The invention describes an LED lighting unit comprising a container with a number of partially reflective side walls; a light exit opening defined by the side walls; and a number of light-emitting diodes arranged in the container to emit light of a first color through the light exit opening during an on-state of the lighting unit; characterized in that the material properties of the partially reflective container side walls are chosen to impart a second non-white color to the container side walls, and to absorb light in at least one specific region of the visible spectrum such that light of the non-white second color exits the lighting unit through the light exit opening during an off-state of the lighting unit. The invention further describes a method of manufacturing such an LED lighting unit.