I have also cats so except my plastic set, they all are stored away. I like the bright red, but I also like when they are dark with faint glow of red so it doesn't matter to me.
Padauk / Chess set side
Sort:
Ok thanks gents , was looking at something different , for the black side as all my wooden sets are ebony , Just looking at ways to rekindle my son interest in chess , Also what more easy on the eyes for a child , As black can be quite hard on the eyes for a young man . 
its likely to be more than just sunlight that darkens the wood, I have pieces of wood in a dark corner of my workshop that have darkened over time and it might be the fluorescent lighting, it might be oxygen and moisture, a combination of all of the above. or different causes for different woods. I suspect it depends on the specific wood. Keeping them in a box when not in use will slow the process down regardless of the source of the change, but I doubt it will stop it completely (you only need the pieces usefulness to outlive you)
black is hard on the eyes? I'd never noticed that when I was young, and I played with some truly horrible sets back then. My own children are disinclined to play me, mostly because I tend to beat them roughly 100% of the time, but they do play with people of their own age and skill level and that social dimension, a school chess club that my daughter involved herself in for example, is important.
After reading how Padauk turns black in the sun light , if exposed to sun light overtime ?
Just wanted to know those's that do have a Padauk side wooden chess men / queen , do you put them straight back in the box after use & Is there any tips or tricks to help keep that red colour . Do you use any wax on them etc ,