How do you coordinate different wood floors?

Author: Yazmin Batz V  |  Last update: Thursday, July 24, 2025

Woods that are similar but not the same don't typically look good together. To install two different shades of hardwood, a good rule of thumb is to go dark with one and light on the other. You can also get by with medium-dark and medium-light. An example is mahogany next to maple or white oak.

How do you match two different wood floors?

You'll want to match the type of wood as well as the grade of the floorboard. You'll need to match the width of the planks and the color of the finish as well. And depending on the amount of wear in adjacent rooms, you can choose to texture your new floorboards to create the appearance of an older floor.

Is it okay to have two different types of hardwood floors?

yes useing two different hardwood floors is fine. You can even use different woods like a light maple floor with a mid to dark cherry wood floor.

How do you coordinate different types of flooring?

Here are some tips on how to mix and match different types of flooring to create a beautiful and unique home.
  1. Choose A Consistent Theme. ...
  2. Limit The Number Of Different Types Of Flooring. ...
  3. Use A Transition Piece. ...
  4. Create Zones With Different Flooring. ...
  5. Be Mindful Of Light And Colour.

What to do when you can't match wood floors?

Your best bet to match well (esp if you have site finished wood already) is to add new unfinished wood and refinish to match (you can refinish both areas).

How to transition two types of flooring

How to coordinate different wood floors?

Introduce contrast

For example; if your dominant wood is a light ash or medium oak, then introduce a darker wood to add some intentional contrast. Pay attention to the undertone of the wood; if it's warm then try to match with other warm toned wood, likewise if it's cool then match with other cool toned wood.

What flooring looks best next to hardwood?

Striking Contrasts: The Beauty of Natural Stone

Natural stone stands tall as an outstanding choice when looking for a flooring option that exudes sophistication and provides a stunning contrast to your hardwood floors. Materials like marble, granite, or slate create a sense of luxury and unparalleled visual impact.

How to transition between two different hardwood floors?

End cap or end bar transitions may work best for a hardwood or laminate transition. You could also use a T-shaped aluminum transition strip if the two different flooring materials are the same height. You'll have to find one that matches the color or finish of both flooring types.

How to match discontinued hardwood flooring?

There are two ways to do this. One, you can send a sample to a specialty manufacturer; they can make it for you. Or, you can buy an unfinished hardwood, and take an old piece of the product to a local hardware store and have them match the stain color. You can then stain and finish it yourself.

How to mix wood floors in homes?

Use Transition Pieces

Transition pieces are essential for mixing hardwood materials. They can go a long in helping you create a smooth and visually appealing shift between different types of wood. T-moldings, reducers, and thresholds are common transition pieces that can be stained to match your floors.

Do hardwood floors have to match throughout the house?

So, should hardwood floors match in your house? Not necessarily! If mixing hardwood floors is the design you've chosen, there are a few key do's and don'ts that you'll want to keep in mind.

How do you fix uneven hardwood floors?

Sanding smooths out the uneven areas, and refinishing restores the wood's original appearance. Planeing: Planeing involves shaving wood from high spots to even out the floor. This technique is commonly used when a hardwood floor has mild unevenness but doesn't require a full refinishing.

Can I blend new hardwood floors with old hardwood floors?

For the best match, you'll need to strip the old flooring and finish both the old and new flooring at the same time. This is especially great for old hardwood floors that are due for a refinish. If this isn't an option, you can stain the new boards to match the old ones.

Is it OK to have two different wood floors in a house?

With hardwood flooring, you can mix and match by using different colored hardwood floors in adjacent rooms. These color variations in your hardwood can be as subtle or drastic as you want. Matching flooring is often recommended because it creates a seamless finish and better flow throughout your home.

What is the hardwood floor matching app?

With Shaw's Floorvana color matching app, you can now capture and connect your inspiration with the perfect flooring for all of your rooms through patent-pending color matching technology. Get our free color matching app to use wherever inspiration strikes.

Is it better to have the same flooring throughout a house?

Choosing the same flooring for all the rooms creates a unified and harmonious environment, and creates a visual effect that expands its dimensions, which allows us to better plan a reform. However, in open-plan dwellings such as studios or lofts, the flooring can help to delimit areas in an organic way.

What to do if you can't match wood floors?

Choose whichever sample is closest in color to the existing floor. Even though the match may not be exact, once furniture, area rugs and accessories are added to the space, the slight difference in floors will be minimized.

What color hardwood floors never go out of style?

Pale and Medium Brown: The Classic Timeless Colors

One of the primary reasons why pale and medium brown are considered timeless hardwood floor colors is their inherent versatility.

How do I find old flooring?

Salvage yards often house reclaimed or salvaged materials from various sources, including discontinued flooring. Visit local salvage yards or architectural salvage stores to explore their inventory.

How do you transition different levels of flooring?

There are two different options when the floor height varies. You can either create a mini-step or blend the levels together. Blending is only an option when there's a slight variation in height. In most cases a mini-step will be the most practical and aesthetic option.

Should flooring run the same direction in all rooms?

As a general rule, make sure to lay your floor in the same direction as the main light source in a room and in the same line as the most frequently used entrance. If there are several doors and windows, then opt for the direction that's the easiest to install.

How easy is it to match hardwood floors?

The good news is that unfinished hardwood flooring lets you easily adjust the floor's color. So if you match the species, thickness, grade, and plank width, you've accomplished most of the task. So, if the current floors are oak and you match that species and grade, the final step is matching the color.

How to match two different wood floors?

Woods that are similar but not the same don't typically look good together. To install two different shades of hardwood, a good rule of thumb is to go dark with one and light on the other. You can also get by with medium-dark and medium-light. An example is mahogany next to maple or white oak.

What flooring will not go out of style?

If you enjoy lighter flooring, white oak and white maple are two of the best choices for a neutral color that won't go out of style anytime soon. If darker tones are more your type, walnut and cherry woods are both classic looks, according to Washco for Martha Stewart.

What is the best layout for hardwood flooring?

Straight Pattern

The straight pattern is a classic and widely-used wood flooring layout, known for its simplicity and adaptability. In this design, wood planks are installed end-to-end in a continuous line, either parallel to the room's longest wall or perpendicular to it, depending on the desired visual impact.

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