7 Tips for Choosing a Wood Flooring Color

Deciding on what shade or color of wood flooring should be installed in your home can be a bit overwhelming. Dark, light, or somewhere in between? Oak, maple, or hickory? Browns, golds, or grays? These are the real dilemmas that make wood floor shopping such a challenge. Fortunately, there are a few design tips that can help guide your decision-making process.

1. Dark Floors Create Formality

Everyone loves the visual of stunning dark hardwood floors in a formal living room or dining room. They can certainly add to the formal feel of a sophisticated space. With minimal effort, a dark floor can help to bring more warmth into your rooms. If you love the look of darker floors, Woodboys usually recommends installing a handscraped or distressed floor. You should find plenty of options available to suit every style and preference when it comes to dark hardwood floors.

The only major drawback to going with extremely dark hardwood floors is that wear and tear will be more visible. You may see more light surface scratches on a darker color than you would with lighter tones. This is why we recommend going with a more rustic approach to dark colored hardwood floors. Wood floors with some texture to them can dramatically minimize this effect. Dust also tends to be more visible on these beautiful floors.

2. Lighter Floors Minimize Imperfections

If you want to avoid the maintenance associated with darker floors, choosing a lighter tone is definitely the way to go. These tend to conceal dust and minimize the look of scratches and daily wear. Homeowners who want to go with a domestic species may want to consider oak, maple, or hickory floors with a natural finish. On the other hand, exotic woods such as amendoim or acacia are also beautiful choices that fall into this color family.

3. Contrast Your Furniture Color

Many homeowners make the mistake of attempting to match their flooring to their furniture pieces. However, a key design tip is to make sure that there is some contrast between these two major elements. This prevents your flooring from clashing with your furniture and helps you to avoid creating a mismatched appearance.

4. Ceiling Height Makes a Difference

Have you considered how your ceiling height may play into your hardwood floor decision? Darker floors and darker walls may look better with high, vaulted ceilings. The additional height prevents the room from feeling too cave-like. If you have lower 8’ or 9’ ceilings, you may want to choose between either dark floors or dark walls. One of these elements should be lighter in color to make your rooms feel open and inviting.

5. Consider Your Lighting

The number of windows you have in your home can make a major difference in the color you select for your hardwood floors. If you have a lot of windows and natural light, your rooms will often feel larger. This could allow you to select a darker floor without worrying about making the room feel too small. In this situation, a dark floor can serve to make your space feel warmer and more intimate. A lighter floor combined with lots of natural light can make your rooms feel more airy, open, and larger overall.

6. Paint Your Walls

Wall color plays an important role in selecting your hardwood floors, but this can always be changed based on the floor you select. Darker floors typically require a lighter wall color to help balance the entire room. On the other hand, lighter floor colors can usually handle any shade on the walls. They are a lot more versatile which may be a consideration if you like to change the paint color in your rooms on a regular basis. Keep in mind that a fresh coat of paint is relatively inexpensive, and a room can always be repainted to allow you to select the floors of your dreams.

7. Decide on the Focus

Do you want your floors to make a major statement or should your furniture be the primary focal point? Many of the exotic offerings such as Brazilian pecan or acacia flooring will provide plenty of variation and create a stunning overall appearance. They will definitely impress your guests and draw plenty of attention to themselves. However, other homeowners may prefer for their flooring to complement the design of their room without overwhelming it. More subtle choices such as maple might be the better option in this situation.

Final Thoughts: Choosing Your Hardwood Floor Color

Making key design decisions such as the color of your hardwood floor can be tricky and overwhelming. With a few of these handy design tips, you will be well on your way to making a choice that will complement your home. Fall in love with your flooring when you make the perfect selection of hardwood floor color!