It may be shocking to some but I painted the stand. My first idea was to re-stain it a darker color that would match my existing woodwork, but after testing a small area in the back I realized what a bother it would be to sand it all down with the slats and grooves.
Then I did a test on the back with this liquid sander stuff and primer but it didn't help the paint go on any better so I just went at it with the color.
After a second coat:
