You want your home to stand out in the market. What you don’t want is for it to stand out due to lack of cohesion. One of the features that can help tie your home together is the wood throughout, like flooring and paneling. Having them all reflect the same color, though, can prove tricky. If you need a little assistance, try out these tips for matching a wood stain in your home.
Make Sure There’s Plenty of Light
All of us have a story about one time or another where we’ve realized that something isn’t the color we thought. From viral dresses to painted walls, light can change how something looks in an instant. Make sure there’s plenty of natural light in the room, so you can see how the wood will look from day to day.
Find Some Wood Samples
You don’t want to experiment on your nice wooden floors! That’s just welcoming disaster! No—what you want to do is get wood stain samples. You should be able to pick some up from local hardware shops. Call ahead to make sure that they have what you need!
Take Density into Account
Density makes a big difference! If there’s more or less space for stain to seep in, that factor will change the amount you need. So, take it into account—and don’t be afraid to ask any questions to the professionals at your local hardware store.
Start Small
Ever dye your hair and do a small strip first, to see how it would turn out? Wood staining is similar! Use a sample and see what the test reveals.
Know that Timing Matters
Timing is a big factor! One of our tips for matching a wood stain in your home is seeing how the stain absorbs at different minute marks. If you’ve picked out some samples of wood, they’ll really help you out here. You can also jot down the results so you don’t forget!
Wait for It to Dry
Wet things appear darker, due to the fact that the water molecules change how wavelengths of light reflect in your vision. That means if your wood stain hasn’t fully dried, it will appear different in color than the finished product. So, save all the fixes and extra wood stain until the wood is officially dry!
Summary
These tips for matching a wood stain in your home can help you cast your house in the best light. Getting the place ready before a big sale? Ryan Roberts is on your side—and he has experience buying and selling in the Auburn, Opelika, and Lake Martin area. Contact him here to learn more. You can also learn more about home care, DIY, and real estate here!