how to get common white wood to light oak colour?

Answer 1

The appropriate "STAIN" would be my first suggestion.

Answer 2

I will assume your "White Wood" is pine. You need to sand it, tack it, apply a coat of wood sealer, sand and tack again. I like to take a test piece of pine and stain it first, to ensure I get the right stain texture and color before I apply the stain to the wood.

Answer 3

You can buy stain in virtually any color you want. Apply it, wipe it down (the instructions will tell you how long to wait), go over it lightly with 000 steel wool, and apply the finish of your choice. I like polyurethane.