The furniture appears elegant, and the walls are ideal for the space, but the hardwood floor stain color does not complement your home’s interior. This can be so annoying, especially when you are seeking to get a perfect ambiance for your home.
The best approach is finding the correct hardwood floor stain color. Replacing this kind of stain can significantly change the appearance of the room. It is likely to give you a warm, contemporary, or vibrant room based on the option you select. It doesn’t have to be a difficult task to choose the correct stain color.
In this article, let us help you with steps on how to get the best hardwood floor stain color. Here, we will see some stain colors and how to perform a color match while offering further guidance on making a suitable choice.
Hardwood Floor Stain Colors Catgories
Before you start staining your hardwood floors, you must consider whether it is necessary. It’s okay that every floor should be colored to make it look good. Throughout Boston and on the South Shore of Massachusetts, a lot of real wooden floors are left as natural as possible, especially red and white oak floors that, when sanded and refinished appropriately, can really have a nice sheen.
Importantly, staining and the application of polyurethane or water-based products are two different processes. Stain introduces color between the wood and the surface coats that make up finish coats; finishes give a protective layer.
Other finishes include Rubio Monocoat and Pallman magic oil, where there is no need for stains to alter the color of the floor. Different application techniques, such as Bona Nordic Seal and Pallman Pall-X White Seal, have products that can actually make oak floors lighter or even whiten them without using stains.
Now, the question is what shade are you looking for that may match your home’s interior? Every shade has many variations. Let’s explore all the stain shades.
Dark Hardwood Floor Stains
The dark wood floor looks stunning. Due to their deep and rich color, they offer an exquisite dramatic impression. Some of them reveal the natural grain of the wood as well. These floors blend well with classic and contemporary interior designs.
However, they require more maintenance than the lighter shades. Smoke-like colours, including ebony, espresso, and dark walnut, provide a luxurious look. These stains are great for creating that second dimension on the walls, especially if the room gets enough sunlight.
Light Hardwood Floor Stains
Light shades of color give the impression of openness and freeness from clutter. Also, they are in harmony with white walls and light furniture. Due to their nature, these stains give living rooms or bedrooms a rather relaxed and homey feel to them.
Some of the recommended light-colored stains are Silvered Grey, Country White, and Rustic Beige. Give these a go for a playful appearance. These stains are suitable for small rooms or areas of a house that receive little or no direct sunlight as they help to enlarge the room and make it appear brighter.
Mid-Toned Floor Stains
This stain category is widely used, particularly in Boston and the South Shore region of Massachusetts. They blend in well with the majority of interior themes and designs because they are subtle. These colors are perfect for those who cannot choose between dark or light.
Also, they stay out of fashion despite the changing market trends in fashion. They blend well with most furniture, cabinets, and wall shades. Some of the most common stains in this range include Jacobean, Special Walnut, and Antique Brown.
Gray Hardwood Floor Stains
The gray color of the hardwood floor stains gives a modern look to the rooms. It is available in light and dark shades. Light gray also provides a lighter look and feel to the design. Dark gray gives it a glossy finish, which makes it more elegant. These stains are suitable for contemporary and traditional interior designs. They are better at concealing dirt and scratches than dark stains.
Some of the most common gray stains are the Weathered Gray, the Classic Gray, and the Slate Gray. Go for gray if you want to look stylish and modern.
Gray is another popular finish, which gives the interior an elegant and stylish look. These stains range from light, weathered grays to deep charcoal tones. The gray hardwood floor stain can suit various design themes, including industrial and farmhouses.
Natural Wood Stain Colors
These types of stains work to maintain the natural or natural-looking color of the wooden surface. This is great if you love the natural look of the wood. These stains give a sublease of color without going for an extreme look. They do not make the wood much darker or lighter. This is perfect if you want a small change in your floor’s look.
Some of the colors in this category include Neutral, Natural, Golden Oak, and Fruitwood.
Different types of natural wood stains do not modify the look of the wood very significantly but deepen its color. These stains range from clear to light honey, which brings out the grain and texture of the wood and gives it a very elegant and traditional finish. Natural wood stain colors are, therefore, universal in that they can match any decor of the house.
How to Choose a Hardwood Floor Stain Color?
When selecting a hardwood floor stain color, it’s essential to consider several factors to ensure the best outcome for your home.
Room Size and Lighting
The size of the room and the amount of natural light that is brought into the room can affect the appearance of a stain color. Elements such as dark stains can make a large room seem comfortable but may be too much for a small room. Actually, light shades can make a dark room lighter, but they will not necessarily make a large space warm.
Existing Decor and Furniture
Think about the paint or fabric and designs of your current furniture and other items in the room. The stain color should blend well with these features to give the room a well-coordinated appearance. For example, dark stains will create a high contrast with light furniture, while light stains will complement neutral and pastel furniture.
Maintenance and Durability
Stain colors and finishes vary in terms of the amount of care that should be given to them. Dark stains tend to reveal scratches and dust better than lighter stains, but at the same time, the latter may hide defects. You should take into account your way of life and the readiness to clean the stains when selecting the color.
Future Trends and Resale Value
However, one must also make decisions with an eye to the future and how certain trends may indeed affect the value of a home. Neutral and classic stain colors such as natural wood and middle browns are less likely to offend anyone or capture a niche market.
How Do You Select the Final Hardwood Floor Stain Color?
Once it’s done, your next step will be to choose the exact color from that group of basic stain shades. Begin by selecting your three top colors. Then, request your Boston-based hardwood floor refinishing contractor (or your hometown) to sand some samples. Ensure these samples are large enough to help you get a feel of each color.
Flooring is the biggest speaking element of interior design. It ties everything together. Organization and unification of the interior should be the main goals you commit to when designing the room. Sometimes, one color will become charming and comfortable to you. That is when your hardwood floor stain color will look most perfect.
It is important to understand that woods of varying kinds are not all the same when it comes to the absorption of stains. Some coloration may differ from the ones on samples or swatches. Before you commit to staining your entire flooring, you must test small portions of each stain directly onto the floor to see how they appear.
This way, you stand assured that the color you select is harmonious with all your furniture and the paint in the rest of the house. That means when you are testing and observing, then you are avoiding some misunderstandings in the future. Overall, take the right decisions and have the advantage of enjoying the beautiful fruits of your labor.
Also Read: Special Walnut Stain or Provincial on White Oak: Right Choice
FAQs
Can You Stain Hardwood Floors White?
Yes, you can stain hardwood floors white. There are specific white stains that can be used for whitewashing or getting a white finish on a hardwood floor.
Is It Better to Stain Hardwood Floors Light or Dark?
Whether to stain hardwood floors, light or dark, only depends on your choice and the preferred look of the particular room. This means that both light and dark stains have their benefits.
What is the Most Popular Hardwood Floor Stain Color?
Hardwood floor stain color is not set in stone; It varies based on the most recent trend and the preferences of the majority of homeowners. Some of the most popular ones include medium browns such as Jacobean and Special Walnut and gray stains.
Which Hardwood Floor Stain Colors Look Modern?
Gray hardwood floor stains are popular in modern interior design as they give more of a contemporary look. Subtle shades of brown and other more neutral colors are also able to contribute to a modern look.
Which Stain Brand is Best for Hardwood Floors?
Choosing the most appropriate stain brand for the hardwood floor is relative to certain factors, such as the lifestyle of the person using the floor, the type of finish preferred, and the project type. Some of the most used brands include Minwax, Duraseal, and Varathane.
Conclusion
Selecting the right hardwood floor stain color is essential for giving a new look to your house and enhancing its appeal. You can choose the right stain shade to enhance the space if you understand the basic color classification, consider important factors before making a decision. You have dark, light, gray, or natural wood stains, which are popular among people, and each of these colors has its benefits for your hardwood floors. Take the time and enjoy the transformation that the right stain color will bring into your home.
Read Next: Best Polyurethane Option For Hardwood Floors 2024
