Here’s why wood stains are a must for enhancing and protecting timber

29 Aug 2025

It’s hard to beat the look of real wood in home design. The texture, the warmth, the way it brings nature indoors. From enhancing the rich grain of interior floors and trims, to protecting your outdoor deck from the elements, Resene’s range of wood stains are a beautiful way to highlight what makes timber special.

Unlike paint, stains enhance the natural character of timbers, adding colour and protection without covering up the timbers texture and grain. With Resene’s interior stains (Resene Colorwood) and exterior stains (Resene Woodsman) there’s a shade and finish for every space, from moody and modern to sun-warmed, beachy and rustic.

Here are some interior and exterior looks to get you started:

Light and laid back

In this serene Scandi style bedroom, the timber floor is stain in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy before clear finishing with Resene Qristal ClearFloor for a light and gentle feel. The left wall is painted in Resene Double Wheatfield, right panelled wall in Resene Wheatfield, DIY art and wall hooks in Resene Triple Wheatfield, bedside table and drawers in Resene Half Wheatfield and lamp in Resene Quarter Wheatfield. Wall panels from Prime Panels, bedlinen from Adairs. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Bryce Carleton.

For an effortless feel, Resene Colorwood Whitewash delivers a gentle, beachy look while still letting the beauty of the wood to show through. It’s great for timber walls, floors or ceilings where you want to brighten up the space without painting or going full white. Pair it with pale blues, greys or muted greens – Resene Breathless, Resene Quarter Rakaia and Resene Secrets – for a calming interior. Check out Resene’s We speak beach range for the ultimate soft and calming palette.

Rich and refined

In this cosy, stylish bedroom, the timber walls are stained in Resene Colorwood Charred Black, bedhead and floating bedside table and bench seat in Resene Colorwood Bark, floor in Resene Colorwood Bleached Riverstone, outline of bed and top of the shelf in Resene Colins Wicket, chair in Resene Waiouru, skirting in Resene Element and DIY artwork in Resene Element, Resene Top Notch, Resene Secrets and Resene Waiouru and bowl in Resene Sandspit Brown. Linen from Kinship Linen, bag and hat from Father Rabbit, lighting from Mitre 10. Project by Melle van Sambeek, image by Bryce Carleton.

For a dramatic, high-end finish indoors, shades like Resene Colorwood Charred Black, Resene Colorwood Bark, Resene Colorwood English Walnut and Resene Colorwood Mahogony are great choices. The depth in these tones adds instant sophistication to timber floors, cabinetry or feature walls. They work beautifully in modern spaces with both crisp white or darker walls making timber feel both grounded and glamorous.

Tip: Finish with Resene Aquaclear or Resene Qristal ClearFloor for a hard-wearing finish that enhances the richness of the stain and protects your surface from daily wear.

Warm and weathered

Add warmth and sun-kissed feeling to your patio all year round with a stain like Resene Woodsman Natural on this deck. The weatherboards are painted in Resene Triple Black White, chair in Resene Half Innocence, small planter in Resene Half Innocence and large planter in Resene Half Inside Back. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Bryce Carleton.

For decks, fences or outdoor furniture that age gracefully, Resene Woodsman Natural is a favourite. It enhances the timber’s tone without overpowering it giving you a golden, sun-kissed look that blends into the landscape. It’s perfect for those who want a more relaxed, organic feel and because it’s waterborne, it’s low in odour and kinder to the environment.

Make sure to see how Resene Natural looks on different types of wood before use. For example, on pine it can look lighter and more yellow, while on cedar and other hardwoods it can appear darker.

Tip: Prep is key to a beautiful and lasting result. Before staining use Resene Moss & Mould Killer and wash and scrub with a mixture of Resene Timber and Deck Wash and water.

Sleek and stylish

A new extension on this home is bold and sophisticated, stained in Resene Woodsman Pitch Black, which contrasts beautifully with the white interior and outdoor patio. Project by Tobin Smith from COMMON, image by Katrina Anderson.

For bold, architectural lines outdoors, Resene Woodsman Pitch Black is a must-try. It gives timber a striking, contemporary finish while still allowing the texture to show through. It’s a great way to modernise tired weatherboards, add contrast to landscaping and create a dramatic backdrop for greenery to pop.

Tip: If opting for a darker colour, use the Resene CoolColour option to reflect more heat, helping to protect the timber and the building from sun damage and reducing interior heat transfer.

For more timber inspiration, check out Resene’s habitat plus – wood stains booklet, and for more colour and stain advice head to your local Resene ColorShop, the friendly staff are always there to help with any of your home decorating needs.

Published: 29 Aug 2025