10 Best Wood Floor Stains 2025 in the United States

The Rubio Monocoat Wood Oil Finish is an eco-friendly, linseed-based wood stain designed for indoor use. It is known for its quick-dry formula and exceptional durability, making it ideal for high-traffic areas like living rooms and hallways. One of its standout features is the one-layer application, which simplifies the staining process and makes it efficient for both large and small wood treatment projects.

This product is versatile and works on various wood types such as oak, walnut, and teak, offering excellent resistance to wear, water, and heat. It also leaves a beautiful matte finish without any overlaps or marks, ensuring a professional look with minimal effort. The stain comes in a wide range of 55 mixable colors, allowing you to achieve the perfect hue for your wood while enhancing its natural beauty. However, it is advisable to test the color on a sample piece of wood first, as the final result can vary depending on the wood type.

An added benefit is its safety certifications, making it suitable for surfaces that come into contact with food and for children's toys. The product is also non-dilutable and includes an accelerator to improve drying times. While it offers excellent coverage (105-175 ft² per 350 ml), the small volume may not be enough for larger projects without purchasing multiple units. Additionally, the necessity to mix the oil with the accelerator can add an extra step to the application process, which some users may find slightly inconvenient. Despite these minor drawbacks, its eco-friendly nature makes it a reliable and efficient choice for indoor wood staining projects.

The Minwax 1 qt 70044 English Chestnut Wood Finish is an oil-based stain that offers a rich, medium chestnut brown color, ideal for enhancing the natural grain of interior wood surfaces like furniture, cabinets, and doors. Its deep penetration ensures even color coverage, and it dries relatively quickly—within about two hours—making it convenient for quicker project turnarounds.

Application is straightforward: you can use a clean cloth or brush, working along the wood grain, and adjust the color depth by controlling how long you leave the stain before wiping off excess. Being oil-based, it provides good durability and a classic wood finish look, but it may require proper ventilation during use and longer curing times compared to water-based stains. One standout feature is the stain’s resistance to lapping, which helps avoid uneven patches and streaks. Coverage of about 150 square feet per quart is suitable for moderate-sized projects.

This stain performs best in interior settings and is well-suited for someone looking to achieve a warm, timeless wood tone with a relatively easy application process. If you prefer a faster cure or easier cleanup, a water-based stain might be worth considering. For those who want a trusted brand and a dependable finish for their indoor wood projects, this Minwax stain represents a solid choice.

The General Finishes Oil Base Gel Stain in Antique Walnut is highly appreciated by woodworkers for its exceptional finish and ease of application. The rich, lustrous color of Antique Walnut gives wood surfaces a high-end look, making it a great choice for those wanting to enhance the beauty of their wooden floors.

Being a gel stain, it is thick and heavy-bodied, which means it doesn't penetrate as deeply as liquid stains. This quality helps achieve a more even appearance, especially on woods that are known to be tricky to stain, like aspen or pine. Users can easily apply it with a cloth or foam brush without worrying about spills or splashes, simplifying the staining process even for beginners.

The durability of the stain ensures that the beautiful finish lasts, maintaining the wood's appearance over time. However, its thick consistency might not be ideal for those looking for deep penetration into the wood, and it may require a bit more effort to achieve uniform coverage on larger surfaces. This product is an excellent pick for those seeking a high-quality, easy-to-use stain that delivers a stunning finish on wood floors.