Once you’ve opted to install or refinish hardwood floors, you’ll have several choices to make. There are a number of different types of wood that can each bring a different look to a room. With your wood selected, you can further customize the look by choosing a specific color.

Colors range from rich, darker tones to warm browns to lighter colors, each of which can have its own distinct effect. Before making your choice, there are several factors you need to take into consideration that may help you decide.

The style of your home/décor

Different types of woods and different colors lend themselves better to certain designs.  If you have a lot of lighter colors and sleek, modern design, for example, that might pair better with a darker floor, while a more traditional design may work better with warmer, mid-level colors.

The traffic pattern

If you have a very busy household, especially one with children and pets, then you’re probably better off with lighter colors that won’t show wear as much. 

Your cleaning habits

If you aren’t particularly diligent about cleaning, then you’ll also want lighter shades and hardier types of wood that don’t tend to show dirt as much.  Darker colors can be very attractive but they’ll also require more regular cleaning, so take that into consideration before you go in that direction.

Size of the room/amount of light

Both the size of the room and the amount of natural light it gets can affect the look of your wood floors.  Darker colors may be too heavy for small rooms, while rooms that get a lot of regular sunlight will need a color that won’t fade as much.

Other colors in the room

Your design choices can also help to dictate the color of the wood you choose. Everything from the color of the walls and furnishings to other wood surfaces in the room such as cabinets or built-ins can affect your choice of floor color, as you want your floor to complement the rest of your design.

With all of that in mind, it’s time to look at your color options so that you can make the right choice for your home.

Brown

Brown is, of course, the classic choice for most hardwood flooring.  There is a wide range of shades within the brown family, however, and you can opt for anything from a medium warm-toned antique oak to a dark chocolate brown maple. The shade of brown you choose will depend on the style, size, and color of your room and your personal preference. 

Using a brown shade generally makes it easier for you to change the design of the room as they are usually more adaptable. Also, since brown is the most popular choice for flooring it is also your best bet in terms of resale as it is likely to appeal to the most people.

Natural/Beige

On the lightest end of the color spectrum is natural hardwood flooring. These are bright, clean tones that lean toward a more modern look. They can range from rosy pinkish tints to light yellow and orange tones.

These tones tend to blend well with other neutrals but can become boring if they are overdone.  Also, they may not work with all colors, so you’ll want to choose carefully depending on the overall design of your room.

Yellow/Tan

Despite the name, this group of colors doesn’t actually include bright, vivid yellows but rather rich, warm tones of honey and caramel. Oak most often leans toward these tones but you can also find yellows and tans in maple or lighter walnuts. 

These shades add a wonderful touch of warmth to your home, and as they can look a bit more aged they can also give any home a “lived-in” feeling. They work perfectly with rustic designs that include leathers and wools and homespun fabrics.

White

This is one of the less traditional colors but it can be a perfect choice, particularly for small spaces, as the ability of white to reflect light can make a space feel larger. White floors and light-colored walls can be a great backdrop to highlight a statement piece of furniture or art and they work particularly well for a light, beachy design.

Gray

Gray is very much on trend, considered the “new neutral”. It’s a great choice if you want an alternative to natural or beige tones but still want something that will serve as a neutral.  Also, gray tends to bring out the grain in wood flooring, so it is ideal for woods that have a distinct grain that you want to highlight. 

Orange/Red

Not for the faint of heart, coppery or russet-tinted hardwoods can add a real eye-catching dash to your décor.  You need to tread carefully with these tones, though, as they don’t mix well with all decors.  Better to test out a small patch before you stain a whole floor to make sure you can live with it.

Black

For the boldest statement of all, you can opt for black or dark hardwood floors.  Again, this doesn’t go with all designs so you need to choose carefully, but in the right setting dark floors can add a touch of elegance to a room.  As darker shades can make a room feel smaller, they tend to work best in larger rooms with plenty of light.

Bottom Line

With hundreds of subtle shades to choose from, selecting a color for your hardwood floor can be a daunting task.  You need to take the design of your home, the traffic patterns, the amount of light and other factors into consideration as they can all have a bearing on what color of hardwood will work best for you.  

With a little careful thought, you can find the right shade that helps to make your hardwood floors the perfect accent for your home.

Contact Plus Hardwood Flooring today to help you determine your best colors and get a free estimate.