Curb appeal starts with color, and in 2025, exterior stains are doing more than just protecting wood—they’re setting the tone for the entire home.
From warm, wood-toned washes to moody, bold hues, this year’s top stains are designed to elevate architectural details and complement a home’s natural surroundings. Whether a project leans minimalist or rustic-chic, these shades help create exteriors that feel intentional, elevated, and enduring.
Check out the following top 2025 stain selections from Behr, Cabot, Pittsburgh Paints, and Minwax below.
Cedar Curb Appeal
Behr Paint Co. selected Cedar, a warm, earthy hue inspired by the natural tones of cedarwood, as its 2025 exterior stain color of the year.
"Cedar is a warm and earthy light golden brown. It holds a richness and depth that enhances the natural beauty of wood for an elevated experience," says Erika Woelfel, vice president of color and creative services at Behr Paint Co. "Its tonality complements a variety of architectural styles, from minimalist modern to casual craftsman, and pairs perfectly with our latest Curb Appeal Collection."
Designers can seamlessly pair Cedar with the Curb Appeal Collection colors to achieve a cohesive look when updating decks, porches, fences, and doors.
Burnt Hickory Brown
Cabot’s 2025 color of the year Burnt Hickory is rich with natural brown tones that are infused with subtle charcoal undertones.
Influenced by the ancient Japanese art of shou sugi ban, Burnt Hickory reflects today’s lifestyle trends, reports the exterior wood care brand.
“Burnt Hickory is a statement of timeless design,” says Sue Kim, Cabot’s director of color marketing. “This deep, earthy hue enhances wood’s natural grain and texture, bringing an artisanal quality to any outdoor project. It also complements a variety of outdoor styles—from rustic to modern—and blends effortlessly with greenery and eclectic designs, creating a welcoming atmosphere.”
Oxford Brown Beauty
The Pittsburgh Paints Co. and its wood care brands named Oxford Brown as its 2025 stain color of the year.
The earthy hue, with subtle hints of amber and russet, evokes a rustic, vintage charm that adds depth and character to both futurist-inspired and classic designs.
“For years, minimalist blacks and subtle white oaks have dominated the stain space,” says Ashley McCollum, Pittsburgh Paints Co. global color expert. “We opted for a warmer, more invigorating direction with Oxford Brown that transcends design styles.”
“Oxford Brown has proven itself with consumers as one of our top five tinted stain colors in 2024,” continues McCollum. “Moving into 2025 stain season, this fail-proof color empowers our homeowners to design their spaces around it with ease.”
A
Violet Vision
While purple typically isn’t the first color that comes to mind when thinking of wood stains, Minwax elected to highlight its Violet hue as its color of the year for 2025.
Lisbeth Parada, Minwax color and design lead, describes Violet as a bold and saturated color that is both playful and expressive. It signals a bold new era of home design where self-expression takes center stage.
“Deeper, more saturated colors, including violet-influenced blues, can serve as compelling alternatives to timeless shades,” says Parada. “Violet, when paired with natural wood tones, creates a striking contrast that feels both classic and contemporary. From subtle color accents to bold statements with color drenching, this versatile shade offers homeowners countless ways to infuse depth and character into any space.”
