Tugboat is a blend of brown and gray tones, offering a timeless finish with a charming nautical appeal.

Tugboat is Behr Paint's 2024 Exterior Stain Color of the Year. (Source: Behr Paint)

People enjoy the outdoors throughout the year, including on their decks and in their backyards. Having a beautifully stained deck, fence or door adds so much to an afternoon outdoors, as the selection of the right color helps set the mood.

In 2023, Behr Paint announced its first-ever Exterior Stain Color of the Year, selecting Cordovan Brown, a darker brown stain. The announcement was a huge success, and Behr Paint’s team of color experts have decided to select an annual Exterior Stain Color of the Year. Tugboat, the 2024 choice for Exterior Stain Color of the Year, is a brownish gray hue that Behr Paint sees as the natural follow-up to Cordovan Brown.

“The sentiment from Behr’s first-ever Color of the Year in 2023 was overwhelmingly positive,” said Erika Woelfel, Vice President of Color and Creative Services at Behr. “Behr aimed to make the color selection process easier for consumers by announcing an Exterior Stain Color of the Year annually.”

A recent study conducted by Behr Paint of 1,007 American homeowners found that 55% report that choosing a color is the biggest obstacle when starting a home exterior project. With that in mind, Behr created the Curb Appeal Collection this year to help homeowners with exterior color choices.

“We hear from DIYers that they often struggle with color paralysis when selecting hues for the exterior of their home,” said Woelfel. “We curated the Curb Appeal Collection to help with decision fatigue, eliminating the guesswork to save on time, money, and resources for small and large projects.

“In 2024, Behr also announced the Curb Appeal Collection alongside a new Exterior Stain Color of the Year as there is a natural connection between how paint and stain can play off each other within an exterior space to create a balanced color scheme.”

Woelfel observed that when making the selection, Behr’s color experts were looking for a timeless stain that would play nicely with paint for exterior projects as seen in Behr’s Curb Appeal Collection, a curated set of 30 exterior paint, stain and spray paint colors selected for their outdoor appeal.

“Tugboat stood out as its versatile in that it looks beautiful on its own, such as adorning a fence, or it can complement other colors on a deck/patio for an outdoor living space,” she added. “Tugboat is a brownish gray wood stain that enhances the natural wood in any exterior space. The sophisticated blend of muted tones adds subtle color and warmth that creates a perfectly weathered look.

“Tugboat can be used in combination with the Curb Appeal Collection,” Woelfel added. “For example, if you’re looking to redo your deck with the stain but are stuck on what complementary paint colors to use for your siding, shutters and trim, take a look at the Curb Appeal Collection for inspiration.”

In addition to its appearance, stains also protect and highlight the wood; a high-quality stain can last longer.

“Consumers look for stains that are durable and easy to apply, as well as low maintenance stains that are environmentally friendly and can enhance wood grain,” Woelfel said. “Consumers also value resistance to fading and water damage, along with compatibility to various wood types. Behr’s top-rated wood stains deliver these qualities, ensuring long-lasting protection, minimal up-keep, color durability, and optimal performance for decks, fences, and siding.”

If homeowners used Cordovan Brown, last year’s inaugural color, on their deck, Woelfel said that Tugboat fits quite well as an accent.

“Tugboat and Cordovan Brown complement one another, with the lighter brown tone of Tugboat creating a beautiful contrast with the darker Cordovan Brown,” she added. “Use Tugboat on a patio with darker brown accents for railings, furniture or trim in Cordovan Brown. The two stains pair well with a light home exterior such as Smoky White.”

The 2024 Exterior Stain Color of the Year is available exclusively at The Home Depot. Please find more information for Tugboat at On the Job with Behr (https://www.behr.com/pro/onthejob/blog/2024-exterior-stain-color-of-the-year/).