How to Choose the Right Stain for Your Wooden Floor
Why samples matter and how timber changes colour
Few changes transform a room as much as a new floor colour. It can make an orange pine floor look calmer, give oak a fashionable grey or white-washed look, or create a rich, dark floor that feels elegant and timeless. But stain is also the step where expectations and reality are most likely to differ, so it pays to choose carefully.
Timber changes everything
Different timbers take up colour in very different ways. Oak usually takes stain evenly, and its grain shows through beautifully. Pine is softer and less even, so some areas soak up more colour than others. Dense timbers such as maple and beech absorb less, making deep colours difficult.
Older wood behaves differently again. Reclaimed and original boards have been exposed to light and air for decades, and their natural colour will show through the stain. Newer replacement boards can take stain differently, another reason we use reclaimed timber for repairs.
Test samples on your own floor
Brochures and photos only tell you so much. We always apply test patches on the sanded floor itself, so you can see the real colour with the real timber in your room's light. View them in daylight and in the evening, because lighting makes a big difference.
Judge samples from where you normally stand, not just on your knees.
View them under different lighting.
Compare samples with your walls, rugs and furniture.
Remember the topcoat will slightly change the final shade.
If in doubt, choose the lighter of two options.
Shades that work well
Light and Scandinavian
Pale tones open up small rooms and are forgiving with dust and pet hair. They are especially popular on oak and work well in modern and Scandinavian-style interiors.
Greys and smoked tones
Grey and smoky stains give a modern look and calm down warm timbers. They need careful sampling, as greys can look very different from one floor to the next.
Deep colours
Dark stains look luxurious and dramatic, particularly in period homes and large rooms. Be aware that darker colours show dust, scratches and paw prints more easily.
What to watch out for
Relying on online images instead of real samples.
Going too dark too quickly, which can make small rooms feel smaller.
Not allowing for blotchy absorption on softwoods.
Judging the colour before the finish is applied.
Choosing the floor in isolation from the rest of the room.
The best way to avoid disappointment is to test carefully and take your time. We would always rather spend a little longer on samples than have you live with a colour you are not happy with.
How staining fits into the process
Staining happens after the floor has been fully sanded and before the finish goes on. Because stain highlights any marks left by sanding, the final sanding stage must be especially thorough. The stain is applied evenly by hand, working with the grain, and left to dry before the first coat of oil or lacquer. Staining typically adds a little extra time, particularly in cooler conditions.
The essentials at a glance
Oak, pine and maple all react differently to stain, which is why the same product can give very different results.
Always view test patches on your own sanded floor, in different lighting and at different times of day.
The protective finish applied over the stain will slightly deepen the colour and add some sheen.
Pale colours are forgiving and open up a room, whereas dark colours show dust and scratches more easily.
When in doubt between two options, choosing the slightly lighter shade is rarely a mistake.
Protecting a stained floor
A stain only adds colour; it does not protect the wood. It always needs a protective finish on top, which can enrich the colour. Some customers choose a tinted oil instead, which colours and protects in one product and is easy to touch up later.
Thinking about a new colour for your floor? Our wood floor staining service always includes test samples on your floor in Harrow, so you can choose with confidence. For costs, see our price guide.