Intro:
Wood finishes can either elevate a home’s character or quietly anchor it in a bygone era. While wood will always remain a timeless material in interior design, not all finishes age gracefully. Certain treatments that were trendy decades ago can now make a home look tired or outdated. But the good news? A few smart updates — including a reimagined lighting plan — can instantly breathe new life into your space.

As interior designers and lighting specialists, we’re sharing the most dated wood finishes and how to modernize them with updated tones, textures, and perfectly paired lighting.

1. Red-Toned Cherry Wood

Why it's dating your home:
Once a 90s staple, cherry wood's rich red undertone feels heavy and over-formal in today’s light, airy interiors. It can clash with modern color palettes and limit your design flexibility.

Modern update:
If replacing cabinetry or flooring isn’t an option, consider sanding and staining cherry wood in a cooler, walnut or espresso tone. Pair it with warm white lighting to reduce the red glare — think diffused pendant lights or LED wall sconces to soften its presence.

2. Orange-Toned Oak (Golden Oak)

Why it's dating your home:
Common in late 80s and 90s homes, this yellow-orange finish screams suburban builder-grade. It tends to feel bland and outdated against contemporary paint colors and furnishings.

Modern update:
Use a liming wax or grey-wash stain to neutralize the orange hue. Complement the cooler finish with matte black or brass lighting fixtures, which provide contrast and visual interest without overwhelming the space.

3. High-Gloss Mahogany or Lacquered Wood

Why it's dating your home:
These glossy, deep-tone finishes were once symbols of luxury, but now they read as overly formal or even synthetic-looking in casual, open-concept homes.

Modern update:
Dull the sheen with a matte topcoat or refinish using a satin or low-sheen finish. Then, introduce soft diffused lighting, like fabric-covered ceiling fixtures or shaded table lamps, to keep the reflection down and highlight the grain texture instead of the gloss.

4. Yellow Pine Paneling

Why it's dating your home:
Popular in rustic cabins and mid-century basements, this finish often darkens over time, giving off a yellowed, dingy look that can shrink a room visually.

Modern update:
Whitewashing or painting pine in warm white or muted gray can modernize it instantly. Add uplighting or wall washers to open up the space and bounce light off the new finish, making the room feel larger and fresher.

5. Honey Maple Cabinets

Why it's dating your home:
A kitchen darling of the early 2000s, honey maple is now seen as overly orange and one-dimensional. It doesn’t blend easily with modern appliances or minimalistic aesthetics.

Modern update:
Opt for a dark gray or mushroom stain to tone it down, or consider two-tone cabinetry. Add under-cabinet LED strip lighting in a neutral white (around 3000K) to modernize the look without a full remodel.

Lighting Is the Secret Ingredient

Modern lighting doesn’t just illuminate — it transforms. Whether you’re updating wood finishes or undertaking a full remodel, integrating the right lighting helps highlight your updates, downplay what’s dated, and redefine the mood of a room. Consider ambient, task, and accent lighting as design tools in your wood-tone refresh.