How to stain wood and wooden furniture like a pro

Wood is such a popular material due to its natural beauty, but sometimes its initial colour doesn’t always work with your other interior design touches. The best way around this is by learning how to stain wood which can alter the colour or grain visibility of bare or stripped wood.

The great thing about wood is its natural variance, no two pieces are alike, even in the same species. This does, however, make it necessary to always run a quick test of any stain you are considering on an unnoticeable spot to ensure you are happy with how it reacts with the particular wood.

Read on for everything you need to know about staining and material types and master the art of tailoring your wood to a range of different looks!

Choosing your stain type

While learning how to stain wood, it is important first to understand the types of stains available. It is a good idea to first check that the stain you are considering is compatible with your wood type. There are two stain types, water and oil-based:

Oil-based wood stains

• Provide a longer working time making them perfect for larger projects like floors, cabinets, and doors which reduces the risk of unwanted marks from drying stain
• Will not raise the grain, saving you the task of sanding

Water-based wood stains

• Lower in odour
• Quick-dry to speed up the duration of your project
• Easy to clean with soap and water 
• Available in an extensive range of vibrant colours

How to stain wood 

When it comes to how to apply wood stains, they all require open pores to help with their absorption. If you are applying a stain over a finished surface, the colour of the wood will not change.

As the existing finish blocks the pores, the stain will not absorb and will wipe off. To ensure your stain takes hold and offers you the look you are after, consider the following tips:

1. Always sand bare wood lightly which will open the pores in preparation for staining. It’s a good idea to start with medium-grit sandpaper, working down to fine-grit sandpaper. Always sand in the direction of the grain each time to avoid scratches.
2. Apply stain with a bristle or foam brush, or a cloth.
3. Large, open-pore woods, such as oak, mahogany and ash require more pressure when applying stain to ensure it gets into the pores. Brush against the grain to achieve this.
4. The longer stain is left on, the deeper and more vibrant the colour will be.
5. Remove unabsorbed stain by wiping in the direction of the wood grain with a dry cloth.
6. Once your stain has dried, use a clear finish to enhance the overall look, protecting both the stain and the wood

Staining particular types of wood

1. Staining oak wood

One of the most popular hardwoods, oak offers a very strong grain pattern with large pores which make the absorption of stain very easy. This is why oak works with a wide variety of stain colours with little risk of it turning blotchy. Oak offers particularly good results if you use a pre-stain wood conditioner first. To ensure you fill oak’s deep pores, use a liberal amount of stain worked in with a cloth and swirling motion.

2. Staining poplar 

Poplar is a great option if you want a similar grain pattern to cherry wood with less of a reddish hue. If you use a stain with red colour in it, the less expensive poplar will give the look of the much higher priced cherry. Along with oak, you can find poplar used in kitchen cabinets.

3. Staining pine wood

When it comes to how to stain pine wood, it is easy to get great results with only a light application of stain. Use a liberal coat of a pre-stain wood conditioner and work with light to medium colours. Be careful when using darker stains as the knots and blemishes will make it hard for even absorption.

4. Staining hard maple

This dense and tight-pored wood makes absorbing stain much harder. The grain pattern is uneven, so stains are absorbed in varying degrees. To make things easier, start with a coat of a pre-stain wood conditioner and use a light to medium coloured stain.

5. Staining mahogany hardwood

This popular hardwood offers dark, rich colours and is full of natural oils, so additional staining is rarely necessary. If you do decide to stain some, use an oil-based stain to ensure good compatibility with the natural oils.

6. Staining cherry

Once again, this wood does not need much in the way of staining thanks to its distinctive reddish hue. Cherry has a subtle grain pattern and very small pores, so changing its look significantly is quite a task.

7. Staining birch

Birch is an inexpensive way to replicate the look of the more expensive maple wood, popular in furniture and cabinets. The problem is, this wood does not absorb stain evenly, which is why dark coloured stains are essential. Once again, a pre-stain wood conditioner will make the task much simpler.

8. Staining ash and chestnut

These hardwoods are very similar to oak, so a similar process should be followed. They have large pores for easy absorption of the stain and work with a wide variety of colours with a low-blotch risk. Always use a liberal amount of stain for these woods.

9. Staining alder and aspen

These lightweight hardwoods are growing in popularity as they are affordable and easy to machine. When it comes to staining, however, they are unfortunately difficult. These wood varieties absorb stains unevenly, so to help reduce blotchiness a liberal coat of a pre-stain wood conditioner will be necessary.

Ready to stain wood like a pro?

Hopefully, this has given you everything you need to know to change the look of your wooden furniture or various other projects. Once you master how to apply wood stain, you open up a world of possibilities for changing the aesthetic of your home.

However, if you don’t want to risk potentially ruining some expensive furniture or fittings due to beginner mistakes, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how many people there are nearby ready to help with wood staining. They can help with almost any part from floor sanding and floor polishing to complete hardwood flooring care and restoration to breathe new life into your home.

And let’s not forget the exterior privacy fences which look superb when stained black for a dramatic look. Get an extra helping hand with your fence staining.

So there you have it, how to stain all different types of timber to give your wooden furniture, or even your entire kitchen, a refresh. If you have any other tips, please let me know in the comments below!