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15 Grey Wood Stain Projects to Compare and Inspire

Thinking about staining your project grey, but don't know how it will turn out? Here are 15 grey wood stain projects, sorted by color and brand, to compare and inspire!

collage of four different grey wood stain projects

If you're a frequent reader of The Handyman's Daughter, you might have noticed that I'm kinda obsessed with grey wood stain projects! 🙂 I love the texture and depth that comes from real wood, but natural wood colors don't really work with my decor.

Luckily, there are lots of grey wood stain colors on the market nowadays. But it can be hard to tell how the final result will look from that tiny image on the can! I've scoured the internet, looking for projects that used different grey wood stains to compare and contrast. Hopefully this will help you find the perfect color for your own build!

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I've organized all these grey wood stain projects by brand and color to make it easy to compare.

Keep in mind that lighting and photography can change colors significantly, so similar projects may look totally different! The color samples I created for this post use the same lighting and white balance, so it's easier to compare apples to apples.

General Finishes Gray Gel Stain

Wood samples with two coats of General Finishes grey wood stain

Dining Table Makeover - The Handyman's Daughter

grey wood stain and white paint table and chair

This dining table top is maple, which takes wood stain evenly. One coat was all it took to get this rich, charcoal color!

DIY Desktop Organizer - The Handyman's Daughter

desktop organizer stained with General Finishes grey gel stain

It's harder to get a consistent stain color with pine, as you can see here. One coat gives it a more rustic appearance.

Hexagon Side Table - The Handyman's Daughter

hexagon side table stained with General Finishes gray gel stain

I put two coats of gel stain on this pine table top, which gave it a richer tone. Compared to the gray couch next to it, it definitely takes on a blue-ish hue.

Canary Street Crafts - Dresser Makeover

dresser top stained with General Finishes Gray Gel Stain

If you're looking for just a hint of gray for that beachy look, try this technique from Canary Street Crafts. Gel stain is easier to control than liquid versions, so you can get just the right amount of coverage.


Minwax Classic Gray

Minwax Classic Gray wood stain color samples on five wood species

The Palette Muse - Dining Table Makeover

dining table makeover using Minwax Classic Gray

There's plenty of natural wood color showing through on this oak dining table by The Palette Muse. It looks just like the oak sample in the chart!

Hazel & Gold - Balustrade Console Table

balustrade console table using Minwax Classic Gray stain

Lighting can really change the color of this stain, especially on pine! It takes on a definite blue hue on this console table by Hazel & Gold.

Upright and Caffeinated - Laptop Table

laptop table with Minwax Classic Gray stain

Combine white chalk paint and Minwax Classic Gray stain for a weathered, farmhouse look like on Upright and Caffeinated's laptop desk!

Hearth and Vine - Rolling Plant Stand

rolling plant stand with Minwax Classic Gray stain

Update that basic crate with a coat of Minwax Classic Gray stain and casters for a mobile plant stand like this one from Hearth and Vine.

Varathane Carbon Gray

Varathane Carbon Gray wood stain samples

DIY Huntress - Rolling Shoe Bins

rolling shoe bins using Varathane Carbon Gray stain

Who couldn't use more shoe storage? I love how the Varathane Carbon Gray stain complements the pulls on these rolling storage bins by DIY Huntress!

Anika's DIY Life - X Leg Console Table

X leg console table using Varathane Carbon Gray stain

The dark, ebony-like color of this stain shows through on Anika's console table.

The Awesome Orange - Planter with Legs

planter stained with Varathane Carbon Gray

This dark stain is the perfect complement to the white grain enhancer The Awesome Orange used on this adorable planter!

Anika's DIY Life - Three Tier End Table

end table using Varathane Carbon Gray

Or add a bit of bling instead, like Anika did with this chunky end table with metallic accents.

Varathane Weathered Gray Stain

samples of Varathane Weathered Gray stain on various wood species

Handmade Haven - Farmhouse Dining Table

farmhouse dining table using Varathane Weathered Gray stain

Varathane's Weathered Gray stain lives up to its name on Handmade Haven's farmhouse dining table and benches.

Shanty 2 Chic - DIY Desk and Side Tables

desk stained with Varathane Weathered Gray

Here you can see how two different woods take the same stain color. The birch plywood panels have a more even color than the surrounding pine boards of these side tables by Shanty 2 Chic.

Centsational Style - IKEA Coffee Table Hack

IKEA coffee table stained with Varathane Weathered Gray

I've been eyeing this IKEA hack by Centsational Style for ages! I love the contrast between the weathered gray top and the smooth white base.


Hopefully these grey wood stain projects helped you decide on a color for your own furniture build or refinishing task. I kinda want to use them all now!

collage of four different grey wood stain projects

Jann Olson

Monday 13th of August 2018

It's always nice to see how the stain will take on different wood. Thanks for sharing with SYC. hugs, Jann

Chas

Wednesday 8th of August 2018

This was a great post. I love gray and this will be helpful for me in the future with a few upcycle projects I have. Thanks for sharing on To Grandma's House We Go!

Ben Backhouse

Tuesday 7th of August 2018

Brilliant article. Grey is definitely a colour that gets overlooked by most designers. I think you have used the colour so cleverly in all the rooms. When it gets used so effectively like this, it creates an open yet warm vibe which I personally love.

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