Light hardwood floors have a distinct advantage here. They tend to show less dirt than dark hardwood floors.
Ceramic tile with matte finish is an affordable option that works well for keeping dirt out of sight. This finish will also make your tile much less slippery when wet. A medium shade of highly-patterned matte tile is the best option for hiding dust, dirt and grime.
Your best option is to choose flooring that's somewhere in the middle of the color spectrum. A rich cherry wood or snap vinyl plank flooring in a medium tone is not only beautiful, but it's also not too dark or too light.
Hardwood Makes It Look Easy
Not only are hardwood floors timeless and versatile, but they are also easy to clean. Most hardwood floors are sealed with a finish, meaning a good dusting or vacuuming, followed by dry mopping, is all you need to clear away residue and leave your hardwood floors gleaming.
The best option is to go with floor tiles with some kind of design on them and are multi-colored, especially if you want to spend less time cleaning them. Some great colours include beige, ash grey, and you can even opt for slightly darker shades.
The lighter the floor, the better it is at hiding household dust. That's because most dust is light-colored by nature. Those light-colored dust bunnies blend into the flooring and it becomes less visible.
Dirt and dust will show up more clearly on dark wood floors. A daily sweep with a dust mop can keep the floors cleaner. Have your family take off their shoes at the door so that less dirt and grime gets tracked in the house. Stick to a cleaning schedule.
For kitchen flooring, durability and ease of cleaning are top criteria. Good choices are linoleum, ceramic tile--both very common--and wood. Linoleum is inexpensive and provides an easy-to-clean surface and comes in countless designs. Ceramic tiles are even better.
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.
Vinyl flooring is probably the easiest to clean out of all the options listed here and also one of the easiest to maintain. Also known as Cushion Floor, vinyl flooring is available at a good price and can take plenty of wear over the years, which is why many will come with a 15 year warrantee.
These light color tones are perfect for many design styles from contemporary to the wildly popular modern farmhouse. And it's not just about the look. These light colors are known to show less dirt, scratches, and dents than darker wood floors, which means less cleaning and maintenance.
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.
While cool and white-toned colors can make the room feel clean, dark colors actually hide stains and dirt more effectively, and are easier to keep looking clean over time.
Additionally, darker gray floors will show more dirt and pet hair than their lighter counterpart. Conversely, with a lighter gray floor, it can open up smaller spaces and create an illusion of the room being larger and works better to hide dirt and pet hair.
#1: Shows dark-colored debris more.
Depending on the style you choose, light hardwood floors can show more dark-colored debris. And if you have pets with darker-colored hair, you may not be 100% happy with light-colored floors. #2: Knots, water stains, and gaps can stand out more with light wood floors.
White. White cars are one of the most common on the road because of their clean look. There's a good reason for that! They're excellent at concealing dust, grime, and water stains—as long as you're not driving on dirt or red clay roads.
Many home experts agree that the floor color should be darker than the walls. The rule generally applies because lighter walls and a dark floor make the room seem larger. Most homeowners prefer a spacious looking interior. However, the rule can change with low ceilings.
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.
Tile Flooring
Porcelain and ceramic are some of the longest lasting flooring materials available, and they require little maintenance. Tile flooring is also moisture resistant, making it the perfect choice for areas where spills are common like bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms.
Grey floors are easier to keep clean than dark brown hardwood floors because they show less dust. Lighter gray floors can make a room feel open and airy, while darker gray stains can visually reduce the space.
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.
1) Light and dark flooring
Choosing lighter coloured flooring to compliment your furniture can expand the perceived size of any room and can open the space right up. Think cream carpets, natural and neutral toned tiles and whitewashed wood flooring.