How to Tone Down Orange Cabinets with a Black Wash (Without Hiding the Wood Grain)

Inside: How I subtly toned down my orange-toned cabinets with black paint and water for a more neutral, aged look that still shows off the wood grain.

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If your kitchen cabinets have a strong orange or yellow undertone, you’ve probably struggled like me with how to make them look current. Or how to change them without a big renovation, mess, or budget.

While I loved the contrast of warm stained cabinets against the white walls in my kitchen, there was something about the finish that felt a little too honey-ish. Too glossy, too golden, and just not quite right.

I found the simplest, slightest tweak my cabinets needed to help tone down the orange cast, mute the gloss, and make the stain feel more timeless and aged, all without completely painting over the wood grain. It only took a subtle paint wash using watered-down black paint!

If you’ve been wondering how to tone down orange cabinets without fully painting them, this is such an easy trick. And its only cost is a partial container of paint.

Why I Wanted to Tone Down the Orange.

My cabinets are stained knotty alder, a beautiful wood but one that can look a little too Tuscan or dated when paired with a glossy sheen and an orangey stain color. I loved the warmth they brought to the space after years of having white cabinets, but I kept thinking they were just a bit too golden—and the kitchen lights kept shining a spotlight on that daily.

And because it’s me, I couldn’t let that go.

I didn’t want to paint over the beautiful wood (or strip and restain it), so on a whim, I tried out a black paint wash on the cabinets to see if I could shift the tone slightly, while still letting the beauty of the wood shine through. I’ll admit I wasn’t hopeful when I experimented on the first door, and was ready to clean it all off immediately if it looked awful.

Although my original goal with this DIY was only to tone down the yellow/orange cast, the pleasant surprise bonus was that the matte paint wash also chilled out the glossy varnish sheen, giving the cabinets a lovely, slightly aged look!

Keep in mind this is a not a dramatic change—the black paint simply mutes the color a bit and makes it a little less vibrant. Also the cabinets will be slightly darker (which I was okay with).

This post is part of a series on decorating an outdated kitchen, where I’m sharing the small, budget-friendly changes I’ve made to bring my kitchen out of the early 2000s without a major remodel. From working with orange-toned cabinets and brown granite to updating fixtures and finishes, I’m writing about each dated feature one at a time. Start here with the overview: How to Update a Kitchen with Brown Granite and Outdated Features (No Big Budget Needed!) And up soon: “How to Style Kitchen Counters without Adding Clutter”.

What You’ll Need:

• Dixie Belle Silk All-in-One Mineral Paint in Anchor
• Water
• Paintbrush
• Soft cloths or shop towels
• Mixing container
• Optional: a dropcloth to catch the drips and disposable gloves

My Step-by-Step Process.

This method is incredibly budget-friendly and simple. Here’s how I applied the black wash to gently tone down the orange wood cabinets in my kitchen:

1. Prep the Cabinets.

Make sure the cabinets are free of grease or dirt and that they are dry. I wasn’t worried about my hardware since mine is dark and the paint wash would clean off, but if this is a concern you’ll want to remove it or cover it before starting.

2. Mix the Wash.

In a small container, I mixed thoroughly roughly equal amounts of the mineral paint and water.

You can adjust the ratio for more color if you find you need to after testing it, but start at an equal ratio. The goal is to look subtle, not painted.

SH&H Tip: Test it on the inside of a cabinet door first. Every wood and finish reacts differently and a test spot will give you peace of mind before diving in.

2. Brush On.

Using a basic paintbrush, I applied the wash to a whole door or section at a time.

SH&H Tip: I applied a little less of the paint on the lower cabinets, since they naturally appear darker because they get less light.

3. Wipe Off Excess.

After brushing it on, I came back with a soft cloth and wiped the paint back off.

4. Adjust As Needed.

Once everything dried for a few minutes, I stood back and looked for spots that still felt too orange or too shiny. I added more in those areas, repeating until I was happy with the uniformity. If I could see wipe marks I blurred those as well.

What Changed and What Didn’t.

Let me set expectations—this not a dramatic cabinet makeover. And that’s exactly what I love about it. It looks natural. And not like a cheap DIY.

I used the technique just on the lower half of this door so you can see the difference in the color shade and sheen (the cabinets on the right are already paint washed):

The orange tone is softened, the glossy finish is muted, and the cabinets now have a more neutral look that still works with both my gold-tone granite counters and reddish-tone hardwood floors.

The difference is subtle, and honestly, I might be the only one who would even notice. But it’s one of those little things that makes the whole space feel more cohesive and timeless.

FAQs About Toning Down Orange Cabinets.

Would It Work on Other Wood Cabinets?

Yes, this technique could absolutely work to update orange oak cabinets or dated maple tones. It’s also a great alternative if you’re looking for ways to modernize honey oak cabinets that used to be so popular without fully painting them or replacing them.

What if I want a darker or more dramatic change?

If you are looking for a more dramatic color change, you might experiment with wiping a gel stain over this paint wash in a darker color like in this home bar cabinet makeover from Maison de Pax.

What if my cabinets are not glossy?

If your cabinets don’t have a shiny or glossy finish that you want to tone down, you may want to use a satin finish paint instead of the matte finish that I used. Experiment to see the resulting sheen before you commit.

If you’ve been searching for how to make orange cabinets look better, this simple DIY black wash might be all you need! As you’ve seen, it’s quick, inexpensive, and easy enough to try in a single afternoon. Best of all, it lets your cabinets keep their character—just with a little more sophistication and a little less orange glow.✨

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