Varathane Worn Navy: wood stain color review

Considering adding a blue wood stain to your wood project? Check out Varathane Worn Navy – our full review & how it looks on 4 types of wood!

You might not think of staining wood blue – but using a blue wood stain is a way to add interest and color to a wood project.

I personally love decorating with blues and really love how this particular color – Worn Navy – looks.

We have used this color on several projects including our kids workbench, our own workbench, and even these lil coasters.

I think that Varathane Worn Navy is a GREAT blue stain color and I’m excited to show it in more detail to you today!

Varathane Worn Navy

Varathane is a brand commonly carried at the Home Depot.

Worn Navy is described as a navy, but in reality it reads closer to a mid-toned, royal blue color to me.

That being said, the “worn” part is definitely true. It has gray undertones keeping it from feeling bright, primary-color-blue.

It’s more like your favorite worn-in pair of jeans.

Here is how Varathane Worn Navy looked on each of four wood types!

How does Varathane Worn Navy stain look on oak?

Oak is a really beautiful wood with natural red undertones.

Oak is a hard wood that does not absorb stain heavily. I think that Worn Navy looks a bit weird absorbed as faintly as it absorbs on oak and it’s not my favorite pick!

How does Varathane Worn Navy stain look on pine?

Pine wood has natural yellow tones with some slightly darker graining.

WornNavy looks like a mid-toned blue – not exactly what I would consider navy – on pine.

However, if you are going for that denim look, it’s a great pick.

I love that it is definitely blue but does not feel bright or neon in the least.

How does Varathane Worn Navy stain look on poplar?

Poplar has natural green and some purple undertones.

Poplar has little almost dashes it it’s wood grain which gives it the look of a lot of texture.

Worn Navy is a good option if you want to give poplar a rich, royal blue color. It is really pretty and I could see it working well in a variety of home styles!

How does Varathane Worn Navy stain look on a 2×4?

2x4s are usually very light wood with darker knots and holes. Most people don’t use 2×4 for projects you would really stain, but we still tested it for you!

2x4s have grain that varies widely between white and golden yellow. I find that stain takes to this grain differently, giving it a striped look.

Worn Navy gives 2×4 decent coverage, but it’s not my favorite look. It’s a bit splotchy, especially on the uneven tones of the 2×4. It’s just not my favorite combo!

Any more questions about Varathane Worn Navy?