Everyone loves an inviting outdoor space where you can relax, entertain, and enjoy the fresh air and scenery. Transforming your deck to match your unique style and home is a great way to create the outdoor living space of your dreams. Stained decks not only look great and give your home more curb appeal, but they provide your deck with more protection from the weather and outdoor elements. Read on to learn more about choosing the best deck stain colors that naturally complement your home.
In This Post
What To Consider When Choosing Stain Deck Colors
When determining what the best stain deck colors are for your home, there are several factors to keep in mind and consider before heading to the paint store.
Your Home’s Exterior Color and Style
You most definitely want to consider the exterior color and overall style of your home before choosing a stain color. Look at the color palette of your home, including the siding, trim, windows, and the overall style. This will help you get an idea of the stain deck colors that will go well with your home. Aim to choose a stain that complements your exterior instead of competes with it.
For example, if your home is a classic, neutral color scheme, such as a classic white with black accents, you may want a more timeless, natural-looking wood stain. If your home is more modern, you may want a more bold stain color to create a contrast that works well together.
Your Home’s Surroundings and Environment
Your home’s exterior isn’t the only thing you need to consider when choosing a color, but also the surroundings and environment it’s in. If your deck is in the middle of a larger outdoor environment, such as in the country or on the outskirts of town with a lot of natural elements like trees, shrubs, and flowers surrounding it, you may want to choose a color that harmonizes with the elements around it. If your home is in a tighter community in town, close to other homes, consider what it will look like up against other homes or in a smaller outdoor space.
Your Deck’s Function
Before heading to the paint store to choose stain deck colors, you’ll want to consider your deck’s function. Will your deck be mainly used for relaxing as a family, drinking morning coffee, and enjoying the fresh air? Or will you be entertaining often and hosting gatherings, parties, and barbecues on your deck? If the main function of your deck is for relaxation, you may opt for a softer, more toned down deck stain. If your deck is going to be a space where people congregate and entertain, you may want a more bold or vibrant color that brings your deck to life.
Maintenance
Depending on the deck stain colors you choose, the level of maintenance required to keep it looking in tip-top shape will vary. Vibrant deck stain colors are beautiful, but they also require more frequent maintenance and cleaning. Lighter stain colors mask signs of wear and tear better than darker stains, which can fade or show signs of weathering more easily. Just keep in mind how often you want to maintain your deck when choosing your colors.
Longevity
It’s easy to get roped into the deck stain trends on Pinterest or other websites, but remember to think long-term to determine the longevity of the stain you choose. You don’t want to regret your color choice in a few years and have to completely start over. Choose a color that complements your exterior, the surroundings of your home, and your unique style and vibe. There are many classic tones, such as cedar, mahogany, and walnut that will never go out of style.
What Are The Best Stain Deck Colors?
Now that you know what to consider before choosing a stain deck color for your outdoor space, let’s get to the fun part and explore some of the best deck stain colors! Before we dive into the colors, let’s first answer a popular question we often get asked by clients, and that is, should deck color be lighter or darker than the house?
There is no right or wrong answer to this question and it is your personal preference. If your home is a dark color, we don’t recommend your stain be super dark as well. A good rule of thumb is to match either the siding color, the trim color, or choose a coordinating color that complements your exterior.
Below is a list of our favorite deck stain colors from Sherwin-Williams:
- Almond Tree SW3047
- Cedar SW3034
- Sequoia SW3015
- Espresso SW3064
- Traditional Mahogany SW3080
- Flagstone SW3023
You can explore more Sherwin-Williams stain deck colors and stain products here. Just remember, before you purchase your stain, don’t forget to test it!
Testing Stain Deck Colors
After visiting the paint store and narrowing down a few stain deck colors, be sure to purchase a few small samples and test them on your deck. Choose an area of your deck that isn’t obvious and apply the stain colors to see how they look against your home and your surroundings.
Be sure to look at the stains in all lighting conditions throughout the day. Testing your stain color before purchasing is a great way to get a visual of how your deck will look while saving money, time, and effort.
When you’ve picked a winner and are ready to get started staining your deck, be sure to check out this blog post for tips on how to clean and prep your deck for staining.
Choosing the best stained deck colors for your home is an exciting and important decision. By taking these factors into consideration and testing your top color choices, you’ll be well on your way to creating the deck you’ve always dreamt of hanging out and entertaining on!
If you are local to the Raleigh area and are looking to hire a professional to help you choose the best deck stain colors and get the job done right, we’d love to work with you!
Visit our contact page to book a complimentary consultation with our team.
