DIY Stains for Flooring

Mix oil paints to complement the natural tone of your wood floor. Use earth tones such as burnt sienna, raw sienna, burnt umber and raw umber. Make a note of the amounts of each color used so you can exactly replicate the proportions in the future.

Mix linseed oil, turpentine and Japan drier in a clear glass jar.

Add oil paint to the solvent mixture, a little at a time, to make a stain. Use less paint for soft woods such as pines and firs, and more paint for hardwoods such as oak and walnut. Do not add more than 1/16 cup of oil paint or the mixture will be too thick and paintlike for a stain.

Test the stain on an inconspicuous area of the floor, wiping the stain across the grain, then with the grain, using a rag. Allow the stain to dry for 15 minutes. If the stain is too dark, add more linseed oil, gum turpentine and Japan drier in proportional amounts. If the stain is too light, add a little more paint.

Wipe the entire floor with the stain using the same methods. After the stain dries, paint over it with the varnish of your choice.