How To Pick the Ideal Concrete Stain Colors

Concrete floors grace homes, businesses, and industrial spaces alike. They’re great for high-traffic, heavy-use areas, such as garages, warehouses, showrooms and more. While concrete is functional even when it doesn’t look its best, there’s always room for improvement. You might appreciate the raw, industrial look of unfinished concrete, or you might want to consider staining. A nice concrete stain can give your flooring a permanent color that is easier on the eyes than the traditional dark gray.

But what color should you choose? This guide will walk you through how to pick the ideal concrete stain colors for your project and achieve a result you will love.

What Are Concrete Stains?

Before diving into color selection, it’s helpful to understand the two main types of concrete stains: acid-based and water-based. Each interacts with the concrete differently, producing distinct visual effects.

Acid-Based Stains

Acid-based stains create a chemical reaction with the hydrated lime (calcium hydroxide) in the concrete. This reaction lightly etches the surface and allows metallic salts within the stain to penetrate and become a permanent part of the concrete.

The result is a variegated, marbled, or translucent effect that is unique to each slab. The colors are often earthy tones like tans, browns, reddish-browns, and soft blue-greens. However, the final color depends on a chemical reaction, so it’s not always fully predictable. The age, composition, and porosity of your concrete will all influence the final shade.

Overall, acid stains are an excellent choice if you want to achieve a rich, natural look that mimics the appearance of stone.

Water-Based Stains

Water-based stains are non-reactive and work by depositing pigments into the open pores of the concrete. They function more like a traditional wood stain, offering a more consistent and uniform color. While they don’t produce the same marbled effect, they can be layered or blended to create custom designs.

Water-based stains come in a vast spectrum of colors, from traditional grays and browns to bold blues, reds, and even blacks. If you have a specific color in mind for your design, a water-based stain is likely the best path forward.

Popular Concrete Stain Colors and Their Appeal

While the color possibilities are nearly endless, certain shades remain consistently popular due to their versatility and timeless appeal. Let’s explore these colors, as they can be a good starting point to inspire your project.

Warm Earth Tones

Browns, tans, and reddish-browns are among the most popular choices for concrete staining. These colors create a warm, inviting atmosphere that complements a wide range of design styles.

People love earth tones because they’re excellent at hiding minor imperfections and dirt. They also evoke the look of organic materials (like natural stone or leather), which can cover up the cold, industrial look that concrete can give off.

These colors are most popular for residential or retail projects because they make people feel cozy and at ease in the space, despite the hard flooring.

Grays and Blues

Gray has become a go-to neutral in contemporary design. Even though concrete is naturally gray, its particular shade can feel too cold or industrial for many people’s liking. A stain can produce a deeper, satiny gray that looks more professional and well kept. Subtle blue and green tones, often achieved with acid stains, can also enter the mix to offer a sophisticated, calming effect.

Gray tones are popular because they provide a neutral backdrop that allows other design elements, like furniture and artwork, to stand out. They offer a clean, industrial-chic aesthetic. Therefore, these hues are generally best for office buildings, art galleries, showrooms, and modern homes.

Other Colors

If you want to go bolder than earth tones, then you can with water-based stains. You can get pretty much any color, from bright red and yellow to deep blue and green. These colors can turn a floor into a focal point and a veritable piece of art.

Consider using bold colors in commercial spaces like bars or boutiques, or in a home game room or basement. They are also effective for creating logos or specific patterns on the floor.

How To Choose the Right Stain for Your Space

To pick the ideal concrete stain colors for your project, keep the following factors in mind.

1. Consider the Room’s Function and Lighting

Think about how you or other people use the space. For a busy entryway or a commercial kitchen, a darker, multitoned stain might be more practical for hiding scuffs and spills. In a living room or bedroom, a lighter, warmer tone might feel more comfortable.

Natural and artificial lighting will also dramatically affect how a color appears. A color that looks perfect under the fluorescent lights of a showroom might look completely different in the natural morning light of your kitchen. It is always a good idea to test stain samples in the actual space at different times of the day.

2. Match Existing Elements, If Applicable

Unless you’re finishing the floors of a brand-new room, there might already be furniture and fixtures in your space. In that case, your floor should complement the overall design of the room. Look at the colors of your walls, furniture, cabinetry, and other existing elements.

We recommend choosing a stain color that shares a similar undertone with your existing decor. For example, if your walls are a warm beige, a brown or tan stain will create a harmonious feel.

3. Account for the Concrete’s Condition

No two concrete slabs are identical. The age, porosity, texture, and existing color of your concrete will influence the final color outcome. An old, weathered slab will absorb stain differently than new, smooth concrete.

Remember that stains are semitransparent. The original color and any existing blemishes on your concrete will likely show through and become part of the final look. This is part of the charm of stained concrete, but it’s something to be aware of.

4. Always Test Samples

This is the most critical step. Never commit to a color based on a small swatch from a brochure or a picture online. Obtain samples of the stain colors you are considering and apply them to a small, inconspicuous area of your floor, such as inside a closet or under an area where you’ll put furniture.

Let the samples dry completely, then apply a sealer, as the sealer will deepen the color. Observe the test patches over a few days to see how they look in different lighting conditions. This is the only way to know for sure how a color will appear on your specific floor.

Your Floor, Your Vision With Rescrete

Staining is an excellent way to elevate the look of a concrete floor. By carefully considering your space, your personal preferences, and how samples appear, you can confidently choose a concrete stain color that transforms your floor into a more beautiful surface.

And if you’re looking for professional concrete staining in Los Angeles, then contact Rescrete. We specialize in restoring and elevating concrete floors for commercial, industrial, and residential clients alike. Reach out today to discuss your options for color, our process, and how to get started.