10 Ways to Tone Down Orange Wood - West Magnolia Charm

I may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. Please click my Disclosure Policy to learn more

Let me just say it: orange wood is the honey oak of my nightmares.

Okay, maybe that’s dramatic. But if you’ve ever walked into a room and felt like you were being personally attacked by a 90s-era kitchen cabinet or an aggressively amber-toned floor, then you get me.

kitchen with orange wood , ceiling fan and light walls — source

Don’t get me wrong — orange wood has its moment. Like… in 1992. But now? We’re in the era of soft neutrals, earthy vibes, and calm, collected spaces that don’t scream, “HEY, LOOK AT ME!” from your baseboards.

So, if you’re stuck with orange wood — floors, cabinets, trim, or all of the above — and you’re not quite ready (or able) to rip it all out and start fresh, I got you. I’ve tackled this beast myself, and these are my tried-and-true, Cate-tested, sass-approved ways to tone it down.

1. Paint Colors That Don’t Fight Back

Let’s start with an easy one — paint. And I know paint! Choosing the right wall color is like picking the right battle. You want a shade that chills out next to that orange wood instead of highlighting it like it’s trying to win a talent show.

Here’s what I’ve learned: steer clear of anything too yellow or warm. That just makes everything look even more orange. Not the vibe.

Instead, go for these:

Greige with a slight green undertone
Cool-toned neutrals like BM Classic Gray or SW Repose Gray
Soft sages and dusty greens that balance the warmth (like SW Evergreen Fog or Cornwall Slate — chef’s kiss)
Cool-toned blue grays like Downing Slate or Charcoal Slate

Steer clear of using a warm beige next to a very orange oak banister. It will look like a melted creamsicle. 0/10 do not recommend.

2. Area Rugs: The Magic Cloaks of the Design World

If your floors are what’s giving you pumpkin spice in all the wrong ways, slap a rug on it. Actually, slap several rugs on it. Big ones. Soft ones. The kind that scream “I belong in a Pinterest board.”

Rugs help break up the wood tones and distract from the orange undertones. Go for colors that aren’t warm — blues, greens, grays, and blacks work wonders.

Pro tip: layering rugs adds depth and texture. I once layered a jute rug under a vintage Persian-style rug, and suddenly my floor went from “Home Depot special circa 1994” to “boho-chic and maybe she has a trust fund?”

living room inspiration for orange oak with curtains, rug and couch

3. Embrace Contrasting Furniture

Listen, if you can’t beat the orange, confuse it.

One way I trick the eye is by choosing furniture in contrasting tones. Think black, espresso, or even matte charcoal pieces that ground the space. White oak and light natural finishes can also work if you’re mixing and matching.

I love a black dining table sitting on top of an orange-toned floor. It’s bold, it’s sassy, and it tells the floor, “You’re not the main character anymore, sweetie.”

curtains, black table and chair, rug and art work

4. Window Treatments That Work Overtime

Curtains can do more than block out nosy neighbors and that blinding 4 PM sun. The right drapes can tone down your space like a big ol’ cozy filter.

Opt for:

White or off-white linen for softness
Gray or charcoal velvet for drama (in a good way)
Muted patterns that incorporate cool tones

Think twice about using mustard-colored curtains in an old living room with orange trim — your eyes won’t forgive you. Cool it down, don’t turn up the heat.

5. Artwork That Steals the Show

Big, bold, fabulous art can do wonders for distracting from those wood tones.

Look for:

Abstracts with cool colors
Black and white photography
Oversized botanicals in muted greens

One of my favorite tricks? Oversized art leaning against the wall behind a console table. Boom. Suddenly, you’re not staring at the orange wood behind it — you’re too busy pretending you live in an art gallery.

curtains, couch, paint can swatch and art work

6. Swap Out Hardware (Like, Yesterday)

If your orange wood is living its best life on your cabinets or built-ins, the fastest facelift you can give it is hardware.

Ditch the shiny brass or gold-toned knobs (unless you’re intentionally going for retro glam — and let’s be honest, you’re probably not).

Instead, try:

Matte black for contrast
Brushed nickel for a cooler touch
Antique Brass for some edge

You can replace the hardware on an old oak vanity, and suddenly it feels like you upgraded to a whole new bathroom. No demo, just drama.

7. Lighting That Doesn’t Amplify the Orange

Your bulbs might be betraying you.

Warm light bulbs (those in the 2700K range) can make orange wood look even more… orange. It’s like giving it a spotlight and saying, “Dance, baby, dance.”

No, thank you.

Switch to bulbs in the 3000K–4000K range — bright white to neutral white. It’ll tone things down immediately. I promise. I switched mine out and actually gasped. Like, full-on dramatic “I’ve been living a lie” moment.

8. Go Matte Where You Can

Glossy finishes on wood just scream for attention. They’re like that one guy at the party who keeps talking about crypto.

So if you’re refinishing furniture or trim, go matte or satin instead of semi-gloss or high-gloss. It keeps the tones in check and makes everything feel calmer, quieter, more “I meditate on Sundays” and less “I used to be a bowling alley.”

I refinished a dated dresser in a matte seal, and it instantly went from “1993 dorm room” to “sophisticated vintage find.”

paint can swatch, light oak table, black chair, jute rug

9. Plants: Nature’s Distraction Technique

There is nothing a good plant can’t fix. Including orange wood.

Whether it’s a trailing pothos on a floating shelf or a giant fiddle leaf fig that says, “I’m high maintenance and worth it,” greenery brings balance.

Green is a natural complement to orange on the color wheel, so it helps neutralize the space visually. Plus, plants = texture = warmth without the orange.

I’ve got plants everywhere. They’re basically my emotional support system and my secret weapon in styling orange wood out of a room.

living room with teal couch , wall art and plants

10. When All Else Fails… Paint the Wood (Gasp!)

I said it. I stand by it.

Sometimes, no matter how many rugs you layer or cool-toned walls you paint, the orange just. won’t. quit.

And that’s when you bring out the big guns: paint.

Yes, it’s a bold move. Yes, people will clutch their pearls and whisper, “But it’s real wood!” And to them I say — it’s your house, not a museum. If it doesn’t bring you joy (hi, Marie Kondo), paint it.

White is classic. Black is bold. I even painted my oak stair railing a moody greige and it looked custom and chic and not like something out of a sitcom from 1997.

Just make sure you clean, sand, prime, and use the right paint. And then bask in the glow of your freshly non-orange home.

Use Samplize Peel & Stick Paint Samples for a mess-free way to test paint colors!

The Bottom Line?

You don’t have to gut your entire house to deal with orange wood. You just need a plan, some paint, a few plants, and a healthy dose of sass. (And maybe a glass of wine — for you, not the wood.)

I’ve lived with orange trim, cabinets, and floors — and I’ve learned how to work with them, not against them. You can too. Promise.

And hey, if you end up painting it all anyway, you’ve got my full support.

Want help picking a paint color to match your stubborn wood tones? That’s literally what I do — check out my Color Consultation Services and let’s banish the orange beast together.

—

If you appreciate any help or advice I provide, you can support me by buying me coffee and sharing my website with others to help spread the word.