Paint Vs. Stain for Interior Decorating

Appearance

• Paint and stain offer two distinctly different visuals. Stain allows the look of the wood grain to show through and adds a layer of protection and a natural hue to wood cabinets, furniture or flooring. Conversely, paint completely covers wood grain and applies total color. On the other hand, the wide range of available paint color choices may allow interior designers more freedom to completely transform the look of a room.

Application

• How paint and stain are applied may determine which medium is more practical for an interior decorating project. Both paint and stain require preparatory steps before application of a treatment can begin. After sanding has taken place, stain users will need to apply several coats of stain to achieve the desired look, followed by a coat of protective varnish. However, most paints require only a coat or two to finish the project.

Uses

• Both stain and paint can alter the appearance of and add protection to wood furniture, natural wood floors, trim and wood cabinets. Whether wood has been finished before and is being redesigned for an interior decorating update, or you have purchased unfinished furniture, you can use either paint or stain with proper preparation. However, paint can also be used on pieces constructed of unnatural materials like particle board or a plastic compound, making it a slightly more versatile medium.

Cost

• Stain is meant only for stain-grade wood, which means the wood is of a quality that will look attractive as a finished product. Typically, stain-grade products are more expensive than paint-grade wood products, due to the increased quality of the wood. When purchasing new items, paint-grade products are a more budget-friendly design option.