HGTV Star Erin Napier's Philosophy For Staining Wood Floors

If you're wondering which shade to stain your hardwood floors, Erin Napier from "Home Town" has a few pointers. Napier has excellent attention to detail, and all of her finishes are thoughtfully chosen. "Home Town" is a reflection of her cozy, warm, and welcoming style. Hardwood floors are popular in several of her designs, including the inside of Erin Napier's own home. While wood floors are a foolproof way to create an organic interior, the selected shade is just as important as the material itself. The first step to choosing a successful wood stain is choosing the right color. For homeowners who are stumped on whether a light or dark finish is preferable, follow Napier's keen advice.

In Season 5, Episode 9, Napier observed the negative effect that dark hardwoods had on a compact space. She noted, "That feels a little too dark with a low ceiling." Napier deduced that a slightly lighter shade would make the area appear more open. If you're lucky enough to have a space with high ceilings, you can opt for a darker floor color. Typical lighter shades include pine, maple, and honey, while popular darker stains are colors like walnut and mahogany.

Erin Napier not only considered the darkness of the wood but also took care in finding the right tone. She decided that one of the stain options was too orange. Consider your surrounding decor when you're selecting a stain color. While mixing wood stains in one room is encouraged, you may want to stay consistent stylistically. Warm-toned wood floors are ideal for vintage or transitional homes, whereas cool-toned stains are more common for contemporary interiors.

Not only are there different stain colors to choose from, but there are also several opacity levels. A translucent stain will let your natural wood shine through, which is ideal if you just want to give your hardwood a boost of vibrancy. A semi-solid stain will allow some wood to show through but still cover minor imperfections if your wood has aged. If the condition of your wood is more deteriorated, a solid opacity is your best bet. However, keep in mind that no hardwood stain will be as opaque as paint — and that's part of the beauty!