Hardwood is the number one flooring choice for most homeowners for a good reason. These floors are versatile, beautiful and they can elevate the charm of any room they’re placed in.
They are typically highly durable, and can be refinished a number of times, making hardwood a type of flooring that can last for decades, or even centuries!
On top of that, hardwood comes in a wide variety of styles, finishes, species and colors, which makes it suitable for pretty much any room in your home.
Each wood species has its own characteristics and appeal, and it can dictate the emotion you feel when you walk into a room, whether it’s your living room, kitchen or the bedroom.
Lighter tones like bleached oak can create a bright and airy feel, making the room appear more spacious and welcoming. It can be great at reflecting natural light and enhancing the overall sense of openness.
On the other hand, darker shades such as deep browns or grays add to a sense of sophistication. They are excellent at establishing an elegant, formal look that goes well with a more luxurious interior design.
And then you have rich, warm hues like red oak that can evoke a cozy atmosphere, which makes it perfect for living rooms.
Bearing all that in mind, we know that with so many options comes a whole lot of trouble in picking the right one, and it can be an exhausting job – that’s why we’re here to make it easier for you!
11 Wood Flooring Color Choices And Designs
- Bleached Oak – Kicking off our list, we have Bleached Oak which is great at making spaces feel sunnier and more open. It combines particularly well with Scandinavian and contemporary country style interiors due to its bright color palette.
It’s especially popular in smaller or north-facing rooms where natural light is limited. If this resonates with you, you should definitely look into this flooring option.
- Dark Brown – This timeless color gives a certain aura and presence to a room. It shines when used in large, open spaces where it can provide a dramatic contrast to light furniture (it’s particularly good at enhancing the richness of leather and more traditional style of decor)
- Natural Wood Tones – One of the most versatile options on this list, natural wood tones serve as a subtle background that allows furniture and artwork to fully shine.
This choice is popular in homes where the focus is on stunning pieces of art, as it does not take away from that beautiful painting or bust that you’d like everyone to notice first.
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- Light and White-Washed – Studies have shown that these tones can make any room feel larger, so it’s no surprise why these floors are a hit in coastal and Scandinavian designs.
These tones are so refreshing, they can truly make you feel like you’re on your own private beach inside your living room.
- Red Oak – One of the most popular choices on our list, Red Oak flooring is a prime choice if you’re looking to bring coziness to a room. You just immediately get pulled into the ambience of a room with Red Oak, there’s not much not to love.
- Greige – A blend of warmer beige tones and cooler gray undertones, this color has become more popular over the years due to how beautifully it pairs with minimalist and modern interiors.
- Gray – Known for its chic and sleek appearance, gray hardwood floors are a favorite in contemporary homes. It’s commonly chosen for its cool tones that serve as the perfect backdrop for bold, colorful accents like royal blue or emerald green.
- White Hardwood – These floors are beloved for their ability to brighten any space and bring a sense of expansiveness. You’d be surprised how simple white hardwood can transform a dim hallway into a luminous corridor.
- Herringbone Patterns – This distinctive pattern is noted for its visual impact and the way it directs the eye, making spaces seem wider. Design enthusiasts appreciate its historical connotation and the dynamic presence it adds to a room.
- Wide Plank Flooring – The broad planks are praised for their rustic charm and the seamless look they provide, reducing the number of seams visible on the floor. This feature is often highlighted in farmhouses and contemporary rustic interiors.
- High-Contrast Designs – Homeowners love the dramatic flair of dark floors against light walls, which can highlight architectural features and furniture outlines. This contrast is often leveraged in modern minimalist and industrial decors to create striking visual interest.
Our two cents on the topic…
The biggest thing to remember about wood floor colors is that your choice should ultimately make you happy! Yes, you can choose something that is trendy, popular, or will retain your resale value, but if you hate the overall look, why bother?
So whether you’re choosing colors for a specific room or doing your whole house at once, you are the only one your wood floors have to please!
Our advice: whenever you’re ready to start shopping, go straight to the source: a reputable, knowledgeable flooring store in your area.
They can answer all your questions, help you find products you love, and show you how to find the best wood floor colors that will match your home.
About The Author
Sarah Fogle
May 27, 2024
Sarah is a full-time freelance writer and dog mom with a slight travel addiction. When she's not writing or removing fur from all surfaces, she can be found helping "supervise" her husband's retail store, planning adventures, taking naps, or adding to her already large makeup & skincare product collection.
