Mixing Wood Stains for a Unique Design

In design, variation is great because the contrast keeps things interesting. Variation can occur in colors, textures, pattern and through the use of different flooring. Most of us don’t purchase decor elements at one time. It takes some time to build your ideal home. What about when it comes to different wood finishes? How can you ensure that they blend seamlessly together?

1. Be mindful of the undertones While it’s not necessarily critical for the wood floors to be identical in your home they should complement each other. Regardless of the finish, determine what the undertones of the grain are. For instance, if both the coffee table and the living room utilize different wood grains if they both have warm undertones then they can complement each other.
2. Look at the grain If all the different grains have a prominent grain you should always try to keep the pattern the same so as not to alter the mood of the room. Remember that larger grains give off a more casual appearance but smaller ones give off an air of elegance.
3. Use a buffer. If you have a wooden coffee table that’s drastically different from your living room floors to you need to use a buffer to separate the two designs.  You can use an area rug that will create some contrast but also unify the two wood mixes.
4. Try to limit the number of finishes you are using in one area. Going too wild with the finished can cause the design to look too chaotic.  Instead, repeat the finishes just a couple of times in the room.
5. Using white wood sparingly throughout a room that has a couple please of different wood finishes can help break the look and unify it.
6. When it comes to wood floors if you have to add new wood floors anywhere in your home that older wood floors might be visible, be mindful of the rule: don’t make it look like your tried to match the stain and missed. Talk with your designer, salesperson or installer (when appropriate) about the right complimentary stain, transition or direction change.

By applying some of these suggestions to your design scheme you will be able to blend wood finishes easily. Got questions? Leave us a comment or contact us on our website!