Picking just the right color for wood staining can be tricky. There are a lot of options to choose from and you might not be too sure about how they will look on your project. DIY staining can be a lot of fun, but if you aren’t certain which color to select, there are a few tips that can help. Paint, staining, and other coloring techniques are all quite different, so painting tips aren’t going to help here!
Stains tend to be clear. They color the wood but don’t obscure it. If you don’t like the wood you’re working with and want to hide it, you may want to go with paint. Staining is a great option for bringing out the grain in the wood and making sure it looks great. There are literally hundreds of DIY staining videos online, so technique is easily learned . . . just be sure to practice on a scrap of wood first! Wood staining is actually fairly easy once you get into the routine.
To choose the right color for a project, take a look at the sample stains that the store offers. You should view these in light that is similar to where your project is. If you have a living room floor to do, for example, then you will want to look at it in daylight, as well as tungsten.
Remember that lighter colors expand, while darker ones contract. So, if you want the room to look bigger, stick to a fairly light stain and vice versa. Light colors will also highlight the grain of the wood better than the very dark stains.
It should also be noted that colors will have an effect on future décor. Maybe that smoky blue wood stain looks cool, but you’ll only be able to use furniture that goes with it from now on!
In the end, choosing a color for wood staining is a matter of preference. DIY staining projects should be approached with care. Test the color on a piece of scrap wood first to get a feel for it and see if you like the color as much as you did on the sample. If you don’t want to paint, staining is a great option.
