From the classics to the avante-garde, there are hardwood floor stain colors out there for anyone, just waiting for you to transform your home into the work of art that it is!
If you’re in the process of revamping your home or planning a renovation, one thing you shouldn’t forget is the color of your hardwood floors.
They’re a functional part of your living space, yes, but they also significantly contribute to the overall aesthetics of your home, so you can have the perfect ambiance to your space.
The Basics of Hardwood Floor Stain Colors
Before we dive into some of the best hardwood floor stain colors for you, let’s cover the basics. When it comes to selecting the perfect stain color for your hardwood floors, consider:
Wood species: Different types of wood can absorb stains differently, affecting the final color. Some are softer, and some are more durable, so it’s important to get an expert’s opinion who understands how to pair different wood types with different stain colors and brands.
Existing home decor: Take into account your existing furniture, wall colors, and decor. Your hardwood floor stain should complement your overall interior design (we’ll talk more about this later!).
Lighting: The amount and type of natural and artificial light in your space can make a huge difference in how your stain color appears. Just like colors can vary based on the computer screen they’re being viewed on, stains can look wildly different even in just two rooms of the same house.
Room size: Larger rooms tend to be able to better handle darker stain colors, while lighter stains can create an open and airy feeling in smaller spaces.
Cost to stain hardwood floors: Staining your floor does come with a price tag, so as a professional for some quotes to determine what your budget is before taking the plunge. While DIY hardwood floor staining might sound like a good idea, it could end up costing you more if you make a mistake.
The Best Stain Colors for Large Rooms
Let’s start with large rooms, which offer lots of fun possibilities when it comes to hardwood floor stain colors. We’re featuring all our stain colors specifically from our DuraSeal stain chart:
Neutral
As its name suggests, this more neutral-colored stain is great for large rooms, with a wonderful ability to open up space and reflect more light, giving your room an airy and spacious feel. Neutral stains, like DuraSeal’s Neutral, also provide a versatile backdrop that complements a wide range of interior styles, particularly more minimal and, yes, neutral ones!
Royal Mahogany
Royal Mahogany stain is a great option for those who want to infuse a little touch of elegance and depth into your large room. This rich and deep stain color brings a luxurious and timeless feel to your space, perfect for creating a more regal atmosphere (and working exceptionally well in formal dining rooms or grand living areas).
Dark Walnut
For those who are looking for a more cozy and inviting ambiance in their large room, Dark Walnut is a great stain color, adding warmth and character to your hardwood floors, making the space feel comfortable and welcoming. Dark Walnut also pairs beautifully with traditional and contemporary interior styles.
Interested in browsing through some of our finished hardwood floor stains that feature these DuraSeal stains? Take a look.
The Best Stain Colors for Small Rooms
Let’s focus on small spaces. Because while small rooms can present unique challenges, the right stain color can easily create a sense of openness and style that maximizes its potential.
Rustic Beige
Small rooms are all about making the most of the available natural light, and Rustic Beige can help you get there. This light and airy stain color can work wonders in small spaces by enhancing the perception of natural light and adding a sense of openness. Its warm undertones provide a cozy yet spacious atmosphere, making the room feel larger than it actually is. Rustic Beige could pair beautifully with more rustic or country-style decor, creating an inviting yet roomy feel.
Warm Gray
For a more modern and minimalist look in small rooms, consider the timeless appeal of Warm Gray stain, bringing a more sleek and contemporary vibe to the space and complementing decor styles from Scandinavian to industrial. In even a small living room or studio apartment, Warm Gray can help you achieve that sophisticated and spacious ambiance you’ve been looking for.
Red Mahogany
While it might seem counterintuitive to use a darker stain in a small room, Red Mahogany defies this expectation by adding warmth and character to the space without overpowering it. This rich and inviting stain color brings depth to the room and can serve as a focal point.
This is a great choice for rooms that already have light-colored furniture, rugs, and decor items to create contrast and prevent the room from feeling too confined.
Popular Hardwood Floor Stain Colors
This last group of stains is well-loved by homeowners, enhancing a multitude of different spaces– the popular hardwood floor stain colors!
Weathered Oak
Weathered Oak provides a rich, slightly grayish-brown finish that beautifully complements a variety of decor styles. Plus, if you have a busy household with kids or pets, this stain color can be a practical and stylish choice, with a more weathered look that adds character and also masks the wear and tear of daily life!
Special Walnut
Special Walnut’s warm and inviting hues add a touch of coziness to any room, easily brightening up spaces, and making them feel warm and welcoming, adapting to traditional and contemporary homes while still achieving a more timeless look.
Early American
For homeowners looking for a more dramatic and eye-catching effect, Early American stain is the way to go as a rich and deep stain color that exudes a sense of history. It can easily be the focal point of a room because of its bold appearance, particularly if you’re going for a more classic look.
Final Tips for Hardwood Floor Stain Colors
Consider Your Home’s Style and Feel
When you want to know how to choose hardwood stain colors, it’s always important to know what your home’s existing style and feel are.
One of many hardwood floor color matching tips for you is to pay attention to your existing color palette, which will ultimately help you know how to choose hardwood stain colors.
If your walls and furniture feature bold or vibrant colors, you can consider a more neutral stain to balance the overall look, whereas if your decor is more minimalistic, you can experiment with bolder stain colors.
Determine the Cost of Maintenance and Effort
Every hardwood floor stain color comes with its maintenance requirements and upkeep considerations. It’s crucial to factor in the long-term care and effort required to keep your floors looking their best, including the cost of maintaining different color stains, knowing the cost of sealing and finishes, and understanding the cost of maintenance if you have kids or pets who might spill, stain, and scuff.
Determine How Pets or Kids Could Affect It
While we’re talking about kids and pets, consider things like scratch resistance, easy cleaning, and area rugs or mats when it comes to your hardwood floors and their stain colors.
Our team at TriArt is here to help you make the best choice when picking your hardwood floor stain colors. For expert advice, product recommendations, and professional assistance, reach out to us today!
