Red oak has a way of playing with stain colors, and the one you choose can either enhance its natural beauty or, well, let’s just say you might end up with a hue you didn’t bargain for.
In this post, I’m excited to share what I learned from my own journey with red oak floors. From how to navigate the overwhelming number of stain choices to why it’s crucial to wait a week to see how the color changes, I’ll walk you through the process of picking a stain color you’ll truly love.
These insights will help you achieve the look you’ve been dreaming of without settling for a color that isn’t quite right.
Just a friendly reminder: This tutorial and any opinions or recommendations are genuinely mine, but this is not a substitute for consulting a professional. I also use affiliate links to earn a commission.
6 Tips for Finding the Perfect Wood Floor Stain Color
So, you’ve got red oak floors and need to pick a stain color. If you’re reading this, you probably already know how easy that seems—but just how challenging it really is.
My original vision was for a medium brown color, something warm and inviting that would perfectly complement the rest of my decor. But after spending over 55 hours sanding my old wood floors, I loved how they looked right after sanding—fresh, natural, and light.
I got so attached to that look that I decided to skip the stain altogether and went straight to applying a finish, hoping to preserve that light wood vibe. Well, that didn’t go as planned. The result? Floors that looked, well, orange.
That was my sign that I needed to trust my gut and go with the medium stain I had originally envisioned. Red oak has a personality all its own, and I realized that to get the warm, rich tones I wanted, staining was the way to go.
Here are the lessons I learned while picking a stain for my floors, along with tips to help you find the perfect color for yours.
Narrow Down Your Choices
I started by diving into magazines, Pinterest, and Instagram to find inspiration for my medium brown stain. I looked at various spaces and took note of the styles and colors I liked. My goal was to figure out the look I wanted and see what colors others used. While this helped me narrow down my options, I realized I couldn’t simply choose a color based on what I saw.
It’s important to know that red oak comes in different grades, which can affect how the stain looks. Plus, keep in mind that everyone uses filters and edits their photos, so what you see online probably won’t look the same in your space.This process was more about getting a sense of what I liked to help narrow down all the options.
Consider the Undertones
When picking a medium brown stain, it’s crucial to choose one with undertones that will neutralize the natural red or orange hues of red oak. Look for stains with a more neutral or cooler base, like those with gray or beige undertones, to counteract the red and orange tones. Green undertones also work well because green is opposite red on the color wheel. Just be cautious, as I found that the green can sometimes be a bit too strong.
Stains and Grains
I can’t stress this enough—test, test, test! And not just in a few different areas, but over a large enough space. I discovered that oak’s grain can vary quite a bit, so it’s crucial to test a sizable area to see how the stain looks over different grain patterns.
Before making a final decision, I tried several stain samples in various spots throughout my home and in patches spanning multiple boards. This approach gives you a true sense of how the color will appear across your entire floor.
Consider Lighting When Testing Stain Colors
Lighting can make a huge difference in how stain colors appear. It might not be groundbreaking information, but it’s essential to keep in mind! Red oak, in particular, can look completely different under natural light compared to artificial light.
To get an accurate sense of how the stain will look on your floors, test it in your space and check back often—morning, noon, night—with lights on and off. I would pop over to check the samples after dropping the kids off at school and again during my lunch break. Each time, the color seemed to shift slightly with the changing light.
But it’s not just lighting that affects the final look—stain color can also change over time.
Color Changes Over Time
Yes, keep checking your colors often, but also give it at least a week before making your final decision. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I loved the colors even more after they had time to fully cure. Stains can look different as they settle, so waiting helps you get a true sense of the final look and avoid any surprises once it’s fully dry.
Narrow Down and Re-Test
Once you’ve narrowed down your options to a few favorites, try them out again in a separate area away from your initial tests. This final round of testing helps you confirm your choice. Be sure to wait for the stain to fully dry and check it in different lighting conditions to see how it truly looks.
Stain Samples for My Red Oak Floors
Here’s a rundown of what I tested and what color I ultimately choose as the perfect mediu brown stain. Using the tips from aboe, i felt really confident in my choices, which made it hard to choose! They wer all good. In the end, I went with my gut. Even though I had about 9 samples to choose from, there was one that just felt right.
- Driftwood
This stain was my favorite at first, but after it dried, it turned out to be too light and didn’t bring out the richness I was hoping for. Had I made my decision quickly, I would have been disappointed, as it lightened up drastically! - Rustic Beige
This stain had a soft, earthy feel, but it leaned a bit too gray and lacked the depth I wanted. It was a nice option, but not quite the medium brown I had in mind. - Silvered Gray
Silvered Gray offered a chic, modern look with its gray undertones, but it clashed with the natural red tones in my oak floors. It was too cool and didn’t do well at hiding the red tones. - Weathered Oak
Weathered Oak had a lovely, aged appearance but ended up being too muted for my taste. It didn’t give me the vibrant medium brown I was hoping for. - Provincial
Upon first application, this stain felt too dark. But after just a few days, as it soaked in and settled, it quickly became the standout choice. It provided the perfect medium brown with a beautiful balance of warmth and richness. It neutralized the red and orange tones in the red oak beautifully, giving me the warm, inviting look I had envisioned. - Provincial with Silvered Gray
Combining Provincial with Silvered Gray created an interesting blend, but it didn’t quite hit the mark for me. The gray undertones muted the warmth of Provincial and didn’t deliver the cozy feel I was aiming for. - Provincial with Rustic Beige
This combination brought some interesting nuances to the table, but it was a bit too complex for my taste. While it had potential, I didn’t love it enough to want to deal with mixing stain colors. - Early American
Early American offered a rich, traditional brown and was a runner-up choice, but it came out a tad too reddish on my floors. It wasn’t the balanced medium brown I was hoping for. - Aged Wheat
I had high hopes for Aged Wheat. Inspired by the gorgeous wood floors in Pine and Prospect’s home, I thought it would be a great choice. However, in my space, the green undertones turned out to be a bit too strong.
In the end, Provincial turned out to be the perfect choice for my red oak floors. I applied just one coat, and its medium brown tone with the right balance of warmth and richness made it the ideal fit for my space. Testing these samples helped me find the stain that truly enhanced the natural beauty of my floors.
What Else to Know Before Staining Your Floors
Before you dive into your staining project, there are a few other things worth knowing. I’ve got posts that cover some of the nitty-gritty details you might find helpful:
For tips on applying stains correctly and avoid awkward blotches – this post is packed with all the juicy details you need to get it just right!
When it comes to making sure your floors look amazing and stay that way, I’ve got you covered in this post on an insanely easy way to protect and finish wood floors.
Everything You Need to DIY Refinish Hardwood Floors
When starting, I had no idea how involved this entire process would be. I learned so much and put together several posts to help you save money, avoid the mistakes, and get lasting results you are proud of.
- How to Step-byStep: Sanding Wood Floors
- Unexpected ways to make sanding wood floors more fun
- Disastrous refinishing mistakes and how to avoid them
- Tips for Picking Stain Color
- Staining Wood Floors for a Flawless Finish
- How to protect and finish hardwood floors
- Money saving tips when refinishing wood floors yourself
Choosing a stain color might initially feel overwhelming, but I hope these tips and color options make the process a bit easier for you.
Remember, it’s about working with, not against, your red oak. Don’t be afraid to experiment—after all, it’s your home, and it should reflect your style.
Take your time, but try not to overthink it or complicate things by endlessly searching for more options.
Got questions or need advice on your own stain project? Drop a comment below—I’d love to help or just chat about your project!
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