Here Are 2025's 8 Best Floor Stain Colors To Choose From

Staining your hardwood floors is a great way to get an updated look for far less than it costs to replace them. The process starts by removing existing stain from wood with a chemical stripper. Then, you'll need to thoroughly sand the floors before carefully and evenly applying the stain. Finally, to protect your floors, it's a good idea to finish up by applying a coat of clear polyurethane. There are several things that can go wrong, from blotchy applications to failing to consider how a stain will react with your particular wood. But whether you want to achieve a sun-kissed whitewash look or embrace a bold and dark espresso finish, there are eight floor stain color trends you should consider in 2025.

You'll find a variety of liquid, oil, and gel-based floor stains on the shelves at your local home improvement store. Many DIYers are switching from water-based to gel-based wood stains because they are more user-friendly and forgiving, but each type of floor stain has pros and cons. To achieve deeper penetration and more vibrant hues, like the walnut, teak, and espresso colors on our list, we recommend using an oil-based stain. But to avoid yellowing on lighter-colored floors, like driftwood beige and soft gray, you should stick to water-based stains that are designed to be colorfast and oxidize less over time. No matter which color you choose, don't forget to do a swatch test in an inconspicuous area to understand how the stain will look on your floors.

Selecting the right color hardwood for your home can be tricky, especially when you want to warm things up while staying on trend. Soft honey colors like the Miniwax PolyShades All-In-One Satin Wood Stain and Polyurethane from Amazon in Honey or Honey Pine can enhance the grain in your floors, making them feel more welcoming. Sunny and light, this floor stain color works well when you want a neutral look that works with other natural elements like linen or stone. When it comes to complementary metals in a space with honey floor stains, opt for gold or brass instead of silver or chrome.

It's hard to say whether the craft cocktail scene or consumer preferences for eco-friendly upcycling are responsible for the reemergence of whiskey barrel-inspired interior design trends. Either way, you can achieve the neutral gray-brown tones of a perfectly aged cask for your floors with products like Varathane's Aged Barrel Premium Fast Dry Interior Wood Stain from Home Depot. No matter what kind of wood floors you have, the grain will pick up a dark gray color. The overall look will be more neutral on pine and maple floors, but red oak will bring out more pink tones.

Experts are divided, but many believe that beige is back. Millennial grays had interior design in a chokehold for several years, but the trend seems to be cooling off in favor of neutral and warmer colors. Driftwood gets its appearance thanks to the sun, sand, and salty waves that bleach it over time. You can capture the laid-back, coastal color with products like WeatherWash's Aging Interior Wood Stain from Home Depot. If you're not ready to paint over your Agreeable Gray walls or don't want to reupholster your silvery sofa just yet, this floor stain color is a transitional choice that can keep your space from feeling dated. 

Speaking of beachy wood flooring trends that are taking over, if you want to keep your hardwood floors neutral, you should consider whitewashing them. There are many ways to achieve the look. For an extremely light and consistent finish, try using a bleach kit. If you like more grain distinction, consider products like General Finishes Whitewash Water Based Wood Stain from Amazon. This approach isn't suited for every kind of wood. Lighter floors made of ash or beech wood will look beautiful under a whitewash, but choose a different color if you plan to stain mahogany or cherry floors.

Pantone, Stainmaster, and Benjamin Moore's 2025 Color Of The Year typify the warm, classic, and rich colors that are currently trending. Warm walnut floor stains are the perfect complement thanks to their sophisticated but adaptable undertones that work well in a variety of rooms. Products like Behr Premium Dark Walnut Transparent Oil-Based Penetrating Wood Stain from Home Depot are ideal if you want a floor stain color that looks polished but pleasant. If the undertone of your wood is already dark, consider the same oil-based stain in Jacobean, Provincial, or Special Walnut instead to keep the look from getting too dark.

On the other hand, if a dark, bold, and moody vibe is what you want for your hardwood floors, you'll be glad to hear that espresso finishes are also in style. Ranging from a deep brown to nearly black, decorating with dark floors not only helps to capture a mid-century modern, farmhouse, or contemporary aesthetic. Darker hardwood floors may also offer you a higher ROI because homebuyers are willing to pay more for them. Perfect prep work and products like General Finishes Oil Base Gel Stain in Java from Walmart are the key to nailing this look.

Most of the floor stain colors on our list are firmly in the neutral camp. But there are times when you may want a little more color. We think Minwax's 2025 Color Of The Year, a radiant violet hue, looks better on an accent table than covering an entire floor. But the company is the leading floor stain brand for a reason. Their Semi-Transparent Oil-Based Phantom Gray Stain from Lowe's adds just the right amount of soft blue-gray color to provide a calming effect in home offices, living rooms, or bedrooms.

You may think teak is just for decks and other outdoor spaces. But it's one of the trending floor stain colors to consider if you like minimalist, contemporary, or industrial decor. Installing real teak hardwood floors is one of the most expensive options out there, thanks to its tight grain pattern as well as strong resistance to decay and warping. Although no floor stain will help you achieve these inherent characteristics, ZAR Semi-Transparent Premium Teak Oil-Based Polyurethane Wood Stain from Home Depot is one option for bringing teak's warm, earthy, brown tones into your living space for a fraction of the price.