TRANSFORM YOUR ORANGE STAINED FURNITURE INTO A WARM WALNUT STAIN IN ONE EASY STEP | YOUTUBE VIDEO INCLUDED AT THE END OF THIS POST!
Hi creative friends! This makeover project couldn’t be easier, yet it makes a HUGE difference! If you a dated piece of orange-stained furniture, I’m sharing how to turn that orange stain into a warm, gorgeous walnut stain in ONE easy step!
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Here’s the pedestal plant stand I found at my local thrift store. I’ve been watching Rajiv Surendra on Youtube and he has a beautiful pedestal planter he displays in his small NY apartment. I’ve been keeping my eyes peeled and I finally found one!
It is solid wood and in decent condition, selling for $9.99.
I liked the classic, simple details. I didn’t like the dated stain color.
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WHAT YOU’LL NEED
Pedestal Plant Stand – SALVAGED
White Lightning Cleaner
Sanding Sponge
Shop Towels
Chip Brush
Paint Brush
Black Gel Stain
Gator Hide Topcoat
PEDESTAL PLANTER MAKEOVER
Here’s how it all came together…
CLEAN
I laid down a plastic drop cloth and cleaned this plant stand with a heavy-duty furniture cleaner. After cleaning it, I used a damp sponge with clean water to wipe down any residue the cleaner may have left.
SCUFF SAND
To create some ‘tooth’ for the gel stain to cling to, I used a medium grit flexible sanding sponge to hand-sand the entire stand. Sanding sponges are the best when spindles are involved because they easily wrap around the circumference of the wood. Use medium grit sandpaper (around 150) for this. If your project has a glossy finish, you’ll want to knock that down more with a coarser grit first, then go over it with fine grit (220) to smooth it out.
STAINING WITH ‘BLACK’ GEL STAIN
Now for the fun part—transforming this old orange stain into a warm walnut tone in ONE EASY STEP. To hide orange/amber stain on old furniture, I use Black Gel Stain. It sounds scary and even looks a little intimidating when you are applying it to your project, but trust me, once you wipe it back, you will be left with a gorgeous updated warm stain look.
Gel stain is simple to apply. I like using an inexpensive chip brush. After stirring the product, I dipped the tip of the chipbrush into the stain and then painted it onto the top of the plant stand. Working in sections, I would apply the stain, then wipe it back with a shop cloth. Then using a large soft brush, I feathered the stain out. This last step is not even needed if you like the look of the stain after wiping it back.
In the image below, you can see all three stages. The original stain on the bottom. The freshly applied black gel stain in the middle. And the wiped back gel stain on top. This couldn’t be easier and it makes such a BIG difference!
SEAL WITH TOPCOAT
To protect this stained finish, I used Gator Hide. You can also use a sponge or roller to apply this topcoat, however I used a paint brush and my side to side (aka – the slap it on technique) to give it a super smooth brush free finish. Two to three coats of Gator Hide will provide a super durable finish.
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I am seriously thinking of using your technique on a 3’x3′ square table I inherited. The pedestal base is in great shape to apply the black gel, but the tabletop surface has spots where the “orange” finish has been removed in a few 1/4-1/2 ” spots to expose bare wood. Do you have a suggestion as to how to handle those spots before applying the black gel? Thanks for your great instructions and encouragement to tackle projects!
Hi Janet! The black stain will take differently in the 1/4-1/2″ spots – it will look black rather than walnut. This pedestal had a few minor imperfections and I LOVE how the black stain darkens them but if you prefer a uniform flawless look a few options might be 1. stain the bottom and paint the top 2. try and find a matching stain to the existing orange finish – fill in the spots and then use the black gel stain 3. curate those areas into a vintage look – ie hit them with a hammer, scratch them up and ‘create’ patina (I know this sounds funny but it works – see here!) 4. sand the top to bare wood and stain. I hope this helps and I’d love to hear how it turns out for you!
I ordered this black stain, and I’m looking forward to trying your technique Denise. I hope my pieces turn out as lovely as your plant stand!
I’m excited for you to try Nicki! Feel free to let me know how it turns out for you! 🤗
What a find! You find the best pieces and I love the height on this stand. The gel stain was a great choice to update the old orange finish. It looks wonderful on your home. Thanks for sharing, friend. 😘 Pinned. 📌
thanks my friend! I’ve been searching for months so I was thrilled to find it for such a great deal. And bonus that it was a super quick makeover, hehe. 😉
Great job – you are so talented! I’ll keep this in my file for when I get an orange piece of furniture. It looks great!
I hope you get the chance to give it a try Nancy and thank you so much!
The height of this is great! The dark stain makes it elegant. Very nice piece.
Thanks Fran!💕 I love the height as well. It was a great find for $9.99! 😃
Lovely! The plant stand looks so high end now. I have a tall orangey rattan floor vase that I’ve been itching to change the colour, now I know exactly how I’m going to do it. Thanks for the inspiration Denise!
Hi my friend and thank you!🤗 I had a thrifted wicker basket that I darkened up with gel stain and it turned out amazing. I’m guessing your rattan floor vase will look brand new with a little stain! Have a super week. Hugs
Brilliant idea! I definitely need to borrow this technique for my own orange plant stand. And as always thank you for the inspiration!
Thanks and I’m so happy it gave you an idea for yours Jewels! XOXO
Hi Denise. This went from 1970’s orange to updated gorgeous warm walnut! Beautifully done!
Hi Monique, thanks and so glad you like it! XOXO
I love your projects! I have been following you for years.
Can you please tell me your source for the planter head?
Thanks Elena! The planter head I found at Homesense last year. They had a variety of sizes. I was going to buy the huge one and now I’m happy I didn’t.😆