David Savastano, Contributing Editor04.21.25
The outdoors is a place where one can go and enjoy a peaceful afternoon or evening, whether it is alone, with family or with friends. When we select colors for the outdoors, whether it is for a deck, furniture, gardens or other elements, we often gravitate to timeless colors such as a natural brown.
For Cabot, a leader in the exterior stain segment, that timeless look is exactly what people are looking for this year. As a result, Cabot selected Burnt Hickory, a rich, natural brown with subtle charcoal undertones, as its 2025 Stain Color of the Year.
“Stains help make exterior wood look beautiful,” said Sue Kim, director of color marketing for Cabot. “Burnt Hickory is a testament to timeless style; it is rooted in tradition while providing a view to the future. It has a grounded, charcoal undertone, which differs from a traditional brown that often has red undertones. We see this color transitioning beautifully from interior to exterior spaces, bringing a fresh, modern twist to classic palettes."
Min Koo, brand manager for Cabot, added that Burnt Hickory is ideal for decks, fences, siding, outdoor furniture and even for playhouses and corn hole sets.
“No matter the staining project, the final product is rewarding,” Koo said. “Semi-transparent stains will enhance the wood detail while also providing critical protection from the elements. We strongly recommend proper preparation ahead of winter weather to protect decks and other outdoor wood surfaces.”
Kim said she is observing a variety of emerging trends in outdoor living and underscored how the right stain can help transform these inspirations into reality at home.
“Burnt Hickory complements the following key exterior trends: outdoor kitchens, multi-functional spaces, cozy outdoor space, slow living and soft zoning,” she said.
To start, more homeowners are incorporating outdoor kitchens and utilizing design techniques to elevate these spaces.
“Outdoor kitchens extend our living space,” Kim said. “They have evolved from one grill outdoors to a fully functional kitchen. Since the pandemic, people are spending more time outdoors. We are gathering again and want a place that is more comfortable and inviting. An outdoor kitchen is a special and unique space.”
As the name suggests, multi-functional spaces are for more than one use.
“Our outdoor environments can be home for many activities, such as dining, yoga, lounging, gardening and more. We are using our backyards a little differently now,” she said.
The other three trends are somewhat interrelated. A cozy outdoor space is what it sounds like, where homeowners can enjoy a fire pit, lounge chairs, portable lighting and other amenities. Slow living is allowing the outdoors to offer a mental break and sanctuary from our daily lives. Soft zoning is how we apportion our outdoors space, be it with landscaping, lighting, gardens, furniture and more, and the color brings it all together.
“Homeowners are seeking outdoor experiences that allow them to savor life’s small moments,” Kim explained. “Burnt Hickory’s rich, natural tone fosters serene, quality-focused spaces that invite a slower pace and deeper connection with nature.”
Ultimately, Kim emphasized that homeowners can appreciate a timeless shade like Burnt Hickory well beyond 2025, utilizing the concept of a color of the year as a broader tool to help with color selection for an entire project.
“When approaching a large outdoor design project, it’s all about creating color harmony. Incorporating colors that are rooted in tradition will help anchor the design, giving it depth and authenticity -- while leaving room for bold, contemporary elements to pop. Our color of the year helps ground everything together.”
For Cabot, a leader in the exterior stain segment, that timeless look is exactly what people are looking for this year. As a result, Cabot selected Burnt Hickory, a rich, natural brown with subtle charcoal undertones, as its 2025 Stain Color of the Year.
“Stains help make exterior wood look beautiful,” said Sue Kim, director of color marketing for Cabot. “Burnt Hickory is a testament to timeless style; it is rooted in tradition while providing a view to the future. It has a grounded, charcoal undertone, which differs from a traditional brown that often has red undertones. We see this color transitioning beautifully from interior to exterior spaces, bringing a fresh, modern twist to classic palettes."
Min Koo, brand manager for Cabot, added that Burnt Hickory is ideal for decks, fences, siding, outdoor furniture and even for playhouses and corn hole sets.
“No matter the staining project, the final product is rewarding,” Koo said. “Semi-transparent stains will enhance the wood detail while also providing critical protection from the elements. We strongly recommend proper preparation ahead of winter weather to protect decks and other outdoor wood surfaces.”
Kim said she is observing a variety of emerging trends in outdoor living and underscored how the right stain can help transform these inspirations into reality at home.
“Burnt Hickory complements the following key exterior trends: outdoor kitchens, multi-functional spaces, cozy outdoor space, slow living and soft zoning,” she said.
To start, more homeowners are incorporating outdoor kitchens and utilizing design techniques to elevate these spaces.
“Outdoor kitchens extend our living space,” Kim said. “They have evolved from one grill outdoors to a fully functional kitchen. Since the pandemic, people are spending more time outdoors. We are gathering again and want a place that is more comfortable and inviting. An outdoor kitchen is a special and unique space.”
As the name suggests, multi-functional spaces are for more than one use.
“Our outdoor environments can be home for many activities, such as dining, yoga, lounging, gardening and more. We are using our backyards a little differently now,” she said.
The other three trends are somewhat interrelated. A cozy outdoor space is what it sounds like, where homeowners can enjoy a fire pit, lounge chairs, portable lighting and other amenities. Slow living is allowing the outdoors to offer a mental break and sanctuary from our daily lives. Soft zoning is how we apportion our outdoors space, be it with landscaping, lighting, gardens, furniture and more, and the color brings it all together.
“Homeowners are seeking outdoor experiences that allow them to savor life’s small moments,” Kim explained. “Burnt Hickory’s rich, natural tone fosters serene, quality-focused spaces that invite a slower pace and deeper connection with nature.”
Ultimately, Kim emphasized that homeowners can appreciate a timeless shade like Burnt Hickory well beyond 2025, utilizing the concept of a color of the year as a broader tool to help with color selection for an entire project.
“When approaching a large outdoor design project, it’s all about creating color harmony. Incorporating colors that are rooted in tradition will help anchor the design, giving it depth and authenticity -- while leaving room for bold, contemporary elements to pop. Our color of the year helps ground everything together.”
