Regardless of the color of your hardwood flooring, it will get dented and scratched over time. However, dark hardwood flooring tends to show scratches more, mainly because most wood floor species are lighter and if you scratch through the dark colored stain, it shows more of a contrast with the wood underneath.
Dark hardwood floors are notoriously hard to keep clean and maintain, having a well-earned reputation for showing up every little scratch, smudge and speck of dust.
Lighter color floors hide imperfections better than darker floors. Matte or little to no gloss finish hardwood floors can help hide scratches better than higher gloss floors. Distressed hardwood floors make any marks look like it is part of the design.
Selecting a floor such as Hickory, Hard Maple or White Oak can protect your floor from damage, as these hardwoods are less susceptible to scratches than softer woods like Pine, Cherry or Black Walnut. Hardwoods with more dramatic grain patterns can help to hide scratches more easily.
Prefinished engineered hardwood floors are much more durable and longer lasting, however, and are a great option for dog owners who love the warm appeal of wood flooring. An engineered hardwood flooring like Nydree's Hardwoof will resist dog scratches and has a finish that goes beyond the floor's surface.
Lackluster wood can magnify the appearance of scratches and worn areas—not to mention that dirt particles ground into hardwood floors can lead to worse scratches—so your first line of action should be thorough but gentle cleaning. Avoid brooms or abrasive scrub pads, and never soak a floor with water or liquid cleaner.
Regardless of the color of your hardwood flooring, it will get dented and scratched over time. However, dark hardwood flooring tends to show scratches more, mainly because most wood floor species are lighter and if you scratch through the dark colored stain, it shows more of a contrast with the wood underneath.
The Effect of Dark Stains
Dark stains help to spruce up older hardwood and work well for restoration projects. Darker tones tend to hide imperfections and even enhance the look of cheaper, less attractive wood species.
White oak is a bit harder and more durable
White oak is bit harder then red oak on the janka hardness scale (white oak is 1360 vs red oak is 1290). This makes it a bit more resilient when it comes to denting. Note that this does not have an impact on scratching…that is determined by the type of polyurethane or finish.
Darker flooring offers an inviting feel and opens up a space. Whether you choose rich colours or softer dark colours, they both have their advantages when it comes to expanding the appearance of a room.
While dark hardwood flooring has a special beauty of all of its own and it has been fashionable for a while now, it's likely to fade out in favourability. Trend is going towards lighter woods such as natural oak.
A 1:1 mixture of cooking oil and white vinegar is the most effective way to remove scratches from wood furniture. Dip a rag in the mixture, and rub it on the scratch. Allow the mixture to sit for 1-2 minutes before wiping away excess liquid.
And stains, marks and scratches can be removed easily from waxed floors using Murphy Oil Soap.
You can rub out surface scratches in your wooden furniture with a paste made of mineral oil and pumice (available in powder form at hardware and paint stores). Use extra-fine-grade steel wool to rub the mixture into the scratched area. Then wipe it off and buff with a dry cloth.
Dirt and dust will show up more clearly on dark wood floors. A daily sweep with a dust mop can keep the floors cleaner. Have your family take off their shoes at the door so that less dirt and grime gets tracked in the house.
Dark stained floors will help anchor a room and give you the freedom to put light, bright colors on the walls – or even just white – that will add brightness to the room. We love this look and so do most designers we work with. It's a very glamorous, classic look that will go with a lot of different furniture styles.
Dark floors will not automatically make your room look smaller. While overloading a small space with dark colors will absorb light and make the space feel even smaller, dark floors can actually help to open a space up, if done correctly.
If you make the classic choice of wood for its durability, warmth, comfort on your feet and easy repairability, a light colored option such as pine or ash, or an even lighter peach-hued maple, will do a great job of hiding dust.
A choice of timeless hardwood floor colors
Brown Maple floors have hues of rich gold, amber and brown. Cherry floors feature a burnished auburn color that will darken over time. Hickory offers hues from lighter blonde sapwood to cocoa brown and beige heartwood. Red Oak comes in deep, salmon tones.
Put felt protectors on all furniture legs
Chairs, couches, bar stools, coffee tables – people often drag these heavy objects across a floor, leaving scratches and wear patterns over time. Use felt hardwood floor protectors on your furniture to protect your floors.
Tiles made from hard materials like ceramic or porcelain are among the most scratch-resistant flooring. The strength of tile is superior to many other household flooring materials. Tile flooring comes in a wide range of designs that can make a beautiful addition to almost any room.