Using wood stains for beautiful timber finishes at home

12 Mar 2026

Timber has warmth and character that is hard to beat. But keeping it looking its best takes more than just leaving it bare! Wood stains are a simple way to enhance the natural grain while helping protect timber from everyday wear and elements.

Unlike paint, stains are designed to penetrate into the timber rather than sitting on the surface. This means the grain and texture are highlighted and enhanced rather than hidden.

For ideas and inspiration, and to see how to get the timber look you’ve always wanted at home, browse through the habitat plus – wood stains booklet online or pick up a copy at your local Resene ColorShop.

This dining and kitchen space is a mix of modern and old-world charm. The ceiling is stained in Resene Colorwood Dark Rimu and the original timber floor is coated in Resene Qristal ClearFloor 2K. Design and image by Russell Allen.

For a bold, modern stain, use Resene Colorwood Pitch Black. This dark shade looks great with the inside of this cupboard painted in Resene Atmosphere. To create a deeper more intense black, add Resene Enhance Japan Black to Resene Aquaclear. Project by Amavi Interiors, image by Jackie Meiring. 

Wood strip feature wall in Resene Woodsman Cedar Natural Wood Oil in Resene Tararua, Kahurangi, Paparoa, Fiordland, Mt Richmond and Aotea, floor in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy, wall painted in Westar, shelf in El Paso and vase in Sour Dough. Chair from Dawson & Co. Project by Katrina Hobbs, image by Bryce Carleton.

For inside your home:

• Resene Colorwood interior stains are designed for floors, panelling, furniture and cabinetry. It comes in a wide range of tones, from light, beachy finishes to deeper, more dramatic colours.
• Lighter stains can help brighten spaces while keeping a natural feel
• Darker tones add depth and a more refined, modern look
• Being waterborne, Resene Colorwood is fast drying with low VOCs and is easily cleaned up in water
• A clear finish like Resene Aquaclear or Qristal ClearFloor helps protect against everyday wear

Check out the Resene Woodsman Natural Wood Oil shades. Named after National Parks and Forest Parks, this collection is designed to bring out the best in your timber inside and out

Working with the theme of a ‘Tuscan farmhouse’, these custom-made window frames are stained in Resene Woodsman Bark. Exterior painted in Bone. Project by Alicia Stephens of AMS Interiors & Styling, image by Leigh Baumann Photography.

Tip: Resene recommend using Woodsman Natural Wood Oil Stain or Resene Timber and Furniture Gel (which has a limited colour range) when staining exterior doors and joinery.

This outdoor space uses Resene Woodsman Natural Wood Oil. Trellis in Resene Nelson Lakes, weatherboards in Hanmer, urns in Aotea and Egmont, planter in Aspiring, tray in Aorangi, deck painted in Resene Walk-on in Merino. Project by Amber Armitage, image by Wendy Fenwick.

This exterior is stained in Resene Woodsman Pitch Black CoolColour, contrasting with the interior in Resene Black White. Project by Tobin Smith from COMMON, image by Katrina Anderson.

For outdoors:

• Exterior timber needs more protection from sun (rain and temperature changes. The Resene Woodsman range of exterior stains and treatments have been developed in New Zealand to cope with our conditions while still showing off the natural beauty of the wood.
• Helps protect against UV damage and moisture
• Suitable for decks (Resene Woodsman Decking Stain) and most other surfaces (Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain)
• Available in soft and mid natural tones or bold, modern colours
• Darker colours are available in CoolColour options to help protect against heat damage in warmer months
• The range is extensive and tailored

A couple of handy tips:

• Always test your stain first, as colour can vary depending on the timber
• Clean and prepare surfaces well for the best, longest lasting result. Scrub the deck with Resene Timber and Deck Wash before staining
• Choose a tinted stain rather than clear for better UV protection outdoors

Published: 12 Mar 2026