One of the great things about wood indoor or outdoor furniture is its versatility. Not only does wood complement almost any décor, but it can also be given new life with a repair or a fresh finish, or a new look, with a different color of stain.Whether you’re finishing the finish on a repair that you have just finished, getting ready to re-finish a surface that you have stripped, or staining/varnishing an unfinished piece for the first time, you will want to make it look as professional as possible.For instance, after you repair one of your favorite pieces, you will want to match the original stain as closely as possible. On light-colored wood, you can accomplish this by applying a base coat of a golden oak stain before other stains or finishes, as this will give the wood a yellowish tone that mimics that of aged wood.You can match almost any color of stain by mixing two or more shades, as long as they are of the same brand and type. First, choose the stain that is closest to the original, and then figure out which complementary tone will achieve the right balance. If it needs a bit more red, use mahogany or cherry. To bring out walnut brown, oak, orange, or yellow, try maple. Make sure to test the mixture on an inconspicuous spot before you apply it to the entire piece.If you’re thinking of using clear varnish on stripped or unfinished new furniture, you can give yourself a preview of the results, by moistening a rag with mineral spirits, and wiping it over the wood. If it doesn’t turn out the way you wanted it, apply stain first.Because soft woods, such as pine, fir, and spruce, are very porous, they are also super-absorbent. This property can make them difficult to completely strip, as the stain sometimes penetrates too deeply. If you find this to be the case, you may be able to significantly lighten the stain with household chlorine bleach, applied liberally and evenly. After letting it dry for several days, neutralize the bleach with white vinegar. This method can be used to remove many other types of stains as well.The tendency of these woods to absorb stain so deeply can also cause blotchy or uneven finishes. To prevent this, seal the wood before staining it, using a mixture of one part shellac, to five parts denatured alcohol. Allow it to dry for about thirty minutes, then sand it with superfine paper. If the stain that you are using has an alcohol base, be sure to apply it quickly and sparingly, as it may dissolve the shellac.Of course, there is a way to bypass all of the work, and simply sit back and enjoy the benefits of rich, radiant wood outdoor furniture. All you have to do is to go to CedarStore.com, and choose from their unparalleled selection of classic cedar, pine, oak, cherry, and teak porch and patio furniture. If you lean more toward the non-traditional, you’ll love their collection of maintenance-free, nearly indestructible polywood, vinyl, and aluminum furniture, which is available in dozens of gorgeous colors.CedarStore.com has an amazing assortment of patio chairs, tables, dining sets, porch swings, benches, gliders, lounges, rockers, ottomans, and more, in sizes, colors, and shapes, to complement the décor of any porch, patio, or gazebo. If you don’t find exactly what you’re looking for, contact a design consultant or a customer service representative, at 1-888-293-2339, or contact@cedarstore.com, to find out about having something customized. At CedarStore.com, you’ll enjoy your visit – start to finish.