How to Stain Wood Using the Right Color
Staining wood can protect the surface and transform the look of your home, but what stain color you choose can make or break the final results. To avoid making a color mistake, whether you're selecting a wood stain for your deck or a wood stain for interior trim, follow this wood staining guide. Inside, you'll find the best way to pick the right stain color the first time, so your wood staining project is a complete success!
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How to Stain Wood Using the Right Color
Step 1: Determine The Wood
How to Stain Wood Using the Right Color
The species of wood you are starting with is crucial to know. Every type of wood has a distinct shade that will amplify when you apply a stain. The color that you lay over it will alter this shade and will not necessarily look the same as the color swatch on the label. How to stain a wood deck that has been previously stained and sun-bleached will be different than an oak unfinished end table when determining what the end color will be.
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How to Stain Wood Using the Right Color
Step 2: Understand Wood Stain Color Results
How to Stain Wood Using the Right Color
Wood stain products range from clear to just about any color imaginable. Clear stain will protect the surface and bring out the rich natural tones of the wood. Most homeowners opt for more typical shades of brown, but need to consider if the product has warm or cool undertones, so it flows well with the rest of the home. Redwood and Dark Mohagany have a warm, slightly reddish/orange undertone that adds depth and looks fantastic against creams and yellows. Ebony, Oxford Brown, and Dark Ash have cool gray undertones that may fit better with your overall decor style and are an excellent pairing for blue exterior siding or interior walls. How to stain a wood deck that has seen better days? Opt for a fun color like Island Sky or Copper Henna to brighten the space.
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How to Stain Wood Using the Right Color
Step 3: Determine the Final Impact
How to Stain Wood Using the Right Color
Staining wood to fit your design aesthetic is something else that you will need to consider before you begin your staining project. Going with rich, dark stains like Dark Bark or Sequoia Red will add tons of drama and elegance along with being the perfect backdrop for bright decor or flowerbeds. Light stains, such as White Sands or Outside White, expand the visual size of a space and create a more peaceful and relaxing statement.
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How to Stain Wood Using the Right Color
Step 4: Select the Best Stain Dealer and Product
How to Stain Wood Using the Right Color
The final step to ensure your wood staining project goes smoothly is to not skimp on quality and to find a dealer that is knowledgeable about the products they sell. Choosing a high-quality brand with decades of product development behind them, along with an experienced staff that can answer questions and guide you toward your final decision, is the secret to success.
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