Choosing the right stain for your wood flooring can be challenging. It’s not like other renovations that you can do and change as you want. Getting the right stain on your floor is something you take time to decide on because you’re going to be stuck with it for a long time to come.
To help you get it right, we’ve got a few tips to help you out with that.
Tip #1 – Know Your Wood
Certain types of wood should never be stained. Good examples of woods that shouldn’t be stained include mahogany or cherry wood, as they are beautiful in their natural state.
If you have oak, on the other hand, then you’ve got the perfect wood for staining. Oak has a reputation for taking on stains exceptionally well, so all that’s left is to decide what you want to see.
Tip #2 – Conder the Contrast
Do you want to have a more significant room contrast, or do you want a bright space? Darker floors create major contrast, especially if you paint the walls in light colors.
Alternatively, if you put down a lighter stain, then the room will look much brighter. Light floors bounce light off the surfaces, so if you’re worried about having a space that’s too dark, go with a lighter stain.
Tip #3 – Imagine Your End Goal
As you test the different colors on your flooring, take a step back and imagine what you want your room to look like. Do you care if it’s a traditional color? What about a fun stain color?
Most people prefer to choose the safe option that would be seller-friendly at some point in the future. If you’re more concerned about making your home your own and adding something unique, don’t be afraid of using a fun color instead.
Tip #4 – Narrow Down Your Colors
Once you know if you want dark, light, or fun-colored floors, it’s time to narrow down the options. Ideally, you want to get down to two or three different choices.
After you’ve narrowed down your stains, see if you can get portable stain samples. Try putting portable panels in different parts of your home. You might realize that the stain you thought you’d like isn’t the one you want after all.
Tip #5 – Think About Pets and Guests
If you have pets or children, think about the effect they’ll have on your stained hardwood floors. Pets with light-colored fur and a dark stain don’t mix very well. You’ll find yourself sweeping all the time to keep the pet hair in check.
Alternatively, if your pet’s fur is lighter, then it hides better on a light-colored floor. The same goes for kids and the crumbs they leave behind. Crumbs stand out a lot more on a darker floor compared to a lighter one.
Making the Choice
Choosing the perfect stain can be daunting, but if you take the time to do it right, you’ll end up happy with the results. Remember to make sure your wood should be stained, and then consider the contrast you want to see. Imagine what your space will look like with both darker and lighter stains. Once you’ve decided which one you’d like, it’s time to narrow down your stain colors. Don’t forget about pets and other guests that will walk across your floors to make sure you pick a stain that will fit with your lifestyle and your needs.
