We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More ›
Gorgeous wood stains seal and protect your outdoor furniture, decks, fences, and other wooden features from the elements; they also bring out the best of the wood grain. Similar to paint, wood stains are coloring agents used to change the color or shade of all types of wood. They can lighten or darken the natural tones of the wood or highlight the grain. Wood stains come in a variety of shades so you can choose the best one to fit your aesthetic.
If you are one of the 71 percent of homeowners planning to update your home with new wood stain this year, according to a recent Behr survey, then we have exactly what you’re looking for to make this happen. We’ve collected the top wood stain colors of the year from four major stain companies for you to consider using to elevate your home.
Cedar from Behr
Named to capture the essence of the natural tones of cedarwood, cedar-colored stain is an earthy, warm, and versatile choice. It offers a rustic yet sophisticated and timeless aesthetic that can transform wooden fences, decks, and siding. It works well with a broad range of old and new architectural styles, including farmhouse, contemporary, and mid-century modern.
Behr opted for Cedar stain to reflect the growing trend of homeowners moving toward natural earth tones. Behr also just released its Curb Appeal Collection, offering plenty of complementary paint colors to pair with cedar stain for fences, decks, porches, doors, trim, and more.
Best For: Cedar is a warm, earthy, and versatile stain color great for wood decks, fences, and siding.
Get Behr’s Cedar wood stain at The Home Depot.
Burnt Hickory from Cabot
Inspired by the beauty of aged wood, Burnt Hickory stain has rich natural brown hues with subtle charcoal undertones that enhance the natural grain and texture of wood, as a wood finish should. Cabot frames this stain color as warm and welcoming, and an excellent tool for creating intimate, inviting outdoor settings for both quiet relaxation and lively gatherings.
The deep hue works well all year long, no matter the season or style. In fact, it complements a variety of aesthetics, ranging from rustic to modern. The stain is timeless, durable, long-lasting, and scuff-resistant, so it works well for decks, fences, and other outdoor wood products. It’s even a beautiful option for outdoor kitchen cabinets, pergolas, beams, posts, and shelving. It also does an incredible job reflecting light from firepits and string lights, creating a cozy scene.
Best For: Burnt Hickory’s natural brown and underlying charcoal tones work well year-round for wood decks, fences, pergolas, outdoor kitchen cabinets and shelves, and outdoor furniture.
Get Cabot’s Burnt Hickory wood stain at Lowe’s.
Violet from Minwax
Looking to turn heads with a bold, playful color choice? Then try Minwax’s stain color of the year—Violet. The stain has a deep and saturated color that retains the natural beauty of wood grain. It pairs well with natural wood tones, creating a striking contrast. This stain color can elevate any wooden piece, whether you are revamping an antique or building something new.
Violet stain is unique and eclectic, making for a modern yet whimsical look. It allows homeowners to get creative and express themselves with something that stands out. In choosing Violet this year, Minwax was inspired by cultural movements like cafécore, maximalism, and the rise of book communities on social media. It also reflects a broader trend toward incorporating diverse influences into home interiors.
Best For: Violet stain is bold, deep, and playful, which can help accentuate entryways, upgrade antiques, and make bookcases and other individual pieces of furniture stand out.
Get Minwax’s Violet wood stain at Lowe’s.
Oxford Brown from Pittsburgh Paints Co.
As one of Pittsburgh Paints Co.’s top five tinted stain colors in 2024, Oxford Brown now shines as the stain color of the year for 2025. Oxford Brown exudes a warm, earthy hue with subtle hints of amber and russet. It is a timeless, versatile, and vintage color that adds character to wood. And although the stain has a rustic look, it can work well with pieces ranging from classic to modern.
The company chose Oxford Brown purposely to move away from the minimalist white and black stains that have dominated for years. Their goal now is to transcend design styles to offer a rich and beautiful color that enhances wood grain.
Best For: Oxford Brown is a warm, earthy hue with subtle hints of amber and russet that is best for tables, chairs, porch swings, fences, and decks.
Get Pittsburgh Paints Co.’s Oxford Brown wood stain at The Home Depot.
