The Evolution of Elegance: The Aging Process of Cherry Furniture

Cherry wood is beloved for its rich tones, timeless appeal, and ability to develop a deep patina over time. Unlike veneered plywood, solid wood is dynamic, responding to light, temperature, and air. One of the most captivating qualities of cherry is its natural darkening process, which happens most rapidly in the first year. Cherry wood’s aging process is inevitable and a quality we embrace as part of its charm. Understanding this transformation and taking the right precautions can help furniture owners maintain the beauty of their investment for years to come.

Left: Freshly cut cherry.  Center: Freshly oiled cherry.  Right: Cherry that has been oiled and aged one month.

The Science Behind Cherry Wood Aging

Through oxidation and light exposure, the pale salmon hue of new cherry gradually deepens into a rich reddish-brown—a transformation that begins almost immediately and continues for years.

Cherry is naturally rich in phenolic compounds and resins, particularly prussic acid and tannins, which react with oxygen and ultraviolet (UV) light. When freshly cut or sanded, cherry appears pinkish-tan, but as these compounds interact with the environment, the wood undergoes a chemical transformation, deepening in color over time. This oxidation process is similar to how freshly cut fruit darkens when exposed to air.

Two New Gloucester Rockers. The one on the left was built in 1997 and the one on the right in 2018.

Sunlight further accelerates the cherry’s darkening through a photochemical reaction. The wood’s light-sensitive compounds react to UV rays, altering their molecular structure and enhancing its deep, warm tones. The more direct the sunlight, the faster the process occurs, whereas indirect sunlight results in a more gradual transformation. To maintain an even patina, position furniture away from windows with direct light, or use blinds, drapes, or UV-filtering window films to regulate exposure. This color shift is most dramatic in the first few months to a year, with approximately 80% of the total change occurring during this period.

Above: A piece of oiled cherry that shows the rapid aging process of new cherry. The lighter section was exposed to direct sunlight for one week. The middle section is cherry after three weeks of direct exposure to direct sunlight, and the section to the right, which is darkest, was exposed to direct sunlight for eight weeks.

Shadowing and Uneven Aging

Because cherry darkens most rapidly within the first year, uneven exposure to light can create noticeable variations in color. One of the most common issues new furniture owners encounter is “shadowing,” where objects left on the surface, such as books, lamps, or coasters, block UV exposure, resulting in lighter spots underneath.

Above: The Georgetown Double Pedestal table shows how stored leaves will age less quickly than the main tabletop. Top right: Where the main tabletop and leaves abut. Top left: The lighter area shows where a table runner covered the table top, leaving a lighter section running down the middle of the table. This occurred within two days while the table was in direct sunlight.

To prevent this, it’s best to keep surfaces clear or rotate items regularly, at least weekly, to ensure even exposure. If lighter areas do appear, remove the item from the surface. The lighter areas will gradually darken and blend in with the surrounding wood over time. While this will be most apparent during the first year of ownership, shadowing can occur throughout the lifetime of the piece.

Above: A cloth runner leaves its mark as sunlight darkens the exposed wood and leaves the wood under the runner lighter in color.

If you have a dining table with extension leaves, it’s advisable to keep the table fully extended for the first year. Otherwise, the main table surface will darken faster than the stored leaves, creating a noticeable contrast. If your space doesn’t warrant the table being fully extended, remove the leaves from the storage bags and allow them to age in the same light as the table.

Why doesn’t the color of my new hardwood furniture look like the pieces I’ve had for years?

Your eyes are not deceiving you. Your new cherry furniture will be much lighter than the pieces you’ve owned for several years.

Remember, a new piece of cherry furniture will reach about 80% of its total darkening within the first six to twelve months, meaning it will be significantly darker within a year. However, the deep, rich patina that an older piece of cherry furniture has developed will take several years to achieve.

By the end of year one, the new piece will be close in color, but it may still appear slightly lighter and less complex in tone compared to an older piece. Over the next three to four years, oxidation and continued light exposure will further enhance the depth and richness of the wood, bringing it much closer to the rich patina of older pieces. If the newer furniture is placed in an area with strong and direct sunlight, it may darken faster and could visually match the older pieces within two to three years. On the other hand, if it is in a dimly lit area, the process will be slower.

A living piece of craftsmanship

Cherry furniture is a living piece of craftsmanship that evolves over time. While its color transformation is most dramatic in the first year, it continues to develop character for decades. By understanding how light and air affect cherry wood and taking simple precautions, owners can ensure their furniture ages gracefully, maintaining its depth, richness, and timeless beauty for generations.

If you have additional questions regarding the care of your furniture or how it will age, please give our customer care team a call or stop by one of our showrooms.

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