What's better dark or light wood floors?

Author: Willis Rowe  |  Last update: Wednesday, May 25, 2022

Dark Hardwood Floors
Long-lasting color: Its color makes dark hardwood prone to absorbing sunlight, while light hardwood reflects it. Over time, you'll find that your dark flooring results in less sun damage, retaining its dark sheen for longer.

Is it better to have light or dark floors?

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.

Do dark or light floors make a room look bigger?

Decorating Tips for Color

Light and bright colored walls are more reflective making a room feel open and airy, and maximizing the effect of natural light. Dark colors, on the other hand, absorb light, making a room look smaller. Soft/bright color tones tend to make a room not only look bigger, but also more inviting.

What color hardwood floor is best for resale?

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.

Which color wooden floor is best?

Most Popular Hardwood Floor Colors
  • Classic Pine. ...
  • Cherry Toned. ...
  • Moody Grays. ...
  • Multi-Color Character. ...
  • Subtle Stripes. ...
  • Flat Light Gray. ...
  • Two-Tone. ...
  • Bold and Red. Woods of all kinds take stain colors well, allowing you to get a multitude of different looks for your flooring.

Light vs. Dark Hardwood Floors - choosing for your Chicago home

Are dark wood floors out of style?

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.

What color hardwood floor is timeless?

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.

Are light wood floors out of style?

Good news, they're not. 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.

Are dark wood floors timeless?

However, if you just can't decide, you can't go wrong with the versatile look of a dark wood floor. “If you are going for a timeless look, a darker wood tone will always be applicable,” says designer Kia Weatherspoon, president of D.C.-based Determined by Design.

Should wood floors be lighter or darker than cabinets?

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.

Will dark wood floors make a room look smaller?

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.

What color floors make a house look bigger?

Light color flooring tends to brighten up a space and make it feel larger.

What color floor makes a room look bigger?

1) Light and dark flooring

Think cream carpets, natural and neutral toned tiles and whitewashed wood flooring. These attractive, light and neutral colours give a room an open and airy feel, making it appear larger, whilst also drawing in the natural sunlight from outside.

Do dark floors darken a room?

Dark-colored floors can make rooms seem darker and smaller. If a room doesn't receive a lot of natural light, a dark floor can make it appear gloomy and uninviting. When space is limited, as it often is in condos and apartments, dark floors can give the illusion of even less space.

Which is the healthiest flooring for homes?

Healthier Flooring
  • Use solid surface flooring instead of carpet.
  • Choose FSC-certified solid wood.
  • Use natural linoleum or tile made in the U.S.
  • Choose low-VOC finishes and sealants.
  • Look for NAF-certified products.
  • Install without glue; use nail-down or click-lock.
  • Avoid laminate, vinyl flooring and synthetic carpeting.

Are dark floors hard to keep clean?

Dark floors may be a bit more difficult to clean than their lighter counterparts, but they are really great at hiding problems. For example, they don't fade as easily which means that they may need less refinishing over time.

What is the most timeless flooring?

Hardwood floors

Real hardwood flooring has been around all throughout history and right the way up until the present day, making it the most obvious choice for a timeless style of flooring. Wood will never look outdated in your home, so you don't have to worry about its timelessness being restrictive in any way.

What is the most durable wood floor?

Most Durable Hardwood Flooring

Ebony, cherry, live oak, or bamboo are the most durable choices. These extremely hard woods (and wood-like bamboo) wear well and are more resistant to minor damage than other options.

How do I choose a floor color?

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.

Is dark flooring a good idea?

Depending on the style you choose, a dark hardwood floor can give a warm and comforting (and/or sophisticated and elegant) look to a room. It's all in how you make your design choices. Dark hardwoods often give a bit more of a luxurious look to the room, as opposed to the natural, lighter wood colors.

Does light flooring make a room look bigger?

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.

What flooring never goes out of style?

Hardwood Flooring

It's beautiful, it's durable, and it never goes out of style. Not to mention all of your friends, family, and neighbors aspire to have it, so you'll have your entire network envying your home's flooring design.

What is the most popular flooring in new homes?

1. Hardwood Continues to Dominate. Hardwood has remained at the top of the podium for decades now and continues to dominate the home flooring industry.

What is the most popular flooring for 2021?

Here are the most popular flooring trends in 2021
  • Embossed-in-register (EIR) finish. ...
  • Luxury vinyl planks (LVPs) ...
  • Faux wood tile. ...
  • Waterproof laminate. ...
  • Blonde wood flooring. ...
  • Artisan tile work. ...
  • Patterned wood.

Should floors be darker or lighter than walls?

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.

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