Stained Parquet: How to Choose the Right Shade?
Stained parquet allows you to personalise your interior while preserving the natural charm of wood. Light, natural, dark or grey-toned: the right shade depends on the amount of light, the style of the room and the type of wood.
In Luxembourg and Belgium, staining is often used to modernise an older parquet floor, coordinate the flooring with an existing interior or enhance a property before a sale or renovation.
What is stained parquet?
Stained parquet is a wooden floor that receives a colour treatment before the final finish is applied. The stain can be applied to solid, semi-solid or engineered parquet, provided that the wear layer is thick enough to allow sanding.
Oak remains the most commonly used wood species for staining, as it absorbs pigments well and provides an even, consistent finish.
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Stain, coloured oil or tinted primer?
A wood stain colours the wood but does not protect it. It must therefore be followed by a protective finish, such as oil, wax or lacquer (varnish).
Coloured oil colours and protects the wood at the same time. It provides a natural finish while enhancing the wood grain.
A tinted primer prepares, hardens and colours the parquet. It is often followed by a lacquer or varnish to provide greater resistance.
The most popular shades and how to choose
Choosing a parquet shade depends on several factors: the room’s natural light, the style of the furniture, the colour of the walls and the size of the area. In Belgium and Luxembourg, current preferences tend to revolve around a few well-established families of shades.
Which shade should you choose?
Light shades, such as whitewashed oak or natural wood, make rooms appear larger and work particularly well in bright or Scandinavian-style interiors.
Medium shades, such as natural or honey oak, are among the most versatile. They work easily in houses, apartments and offices.
Dark shades, such as walnut or smoked oak, add character but work best in rooms with plenty of natural light.
Grey or white tones are particularly suited to contemporary, industrial or minimalist interiors.
Before making your final choice, it is advisable to test the shade on a small area of the parquet. The final result can vary depending on the wood species, sanding and lighting.
How to stain an existing parquet floor
For a durable result, the parquet must first be sanded to remove the existing finish and open the pores of the wood.
Once the surface has been thoroughly dusted, the stain is applied in the direction of the wood grain using a brush, roller, cloth or pad, depending on the product. A protective finish must then be applied to protect the floor against stains, foot traffic and moisture. With engineered parquet, the thickness of the wear layer should always be checked before carrying out any renovation work.
How to maintain stained parquet?
Maintenance depends on the finish applied. Stained parquet with a varnished finish can be cleaned using a slightly damp cloth and a product specifically designed for wooden floors.
Stained parquet with an oiled finish requires more regular maintenance with a suitable maintenance oil to revive the colour and protect the surface.
In all cases, avoid excess water, harsh cleaning products and abrasive scrubbing.
Read our guide to parquet maintenance.
Frequently asked questions
Can all parquet floors be stained?
No. Solid parquet and some engineered parquet floors can be stained, provided that the wood layer is thick enough. Laminate flooring cannot be stained.
Can you stain parquet without sanding it first?
It is possible with certain renovation products, but the result is generally less durable than staining freshly sanded wood. However, this is not possible on a varnished parquet floor.
Which wood species is best for stained parquet?
Oak is one of the best choices because it absorbs stain evenly and provides a natural-looking result.
Can you lighten a dark parquet floor?
Yes, but only after sanding the floor completely back to bare wood. Applying a light stain directly over a dark stain will not produce a satisfactory result.
Some wood species also react differently to stains. It is therefore advisable to consult a professional parquet specialist to determine which treatment is best suited to your floor.
How long does a parquet stain last?
With a good protective finish and proper maintenance, a parquet stain can retain its appearance for many years.
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