The Best Interior Wood Stains | Top 11 Picks & Reviews 2024

Feeling lost over how many wood stains there are? Rest assured! In this guide, we'll take you from beginner to a professional to find the best interior wood stains. This way, you will never feel overwhelmed again when picking up a wood stain.

Not only will we show you our favorite interior wood stains, but we will also show you a few tips that you must know if you want to find a wood stain that meets your needs.

So, if you're down for that, then keep on reading because we're just getting started.

Our Recommended 11 Best Interior Wood Stains Reviews 2020

To keep it simple, we'll be going over eleven interior wood stains that we have found to be quite helpful and efficient for anybody that needs excellent results.

So, here are the most efficient wood stains for interior use:

1. General Finishes CP

As the first wood stain on our list, we have the best wood stain from General Finishes. With this stain, your dream projects will finally come to life.

There is a reason why this wood stain made it to our list; its satisfying results can make anybody speechless.

This wood stain is different from others in the market. It makes the interior wood at your house look brand-new again. Even that second-handed wood you got from someone that you deeply regretted can now regain its beauty.

To ensure the wood remains in great shape and does not get damaged by the components of the wood stain, it won't penetrate too deeply into the wood. It will cover the surface without causing damage.

If you're a homeowner and love doing things on your own, then you will love this wood stain. Using this wood stain is simple. You don't need a ton of experience to get the hang of it. Because of that, this is an excellent choice for DIY-ers.

Moving onto the next feature, you will find that once you apply the stain on the wood, there won't be any drips or runs that could ruin the wood's appearance.

The best thing about this product is that you don't need a lot of it to get excellent results. For example, we bought a gallon, and we used it on many different types of projects, and we still have a ton of it left.

Cons:

2. Minwax 233334444

Are you looking for the best interior wood stain in the market? Then you will love the Minwax 233334444.

We love stretching out the fact that this wood stain can protect and add a nice look to the interior wood.

For example, if your wood needs some maintenance to get back the old color, then this wood stain will do wonders for you.

If you're like us, then you hate wasting so much time waiting for the stain to dry up. But with this product form Minwax, you only have to wait 24 hours before it dries up.

And if you want to apply another coat, all you need to do is wait for about 2 hours, and you're good to go again.

If you've ever bought any wood stain, you know that making a mess is bound to happen at some point. And when cleaning up all the crazy mess, things can get a little bit messy.

To ensure you don't lose your mind over how difficult it is to clean the wood stain, this product from Minwax features a water-based stain that makes this process less tedious.

The best advantage of this wood stain is the smell. When you first apply it, chances are you won't notice the smell. Low odors stains are perfect for those folks that can't stand strong odors.

Another thing we love about this wood stain is how well it works on maple or any other type of light wood. If you use it on maple, you will be pleased by how elegant this wood stain makes your wood look.

And to top it off, with this wood stain, you will never have to worry about the wood becoming yellow.

Cons:

3. Varathane 262025

Moving onto our third choice, we meet with the best wood stain from Varathane. We cannot talk about this wood stain without considering that the drying times on this beast are mind-blowing. You don't need to spend hours before you see any results with it.

To underline the beauty of your wood, this wood stain takes a whole different approach to the traditional wood stain and highlights the long-gone beauty of the wood you want to restore.

Undoubtedly, to create a pleasant color for your interior wood, you need the right paint stain. And because of that, we strongly recommend getting this wood stain.

After trying it out a couple of weeks, we're pleased with the current results. And we can safely say that this is an excellent option for homeowners.

Wood conditioner is a great way to protect the wood from splotches. But what if you don't have a wood conditioner on hand? Don't worry! With this wood stain, you don't need a wood conditioner to get perfect results.

What we love the most about this wood stain is how easy it is to pick up. You don't need to be an expert to get the most out of this wood stain. As long as you have a brush and sandpaper at home, you're good to go.

And finally, another feature that caught our attention is how much protection and value it adds to the wood. To be fair, that is a lot you get from using a wood stain.

Cons:

4. Saman TEW-202-32

If you're after the best water based wood stain, then the Saman TEW-202-32 will serve you well.

Saman is a top-notch company when it comes to producing high-quality wood stains. And this one is not an exception to that rule.

Compatibility is not something you should overlook. What if the wood stain does not work on the wood you need to restore? Because of that very reason, we chose this wood stain from Saman.

The materials it uses to make this wood stain work with any interior wood you need to maintain.

To ensure you don't use the entire bottle, this product from Saman sets you up with the right amount of stain you need. By only applying a coat, you will get mind-blowing results.

One of the main things you might feel concerned about is how toxic some wood stains can be. Some manufacturers prioritize performance, but it leads to toxic chemicals at the end of the day.

Fortunately, with this product, you can sleep well at night, knowing it is safe for the earth, and most importantly, it is safe for indoor use.

Don't want to spend money on a conditioner? Then no need to pay extra money on such things. You already have everything you need with this product. And that is what makes this wood stain such an excellent choice.

Another advantage we love about this wood stain is the odor. Since it’s a water-based wood stain, the aroma on this one is not harmful, nor does it have a strong smell.

If you've been in the game for a while, chances are, you have experienced grain raising on a block of wood. Sometimes this happens due to water getting into the wood.

Grain raising can also occur due to down-market wood stains. However, after testing this wood stain for some time now, we can say for sure that it does not raise the grain of the wood.

Cons:

5. Minwax 220904444 Furniture Wood Stain

Can't settle for a wood stain? Then Minwax will do the trick for you. This company makes excellent wood stains, and with this one, you won't regret your choice.

What is the best furniture stain? The Minwax 220904444 is a perfect choice if you want to restore your wood's beauty.

But wait, there's more to this wood stain than you can imagine. After trying this wood stain a few times, we've noticed that you can use it to stain unfinished wood. And the results that it has to offer will blow your mind.

We really like how this stain penetrates into the wood. By doing this, the wood stain has an easier time highlighting the grain of the wood.

Another mind-blowing fact about this wood stain is how quickly it dries up. In less than two hours, you will notice that the wood has finally dried up. Fast-drying times are super helpful if you are short on time and need to get the job done as soon as possible.

One of the best benefits of this wood stain is the results. You would expect to spend thousands of dollars to get professional-like results. But with this wood stain, you do not have to spend big bucks.

And if you're still not convinced, then you will be happy to know that you got over 29 colors that you can choose from if you don't like the current one. So, when it comes to variety, we must give this product from Minwax some credit.

Cons:

6. EcoClean Solutions B07N7KZ3H5

Are you on a journey to find an efficient interior stain? Then the EcoClean Solutions B07N7KZ3H5 will do wonders for you.

EcoClean Solution is one of our favorites brands every time we need to get a wood stain. They've been making products for a very long time, and we have been pleased with the results.

Are you looking to get a wood stain that highlights the long-gone beauty of your wood? Then fear no more! With this wood stain, you can finally make your dreams come true.

Without relying on harsh chemicals, this wood stain adds beauty to the wood without the help of any solvents.

We get it; drying-times can be quite annoying if you don't have much time to waste. To help you be more productive, we chose this wood stain from EcoClean Solutions as it dries way faster than other wood stains in the market.

Now, there is this one feature that we're just crazy about, and it is the protective layer that this product adds around the wood. This way, you won't have to worry about water or grease, making their way into the wood.

It does not matter if you need to work on concrete or wood. With this product, you can pretty much work on any surface you need.

Another great benefit of using this wood stain is how simple it is to get results. You don't need to take extra steps to get this powerful product working. The instructions on the label are pretty straightforward, and you will figure it out right away.

After carefully trying out this product, we have come to the conclusion that this an inexpensive way to get professional results without spending too much money.

Cons:

7. Minwax 660910000 Indoor Wood Stain

Once again, Minwax makes its way into our list. When it comes to indoor wood stain, Minwax never disappoints us.

If you're like us, then you probably hate the dripping during application. It's super annoying and gets messy pretty quickly. Not only that but cleaning up is a total mess. It's no wonder why people don't like using stains.

However, this product features an efficient non-drip technique that makes this process less tedious.

Like any other product that Minwax sells, you can bring back the wood's appearance in a short amount of time. Not only that, but it will make it look better than it was before.

What makes this wood stain stand out from other competitors is how well distributed it is.

For example, when you apply it on the interior wood you want to restore, the color of the stain is evenly distributed and does not lose its form.

Not only is this wood stain an excellent choice for indoor wood, but you can also use it on metal doors and get beautiful results.

So, you applied the first coat but need to deepen the color? Don't worry! With this wood stain, all you need to do is use a second coat, and you're set for life.

In truth, what makes this wood stain such an excellent choice for most people is how simple it is. No unnecessary steps are required. All you need is a bristle brush, and you're good to go.

Cons:

8. General Finishes WXQT

Are you feeling hopeless over how many wood stains there are? Rest assured! General Finishes is here to help you get through this mess with their high-quality products.

What wood stain is best? The General Finishes WXQT is our go-to wood stain if we need to get excellent results as soon as possible.

Do you want to have more control over the colors? General Finishes got you covered. With this powerful wood stain, all you need to do is mix it with any paint you have.

We know how annoying it is to walk into a house just to smell the paint. Typically, it has a strong odor and gives off a mediocre impression.

Because of that, we strongly suggest getting this wood stain. Its low odor makes it a perfect choice for those folks who can't stand strong odors.

One thing we've noticed about this product is how easy it is to spread the stain. Having such a feature is super helpful as we've experienced horrible results with thick wood stains.

One of the main things this wood stain has to offer is how it operates on wood. It first begins by getting into the wood and then spreads throughout the wood. This way, you can have a dark and beautiful color on the wood you thought would be impossible to fix.

Another cool feature it has is that when you apply it on the interior wood, it highlights the grain of the wood.

And finally, our favorite feature about this product is how easy it is to get a consistent color with this wood stain. All you need to do is apply it on any surface you need to stain, and you will begin to see great results afterward.

Cons:

9. Rust-Oleum 313835 Water Based Interior Wood Stains

Now moving onto our ninth choice for water based interior wood stains, we have the Rust-Oleum 313835.

Rust-Oleum is a company that aims to provide innovative products that satisfy the customers. And because of that, we chose this beautiful wood stain.

Who doesn't love a weathered look that makes your house stand out from others? If that's what you're into, then you will absolutely love this delightful wood stain from Rust-Oleum.

It provides a detailed weathered look to the wood that you want to restore.

There is nothing more discouraging than having to clean up a crazy mess. It feels like a never-ending task, and sometimes it can be laborious.

To make things easier, this water-based stain can be cleaned by only using water and soap! So, no need to use several tools to clean a mess.

Can't mess around waiting for the stain to show any relevant results? Then this is the wood stain you've been looking for all this time. In less than a minute, you will see how your interior wood gains that beautiful weathered look you love so much.

Depending on what type of wood you're working on, the end results might be different. But what's great about that feature is that the wood stain adapts to whatever interior timber you need to restore.

As for the odor of this wood stain, you will barely smell the wood stain. That is an enormous advantage that water-based stains have over traditional timber stains.

What's cool about this wood stain is that if you need a darker color, all you need to do is add another coat. And if you need a lighter look, let the stain dry for about 10 hours, and you're set for life.

Cons:

10. Old Masters 81104

We cannot talk about wood stains without bringing up any product from the Old Masters.

We've had this water based wood stain from Old Master for quite some time now. And as of now, we've been pretty happy with how our woods have turned out.

To make your life less stressful: this powerful wood stain provides a thick formula that allows the user to have more control over both the application process and the color of the wood.

Sanding can be a living nightmare for some people—especially if you're not experienced with sanding. So, the mere thought of having to sand turns off many people.

However, with this product from Old Master, you don't need to sand the wood to get that natural result you want.

Another thing we love about this product is how simple the process is. You don't need to look up tutorials, nor do you need to spend several hours figuring out the process.

The best thing about this product is how inexpensive it is. Low-priced alternatives are excellent choices for those folks that don't want to replace an old interior wood but would like to fix it instead.

We originally bought this wood stain as we were working on old oak cabinets. The whole point behind all that rework we were doing was to give the wood a rustic surface.

And after applying one coat, we got the results we were aiming for from the get-go. And so, we're happy with the current final results!

And lastly, we recommend this product to anybody who needs to work on fiberglass doors. We've tested it out on a fiberglass door, and we were impressed by how well the results turned out to be.

Cons:

11. Rust-Oleum 260361

Last but not least, we come across Rust-Oleum again for interior wood stain. At this point, we're all familiar with their products.

Rust-Oleum is here again to set you up with a top-notch performance you need to get the job done. With this product, you can bring your old and scuffed up wood back to life.

Don't want to get a wood conditioner? Then you will be happy with this product. You don't need a wood conditioner to get the right results. All you need to do is apply the wood stain, and you're pretty much done.

What really makes this brand stand out from other companies is how durable their products are. This means that if you apply the wood stain on the interior wood, it will create a protective shield around the wood.

Don't use half a gallon just to get any relevant results. With this product from Rust-Oleum, all you need is a single coat. And with that, beautiful results shall come your way!

To get the most out of this wood stain, all you need to do is wait roughly 24 hours. And when that time has passed, you will be delighted by how beautiful the wood is.

From what we've noticed after extensively using this product is that it works best on wood furniture, cabinets, and doors. It makes them look brand-new again, and it does not take much time.

Now moving onto the final feature, we really like how beautiful the wood grain looks after a single coat. We had never seen any other wood stain deliver such attractive results for our wood grain.

Cons:

Interior Wood Stains Buying Guide

Are you feeling lost over how many interior wood stains there are out there? Don't worry! We are here to help you choose the best interior wood stains.

With our tips, you will never feel hopeless again when you go to the hardware store next time. Now that we're on the same page, here is what you need to look out for:

Long-Lasting Effects

Having a wood stain for interior wood that protects the wood is a feature that many people seem to forget.

But you would be surprised by how useful it is to have a wood stain that makes the wood more durable over time.

A wood stain that protects your wood for as long as possible is the first thing you have to keep in mind when you're in the wild. While a generic wood stain might get the job done, there is no attribute for protecting the wood.

So, we highly recommend getting a wood stain that offers a protective layer. This way, you don't have to worry about outside sources that could damage the interior wood.

Odor

Another factor to consider when choosing a wood stain is the odor. The last thing you want on your interior wood is for it to have a strong smell. Not only can it make you feel sick, but it also gives off an unpleasant impression.

Fortunately, you can easily avoid that problem by getting a water-based wood stain.

Water-based wood stains are considered to have low odors. That is an enormous advantage that water-based wood stains have over regular wood stains.

Because of that, we suggest that you prioritize getting a water-based wood stain. While they are not entirely odorless, water-based products won't have that strong odor.

Vivid Colors

If you want the best interior stain, you need to get a wood stain with vivid colors. But depending on what you want to get as the final results, this part might be different for you.

But considering that most people want to restore the beauty of the interior wood, getting a wood stain with vivid color will do the trick for them.

By getting a wood stain with vivid colors, you will also avoid dark colors on the wood. And it gives your house that pleasant feeling everyone loves to have at home.

But how can I find out whether my wood stain provides vivid colors? The best way to do so is by reading what other people are saying about that specific product.

Alternatively, you could read the labels of the product. From what we've noticed, manufacturers always point out when their products excel in a particular area. And so far, that has worked for us.

Top 5 Wood Stains Brands on the Market Today

After getting our hands on several wood stains from different brands, we have concluded that five brands stand out from the rest.

If you want to learn more about those brands, here is why we like them:

1. General Finishes

After trying out several of their products, we've been quite happy with the results we have achieved using General Finishes wood stains.

And we strongly recommend them to anybody looking to achieve top-notch results.

2. Minwax

We love Minwax. Minwax's products are excellent choices for those folks who need to bring back their interior wood to life. Their products are inexpensive, and you get mind-blowing results.

So, if you plan on getting anything from them, don't hesitate next time!

3. Varathane

Now, as our favorite company for wood stains, we have Varathane. We have used their products in the past and never found a problem with them.

4. Rust-Oleum

Are you looking for a good wood stain? Then the folks from Rust-Oleum got you covered with everything you need.

Rust-Oleum is one of those companies that just excel at everything they do. And this is shown in every wood stain they make.

We've been pretty pleased with the results we have gotten with their products and looking forward to getting more from them.

5. Saman

Last but not least, we have another brand, but this time it is Saman. Saman is an exciting company that has been around for quite some time now.

They make excellent products, and we've only had positive experiences with them. And to be fair, we can't stretch out just how good their products are!

Wood Stains Pros and Cons

There is a lot of debate on whether wood stains are worth the money or your time. In this guide, we'll talk you through the pros and cons of wood stains.

So, here is what you will face when using indoor wood stains:

Highlights the Wood Grain

One of the main advantages that wood stains provide is how well they enhance the grain of the wood. It first begins by getting into the wood, which creates a layer around the wood.

This way, your wood will remain in great shape for many years to come. And it highlights the wood.

Takes More Time

One of the most significant drawbacks that you will experience using wood stain is how hard it can be to get it right. Unlike wood paint, there is a lot more work that goes behind the scene.

Sometimes you might need several coats before you are satisfied with the results.

Tips to Apply Stains

Do you want to know how to apply interior solid stain like a pro? Then you're in the right place. With our powerful tips, you will go from a newbie to a master in less than 5 minutes!

So, here is what you need to know to apply stains like a pro:

1. Apply Wood Conditioner

Using a wood conditioner is the best thing you can do for your wood. It helps you get even coats, which is super useful if you don't want uneven results.

So, what you need to do is apply it on the surface you plan on using stain.

2. Apply the Wood Stain

Now that you have successfully applied the wood conditioner, there are two things you can do here.

You can either use a rag or a brush to apply the wood stain. We prefer using a rag over the brush as we really like the results we can achieve with the rag.

Nonetheless, if you decide to use a brush, you will get amusing results.

People Also Asked (FAQs)

Here is a small list of questions and answers related to interior wood stains that you will find helpful:

1. How Do You Stain Wood Interior?

Ans: Here is what you need to do to stain wood interior:

• Use a wood conditioner on the surface you want to stain.
• Once it soaks into the wood, apply the wood stain on the surface.
• Now enjoy the perfect results.

2. Is It Safe To Stain Wood Indoors?

Ans: Water-based stains are generally odorless. However, you should never stain indoors without ventilation. You can either run a fan or open up the windows.

3. Do You Need To Wear A Mask When Staining Wood?

Ans: We recommend working outdoors or in a well-ventilated room to avoid harmful chemicals that wood stain could have. So, you won't have to worry about wearing a mask.

4. How Long Does Stain Smell Last?

Ans: It depends on how well-ventilated your room is. However, the smell will remain for about nine hours, but only if you let the air come in.

5. Can You Stain Wood Without Sanding?

Ans: Yes, you can stain wood just fine without relying on sanding. However, it's always nice to get that extra look that sanding provides.

Conclusion

Did you manage to find the best interior wood stains? We hope you did!

Choosing one that fits your needs is not as hard as it seems. As long as you take the time to do some research, you will find the one you need.

Now, after going through several wood stains, here is one we really like:

• Rust-Oleum 260361—we love anything Rust-Oleum makes. As for the performance of this wood stain, we've been pretty happy with the outcome.

If you end up getting anything from Rust-Oleum, you will be happy with your choice.