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.
It is not necessary for your kitchen floor to be darker than the base cabinets or wall cabinets. The color of your kitchen floor can actually be a little lighter or darker than the cabinets. This creates a proper balance in the room.
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.
Consider porcelain or ceramic tile with unique veining patterns to go with your white countertops or cabinetry. You'll want to have a pop of color in the room so it doesn't look too dull. Even if you want to have the same colors in your color scheme, try to find several shades of that color and use them in your design.
A great method in cabinet color matching with hardwood floors is simply letting opposites attract. A lighter cabinet color, such as blonde or white, paired with a dark hardwood flooring, lets each wood have its own character. If both wood types have similar sheens and textures, they will tie together nicely.
You have to consider both the floor's color and the material. It is generally best to use flooring that can withstand the kitchen's environment. Kitchens are prone to sharp tools, moisture buildup, and heat. This can negatively affect some flooring materials more than others, despite any added protection.
Dark floors will provide some contrast to the room over all and really show off those light cabinets. A lighter floor colour will blend in, and the difference won't be as clear.
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.
As we have shown, there is no right or wrong combination when it comes to countertops and floors. For a modern high-contrast look, darker floors paired with lighter countertops are a good combination. Lighter floors with darker countertops will give you a more modern contemporary look, according to some sources.
Gray Granite Goes Great with Dark Cabinets
Combining dark cabinets with gray floors with white veining can create a sophisticated, modern traditional look with dark cabinetry and stone-colored counters and backsplash.
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.
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.
When it comes to floors and cabinetry in a kitchen, you might think you have to find materials that are an exact match. However, as interior design experts recommend, the idea is to mix complementing materials, not match them.
Generally speaking, your kitchen flooring and countertops should complement one another. This often means that they'll be two different colors that contrast with each other. The level of contrast depends on the design style you're going for: What is this?
Consider the size of the room: If you're putting a new floor in a large or wide room, going with a darker color will make a sprawling space feel somewhat smaller and cozier. In contrast, a lighter color such as beige or cream can help “open up” cramped living areas and make them seem bigger.
Choose a floor color based on your countertops to balance your kitchen. You can also match your flooring to your countertops instead of the cabinets. This way, the surfaces will be similar and create balance in your kitchen. Take a note of the shade of your countertops, and select a flooring option in a similar color.
The design should be used to balance out the light and dark shades of the other elements, so if you have light cabinets and countertops, you may want to choose a dark backsplash to bring more depth to the kitchen. If you have very dark cabinets or countertops, a light backsplash will help the kitchen feel fresh.
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.
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.
Light floors: Light hardwood is the best color floor for a white kitchen if you want to maintain an airy feel. Pine or golden oak options — as long as they aren't too yellow — will add just enough color contrast to let your kitchen stand out without overwhelming the room.
If you want your dark wood kitchen floor to make a statement, match it with a bright white kitchen. The white cabinets and units provide a stark contrast to the depth of the flooring, to create a modern and fresh effect.