Just like paint color trends come and go, stain colors also ebb and flow depending on what’s hot in interior design. Check out some of the latest trends in stains from the American Coatings Association. 

Earth-friendly options. Several stain manufacturers now make low-VOC stains with less fumes and organic stains made from food-grade and natural materials. 

Natural colors. Gray tones are still popular, but are starting to be replaced by natural stain tones, like light oak, that bring out the natural grain in wood products. Olympic Stains’ 2021 Stain Color of the Year is light oak, fitting right into the year’s trend toward more neutral options. 

Water-based stains. Easier to clean than oil-based stains, water-based stains dry faster and provide a softer end color because the stain doesn’t penetrate wood as much as oil-based versions.