You may be surprised to learn that dark wood flooring can help to make your room look bigger too. 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.
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 have dark flooring, consider creating a cosy effect with a dark wall colour. Choose shades from deep indigo, emerald, slate grey or black and choose light or medium wood accents, warm metallics and neutral textures for an intimate room, perfect for relaxing in the evening.
So, if you've got wooden floors and want to change their appearance and you want to know how to lighten wood stain, fear not. Dark, stained wooden floors can be lightened to give your home an exciting new look rather than having a darker color within your home.
A natural look: Dark hardwood brings out the richness of the wood's grain, enhancing its natural look and giving your home a visually stunning appeal. Higher property value: While both light and dark hardwood flooring can give your home a higher market value, darker grain is known to lend itself to higher rewards.
Dark brown hardwood floors in particular never seem to go out of fashion, they are always trendy and still in style. There's something about the contrast between dark wood floors and bright, light walls, white kitchen cabinets, furnishing etc. that epitomize a sophisticated and upmarket style.
Which do you prefer – light or dark hardwood? Both dark and light floors work very well, and only you can choose which is best for you and your home. Dark floors tend to be more stylish and hide imperfections while light floors tend to show dirt less and last longer.
Decorating Tips for Color
Light and bright colored walls are more reflective making a room feel open and airy, and maximizing the effect of natural light. Dark colors, on the other hand, absorb light, making a room look smaller. Soft/bright color tones tend to make a room not only look bigger, but also more inviting.
A light-colored flooring such as light oak or a light-colored carpet will make the room appear brighter and more open. The same applies to the ceiling—use a light color or white to "open up" the space above. Increase the appearance of the size of the room by adding wall mirrors.
Choose Dark Flooring
Unless the room is also small, going with dark flooring can actually draw the eye away from the low ceiling. Why not go with an espresso stained hardwood or a Brazilian Walnut? Add a fun area rug to draw even more visual interest to the floor.
So, what colors make a room look bigger? For an optimum effect, go with soft tones like off-white, blues, and greens, and always remember that brighter rooms feel bigger and more inviting. And here's another hack: Try painting your wall trim and moldings in a lighter color than your walls.
Contrast. Ensure the different woods in one area are distinctly different, as combining woods that are too similar in color can appear as if you have simply made a mistake. In the hallway, for example, combine a dark wood on the stairs, stair rails and doors with a much lighter color on the hallway floor.
Both light colors and wider planks have been the hardwood styles of choice with designers and architects for years, however 2020 forecasters predict that this will be THE hot look in flooring for consumers.
If so, you might be wondering, Should wood floors be lighter or darker than cabinets? Luckily, there is no right or wrong answer here. Light-color hardwoods look excellent with dark wood cabinets, and vice versa. On the other hand, matching the colors isn't out of the question, either.
High Contrast
In a kitchen, pair dark wood floors with contrasting bright white cabinets. Add in elements of bright colors, such as green, yellow, or orange to make the space feel welcoming and alive. Plants and herbs scattered throughout will help break the contrast of the dark floors and white cabinetry.
Dark floors may be a bit more difficult to clean than their lighter counterparts, but they are really great at hiding problems. For example, they don't fade as easily which means that they may need less refinishing over time.
#5: Ground big spaces: In an especially large or expansive room, dark floors can help ground it and make it feel less cavernous. #6: Flexible style: Dark hardwood floors can be used in a variety of design styles.
Mix together one part water and two parts white latex paint for the whitewash solution. If you want a heavier whitewash, use one part water to three parts paint. You can use a light gray paint, if you want a slightly darker color.
Don't Pour the Bleaching Solution Directly Onto the Floor
You put it layer by layer so pouring bleach directly onto your floor is a big no-no. Instead, just get some paintbrush or a soft rag and apply a small amount of bleach onto the wood. Then slowly work your way around the entire area that needs bleaching.