Learn How To Choose The Right Hardwood Floor Color
Deciding to
install new hardwood flooring is easy. However, Investing time, money, and energy into it is challenging. With the task being already tedious, if you decide on the wrong color, it can get frustrating. After all, no one wants to spend double the original amount of money and time on the same flooring just because they didn’t choose the right color.
You are spoilt for choice when deciding on the hardwood floor color. You can choose a natural color like oak, maple, or timber beam, or you can choose a color that will complement the furnishings in your home. If you want to know how to choose a hardwood floor color, keep on reading. This article talks about everything you need to consider before finalizing your color palette.
Choosing Hardwood Floor Color: What To Know First
Whether you want dark wood floors or a light, rustic touch, or a neater space, the decision boils down to certain factors that must be considered beforehand. These factors could be advantages or disadvantages of certain colors, trending colors, maintenance, and more.
Consider the Pros and Cons of Each Color Tone
There are advantages and disadvantages to every hardwood floor color. You need to consider both before you make your decision. In terms of colors, you will find two major categories, including light and dark colors. It is crucial to consider the pros and cons of both categories to make a decision that is more informed and in your favor.
The most popular dark wood floor colors are Mahogany, Cherry, Walnut, Oak, Lyptus, and Ash. The pros of opting for any of these shades include:
- Looks polished and gives more definition.
- Has an elegant and modern touch to it.
- Makes the wood grains comparatively more visible, leaving your floor with an edgy and dramatic look.
When talking about lighter tones, shades that are commonly picked by individuals are White Oak, White Maple, Birch, Hickory, and Bamboo. Most people pick these shades because of the following pros that the colors offer:
- Provides a better organic look to your interiors.
- Reflects more light and automatically adds to the natural lighting in a room.
- They look simple yet classy.
- It is incredibly flexible with additional components that you would like to add to your room.
While both types of hardwood colors can make the space look rich and add to a floor's longevity, there are certain cons to both that should be considered. These are:
Dark wood floors:
- Scratches and dirt can be visible.
- Dark floors can make a room seem smaller.
- They are timeless, but also very commonly found.
Light wood floors:
- Can easily stain with dark dirt marks or color stains.
- Light wood floors can fade faster than dark wood floors, and look slightly dull over time.
- The light reflection can be saturated at times, and hence become a problem during daylight.
Apart from the two, there is a third category: the undertone. Undertones matter. Many designers will warn you to stay away from anything in terms of wood finishes that might lean towards orange or red. The main reason is that they look dated, which is a good enough disadvantage for many to overlook undertones.
However, that shouldn’t prevent you from giving a chance to the classic warm undertones. If you like to follow the trend, a warm take on gray should be on top of your list. Gray can make every space look luxurious. Additionally, this shade is easier to match with different colors and lights. You can play around with decor and personalize the space as much as you like.
Factor in Upkeep and Daily Maintenance
When you find yourself asking how to choose hardwood floor color, perhaps one of the most important things to consider is the upkeep. No matter how much you might dream of a particular kind of wood flooring right now, think about how much actual work you’re going to do to maintain it. You don’t want the type of wood floors that are so fragile and prone to obvious damage that you end up tiptoeing around your own house.
For example, harder woods like European Oak work well for areas where kids spend a lot of time or are otherwise exposed to high traffic. On the other hand, lower-traffic spaces are for softer species, such as Walnut.
When we talk about dark wood floors, it is important to remember that the darker the color, the more they are susceptible to showing dirt that covers them. However, darker tones are known to look more stylish and hide imperfections, if any.
As for the lighter tones, these floorings are difficult to clean if stained. Additionally, water stains tend to be more visible on the light shades. These colors also fade faster than the darker ones.
Thus, when deciding, you must consider the time and effort it will take to maintain the color of your choice.
Pets and Kids Change the Equation
Having a pet can influence your choice when deciding on the color of your hardwood flooring. Complications like dogs clawing the floor, or running around and denting the floor, especially dogs of the active breed, can make you second-guess your decision. Even if you consider filing or clipping their nails, and trying to maintain discipline, it is rarely possible that you will have it under control all the time.
The easiest way to find a solution for this issue is to pick a color and a material of wood that can withstand your pet’s hassle around the house. Avoid softwoods such as American Walnut, American Cherry, Pine, Fir, etc. Since they are softer, they will dent easily and leave several marks on your floor. Instead, consider solid wood or distressed wood, which can match your interiors and won’t be a huge problem when it comes to claw marks and denting.
On the other hand, if you have kids or children in your home, then you should consider getting darker colors for your flooring. Children at a young age love to play around with crayons and paint a lot. Which, in this case, can be risky considering early staining of the floors and then recovering its maintenance.
Laminating or polishing your hardwood floors with an extra coat of varnish to your floors, for easy cleaning and maintenance. You can also consider having colored floors to avoid any mishaps with children without a warning, and stay up to date with the latest styles of floor colors.
Do Your Research First
Doing thorough research is always strongly recommended. This research can help you make your imagination more concrete and maybe even give you an idea to elevate the design that you already have in mind.
Whether you are hiring an interior designer or taking a DIY route, research is key to setting the expectations right concerning the type and color of flooring you want in each of the rooms. This practice also helps you identify if your current furniture goes well with the color palette you are deciding on, or if you would need to spend extra money on new furnishings and décor.
After you have scanned the Internet and skimmed through the magazines, you will have a fair idea about the kind of colors that you want in your house. After that, visiting a good
hardwood flooring company in person will be the right way to go. You will get to see the samples of floor colors, how they look in real life, the texture, the fragility of the wood, and more.
This step is especially important for anyone who wants to stay updated with current design trends. The deeper you research, the more options you will find. The more options you find, the easier it gets to choose the style that fits your taste and personality well.
Match Your Interior Style
Choosing a hardwood floor color can be challenging when you have to consider everything inside your home. There are so many minor details that you might have to consider when choosing your wood for flooring.
One of the most important things that cannot be overlooked is the color scheme of your interior decor. When you choose your hardwood floors, one question you must ask yourself is what color will go best with the rest of your interiors and the theme of your home as a whole.
For instance, if your overall theme is light browns, beige, or warm neutral tones that match the paint of your walls and furniture, go for oak, maple, or a shade with undertones. Whatever shade you choose for a particular room must match the other elements of your room. Your furniture plays a very important role in complementing your hardwood flooring.
As much as matching and color coordinating your hardwood floors with your other interior pieces are important, you don’t want them to look exactly alike and of the same color. Playing around with contrasts of your furnishing is a bold designer’s move. Using contrasting colors adds more beauty to the spaces. Also, using additional accessories, a carpet can further enhance the overall appeal and color of the flooring.
Hardwood flooring is a significant investment; as you’ve likely heard, it requires regular maintenance. If you're thinking about using the same flooring color throughout your home, consider adding a twist by choosing a different shade for smaller rooms.
For example, a storage space or utility room can feature a completely different hardwood color, adding contrast and character without disrupting the overall flow of your home's design.
What Is The Most Popular Color For Hardwood Flooring?
Colors tones like Mahogany, Ash, Oak, Cherry, Walnut, and Maple are the most common shades found in residential properties. These woods have different variants, ranging from lighter to darker shades, sometimes even black. The grain of the wood is more than enough to add more character and texture to the overall appeal.
These shades and tones are known to make the interiors look timeless. They never age or go out of style. They are inarguably iconic and perfect for every home.
But if quirky is more your taste, you might want to go for pop and solid colors like red oak, tones of blue, or maybe even whitewashed gray. We see a lot of designers experimenting and painting the wood floors these days, and so far, it has turned out to look very flamboyant and bright in living rooms, children’s rooms, and in some cases, the bedroom.
Painting your floor is always an option if you want to enhance the visual appeal of your room effectively. This DIY route can be time-consuming, but it’s fun. Just be sure that you use the right floor paint, which has been designed to be walked on.
Another thing to remember when choosing your floor color is that different lighting in the room has different effects. A lighter color in a sunny room will automatically bounce (reflect) more light in the room and make it brighter. Whereas, light coming in rooms with dark wood floors will get absorbed, and thus, the sun damage would be less.
Hardwood flooring can be a great investment, along with the responsibility of
maintenance. Hardwood floors come in a wide range of colors, so it's important to do your research before planning the look of each room. Choosing the right shade plays a big role in shaping the overall style and feel of your home.
Choosing a hardwood floor color in the first place is important before deciding on other elements of the space. Additionally, colors also affect the overall appeal of the house. Dark shades can offer a more classic look or rustic look, while lighter tones are for a neater space.
Light wood floors are extremely popular and gaining a lot of attention from the designers of today. At Black Forest Hardwood Floors, we help you find flooring that’s right for your home, not just what’s trending.
From classic tones to modern finishes, we guide you through samples, maintenance advice, and design tips to make your flooring decision simple and stress-free. Want to talk flooring with people who get it? Let’s match you with hardwood colors that look good and actually work for your home.
FAQ: Choosing Hardwood Floor Colors
What hardwood floor color makes a room look bigger?
Lighter tones like White Oak or Birch help reflect light and make a space feel more open. These colors are especially good for small or narrow rooms.
Are dark hardwood floors harder to keep clean?
Dark floors tend to show dust, pet hair, and scratches more easily than lighter tones. If you want a darker look, choose a wood with texture or grain to help hide marks.
Do undertones in wood really matter?
Yes. Undertones like red or orange can clash with modern decor. If you want flexibility, go with neutral or cool tones like gray or beige.
What’s the best floor color if I have pets?
Medium to dark tones with a matte finish work best for homes with pets. Avoid soft woods and go for species like Oak that are more durable and scratch-resistant.
Can I use different floor colors in different rooms?
Absolutely. While many choose a consistent look throughout their home, changing colors in smaller rooms like closets or home offices can add visual interest and help define spaces.
Should the floor color match the furniture?
Matching too closely can make a room feel flat. Try contrasting colors to create depth. For example, pair dark floors with light furniture or the other way around.
How can I test floor colors before installation?
Most flooring companies offer samples. Take them home and look at them in different lighting throughout the day to see how they change with natural and artificial light.
