We are generally happy with our bedside tables. We stained them with an oil-based stain (golden oak); however, the wood is so hard that it won't take much of a stain. The wood is parawood, which is a very hard, sturdy wood, but not very porous. We sealed the wood with an dark, antique-like wax. That added enough color that the tables will work. Otherwise, we were thinking that we would have to start over and paint the tables. The quality of the tables is very nice in spite of staining woes.