Light hardwood floors will open up the room and lend a more spacious appeal; therefore, they are more suitable for smaller spaces. On the other hand, dark hardwood flooring will anchor a large space and provide a warmer tone; hence it's suitable for open floor plans.
In most cases, you'll want your floors to be darker than your wall color with a flat white ceiling. As a rule of thumb, go at least 3 shades lighter on the walls than the floors. However, there are instances when you can add accent wall colors or paint in darker shades.
Classic medium-toned browns such as cherrywood, mahogany, oak, maple, walnut, birch wood, and hickory are all timeless colors that never go out of style. Cherrywood is a deep, rich color that has a deep mahogany shade with warm tones of red or brown, often mixed with hints of pink and even purple.
#4: Light Neutral Colors
Another top flooring trend in 2023? Light and neutral flooring. Modern grey wood flooring continues to be popular, as are light floor colors like blonde and beige. A great way to add these lighter flooring shades to your home or business is to use bamboo flooring.
If you're looking for cool shades for your hardwood floors in 2023, look no further! Light tans, and browns with hints of grey or white will be popular as well as whitewashed finishes. Meanwhile, yellow-toned shades are moving out of favor.
Don't Fear Dark Wood Colors
It's a misconception that dark wood floors constrict our sense of space. Paired with the right combination of wall color, trim, and molding, darker species like walnut and exotic Brazilian cherry can, in fact, make a room look bigger.
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.
So, what flooring looks cleanest? Typically, lighter color woods show less dirt and dust. Dark floors can easily show dust, while lighter floors mask it. Similarly, matte floors show less smudges, foot and paw prints than high gloss flooring.
The overall feel of your room is vital to think about before deciding on a floor color. If cool-toned, darker flooring creates a formal feeling, while dark colors with warm tones can create a cozy atmosphere. Alternatively, pale, cool-toned floor colors will make your room feel airy and bright.
Best known as the traditional color of hardwood flooring, shades of brown are still as popular as ever. Much like tan-toned hardwood, brown flooring is suited for any aesthetic. Lighter tones can set the basis of a neutral design, while deeper tones have the power to convey depth and luxury.
Natural and Neutral Floors
Piggybacking off of the increasing popularity of matte finishes, it makes sense that wood species with tons of natural character are popular. White oak, hickory, and maple are popular choices for those who want a classic look that won't go out of style.
One of the first things to decide when choosing a dark vs light wood floor, is which colour tone would suit your interior best is how much natural sunlight the space gets. If your property has limited natural light, a dark wood floor could make it feel darker and drain any sense of space.
Opt for darker cabinets and a lighter floor
'Typically, darker cabinets are coupled with a lighter floor color to break up the space and to prevent the kitchen from feeling too enclosed,' says Chris Dance, head designer and director at InHouse Inspired Room Design.
You might think “gym floor” or the strip oak floors that graced so many homes over the last 30 years. Floors with a white finish go with almost everything. A light burlap-like color is a great choice because you still get a light floor, without installing a truly “white” floor.
Wide Planks
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.
Matching Furniture Colors with Hardwood Floors
Because having the same look on both the floor and furniture can leave a room looking too uniform, giving it a “flat” look. The best way to go is to pick contrasting pieces - furniture pieces that may reflect what is in the floor but do not match it completely.
Classic dark hardwood has become more popular in the last few years. Dark hardwood is a great way to bring some interesting contrast and opulence to your home. Even when the dark hardwood trend ends, dark hardwood flooring never goes out of style and is considered a timeless classic.
Contrast Dark Floors With Light Walls
If your average-height ceilings aren't capturing the ambiance of the elegant cathedral ceilings you desire, a dark floor—whether hardwood, tile, or carpet—can make a light-colored ceiling seem even higher.
Dark hardwood flooring is among the most popular styles. Its polished, rustic sheen makes for an unmatched quality look that will enhance the value of your home. With dark hardwood floors, you'll enjoy: Long-lasting color: Its color makes dark hardwood prone to absorbing sunlight, while light hardwood reflects it.
Wide plank floors are making a comeback.
Wide plank is on the rise again, and Broxson notes that recent trends include red and white oak wide plank floors. She says we'll see more light and almost bleached tones and dark espresso colors coming back, as well.
Hickory is the most durable wood species grown domestically with a Janka rating around 1820.
White oak floors are a stylish and timeless flooring option that can be customized to suit your design needs. Learn the differences between red and white oak, sand and stain flooring versus engineered hardwood, and more!