How to change bed colour from light rustic to walnut?

Question

Hello I'm a complete novice when it comes to wood work, stains, polish etc. but have developed this new interest :) towards DIY. I even attend the stains demo session at my local Bunnings yesterday so really motivated.

I have this bed (photo 1) and I intend to change the colour to look somewhat like (photo 2). Can the experts from this forum guide me how to go about with and what material to buy please.

Thank you in advance

MitchellMc · Answer

A plain interior stain is just colour, @Sphinx. It soaks into the timber and changes the tone, but it does not provide protection. After applying it, you would need to add a separate clear protective coat, like polyurethane or varnish, over the top. The advantage of doing it this way is control. You can apply multiple coats of stain to gradually deepen the colour until you’re happy with it. Once you achieve the tone you like, you then lock it in with a clear topcoat (available in matte, satin, or gloss).

A stain & varnish is a combination product. It adds colour and protective coating at the same time. It’s more convenient because it saves a step, but it offers less flexibility. Since each coat adds both colour and protective film together, it can be harder to fine-tune the depth of colour. If it goes darker than you intended, adjusting it isn’t as simple.

I'd recommend either of the Feast Watson 250ml Walnut Prooftint Interior Stain or Feast Watson 1L Satin Chocolate Walnut Stain & Varnish.

Mitchell

Sphinx · Answer

Thank you @mitchellMC for you prompt and elaborate advice. I guess will start with your practical suggestion first :). Any specific stain you would recommend? There seem to be interior stain and stain and varnish? Thanks

MitchellMc · Answer

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Sphinx. It's sensational to have you join us and many thanks for your question on staining timber.

It’s great that you’re getting into DIY and even attended a demo at Bunnings.

To achieve a look similar to your inspiration photo, the most reliable method would be to sand the entire bed back to raw timber to completely remove the existing whitewash finish. This step is important because if any of the whitewash remains, the stain will absorb unevenly and you’re very likely to end up with a patchy or blotchy result. Stain reacts differently depending on what’s underneath it, so for a uniform appearance, the old finish really needs to be removed fully before applying a new colour.

That said, sanding a whole bed back to bare timber is quite a bit of work, especially if you’re new to this. To sand the bed back, begin with 180-grit sandpaper using an orbital sander (or by hand for detailed areas), sanding with the direction of the grain and applying even pressure. The goal is to remove the whitewash and level the surface without gouging the timber. Once you’re back to consistent bare wood, switch to 240-grit to smooth and refine the surface ready for staining or oiling. After sanding, vacuum thoroughly and wipe down with a slightly damp cloth to remove all dust before applying any finish.

A more practical approach might be to test a walnut stain on a hidden section first, perhaps somewhere underneath the bed where it won’t be seen. The stain can be applied with a brush or a cloth. If you’re happy with how the stain looks over the existing whitewash, you could proceed without fully stripping it back. Just keep in mind that the final finish may not be perfectly even, as areas with heavier whitewash may appear lighter.

It’s also worth noting that your inspiration image appears to show the natural colour of a hardwood timber, finished with a matte oil. That look comes from the inherent colour and grain of the hardwood itself. If your current bed is pine (which many whitewashed beds are), applying a walnut stain will not produce the same result as actual walnut timber. Pine has a lighter base colour and different grain structure, so even with a walnut stain, it will look different from natural walnut finished with oil.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell