Wood Finish Colors

Light

• Maple and oak are two common light-colored woods. White pine is also a light-colored wood but is softer than maple and oak. It is easy to work with but not quite as sturdy. These light-colored woods can be finished with a clear poly-stain for a light, natural finish. However, lightly colored stains are available and are sometimes preferred for consistency. Natural is the lightest stain in any brand line. Maple is often the second to lightest. Oak and Golden Oak are especially warm colors for a light finish. Pine is another light finish. Many lines carry a Puritan Pine but any pine color is light.

Medium

• Medium stains are used to darken light-colored woods. Fruitwood stain and light to medium Walnut stains are in this category. A Cherry wood stain works on both lighter woods as well as furniture made from cherry wood. Cherry wood stain has a reddish look to it.

Dark

• Dark stains can be used to finish any wood, light or dark. Mahogany and Ebony are the darkest commonly-used wood stains available. Mahogany is similar to a dark chocolate color, and Ebony looks black. Black Walnut and Dark Walnut are dark versions of Walnut stain. Both look dark brown, not black. Red Oak has a reddish tone similar to Cherry but darker.