Choosing the right hardwood floor is an important (and we would say exciting) process. The right combination of hardwood colour and floor finish can enhance a room by bringing together different design elements and setting the tone for the space.
You have many options to choose from. Natural or dark? Red toned or grey? Matte or gloss? It can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, we created this guide to help. We walk you through popular colours, finishes, and key design considerations to help you select the hardwood that fits both your style and lifestyle.
A Guide to Common Hardwood Colours
Your choice of hardwood is the foundation of the room. Flooring grounds your design, creating a space that feels harmonious and makes sense. It sets the tone for the entire room and influences how everything else comes together, from the walls to the furniture and decor.
Popular Colours
- White and Blonde: Light, airy, and modern, white and blonde tones are a go-to for contemporary homes. Since they’re wonderful reflectors of natural light, they help rooms feel larger and more open. Plus, these tones hide dust and minor scratches easily.
- Tan and Natural: Natural wood tones sit right in the middle: not too light, not too dark. They highlight the grain of the wood and have a timeless look that works with almost any style. This makes it one of the safest and most versatile options available.
- Red and Orange Toned: These warmer tones bring richness and character to a space. Often found in traditional homes, they add warmth and depth, but require careful coordination with wall colours and furniture to avoid clashing undertones.
- Earthy Mid-Browns: Mid-brown floors are a classic choice. They perfectly balance warmth and versatility, working well in both modern and traditional interiors. These woods tend to age gracefully, making them a solid long-term option.
- Deep and Dark Browns: Dark hardwood creates a bold, dramatic look. These tones add contrast and sophistication, but tend to show dust, scratches, and pet hair more easily. They work best in larger or well-lit spaces where they won’t make the room feel too enclosed.
- Greys: Grey hardwood floors offer a cool, modern look that pair best with natural palettes. But beware, undertones matter a lot. Choosing the wrong one can clash with your decor.
Different Types of Floor Finish
The floor finish has a big impact on the look and durability of your hardwood. Remember, it’s not just about shine. It also affects maintenance and how the floors wear over time. Floor finishes are categorised as being matte, satin, semi-gloss, or gloss, and can also be oil-based or water-based. Oil-based finishes tend to bring out warmer tones and offer a rich look, while water-based finishes dry faster and maintain a more natural colour.
Popular Hardwood Floor Finishes
- Matte: Matte finishes have little to no shine, giving your floors a clean, modern, and understated look. They’re excellent at hiding scratches, dust, and everyday wear—a great choice if you have pets and kids!
- Satin: Satin is the most popular floor finish because of its subtle sheen that isn’t overly reflective. It strikes a balance between style and practicality, helping to conceal minor imperfections while still adding a soft glow.
- Semi-gloss: Semi-gloss finishes reflect more light, giving floors a brighter and more polished appearance. They’re often seen more in traditional homes. However, they can show scratches and dust more easily than lower-sheen options.
- Gloss: Gloss finishes possess a dazzling high shine, almost like a mirror surface. While visually striking, they tend to highlight scratches, dust, and imperfections, requiring more maintenance to keep them looking their best.
Don’t Forget About Undertones
One of the most overlooked aspects of choosing a hardwood colour is undertone. Even if two floors look similar at first glance, their undertones can completely change how they work in your space! If your flooring clashes with your walls or furniture, undertones are almost always the reason.
Hardwood can be warm, cool, or neutral. Warm tones have hints of red, orange, or yellow, while cool tones lean toward grey or ash. Neutral tones sit somewhere in between. Paying attention to undertones ensures your wood design feels cohesive and not mismatched.
Choosing the Right Hardwood for Your Home
Natural Light
Don’t underestimate the power of natural light. It’s hugely impactful on how your hardwood colour appears. A floor can look dramatically different in the showroom than how it does in your home. While bright spaces can handle darker floors, low-light rooms tend to call for lighter tones.
Room Size
Floor colour affects how large or small a room feels. If you have a small space, it’s best to avoid dark hardwood. Lighter tones help compact spaces feel bigger, rather than shrinking an already small room. Conversely, darker floors serve as an anchor in larger, open-concept areas.
Wall Colour
Your wall colour should complement flooring and not compete with it. You can either match undertones for a cohesive look or create contrast for visual interest. The key is avoiding combinations that clash.
Ceiling Height
Flooring also has the power to influence how tall a room feels. Light hardwood can make ceilings appear higher and spaces feel more open. Darker tones can add warmth and grounding, especially in rooms with higher ceilings.
Overall Design and Decor
Lastly, your flooring should (of course) align with your home’s overall wood design and interior style. Light, neutral floors often suit modern or minimalist spaces, whereas rich, warm tones are a natural fit in traditional or rustic interiors. You can tie various design elements together by remaining consistent across finishes and materials.
Pro Tip: Sample Before You Commit
Flooring is an investment. You want to be certain that you’re making the right decision. We recommend testing samples in your home to avoid costly mistakes and buyer’s remorse. Place samples in different rooms, observe them in natural and artificial light, and compare finishes side by side.
What looks good in a showroom may not translate the same way in your space. With this in mind, Revival Flooring will happily ship a small sample to you. We also offer free on-site consultations.
Hardwood Designs From Revival Flooring
As you start shopping for the right hardwood design for your home, you need to consider style, function, and durability. By considering hardwood colour, finish, and how your space is used, you can make a decision that feels right for years to come. When in doubt, the professionals at Revival Flooring are here to help.
To learn more about our professional hardwood finishing services, call Revival Flooring at 705-990-0548 or contact us here.