Outdoor spaces are increasingly important to homeowners, as a place to enjoy time with friends and family or just to relax. Whether it is a deck, a pergola, furniture, fencing, sheds or other outdoor items, homeowners want a beautiful space, as well as the knowledge that their items are well protected and won’t need to be refinished again any time soon.

This year, Pittsburgh Paints Co. selected Black Oak, a versatile dark neutral with forest tones, as its 2026 Stain Color of the Year. Ashley McCollum, Pittsburgh Paints Co. color marketing manager for the Olympic and Pittsburgh Paints & Stains brands, says that the selection of a stain is a choice that should be made carefully.

“When it comes to staining an outdoor space or project, choosing a color can feel like a big commitment,” McCollum points out. “It’s not something most homeowners do on a whim, and it’s not something they want to redo anytime soon. They seek a finish that both looks great and holds up for years to come. That’s exactly why Olympic and Pittsburgh Paints & Stains named Black Oak the Stain Color of the Year.

“Homeowners today are making more intentional choices, especially for outdoor projects that have to stand up to weather, wear and everyday life,” McCollum adds. “Black Oak answers that need with ease, bringing warmth and depth without feeling heavy or overdone. Its versatility works across projects and styles, so your color feels right the moment it’s applied and still feels right seasons later.”

McCollum describes Black Oak as a warm, versatile neutral with deep forest tones.

“It’s bold but balanced, modern yet familiar,” McCollum adds. “Inspired by naturally aged wood, Black Oak brings warmth and depth to outdoor spaces, encouraging homeowners to stain with intention across seasons and styles.

“Whether you’re preparing your outdoor space for hosting or making updates with the future in mind, a timeless stain color like Black Oak keeps your home looking well cared for and widely appealing,” she adds. “For modern farmhouse-style homes, Black Oak adds contrast without feeling too stark, working well on decks, fencing, sheds, railings, pergolas, porch columns and porch ceilings.

“For contemporary and modern homes, it brings depth without distraction and feels intentional on privacy screens, accent fencing and entry doors,” McCollum observes. “For craftsman and traditional homes, Black Oak shines on beams, posts, doors and porch railings to enhance the wood grain and balance stone, brick and warm neutral exteriors. For homeowners with transitional houses who aren’t sure how to define their homes’ style, Black Oak helps bridge classic and modern elements, working well on deck railings, accent walls, and shutters. When paired with soft whites, and sandy tones and natural textures, Black Oak works beautifully on covered porches, fencing and doors of coastal-adjacent homes by adding contrast and grounding the space.”

McCollum reports that homeowners are moving away from quick fixes and toward smarter, longer-lasting choices.

“Instead of chasing trends, they’re gravitating toward colors that feel timeless and dependable,” McCollum says. “They want to feel confident in their color choice, knowing they’ll still love it long after the project is done. Black Oak is one of those rare stain colors that doesn’t lock you into a single style. Its deep, neutral tone adapts easily whether your home leans classic, modern or somewhere in between.”

McCollum notes that there’s been an increase in exterior DIY projects over the years, as more people want to refresh their spaces to better fit their styles and protect costly assets like decks and fences.

“Homeowners are focused on transforming their yards, patios and pergolas into stylish, personalized living spaces that provide more functionality,” she points out. “The rise of online inspirational DIY projects has also encouraged homeowners to create their dream spaces for a more affordable price.”

Last year, Pittsburgh Paints Co. selected Oxford Brown as its 2025 Stain Color of the Year. McCollum finds that Black Oak pairs nicely with Oxford Brown.

“Black Oak brings a darker, modern richness—great for adding drama and grounding a space,” says McCollum. “Oxford Brown has a warm, classic brown tone that feels welcoming and timeless. Together, your eye naturally reads the dimension and depth. They hit that sweet spot between modern edge and approachable warmth, making them ideal for mixing in rustic, modern, farmhouse or contemporary projects.”

McCollum notes that in previous years, subtle, minimalist shades dominated the stain color space. Oxford Brown shifted the trend away from minimalist blacks and subtle white oaks by introducing a timeless shade with warmth and character.

“Black Oak continues this color evolution toward richer, deeper tones,” McCollum says. “The shade reflects a growing desire that homeowners and DIYers have for long-lasting, versatile colors that are adaptable to any exterior style. Black Oak encourages stain enthusiasts to stain with intention across projects, seasons and styles.”

Black Oak also pairs well with Warm Mahogany (PPG1060-7), a rich, warm red, which was named Pittsburgh Paints Co.’s 2026 Paint Color of the Year. Warm Mahogany and Black Oak work together nicely for exterior projects due to their adaptability and nostalgic feel.

McCollum notes that it isn’t just appearance that sets stains apart.

“What makes Black Oak stand out isn’t just how it looks — it’s how well it works,” McCollum says. “Forgiving and durable, Black Oak is dark enough to hide dirt, scuffs and wear while still allowing the natural wood grain to shine. For enhancing the wood grain, we recommend Black Oak in OLYMPIC^® ELITE and MAXIMUM^® or PITTSBURGH PAINTS & STAINS ULTRA^® Advanced and PARAMOUNT^® Semi-Transparent Stain & Sealant. To ensure they achieve their desired finish, it’s important that homeowners and DIYers properly inspect and prepare their exterior wood, prior to staining, using  these steps.”

OLYMPIC® stain products are available at THE HOME DEPOT® stores nationwide,

select Pittsburgh Paints Co. dealers, Walmart, and online at homedepot.com/olympic.

PITTSBURGH PAINTS & STAINS ® products are sold exclusively through MENARDS®

stores.