Flooring

How to Choose the Right Hardwood Floor Color

Installing new hardwood floors is an original investment, making deciding on the right one even extra daunting, mainly for a wood-floor newbie. Is the right higher than walnut? What’s the deal with heat tones? Is a mild floor a recipe for a catastrophe? I went instantly to the experts to discover what owners need to know.

Start With the Basics

There are essential elements that go into what hardwood flooring looks as if, says Patrick Bewley, vice chairman of marketing at California-based flooring emblem Duchateau. First is the grain, which is usually determined through the species of wooden. Then there’s the end or stain, which creates the color. “Our recommendation is to start using deciding on the color range that is maximum appealing to you—the one that speaks to you and space,” he explains. “Then, you may have a look at diverse grain patterns and surface remedies within that range and find the one that you’re feeling works high-quality with the chosen coloration and your other design factors.

Undertones Matter

How to Choose the Right Hardwood Floor Color 1
Just like with paint shades, it is vital to bear in mind the undertone of your floors. Most designers warn against anything wood finishes that skew very crimson or orange, which will be predisposed to appear dated. But that does not imply that you should steer clear of heat undertones. Says Bewley, one of the most significant developments in wood floors proper now is a warm take on-the-moment grey. “These new tones mix the chilliness of grey with warmer undertones, growing high livability at the side of an on-trend look,” he notes.

Of direction, tendencies need to come second to your adorning fashion continually. “To borrow the philosophy of the moment, the coloration you choose ought to spark joy,” says Bewley. “Remember that the ground is the base element of a room. Paint colors, textiles, furniture, and add-ons can all be used to make a room reflect the maximum up-to-date trends.”

Think About Upkeep

You might love the look of a certain kind of wood flooring now; however, think about how it will hold up—and what kind of effort you’re willing to place into preserving it pristine. As a rule of thumb, says Bewley, “harder woods, inclusive of European Oak, are a great choice for excessive-visitors and kid-centric spaces, while softer species, which includes walnut, are better suitable for lower-traffic regions.”

A word of caution about those Scandi-style light wooden flooring you see throughout Pinterest: “Dirt tends to be greater visible—it is no specific than light-colored tile or carpet,” says Bewley. But in case you’re inclined to place inside the time and energy to easy and maintain your flooring on an everyday basis, he adds, “there is no purpose of avoiding lighter colors.”

Swatch Before You Stain Your Floors

Thinking approximately staining your existing floors? Just like with paint colorings, you may want to apply samples before you commit to one. What seems to be a mild neutral at the chip in your neighborhood hardware store may emerge as looking exclusive to your space, relying on the entirety from mild to the wall color—and, of direction, the wooden itself. “The species and tone can affect the final appearance,” says Behr senior product manager Rick Bautista. “For instance, in case you’re using a traditional obvious or semi-transparent stain, a clean pine board stained with a chocolate color will appear exceptional than a darker, redwood board stained with the equal shade.”

What About Painted Floors?

A coat of paint can be an excellent option for updating wooden floors which have visible higher days. While frequently synonymous with a beachy, rustic look, painted flooring also can be pretty elegant (for evidence, check this Florida holiday house via Lindsey Coral Harper). Just make sure to use a correct floor or deck paint, which is formulated to get up to the day-by-day wear and tear of being walked on. And at the same time, as white flooring is a perennial favored, Ann Pyne of McMillen advises caution before taking the plunge: “White painted floors can’t be reversed—the white paint gets among the forums!”

Margie Willis

When I decided to start blogging about real estate, I knew this would be a long journey. I was right. As you can see, I've grown my blog over the years and now have many followers. The reason why I started blogging is that I wanted to share my passion for designing and decorating my own home. I want to help people with home improvement ideas, trends, and inspiration.

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