Hardwood Floor Colors: A Personal Guide to Elevating Your Home’s Aesthetic
When it comes to flooring options, if you have the means to make the investment, hardware flooring is the way to go. The beauty and value of hardwood flooring is undeniable and a classic choice that never goes out of style. For anyone new to hardwood floor colors, this guide explores how hardwood flooring can enhance a home’s aesthetic.
Why We Love Hardwood Flooring
There are so many reasons to love hardwood floors. Apart from the obviousness of its beauty, here are 5 more reasons to want hardwood floors.
1. Durability
Hardwood floors last for generations! They’re tough enough to handle years of use without significant wear and tear.
2. Low Maintenance
A quick sweep and occasional mop are all you need to keep hardwood floors shining.
3. Timeless Appeal
Hardwood floors are simply classic. Their beauty stands the test of time and age well with changing styles.
4. Versatility
The range of colors, styles, and finishes available means there’s a hardwood floor to match any home design.
5. Increased Home Value
When you invest in hardwood floors, know that this can amp up your home’s resale value by up to 3%.
Choosing Your Perfect Hardwood Floor Color
While there are no hard rules to follow when choosing the right hardwood floor for your home, there are a few factors to consider. Look at the following aspects of your home to help narrow down what hardwood floor will be best suited for it on a visual and functional level.
Your Home’s Style
Unless you’re doing a complete renovation of your home, make sure that the hardwood floors will be cohesive with the current look of a space. A light, neutral birch floor for instance would be perfect for a modern, minimalist space.
The Color Palette
Look at your walls, your furniture, and how much natural light you get in a given space. Choose a hardwood floor color that complements these elements. Considering how much visual space a floor takes up, you want it to look like it’s naturally part of a given space
Your Life, Your Floors
Along with the visual weight floors carry, consider their function too. What’s your household like? Do you have active children or large pets? Bear in mind that light-colored floors with glossy finishes will show dirt and flaws more easily than darker floors and floors with a matte finish.
Which Wood is Right for You?
Each wood species has its own unique characteristics, like grain patterns and natural color variations. Spend some time researching different species to find the one that suits your desired aesthetic. When and where you can render your hardwood floor options digitally to see how exactly it would fit in with your home.
Light or Dark Flooring
There are no hard rules for deciding between light or dark flooring. It all comes down to what look you want to achieve. With that said, lighter hardwood floors can make a room feel more spacious and airy. Darker floors, on the other hand, create a cozy, intimate atmosphere.
Trendy vs Timeless
It’s fun to follow design trends but remember that hardwood floors are a long-term investment. Pick a timeless color that won’t feel dated in a few years.
Timeless Colors You’ll Love
There’s a whole world of hardwood floor colors to choose from, but here are some timeless options you might consider:
- Cherry: Picture this – a rich, warm wood with a fine grain pattern that exudes elegance and sophistication. Cherry floors are truly something special.
- Hickory: This is your option if you’re looking for versatility. Hickory offers a stunning range of natural color variations, from light blonde to dark brown, giving you endless design possibilities.
- Birch: This features a light and creamy wood with a subtle grain that complements modern and Scandinavian-inspired spaces perfectly.
- Brown Maple: This beautiful medium-brown hue features a straight grain pattern that looks absolutely amazing in traditional and rustic designs.
- Red Oak: With its warm, reddish tones and pronounced grain pattern, red oak is such a popular choice among homeowners for good reason.
- White Maple: If you’re a fan of light, neutral woods with a subtle grain, white maple is perfect for contemporary and minimalist spaces.
- Walnut: Walnut is a dark, sumptuous wood with a unique, swirling grain pattern that makes a bold and luxurious statement.
- White Oak: This versatile wood boasts a light to medium-brown color and straight grain pattern that adapts beautifully to a variety of design styles.
Should You Stain, Finish, or Paint?
When installing hardwood floors in your home, you’ll have the option to either stain, finish or paint over it to finish its look. Here’s an overview of what each does.
Stain
Staining hardwood floors means adding a pigment or dye over them. You can choose from a variety of stains to create a more customized look for your floors. The stain will contain a degree of color to it, which will influence the final look of your hardwood floors. Stains work by seeping into hardwood floorboards and thus, staining them with a subtle color change. For example, you can make the red of cherry hardwood floors truly shine with a stain that highlights the deepness and richness of the wood’s color.
Along with altering the color, stains give hardwood floors a degree of protection from UV damage and moisture. Stains also act as a primer for a proper finish like polyurethane.
Finish
Hardwood floor finishes usually go hand in hand with stains. As durable as hardwood is, adding a finish as the final layer is a worthwhile endeavor. Doing so protects hardwood floors from scratches and makes them less susceptible to moisture damage. You can choose from matte, satin, or glossy finishes to complete the look of your hardwood floors.
Paint
While less common for hardwood floors, paint allows for a truly custom and unique look. If you’re feeling bold or want a specific color that stain just can’t provide, consider painting your floor. Just keep in mind that painted floors may need more frequent touch-ups and maintenance.
Wrapping It Up
Choosing the perfect hardwood floor color for your home is an important decision that impacts your space’s overall aesthetic. By considering your home’s design, color palette, lifestyle, wood type, and desired look, you can select a timeless and beautiful flooring option that you’ll enjoy for years to come. With careful planning and thoughtful choices, your floors will become a much-loved feature and highlight of your home.