Picking a stain color for your deck can be trickier than selecting a front door color, despite having fewer options. Stain tends to interact with natural wood grain, which can create variations that clash with siding, trim, and even your outdoor furniture. 

Don’t fret: Behr is making that stain decision for you with their newly announced Exterior Stain Color of the Year. Cedar is a warm, natural shade based on cedarwood that promises to look great on a wide range of exterior styles. 

In addition to the versatile stain color, Behr also launched their second Curb Appeal Collection to help homeowners simplify the color selection process of their exterior. This collection boats 45 exterior paint colors—and you’re encouraged to use Cedar with all of them. Here’s how these releases can help transform your outdoor space. 

Why the Behr Stain of the Year Is So Versatile

“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,” said VP of color and creative services Erika Woelfel in a press release. “Its tonality complements a variety of architectural styles, from minimalist modern to casual craftsman, and pairs perfectly with our latest Curb Appeal Collection.”

Before picking Cedar as their top choice, the team at Behr conducted a study that found a considerable 71% of homeowners want to update their exterior stain this year. It’s a must-do maintenance project that dramatically cleans up the outside before gardens and landscaping take over. And according to BEHR, Cedar is ideal for this. 

“As the spring season turns consumer attention to outdoor projects, Cedar is the perfect choice for homeowners looking to apply an inviting shade to exterior wood surfaces,” added head of marketing Andy Lopez. “Cedar not only reflects the current consumer desire for natural, earthy tones, but it also combines classic characteristics with quality performance that will stand the test of time.”

Coordinating Paints from the Curb Appeal Collection

Let’s put staining on pause for a second—repainting your home is no simple task, either. Choosing an initial siding color is just the start of the decision fatigue—you still have trim and accents to figure out. 

BEHR’s study found that 84% of respondents would change their exterior paint color right now, but 51% think picking a new color is way too complicated. Fortunately, the new Curb Appeal Collection has enough colors to be comprehensive but not so many that it becomes repetitive and confusing.

Curated Color Palettes

Behr suggests starting with a base of Cedar stain on all exposed wood, then picking one of the following palettes to rework your curb appeal. 

• Classic Haven: A sophisticated palette including light neutrals with bold grays, blues, and reds
• Modern Escape: A modern palette with vibrant yellow, teal, and orange, which blend well with whites and grays
• Casual Oasis: A relaxed palette featuring cool grays, creamy whites, and soft blues
• Artisan Retreat: A grounded palette with warm browns, neutral grays, and craftsman-inspired oranges and reds

Learn more about Cedar at behr.com and shop it and the new paint collection exclusively at The Home Depot online or in stores.