Using a wide plank causes an optical illusion making your space appear bigger than it is. We always recommend wider planks for bigger and more vast, open spaces. Don't forget that picking the right colour of your wide plank will also affect how 'big' your small room feels.
The dimensions of the room play a crucial role in determining the ideal luxury vinyl plank size. Larger rooms can accommodate wider and longer planks, creating a more seamless look with fewer seams. Conversely, smaller rooms may benefit from narrower planks to create an illusion of space and enhance visual appeal.
Perks of Wide Plank Wood Flooring
First, it has a more natural and rustic look than other types of flooring, making it perfect for anyone who wants to create a cozy atmosphere in their home. It also creates a smooth look that lets the eye seamlessly roam around the room.
Standard residential thickness between (1/4 inch / 6.5mm) and (3/8 inch / 9.5mm) works great in most homes, while the thickest vinyl plank flooring at (5/8 inch / 15mm) provides maximum protection and sound reduction.
Narrow planks are great for smaller spaces, and they can be easier to maintain than wide planks. They're best suited for contemporary interior designs. For homes in humid climates, narrow planks are best because they're less vulnerable to warping or buckling.
2) They Are Susceptible to Moisture Damage
This makes them prone to warping or cupping due to changes in humidity. That's why wide planks are not recommended for environments that have wide humidity fluctuations.
Selecting wide floor planks is one of the easiest and most effective ways to make a room look bigger. Instead of thin strips, go for boards at least seven inches wide. Longer planks (four or more feet in length) can help as well.
For residential spaces, 4-6mm vinyl planks are ideal for balancing comfort and durability. These are perfect for living rooms and kitchens where you spend most of your time. In commercial settings, go for 6-12mm to handle the heavy foot traffic of places like restaurants or retail stores.
Plank flooring should generally be laid in the same direction as the main light source in the room or parallel to the longest wall to enhance the visual appeal. In narrow spaces like hallways, having the flooring laid lengthwise can make the area feel more expansive.
If your planks are too large, they will make things look out of proportion. We recommend going no larger than 6-8 inches in width for small rooms. Anything larger than this may overwhelm the room and make it look even smaller. Also, consider choosing a light color and stain to give the room a more spacious appearance.
Wide plank hardwood floors are experiencing a resurgence in popularity in 2025. These floors feature wider individual planks compared to traditional narrow planks, and this difference in width has a serious impact on the overall appearance of the flooring.
For these smaller rooms, it is best to choose a 6” to 8” width and no larger. A 10″ wide hardwood flooring plank would overwhelm a modest room. If you do go with a wider plank in a small space, use a lighter colored wood and stain to help the room maintain a roomy appearance.
One of the main considerations is the size of the room. In general, wide planks can make a space seem larger due to fewer seams breaking up the floor. On the other hand, narrow planks can provide an illusion of space in smaller rooms due to the increased number of lines and movement.
However, wide plank flooring in lighter shades and cleaner grade are a good match for modern and contemporary-styled homes. Swedish-style, wood-centric homes look fabulous when floored in wide planks. Traditional: Wide planks in darker tones and highly textured is always a good match to traditionally styled homes.
But all of our floors are made to be versatile and look fantastic in any space. “Wide planks have had a good run! They are very DIY-friendly and work well in so many spaces,” Melissa says. “I think narrow planks are definitely making a comeback!
Do Light Floors Make a Room Look Bigger? Light color flooring tends to brighten up a space and make it feel larger. Easily modernize a small room and add freshness and light by incorporating bright, creamy floor tones.
Vinyl plank flooring that hasn't been staggered is more prone to buckling and separation. This happens when vinyl flooring can't bear the weight of heavy furniture items such as couches, pianos, tables, beds, etc.
Consider the Plank Size
Wider luxury vinyl planks provide a more modern tile feel and are excellent for larger or wider rooms. Bigger rooms allow for wider 6- to 8-inch planks since smaller planks will make it appear too busy. Narrower planks may give a more traditional feel and be better suited for smaller spaces.
Choosing between LVT and LVP is like picking between two excellent paths—they both lead to beautiful destinations, but the journey along each is unique. Appearance is the most visible difference, with LVT mimicking the look of tile and stone, and LVP offering the warm, linear appearance of hardwood floors.
If you want your vinyl floor to last for 10 years our more choose a 20 mil wear layer. A wear-layer's thickness is only one part of the story if you want to find the best wear layer in the market. With that in mind, let's explore the types of sheens available for LVP flooring and their pros and cons.
While there might be concerns about 5mm Luxury Vinyl Flooring being too thin, its durability depends more on the wear layer than the overall thickness. For example, a 5mm flooring option with a 0.5mm wear layer provides ample durability for most residential applications.
One such timeless option is wide plank hardwood flooring, a design choice that has been gracing homes for centuries but is now making a big comeback in modern spaces.
One of the best ways to create the illusion of a larger space is to choose light-colored flooring that can reflect natural and artificial light. Whether the flooring is tile or engineered wood, opt for a light color, such as bleached wood tones, soft whites, sandy beige, or soft grays.
In Summary. Narrow Plank = Creates 'cluttered' feeling in small room and create 'grand' feeling in a big room. Wide Plank = Creates 'clean' look in small spaces and create 'calm' feeling in big spaces. I hope that has helped you in some way to choose the plank width for your next flooring project.