Picking the perfect stain for your hardwood floors is challenging. The color you choose impacts the entire look and feel of your home. Before you buy, consider the following to select a stain that’ll satisfy your needs and style. 

How to Choose a Stain for Hardwood Floors

Your Wood

No two types of wood stain the same way. Harder woods like oak and maple may require multiple coats of stain, whereas more porous varieties like bamboo – which is actually a grass – may not. Do a small sample first to see how your wood takes the color. If you have two types of wood flooring in your home, consult a hardwood floor specialist. They’ll help you pick a stain that will make the differences less noticeable or heighten the contrast, depending on your aesthetic preferences. 

Your Shade

Light, medium, and dark stains all have different visual effects on your home. Light stains like golden oak open up a room, make homes appear brighter and cheerier, and create visual interest by contrasting with dark furniture. A medium stain like chestnut adds a subtle change. If you prefer heavier furniture pieces, want to add depth, or hope to create a luxurious atmosphere, opt for rich stains like ebony, dark walnut, or mahogany. Reddish tones like cherry add warmth. 

Your Lifestyle

If your hardwood flooring is in high-traffic areas of the home, pick richer shades, which hide imperfections better. If you’re unsure of how dark you want to go, start with a medium stain and gradually go darker. If you like the look of visual wood grain, a lighter stain may be a better choice to showcase its texture. 

Get the right stain for your hardwood floors with help from American Floors in Riverside, RI. This family-operated company has been providing residents of Rhode Island and Southern Massachusetts with quality hardwood flooring repair, refinishing, and installation since 1976. They’ll help you test stains and apply them perfectly for a long-lasting, beautiful finish. For more information about all their available services, visit them online or call (401) 433-0530 for a free estimate.