I've enjoyed the Mixwax family of products for many years. Certain woods look best in a certain color stain. When choosing stain colors ask for a color chart at the local hardware store. Please remember the pre-printed glossy brochure does not always represent the stains true color. It is best to see a sample of the stain on wood.
Stains look different on different types of wood.
If the store sample in on pine for example, the color will look much different on Maple, Oak or Cherry. The following are stains I keep on hand at all times. This is great for thinning out other darker stains, to make them lighter. Provincial - is a darker stain. Walnut - is a dark stain.