And should the wood floors be lighter or darker than the cabinets? Decorators all agree on the answer. Wood floors can be lighter or darker than the cabinets, as long as the colors complement each other. The best way to do this is to start your project by picking 2 complementary colors and an accent color.
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.
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.
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.
Contrasting colors will help to create visual interest and does not have to be drastic to be effective. If you are trying to determine what color floor for dark kitchen cabinets will work well, use a color wheel to find contrasting lighter tones of equal measure that balance.
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.
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.
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.
What kind of flooring goes best with wood cabinets? Vinyl, tile, and linoleum go best with wood cabinets. However, if you want to use a wood floor, that can work too. Just make sure that the wood floor is the same tone as the cabinets but a contrasting shade.
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.
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.
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?
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 stained hardwood flooring is by far the best selection when it comes to overall popularity and resale value. Some of the best darks stains for wood are espresso, dark walnut, and antique brown. These darker colors often give way to more color combinations since they do not lean towards a yellow or orange tint.
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.
White oak floors have been used in homes for many years, proving they won't be going anywhere any time soon. This white oak engineered hardwood floor is a timeless option that showcases the raw beauty and graining of white oak with its light color.
Light color flooring tends to brighten up a space and make it feel larger. Bright and creamy floor tones can help modernize a small room, adding an element of airiness. Be sure to snag as much natural light as you can or install warm artificial lights to make your small space as attractive and inviting as possible.
Honey/Copper-Colored Wood Floors
Just a step darker than trending blonde wood, warm, rich honey wood will be taking 2022 by storm. Also known as copper-colored, honey wood floors are still light enough to give you many of the benefits of blonde wood, making your room look larger and more open.
When you refinish your floors, you can change the color of your flooring. Most hardwood floors can be made darker, lighter, redder, or anywhere in between. If your flooring is solid hardwood, it can be sanded and refinished in a different stain for a different appearance.
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.
“Hardwood flooring is stylish and sustainable, comes in a variety of natural colors, and doesn't absorb dust or debris, making it easy to clean and maintain,” he says. Murphy says it is also a good choice for the kitchen because you rarely need to replace hardwood flooring.
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.