These days, the standard width in hardwood flooring is the 4- or 5-inch wide plank. Curious minds may know that the standard has grown wider with time. These widths are often the go-to because the boards can fit nicely and effectively in most rooms.
Stick with thin widths for a classic wood floor: If you're a traditionalist, planks between 2 ¼ inches and 3 inches are most common in homes and give you that classic hardwood floor appearance. Go wide if you love character: Wider floorboards of 5 to 12 inches reveal a wood's character, including grain and knots.
Wide plank flooring can work well in a number of spaces, but narrow plank flooring only really works well in contemporary spaces. Narrow plank flooring can run on the more expensive side. Because there are more planks in the floor, it may take longer to install.
Perks of Wide Plank Wood Flooring
It also creates a smooth look that lets the eye seamlessly roam around the room. Lastly, with fewer seams, this type of flooring is easier to keep clean, as dirt and debris can't easily hide in between the cracks or crevices.
In fact, wide planks were the norm in colonial days, which is why many wide plank projects are made from reclaimed wood. So even if the trends change with the times, your wide plank floors will likely continue to look attractive for many years to come.
It's not recommended to have solid hardwood flooring more than 6″ wide. This is because if the floor boards get much wider, they are prone to damage. Solid hardwood reacts to temperature and humidity changes by expanding and contracting.
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.
Color: when we think about a spacious room, blonde wood often comes to mind. Floor color plays a major role in making your small space seem larger. We often recommend light colors to give the room an airy feel. For example, blonde, light brown, or whitewashed hardwood can make the room seem more open.
A classic, inexpensive option for your hardwood floor layout is a straight pattern. If you want to make the room look bigger, the planks should be installed parallel to the longest wall of the room.
You should have pieces no longer than 7 feet, and no shorter than 1 foot. The average length is between 3 and 3.5 feet.
Oak floors continue their dominance.
But there's one runaway favorite: Oak overtakes 60 percent of the hardwood market. It takes a stain easily, it lasts for years, and it has the classic hardwood look that many buyers look for.
Since wider flooring takes up more space, there are fewer seams on your floor, making the space feel less crowded and overall bigger. They can also be more affordable because you need fewer of them.
“Wide planks have had a good run! They are very DIY-friendly and work well in so many spaces,” Melissa says. “I think narrow planks are definitely making a comeback! Just because a style is from the past or more traditional doesn't mean it can't be modernized!”
Larger planks stretch the eye, giving the appearance of more square footage. On the other hand, it's important to avoid narrow or thin planks, as the many small lines offer a more crowded atmosphere. Whether you're installing hardwood, laminate, or luxury vinyl planks, wider is better.
Wide planks are much more expensive to buy and install than the smaller pieces. Much of this has to do with their source. Wide planks must be milled from the trunks of very old trees.
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.
The minimalist trend is still going strong and this applies to flooring too. Neutral tones like honey, cream, and white will be top choices in 2023. These colors will work well with almost any decor style.
In general, most experts state that one does not need to have absolute uniformity in the home flooring but one should consider strategically mixing the different types of hardwoods so they complement each other for a balanced, and gorgeous, aesthetic.
3) Parallel or diagonal flooring
Believe it or not, the way flooring is installed can help make a room look bigger than it is. As a general trick of the trade, installing flooring such as boards running parallel to the longest wall in the room instantly makes a room appear more spacious.
Contrast is one of the core rules of any style or decor, so the easiest way to match furniture and floors is to go with dark furniture on light floors or light furniture on dark floors.
The best flooring for resale value: The ROI on wood floors
They're durable, versatile, and most buyers love them. According to real estate experts, the average ROI for installing hardwood floors is about 70% to 80%, and wood floors can boost the sales price of your home as much as 2.5%.
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.
Mouldings and other floor accessories can make the floor look expensive with an inexpensive price tag, which is a great option to achieve a “luxurious” look and atmosphere without spending a fortune.
Laying Planks Along The Length of A Room
And in some cases, there is actually a very good reason for this. Solid wood flooring, expands dominantly across the grain. So running the width of a plank across the narrow part of any room will naturally reduce the amount of expansion required.
Choose Light Colored Flooring
What's beneath your feet can set the tone for the whole room, and having light-colored flooring will do wonders for the brightness level of your room. A light hardwood like pine or oak will add plenty of appeal to a darker room and expand the space to feel more open.