Yellow (Interior)
Colors aren’t only limited to fabrics these days. Designers are broadening the vibrant color trend to include wooden furnishings as well. Lemon from Minwax is an interior water-based stain that penetrates deeply and has a bright, cheerful tint which provides excellent coverage.
“Definitely, color is making a comeback in home design, and the completely white aesthetic is reverting to the background,” he states.
KFD Product Studio
Founder Kevin Francis O’Gara, who often uses vibrant hues in his personal creations.
Black (Interior)
Black interiors are always popular, and deep, neutral stains are a great way to create that look. Classic Black by Varathane is a top-selling indoor
wood stain
utilized by hobbyists and experts.
Danielle Guerrero, the DIY Influencer behind
Our Nest on Powell
She opted for traditional black in her latest look.
arched cabinet build.
“I got motivated by the dark cabinets I saw circulating online,” she explains.
White (Exterior)
Lighter colors are commonly used for
exterior finishes
on outdoor furniture and decks. One prime example of this:
Maritime White
in the semi-solid opacity, a popular color in Benjamin Moore’s Arborcoat exterior stain line.
“White and light hues are synonymous with summer, and we’re seeing more of those stain colors being used inside and outside of the home on multiple surfaces,” says Benjamin Moore Color Specialist Nivara Xaykao. “The look of bleached wood and pale driftwood has a relaxed, eye-pleasing effect.”
Blue (Interior)
The list of uses for colored stains continues to expand, and Vintage Blue, the Minwax 2021 Color of the Year, brings the colors of nature indoors. This oil-based stain provides one-coat coverage for various
interior wood projects
.
Sue Kim, color marketing manager for
Valspar
and
Minwax,
notes that people are “adding warming elements with touches of color to cabinets, wooden furniture, floors and more. Vintage blue is an organic color that balances nurturing green and renewing blue with subtle gray undertones.”
Greige (Interior)
Grays are
trending as accent colors
for 2021, and these work well for furniture, cabinets and floors.
Interior designer KD Reid
is seeing more gray tones in accent pieces as well.
“Gray tones have been on trend but are now being introduced in lighter washes that provide depth and contrast,” Reid says. “With their neutral tone, gray
hardwood floors
are popular among modern homeowners as a way to bring calming effects and serenity into the room.”
One great choice:
Rustic beige
, which blends brown and gray to create a versatile, on-trend color.
Flagstone Brown (Interior)
Varathane’s Flagstone
is a warm stain color that pairs well with the light colors found in transitional home design. It’s a great stain for use on furniture projects or when replicating
aged wood
.
Interior home DIYer Nida Rehman used flagstone when aging a stool she purchased from a thrift store, featured on
@lovenida_
I believe I’ve found my favorite stain,” Rehman remarks. “The warm hues in the stain complement the light-colored walls and blend nicely with other neutral shades.
Gray (Exterior)
Moody stain hues weren’t solely reserved for indoor spaces in 2021. According to Kim, ‘Undertaking smaller projects with a distinctive or vibrant touch can transform an outdoor area into a representation of one’s individual taste.’
An instance is Charcoal Darkest Knight
exterior wood stain
, which Kim mentions is commonly used for decks, fences, and exterior walls.
White (Interior)
Even though all-white spaces may not be fashionable, light-colored wood tones are currently en vogue for interior design. As O’Gara points out, “Lightweight, matte-finish woods are very much in style at present.” She adds that white oak and bleached finishes work well both on furnishings and flooring.
The General Finishes oil-based gel stain in white is among the best-selling products on Amazon. It applies smoothly and yields a uniform white oak look that maintains consistency over different surfaces.
wood types
.
FAQ
What steps should I follow to select the appropriate stain color?
Before beginning your staining project, you must first determine which
type of finish
Afterwards, choose a color. Keep in mind that there isn’t a single “correct” stain color since it ultimately depends on your individual taste. These shades move away from conventional wood stains, making them ideal if you want something out of the ordinary—feel free to experiment with them. However, if you’re uncertain about the chosen stain hue, do apply it as a tiny sample in a hidden section first. This way, you can ensure compatibility with both your vision and the specific type of wood used.
How many coats of stain do you recommend applying?
Various kinds of wood can influence how they soak up stains. Ensure you investigate the specific wood species you plan to stain and carefully review the directions provided with your stain product prior to beginning your project. Generally, applying two layers of stain should be adequate. For a subtle hint of the original wood shade, using just one layer might be enough. Conversely, if you desire a deeper or richer hue, consider adding more than two layers. Remember that there’s an upper limit to how much stain wood can take in. Avoid over-applying as this could lead to issues.
stains or runs of paint
.
Can a stain prevent wood from absorbing moisture?
Wood stain penetrates into wood fibers, forming a protective layer against moisture. Stain also helps seal the wood surface from outside elements like rain and snow. However, stain alone will not waterproof wood. Only the addition of a wood sealant like varathane, polyurethane or lacquer will provide waterproof protection.
