Do you prefer dark hardwood flooring or a lighter hardwood?
Question:Trying to decide the color of hardwood to use for our new home. We are putting hardwood throughout from Kitchen (light cream cabinets with chocolate glaze) dining, and greatroom through the bedrooms. The only exception being the two baths and utility, where we will use tile. I like the hand sculpted dark hardwood, but some have suggested the new "tiger eye" wood flooring. Any other suggestions?
Answers:
Consider the wear and tear and the UV factor. Which flooring do you think will resist the sunlight better? What shade will it turn to after time? Will it darken or lighten? Which one will show scuffs and scratches more?
I think that the darker shades, and it depends on what you consider dark, look a little bit more formal. They definitely require more maintenance because they show the dust more. Trust me, I had walnut floors. They do minimize the size of the room and for resale purposes, you would be limiting your market. Your home could be huge and carry the darker, but think ahead.
I have not seen the new tiger eye flooring. If it is like tiger maple, which is gorgeous, it may be too busy for a large floor run.
Oak still outsells other solid-wood floor. Brazilian cherry is growing because of the grain and variety of hues. I know you are not asking about other woods and just colors, but, I just wanted to make this point. And, cherry will darken with sun exposure. Just like engineered cork make lighten.
Just food for thought!
Congratulations on your new home.
It really is a matter of personal preference, but just know that the darker will make the room look smaller.
I like light colored wood.
i think a lighter color would look better with the cream cabinets and chocolate glaze, but it's hard to say for the other rooms since you didn't describe them.
I like the light colors because they make the room look bigger and brighter.
Depends on what kind of look you want. Dark wood can make a room look cozier. Light wood brightens the room for a more fun look.
I like the dark stuff. It will match the chocolate in your kitchen and if you ever sell your home, it is a great standard tone of brown.
I think lighter woods look more modern and lighten up a room. If you perfer the darker style, go with at most a medium color. Too dark and the room will look like a cave.
It depends. How dark or light is the room? What kind of lighting are you using? What color scheme? What kind of furniture? Style? Walls? Fireplace? Art? Everything impacts this decision.
I think too many people pick out a preference on floors or furnitiure or wallpaper without considering all the factors. Even the most beautiful rug will look like crap in the wrong room. Same holds true for the hardwood floors. Based on what you say about the kitchen, I'd lean toward something dark, but it really depends. Without a better picture of what the house is like, it really is impossible to say.
I like darkerwoods. They are easily repaired from any scratches.
Another option that is popular in europe is cork. Cork flooring is making becoming more popular in the states because of the fact that it does not chop a tree down to get the cork. It is very durable and attractive.
Dark Hardwood makes it look modern but superstitious people think that Light colors brings up good energies.
A medium shade is fine. Dark looks too serious.
I LOVE the dark flooring! My mother sells hardwood flooring though and she has pointed something out to me that has me convinced that I will never be able to have it in my house. As pretty as it looks, the second that someone walks on it, there are dirt marks. It shows every ounce of dust and dirt and everything you can imagine. I am opting for a medium color.
Try to go to a showroom that has their various floors on display and perhaps you will see what I mean. It kills me because I love it so much- but not as much as it would kill me to have dusty marked floors all the time. Go to a few local flooring shops and ask them for suggestions. That is always your best bet in the end, but always shop around!
Best of luck!
Like many have said, it depends on personal aesthetic preference and practical needs.
Just to share, we used to have a light coloured bathroom floor. The choice was because it was a safe colour, brighten the space and rather neutral to go with any other colour.
However, during a renovation, it was suggested to use a dark colour for the flooring. We took the advice. True indeed, it was also stylish in a certain way, but most of all, it does not look as easily dirty as when we had the light coloured flooring - much dust, dirt etc wasn't easily sighted with the dark flooring : )
I have dark hardwood in my current home, and we don't like it.
It makes the rooms darker, and shows every speck of dust.
New buyers don't like it either.
Try a medium range color, without too much red or yellow in it. Opens up the rooms, and enhances all the colors.
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