Is there any way to darken a dining room set made out of solid wood?

If the dining set currently has a protective finish over the natural wood surface, this creates a barrier inhibiting one's ability to readily darken the actual wood itself via painting, or staining (which is preferable, I think). Depending on the age of the set (whether it's an antique, for example) will and should determine how you manage altering it's appearance. If not an antique, and has a protective layer, it may be best to strip down to the bare wood and then stain the itto desired hue. You can test the colors of stain in a small area underneath or on the back of a chair, table or buffet in order to see how the wood will absorb and react with the new color. Some bare woods are more porous than others and depending on the intensity of the grain, may 'take' on the color of a stain more readily or intensely. Finally, if you do choose to refinish and stain, it is important to seal in the new color with a coat or two of varnish (shellac, a natural version which by itself adds color but has potential for temperature-related problems), polyurethane, or lacquer. Again, if the dining set is an antique, depending on it's condition, you may not want to chance diminishing its value by changing the finish.

Use Minwax Polyshades. You can stain over stain with very little prep.

Do not use shellac, it gives woods an amber color and yellows over time. Use water based polyurethane which does not yellow.

http://www.minwax.com/how-to-finish-wood/change-stain-color-with-polyshades/

lav is right...but my mother in law used old English scratch cover in a dark color over her beautiful dining room set and over time it produced a beautiful darkening...she stopped applying when she got it where she wanted it.

i would sand it well and stain it with a gel stain like Minwax. Really good cover with that. If the table is painted you will need to strip the paint off first. Then sand and use gel stain

Hello Leigh; As was mentioned, is your Dining set an Antique??

Also does it have any types of a finish on it??

Please respond, so that I can help you!!! Take Care!

use penatraiting stain

Hello Leigh; Sounds Interesting to say the least!! I am wondering if your set is solid wood or not, since it is newer. If your set were mine, (and if you wish to keep it) I would try to age it by using paint. if you are braver, you could sand it well, and try staining it.

You mentioned that you have an Antique China Cabinet. Sounds like you are an Antique lover, as I am.

You also could try and sell your Dining set, and purchase an Antique set.

As far a having a matched set, My own Dining set consists of A Tiger oak table from the late 1800's. The chairs are much newer, but I sanded and hand stained each to match the table.

My Antique China Cabinets do not match my table, but I do not like "Cookie Cutter"

I hope that this is helpful to you. Good Luck with your Project!!