How to Pick the Perfect Wood Flooring Colors for Your Home

You've finally decided that you want to install hardwood floors in your home. You love the look of hardwood and its added value to your home. But there's one problem: you can't decide on a color! How can you pick the perfect shades and hues for your home?

Many people are simply unsure of what they want and feel overwhelmed by all the different options. If you're struggling to choose the perfect wood flooring color for your home, don't worry. We'll walk you through some of the things to help you make a decision.

Main Factors Affecting Wood Flooring Colors

When choosing wood flooring colors, one common challenge is figuring out how the color will work with the existing furniture and decor. Another challenge is finding a color that compliments the overall style and vibe of your home. 

The colors can significantly impact the look and feel of a room. Choosing your colors is affected by several factors: 

Species

There are many colors of wood flooring to choose from when deciding what type of hardwood flooring to install in your home. The wood species you select will determine the overall look of your floor, including the color and grain pattern. 

For example, if you want a bold and dramatic look, go for a darker wood like walnut or mahogany. If you prefer a more subdued and elegant look, choose a lighter wood like maple or oak. 

You'll find the perfect wood species no matter what theme or design you are trying to achieve. So do your research on every type of wood available. 

Type

Most of us are familiar with the classic hardwood floor. It's the one you envision in your grandparents' home or a beautiful old mansion. This type of wood, known as solid hardwood, came from a single piece of lumber. There are no layers or composites; it's just solid wood through and through. 

Solid hardwood floors can be sanded down, stained a different color wood flooring, and given a new coat of polyurethane to protect them and shine. You can repeat as many times as necessary, so they are often passed down from generation to generation. This trait sets this wood type apart from others. 

In contrast, engineered wood flooring is more flexible than solid hardwood, making it ideal for rooms with fluctuating temperatures or humidity levels. However, it's worth remembering that you can't refinish engineered wood as often as solid hardwood. Ultimately, the best type of hardwood flooring for your home depends on your choice of style and color. 

Stain or Sealant

There are many reasons to stain or seal your wood flooring. It protects the wood from radiation and helps prevent fading and discoloration. Plus, staining or sealing your floors helps extend their lifespan by preventing moisture damage. 

With stains or sealants, consider the wood species. For example, some hardwood has more pores; thus, it will absorb more stains, causing the wood color to darken. Others will require multiple coats for the wood stain to take effect and achieve the wood flooring color you want.

We suggest testing out the stain or sealant in a portion of your flooring before painting it on the entire floor. This way, you won't get any unwanted surprises.

Lighting in the Room

Over time, wood flooring colors can change due to the wood's exposure to light. The wood darkens as the tannins oxidize, and this process can create a yellowed appearance. 

For example, lighter woods such as maple or oak are more likely to show color changes than darker woods such as walnut or cherry. On top of that, wood floors with a glossy finish tend to show color changes more than floors with a matte finish. 

Ultimately, you have to consider how much sunlight goes into the room to determine the best wood flooring color for that space. 

Tips for Matching Hardwood Flooring Colors With Your Wall

Finding the perfect balance between your wall and flooring can be challenging when redecorating your space. Finalize your options with our tips on matching your wood floors to your walls and furniture pieces. 

Contrast Colors

When it comes to creating a visual impact in a space, there's no better way to match wood flooring with wall tones than in a light and dark contrast. The wood flooring provides a natural and warm look that complements the walls perfectly. 

This makes your home appealing, elegant, and stylish. Moreover, the light and dark contrast creates a sense of depth and dimension that can make your space pop. 

Go Neutral

Aren't you drawn to natural wood because of its beauty and durability? Indeed, wood floors are timeless and classic material for your floors. But, when you want to pick a color trend, look at the undertone of the wood. 

Warm wood floors have yellow, orange, or red hues, while cool wood floors have green, blue, or purple undertones. Neutral wood color with warm undertones complements warm colors, whereas cool-toned neutral matches cool colors. 

In addition, using neutral walls as a backdrop can help showcase artwork, home furnishings, and accessories with more flair. Gray, taupe, cream, and white wood flooring are just some of the most popular neutral colors.

Consider Your Furniture

Many people overlook their existing furniture pieces and artwork in their desired room to renovate. These items can actually be a source of inspiration. By looking at the wood tones featured on the furniture, you can get an idea of what wood floor would work well with the existing pieces. 

Alternatively, if you have a piece with wood tones or texture, you can use it as a starting point for your color scheme. You can create a cohesive and stylish room design by considering the existing artwork and furniture.

Try Out Samples

If you picked out wood flooring for your home, don't be in a rush to purchase your materials. Ask for samples, paint some patches, and temporarily install your preferred flooring option. 

Then, look at them for at least a day or two. Check them during daytime and nighttime. Your flooring and walls are the biggest parts of every room, so take your time picking out what works for your taste. 

Takeaway

Achieving a cohesive look in any space, whether it's a home or office, can be challenging. But it's definitely worth creating that "perfect" atmosphere. The right wood flooring colors can play a big role in achieving that desired look. 

When choosing wood flooring colors, there are a lot of factors to consider, such as the surrounding décor, the amount of natural light, and the size of the space. 
Now that you know what factors to consider when picking wood flooring colors for your home, it's time to start browsing. Read our other articles for more tips on choosing the perfect hardwood flooring and color combinations.