To Stain or Not to Stain? The Great Wood Furniture Finishing Debate!
Should You Stain Your Own Solid Wood Furniture or Leave It to the Professionals?
You've finally found the perfect solid wood dining table, coffee table, or bedroom furniture. It's beautifully crafted, built to last, and ready to become part of your home. But now comes another important decision: Should you stain it yourself or have it professionally finished before delivery?
At Cinnamon Cabin Co, we offer quality, Ontario-made solid wood furniture, including Mennonite-crafted pieces designed for years of everyday use. Depending on the furniture, you may have the option of purchasing it unfinished or having it stained and finished before it arrives at your home.
Both choices have advantages. Both have disadvantages. And only one might result in you accidentally staining the family dog.
Let's explore!
Option 1: Staining Your Own Furniture — The DIY Adventure
There's something satisfying about taking a beautiful piece of unfinished solid wood furniture and making it your own. You choose the stain, apply the finish, and proudly announce to everyone who visits, "I did that myself!"
Of course, you might leave out the part about sanding the same tabletop three times because the first two attempts didn't quite work out.
The Pros of Staining Furniture Yourself
1. You Have Complete Creative Control
Want a warm honey-coloured dining table? A rich walnut finish? Something lighter that shows off the natural character of wormy maple?
When you stain your own furniture, you're in charge of the colour and finishing process.
You can experiment with different stains and create a look that complements your home's décor.
Just remember, the colour on the stain can isn't always the colour you'll see on your furniture. Wood species, sanding, and application methods can all affect the final appearance.
2. You May Save Money
Purchasing unfinished solid wood furniture can cost less than purchasing the same piece professionally stained and finished.
If you already have the necessary tools, supplies, and experience, doing the work yourself may save you money.
However, once you've purchased sandpaper, brushes, stain, protective finish, gloves, drop cloths, and enough coffee to survive the project, those savings might be smaller than expected.
3. There's Satisfaction in Doing It Yourself
Few things compare to the satisfaction of completing a home improvement project.
Every time you sit down at your dining table, you can admire your handiwork.
And if someone notices a slightly uneven spot, you can confidently explain that it's called rustic character.
The Cons of Staining Furniture Yourself
1. It Takes More Time Than You Think
Staining furniture isn't always a quick Saturday afternoon project.
Proper preparation, sanding, stain application, drying, protective finishing, and curing can take considerable time.
That dining table you hoped to use for Sunday dinner might still be sitting in the garage the following weekend.
2. Mistakes Can Be Expensive
Uneven stain absorption, drips, blotches, dust, and brush marks can turn an exciting project into a frustrating experience.
Different woods absorb stain differently. Pine, maple, oak, and wormy maple each have characteristics that affect the finishing process.
A little experience goes a long way.
Without it, your beautifully crafted furniture might end up looking like it survived a disagreement with a paintbrush.
3. Stain Isn't the Same as Protection
This is something many first-time furniture finishers overlook.
Wood stain primarily adds colour. A suitable protective finish helps guard the wood against everyday moisture, spills, and wear.
That means staining your dining table is only part of the job.
Unless, of course, you enjoy worrying every time someone puts a glass of water on the table.
4. You'll Need a Suitable Workspace
Proper ventilation, a clean work area, appropriate temperatures, and careful handling of finishing products are important.
Staining furniture in the living room beside your favourite upholstered sofa probably isn't the best idea.
Neither is leaving oily finishing rags in a pile. Some can spontaneously combust if improperly handled, so always follow the product's safety and disposal instructions.
Option 2: Professionally Stained Wood Furniture — Let Someone Else Have the Fun!
The second option is purchasing your solid wood furniture already stained and finished.
At Cinnamon Cabin Co, professionally finished furniture offers the convenience of having the finishing work completed before the furniture arrives at your home.
You select your furniture, choose from the available finishing options, and leave the messy part to someone else.
No sanding dust. No stain-covered fingers. No explaining to your spouse why the garage smells like a finishing shop.
The Pros of Having Your Furniture Professionally Stained
1. A Consistent, Professional Appearance
Experienced furniture finishers understand how different wood species respond to stains and finishing products.
Their knowledge and equipment help produce a consistent, attractive finish that highlights the natural beauty of solid wood.
This can be especially important for larger pieces such as dining tables, bedroom sets, and executive desks.
2. Save Yourself Time and Work
One of the greatest advantages of professionally finished furniture is convenience.
You don't need to spend evenings sanding, staining, applying protective coatings, or cleaning up afterward.
Instead, you can spend that time doing something more enjoyable.
Like assembling the family for dinner around your new table rather than explaining why dinner is being served on a folding table in the garage.
3. Protective Finishing Is Taken Care Of
A professionally finished piece typically includes an appropriate protective coating designed for furniture use.
While no finish makes wood completely indestructible, a properly applied finish helps protect the surface during everyday use.
That's particularly valuable for dining tables, coffee tables, desks, and other frequently used furniture.
4. Coordinating Furniture Is Easier
Having furniture professionally finished can make it easier to coordinate the appearance of multiple pieces.
Natural variations in wood grain and colour will still occur, but a consistent finishing process helps create a more unified look.
The Cons of Professionally Stained Furniture
1. It Usually Costs More
Professional finishing involves materials, equipment, skilled labour, and time.
That additional work is reflected in the furniture's price.
However, when comparing costs, remember to include the supplies and time required to finish furniture yourself.
2. You May Have Fewer Colour Choices
Professional finishing options depend on the furniture and available finishes.
If you've imagined a very specific custom colour, you may need to discuss whether that finish is available.
3. Finished Furniture May Require Additional Lead Time
Depending on the product and finishing schedule, professionally finished furniture may take longer to prepare than an unfinished piece.
The good news? You won't have to wait for coats of finish to dry in your own garage.
So, Which Option Is Better?
The answer depends on your budget, experience, available time, and how much you enjoy DIY projects.
Staining It Yourself | Professionally Finished |
Potentially lower purchase price | Higher initial cost |
Greater control over the process | Convenient and ready to use after delivery and setup |
Requires tools and supplies | Finishing work is completed for you |
More personal effort | Saves time and labour |
Greater risk of beginner mistakes | Experienced finishing |
Ideal for enthusiastic DIYers | Ideal for busy households |
If you enjoy woodworking, have a suitable workspace, and appreciate hands-on projects, unfinished solid wood furniture may be an excellent choice.
If you prefer consistent results, convenience, and furniture that's ready to enjoy, professional finishing is likely worth the additional investment.
And if you've ever stained a piece of furniture and somehow ended up with more stain on your hands than on the wood, you probably already know which option you'd choose next time!
Beautiful Solid Wood Furniture at Cinnamon Cabin Co
At Cinnamon Cabin Co, we believe quality furniture should combine lasting craftsmanship, natural beauty, and practical everyday use.
Our selection of Canadian-made, solid wood furniture includes Mennonite- and Amish-crafted pieces designed for homes that appreciate traditional workmanship and lasting quality.
Whether you're shopping for a solid wood dining table, coffee table, bedroom furniture, or office desk, the natural character of real wood makes every piece special.
Located in Huron County, Ontario, Cinnamon Cabin Co serves customers looking for quality solid wood furniture throughout Southwestern Ontario, including London, Kitchener-Waterloo, and surrounding communities.
Explore our furniture collection at www.cinnamoncabincodecor.ca and ask about the unfinished and professionally finished options available for the pieces that interest you.
After all, the best furniture is furniture you'll enjoy for years to come — whether you did the staining yourself or wisely decided to let someone else clean the brushes!
One Stain That Only Jesus Can Remove
At Cinnamon Cabin Co, we appreciate the beauty of wood and the difference a good finish can make. But there's another kind of stain that no amount of sanding, scrubbing, or professional finishing can remove — the stain of sin upon the human heart. The Bible tells us in 1 John 1:7, "The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." No matter how hard we try, we cannot remove the guilt of sin through our own good works or efforts. But Jesus Christ, through His death on the cross, paid the price for our sins. When we turn from sin and place our faith in Him, He offers complete forgiveness and a cleansed heart. Unlike the stain on a dining table, which may eventually need refinishing, the forgiveness Jesus offers is eternal. Through faith in His finished work on Calvary, the stain of sin can be removed forever. Now that's a finish no earthly craftsman could ever accomplish!
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