Selecting the right flooring color for your space is a huge decision. After all, once your floor is installed, you will most likely have to live with your choice for a very long time. When purchasing hardwood, laminate, or luxury vinyl, the first step in choosing a color is to determine if you’d rather go light or go dark.
Furniture
Hardwood floors with a light finish – such as oak, maple, ash, and hickory – go with practically everything. If you have light hardwood floors in your kitchen, you should select darker cabinets to provide visual contrast.
If you install dark flooring, choose wood furniture that matches the warmth of your floors, but is a few shades lighter. This provides contrast to your dark wood floors without appearing too stark. Just as lighter floors look better with darker cabinets, darker floors look better with lighter cabinets.
Maintenance
Lighter floors require less upkeep than dark ones, since minor scratches will blend right in. You also needn’t sweep the floor as frequently, because dust and pet hair are far less obvious on light hardwood.
All hardwood is susceptible to dents and scratches, but dark wood tends to show damage more readily than the lighter shades. It also shows off all of the dust, dirt, and pet hair that has accumulated on its surface.
Space
Light flooring colors can create the illusion of space, making them a particularly great option for smaller homes and condos – especially in those rooms that are exposed to limited natural light.
Dark floors make your space feel a bit smaller, and are ideal for larger homes, homes with sizable rooms, and open floor plans. If you prefer dark floors – but you’re concerned that your space will look too dark – consider going with a lighter color for the walls, and add overhead lighting.
Atmosphere
Lighter hardwood floors create a sunnier, more cheerful atmosphere, and tend to attract more attention than darker shades. If you love bright, colorful decorations, a lighter hardwood floor may be the perfect fit for your sense of style.
Dark floors exude classic elegance, and are a bit more earthy and warmer than lighter wood floors. Dark flooring creates the visual impression of earth beneath your feet, which encourages feelings of emotional security, and makes a room feel more inviting.
Style
White washed woods are the most modern color choice, followed by light or blonde floors. If your home is ultra-contemporary, you may prefer a lighter hardwood floor that better complements the sleek architecture.
A traditional home is better suited to dark wood floors that are more reminiscent of its era. Dark floors can be used to create a rustic feel – when the grain of the floor is replicated through textured decor accessories – such as bulky furniture and chunky woven rugs.
Light and dark hardwood floors are both beautiful and functional, and either variety will serve your home well for many years to come.