The Placement Mistake That Is Giving Your Wood Furniture An Ugly Orange Hue

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In the right dose, the sun feels like nature's therapy. But the same sun that soothes can scorch when it oversteps. Just like our skin can't handle hours of direct sunlight without damage, our furniture, too, has its limits. Though seemingly sturdy, wood is pretty sensitive. So, if your favorite dresser or coffee table has started glowing with a weird orange tint, it's likely sitting in the wrong spot. Yes, placement matters, and the sunniest corner in your house may be the culprit behind that unwanted shade.

When sunlight, or more precisely, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, hits the surface of wood, it triggers a chemical reaction. The main target here is lignin. It's an organic polymer that holds wood fibers together, giving them strength. Lignin, however, is vulnerable to UV radiation. Once the rays penetrate the surface, they begin to break down this compound.

This eventually alters the wood's natural tone. Over time, that reaction brings out hues that can range from reddish-brown to honeyed cherry to, yes, that tint you're noticing now. So while the sun does make your mornings brighter, it may unknowingly be repainting your otherwise gorgeous wood furniture.

One of the simplest ways to protect the wood furniture in your home is to move it. If your beloved wooden table or cabinet sits right under a window, soaking up sunlight all day, you're essentially asking for an orange tint. So, consider shifting it a few feet back or angling it so it doesn't take the full hit of direct rays. If you love the look of sunlight spilling across the room (and who doesn't?), place the furniture near walls that catch the reflected light instead. That way, it still glows, just not in a way your furniture wouldn't approve of.

Of course, sometimes your space doesn't give you much freedom to rearrange. That's where a clear coat of UV-resistant sealant can help. It's no less than a sunscreen for your furniture. You can try something like Minwax Helmsman Spar Urethane to block UV rays without dulling the natural charm of wood.

And if you're someone who loves soft daylight, you can opt for UV-blocking blinds or roller shades. These window treatment options filter harsh sunlight while letting in a gentle glow that won't deteriorate your furniture's natural color.