
Espresso Stain on Oak - Help Please
We would like to restain an oak windowseat, desk and bookcase in a bedroom. Currently they are golden oak from the 80s. I'm hoping to get them to something similar to Pottery Barn's Espresso color.
Comments (3)
Veining?? You mean the grain in the wood? If you don't want to see the grain of the wood you need to use a wood filler, sand it well and use paint. Frankly I can't imagine wanting to take oak wood work of the 80's and make it look like Pottery Barn "stuff". If the color is wrong, strip the wood and restain, but unless you use filler and paint or an opaque stain (about the same as paint) you won't get it to look like Pottery Barn stuff. Linda C.
What is the best stain for espresso?
Hard Maple. We've found that Hard Maple is the best choice for optimizing the look of espresso stain. It has just the right color and fiber density to soak the espresso stain up, optimizing those rich, dark brown hues. As we mentioned, lighter toned woods will be more accepting of the stain, which gives maple a leg-up on the competition here.
How much humidity does wood need to be to stain?
Although wood is typically dried until its internal humidity levels are between 6% and 8%, that can change according to how it is stored and the humidity levels where you live. As you can imagine, dryer wood soaks a stain right up while more saturated wood will result in a lighter stain.
What wood is used for kitchen cabinets?
Kitchen cabinets can be crafted from several different species of wood. We are going to focus on three that are popular choices for darker wood stains among our clients: cherry, hard maple, and red oak.
Can wood be stained?
Any wood can be stained, but that doesn't mean that any wood will take a stain well. So, if you find a stain you like for your kitchen cabinets, the next step is to find the wood species that will do the best job at showing that stain off to its fullest glory.
Can you stain red oak?
The main downside to oak in this respect is, even though it's generally a good candidate for stain, it doesn't take the stain in as well as the option we'll cover next. Red oak wood with espresso stain.
