How to Pick Deck Stain Colors to Transform Your Outdoor Space

There's something about a deck that makes a backyard feel complete. It provides an oasis for relaxing after a long day, and it's a perfect setting for a family dinner outside. But factors like rain, snow, pets, sunlight, and foot traffic can take a toll on your deck, making it age visually and dull its color. Luckily, deck stain colors can transform almost any aging outdoor structure (including arbors and fences) from ragged to remarkable.

It's common to have to restain a deck every two to three years, but if you follow the proper steps, you can strengthen the bond between the wood and the protective coating, and your stain will last longer. Stains can also protect your deck against pesky problems like rot and mold. Learn how to pick the perfect deck stain colors and the right opacity with these tips from the pros.

How to Choose a Deck Stain Color

Whether you're looking for a light tint or a solid deck stain color, here are a few tips for concealing your deck's age with stain.

1. Return to Color Basics

"Remember the color wheel from grade school," says Jeff Wilson, renowned deck builder and former host of HGTV's Restore America. Find the most dominant, unchanging color in your backyard (this will likely be your home's exterior) and choose its complement for a stain. For example, tan siding begs for a smoky blue counterpoint.

2. Know Your Deck's Wood Type

Every wood has a natural cast to it. If a wood's natural color bothers you, try a semi-transparent or solid stain to cover it, Wilson says. You can also match the stain to the wood. So if you choose green-tinted pressed pine, commonly used for decks, a green-tinted deck stain color would be a good choice.

3. Test It Out

Once you've selected a deck stain shade or two, test them as you would paint. Try each on a few inconspicuous square feet of your deck. Use a deck stripper ($21, The Home Depot) to remove the stain you don't like rather than sanding, which creates unevenness in the wood. Clean your deck thoroughly (including power washing it) before reapplying the stain.

Ideas for Deck Stain Colors

Deck stain colors range from natural taupes and grays to bold reds and blues. Start your color search with these options.

Gray Stain Colors: A wash of cool gray gives a contemporary by-the-sea look. Try this subtle color for a deck that recedes rather than steals the spotlight.

• Driftwood SW3027 by Sherwin-Williams is a solid deck stain in a light shade of gray.
• Slate ST-228 by PPG Paints is a semi-transparent gray wood stain.
• Cape Cod Gray by Olympic Stains is a semi-transparent gray deck stain that can be applied to damp wood.
• Light Lead SC-149 by Behr is a gray all-in-one stain and sealer.

Blue Stain Colors: Make a deck modern or a garden bench fabulous with a dose of blue. Blue deck stain colors range from tinted powder blues to rich shades of navy.

• Wedgwood by Olympic Stains is a gray-blue solid deck stain.
  
• Cool Breeze SOL-409 by PPG Paints is a pretty powder-blue deck stain.
• Atlantic SC-101 by Behr is a rich navy solid wood stain and sealer.

Red Stain Colors: This intense color makes an impact against a brick exterior. Try it in smaller doses for a look that doesn't overwhelm.

• Barn Red #SC-112 by Behr gives farmhouse flair to a wood deck. The bold red solid exterior wood stain is also self-priming.
• Redwood L832211 by Kilz is a semi-transparent deck stain with a burgundy tint.
• Navajo Red by Rust-Oleum RockSolid is a solid red deck stain with a clay-colored shade that adds southwestern style.

Taupe Stain Colors: Pair this fuss-free deck stain color with patio furniture in rich hues like deep red, navy, or turquoise. Because it works well with other colors, it also works well in broad strokes.

• Taupe #SC-153 by Behr is an acrylic solid deck stain in a soft brown shade.
• Briarwood HC-175 by Benjamin Moore is a classic shade of beige.
• Taupe by Olympic Stains is a solid exterior wood stain in a light tan color.

Green Stain Colors: Many green deck colors have enough gray to complement rather than compete with garden foliage and work well for large areas.

• Orchard SW3036 by Sherwin-Williams is a light green solid deck stain with a warm undertone.
• Foliage SW 3535 by Sherwin-Williams is a semi-transparent deck stain with slight green pigmentation.
• Salamander 2050-10 by Benjamin Moore comes in semi-transparent, semi-solid, and solid options.

Deck Stain Color Opacities

Alter the appearance of a deck with specially formulated stains; oil-base and water-base color the wood and protect it from moisture and sun. Stains come in four opacities. The one you choose depends on your color preference and your deck's age.

Clear or natural: This level of opacity barely changes the wood color. "If you have new or expensive wood, you probably want to see the grain, so use a clear stain," Wilson says. The lifespan of a clear coat or natural deck stain is about one to two years.

Tinted: Tinted stains give just a hint of color, so expect the natural tone of the wood to come through. This subtle hue shift is the best option for outdoor color newbies. The average life span of tinted deck stains is two to three years.

Semitransparent: This opacity level shows the wood grain but has heavier pigmentation. "If your deck is older and you've replaced a board or two, use this to make it more uniform," Wilson says. The life span of semitransparent deck stains is about three to five years.

Solid: Solid stain completely hides your deck's wood grain. If your deck has permanent marks or other aesthetic damage, try a stain with solid opacity. It will cover most blemishes and offers higher UV protection for the wood. The life span of solid deck stain colors is at least five years.